Spotlight On: Matthew Neighbors, Superintendent, Galveston ISD
June 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Matthew Neighbors, superintendent at Galveston Independent School District (ISD), discussed key achievements, including infrastructure upgrades and educational advancements, and shared his vision for the district’s role in attracting families to the island.
What are some of the key highlights or achievements for Galveston ISD in the past 12 months?
Since I assumed the role of superintendent of Galveston Independent School District on July 1, 2023, we’ve seen significant progress. Our school year has been notably successful with increased attendance [rose from 92% to 93.4% 2022-2023]. A major development has been the execution of a $315 million bond, approved by voters in May 2022. This includes constructing a new Ball High School, which is currently underway across from the existing building. Additionally, we’ve opened the renovated Courville Stadium for our football and soccer teams, with plans to complete the press box by summer 2024.
We’re also in the process of remodeling and consolidating three middle school campuses, essentially transforming the district. Investments are being made in transportation, technology, and enhancing our cybersecurity capabilities.
On the academic front, the state’s new accountability system demands a greater focus on career and technology education, as well as workforce training. This is alongside our ongoing commitment to improving reading, writing, and math skills, preparing students for their future endeavors.
What are the primary areas of focus for the district, and how do you plan to achieve these goals?
Over the next five years, as we construct the new high school, we’ve defined our Top Five for the Next Five strategic goals. First, we’re focusing on student academic performance, aiming for each student to grow more than a year academically each school year. A new instructional framework, developed with teachers and principals, will soon be unveiled, supporting teaching from elementary to high school.
Secondly, we’re enhancing student culture and climate, promoting student voice and leadership through surveys and student-led activities. Our third priority is staff culture and climate. Addressing workforce housing and boosting staff engagement, including using QR codes for feedback, is key.
Fourth, we’re focused on maximizing resources. Financial constraints mean consolidating campuses in 2024, striving for efficiency without sacrificing student success. Lastly, our fifth goal is to build a better GISD, managing construction projects effectively to complete them on time, within budget, and in line with our community’s heritage and future goals.
How does the district cater to the unique educational culture and needs of its students?
Galveston ISD boasts a diverse student body, both ethnically and economically. Approximately 50% of our students are Hispanic, 25% white, 20% Black or African American, and 5% Asian, while about 80% qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our inclusive staff fosters a welcoming environment, evident in our cafeterias where students of diverse backgrounds mingle freely. This laid-back, island-time culture promotes a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
For our significant Hispanic student population, we’ve introduced specialized resources for dual language learners, leading to their remarkable academic success, surpassing state averages in many grades. We also host unique events, like a dual language spelling bee, to further support and celebrate their skills and encourage family involvement.
How is the district addressing the holistic needs of students, particularly in terms of mental health?
GISD has established a significant partnership with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), sponsoring teen health clinics at our secondary campuses. These clinics offer both physical and mental health services on-site, allowing students to access counselors without leaving school. This arrangement is quite unique among public schools.
Despite the effectiveness of this program, the demand for mental health services still exceeds our current capacity. For instance, while serving as a principal, I observed a waiting list of almost 60 students for two mental health counselors. While parents and students greatly appreciate these services, there’s a clear need for expansion.
What are some technology-driven programs in the district, and how do you plan to expand these programs to better prepare students for the job market?
Galveston ISD operates on a one-to-one basis, providing every student from kindergarten through 12th grade with a Google Chromebook. Younger students use these computers on campus, while older students may take them home.
In education, the use of technology, much like the discussion around AI, centers on ethical usage and maximizing productivity. A worker proficient in computers, and potentially AI in the future, is more productive. Our role as educators is to introduce and teach the appropriate use of these technologies, emphasizing their benefits for productivity.
With rapid technological evolution and limited funding, we’re focused on preparing our students for the future. We expose them to a variety of technological tools, aiming to equip them with the skills and experiences necessary to effectively use these technologies in higher education and their careers.
What strategies do you have in place to navigate prevalent challenges?
The most significant challenge we’re facing is the increased costs due to inflation, without a corresponding increase in state funding. This affects everything from equipment and supplies to employee costs. Our approach to this challenge involves basic business principles: increasing income and/or decreasing expenses. We’re thankful for the community’s support of the 2022 bond, which helps us decrease expenses by consolidating campuses, buying more efficient buses, and upgrading cybersecurity without dipping into our fund balance. We’re striving to be financially efficient and responsible, making decisions that reduce future expenses. However, this situation has necessitated cutting supply budgets by about 5 to 10%, forcing our directors and principals to make tough decisions.
What is your vision for the future of Galveston ISD in the near term?
Our vision for Galveston ISD is to become a primary reason for people wanting to move to the island. With a strong economy, rich culture, robust infrastructure, and diverse industries, the island is an attractive place for educators. We offer unique opportunities for both students and teachers. For instance, Galveston High School graduates can receive two years of tuition-free junior college education at Galveston College. This, combined with the plentiful job opportunities in our tourist-driven economy, provides our students with a head start in life.
We aim to support every student in reaching their full potential, whether they aspire to attend first-generation college or prestigious institutions like MIT. Our partnerships with Galveston College, UTMB, and Texas A&M Galveston enrich our students’ educational experiences. These collaborations, rare for a city of only 50,000 residents, offer unique advantages and opportunities. For example, we recently hosted a large robotics tournament with teams from California to Canada, showcasing the extensive network and opportunities available here. Our goal is to leverage these advantages and partnerships to enhance our students’ education and prepare them for a successful future.
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