FORNEY, Texas – Forney Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Suzie McWilliams addressed the Forney ISD's approximately 550 teachers at the district's convocation yesterday morning, August 14, 2014.
FORNEY, Texas – Forney Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Suzie McWilliams addressed the Forney ISD's approximately 550 teachers at the district's convocation yesterday morning, August 14, 2014.
The convocation launched a two-day teacher training conference being held at Forney High School.
“There's a positive and hopeful anticipation that a new school year brings,” said McWilliams. “At this time, parents are polishing up their kids. They are getting their last minute hair cuts, buying new clothes, and getting their school supplies.”
McWilliams was chosen to lead Forney ISD after then-Superintendent Michael Holland announced his resignation in May 2014 to take the position of Executive Director at the Education Service Center Region 6 in Huntsville, Texas. The Forney ISD Board of Directors approved McWilliams' superintendent contract in June 2014. McWilliams was serving as the district's deputy superintendent.
The district anticipates approximately 8,935 students during the 2014-15 school year – which includes estimated numbers from the soon-to-be completed Gateway Cedars apartments being built on Farm-to-Market (FM) 548.
“I am humbled and honored to be a part of this Forney ISD family,” stated McWilliams.
McWilliams, mentioning the district's financial struggles with the Texas Education Agency, said, “We've spent a hard three years trying to survive, trying to keep our doors open, hoping that we could remain a district.”
“Now we must look forward. Now it's time to put the past away and look to our future,” she said.
McWilliams said the district's top priority is student success. “We believe that all children can and will be successful when saturated into an appropriate learning environment. We believe that success is a catalyst for future success.”
“Successful students correlate to successful educators,” she said.
“I'm excited this year and honored to watch you as you go about making a difference in the lives of our students,” stated McWilliams. “I hope, with all sincerity, that you have an awesome school year and that you continue to touch students lives one conversation at a time, one student, one relationship at a time.”
