Trustees Call Meeting to Approve New Superintendent Contract

The Irving ISD Board of Trustees has scheduled a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m., March 12 in the Administration Building Boardroom to consider the approval of an employment contract with Dr. Dana T. Bedden, lone finalist for the position of IISD superintendent of schools.

Prior to the board meeting, the trustees will host a welcome reception for Bedden and his family from 4-6:30 p.m. in the atrium of the Administration Building. The public is invited to attend.

Bedden was announced as lone finalist for the position of IISD superintendent February 18. He currently serves as superintendent of Richmond County School System in Augusta, Georgia. A native of Florida, Bedden earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Florida and Master of Education degree from Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech University.

Upon signing the contract, Bedden will make preparations for moving to Irving. He will replace Dr. Neil Dugger, who has served as interim superintendent since April 20. Immediately following the board meeting, Bedden will meet area news media for questions.

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Candidates Set for Trustee Election

The following individuals have filed to run for Places 5, 6 and 7 in the May 8 IISD Board of Trustees election. Filing closed March 8.

• Place 5: Gwendolyn Craig, Pedro Portillo
• Place 6: Jerry Christian
• Place 7: Ronda Huffstetler, James Stegall

The deadline for registering to vote in the May 8 election is April 8. Applications are available at most county government buildings as well as public libraries and post offices. Applications may also be completed online or printed from the Dallas County Elections Department website at www.dalcoelections.org.

For more information, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/election.htm.

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Irving to India Collaborative Project

Crockett Middle School hosted Anand Surana, CEO of the India-based technology consulting company ICEGEIN, in a visit to the school February 25.

The visit was the beginning of a collaborative effort between Irving ISD and the Surana Group of Institutions, schools that Surana’s foundation supports. In preparation for the visit, students at Crockett posted questions online. During Surana’s visit, he and the students discussed issues related to green technology and global climate change.

IISD and Crockett Middle School administrators welcomed Anand Surana, CEO of India-based ICEGEIN in a visit to the school February 25. Pictured with Surana (center) are (from left) Mikie Kindsfather, instructional coordinator; Stefanie Sims, instructional technology specialist; Dr. Alice Owen, executive director of technology; Angie Gaylord, Crockett principal; and Sam Farsaii, director of instructional technology.

Surana and his company’s foundation contributes to the building of schools in India, and is affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education in New Delhi. Schools the company supports offer classes from the preprimary level to senior secondary level, serving approximately 2,000 students. At the secondary level, the school offers both science- and career-oriented classes. Students are also required to learn English, an additional language, social sciences, physical and biological sciences, and mathematics.

Since beginning the collaboration, Crockett students have shared research and questions with students at a school in Chennai, India, the city in which ICEGEIN is located. Students’ postings on Blackboard were shared with students in India, creating a conduit for discussion.

During Surana’s visit, a letter of interest was signed, forming an agreement between Crockett and the Surana Group of Institutions. This agreement will help build upon students’ discussions, share information related to IISD’s Net Zero Middle School, and exchange knowledge about culture and heritage.

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High School Solo & Ensemble Results

Irving ISD high school students competed at UIL Regional Solo & Ensemble in Coppell February 27.

Thirty-four students, either as soloists or as ensembles, earned first-division ratings and qualified to advance to state UIL Solo & Ensemble Competition May 29-31. For the complete list of students qualifying for state, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/soloensemble2010.htm.

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Student Council, German Students Win at State

Students in German classes at Nimitz High School and the Student Council at Singley Academy were recognized in their respective state-level events.

Nimitz German students traveled to Austin February 27. Placing in the top five among all students at the competition were Parker Hillis, Sight Reading; and Carly Taylor, Mary Schuessler, Mariah Barksdale, and Parker Hillis, Vocal Group. Placing in the top 10 were Jessica Alvarez and Carly Taylor, Culture; Parker Hillis, Vocabulary & Listening; and Jordan Shelton, Mary Schuessler, Bailey McMullen and Robby Pacheco, Gingerbread House.

Student Council members from Singley Academy participated in the Texas Association of Student Council (TASC) District 3 Conference in Mesquite March 6. For the second consecutive year, the organization won the sweepstakes award at the conference. Included in sweepstakes consideration is documentation related to the groups efforts in pride and patriotism; energy and environment; drug, alcohol, safety and health; community service, and activities of an outstanding student council. The Student Council will receive their awards at TASC state convention in April.

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KickStart Students Win in Qualifier

KickStart students from Austin Middle School and Lamar Middle School competed in the City Karate Championship Qualifier Tournament Febraury 20 at DeWitt Perry Middle School in Carrollton.

Twenty-six students from Austin and 14 from Lamar were divided into competitive groups by belt-rank, and medaled in various events against others of the same rank. Students winning first, second or third place will advance to the KickStart Kids City Championship March 27. For a complete list of Austin and Lamar KickStart students who won at the qualifier, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/kickstart2010.htm.

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Athletes of the Month

Alexis Jones, sophomore at MacArthur High School, and Sebastian Olivera, senior at MacArthur High School, are female and male IISD Athletes of the Month for March.

Alexis Jones

Sebastian Olivera

Jones was named co-offensive player of the year in District 7-5A. She was also named to the all-tournament team at the Dallas ISD Coca-Cola Tournament and at the Fort Worth Cowtown Classic. Jones is a team leader in points, assists, rebounds and steals. She is a member of the A-B honor role and is a volunteer coach and mentor for a sixth grade basketball team.

Olivera has been a regional qualifier all three of the years in which he has competed. He has also qualified for All-American scores in the vault event through the past two years. Olivera maintains an “A” average, is a member of the MacArthur band, fire truck crew, and participates in advanced health classes.

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Students and staff at Pierce Early Childhood School celebrated multicultural day March 3.

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Staff at Thomas Haley Elementary School participated in a fashion show wearing African attire to celebrate Black History Month February 23.

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