Graham ISD Community,
What an amazing time to be a part of Graham ISD. This month’s newsletter contains a lot of news about student and staff accomplishments, as well as all the ways we celebrate our educators and learners in GISD. Be sure to read next month’s newsletter to see pictures from graduation and our end-of-year employee awards breakfast.
As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of our families for the support and encouragement this semester. I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our students, and I wish our graduating Class of 2025 much success in this next chapter of their lives. I’d also like to thank our dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff for pouring into our students this school year.
It has been an amazing first semester for me as superintendent, and I am looking forward to even greater things ahead.
Committed to Excellence,
Mary Johnston
Superintendent
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The Graham ISD School Board met for its regularly monthly meeting on May 14. Trustees canvassed the election results for the May 3 Trustee Election. Re-elected Board members Lauren Mahaney, Chris Blanton and Jason Smith were administered the oath of office. They begin a new three-year term on the GISD Board.
Trustees then voted to select Board Officers for the coming school year: Trustee Chris Blanton will serve as President, Trustee Kristina Pettus will serve as Vice President and Trustee Brandon Bates will serve as Secretary. Congratulations to these Trustees on being chosen as 2025-2026 Board Officers.
The School Board heard the Superintendent’s Report and also approved Dr. Mary Johnston’s recommendation to name Audra Barrett as the new Principal of Graham Junior High School, replacing Sam Perry who took an administrative position in another district, and Joe Gordy as GISD’s Chief of Student Services, a repurposed position at central office vacated by Natalie Husen who took a position in higher education. Both Barett and Gordy will begin their new positions July 1.
In other business, the School Board:
- Approved the Superintendent’s recommendation for the employment of teachers and other professional personnel for the 2025-2026 school year;
- Approved an interlocal agreement between Graham ISD and Region 10 Education Service Center;
- Were provided information for the first reading of Policy Update 124;
- Approved a Budget Amendment related to the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) payouts;
- Heard a report on the TASB Pay System Review; and
- Celebrated numerous student and staff accomplishments as noted below.
The School Board’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4.
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During the May School Board meeting, the Administration and Board recognized the Campus Teachers of the Year:
- Lisa Lester: Pioneer Elementary
- Kalin Westerman: Crestview Elementary
- Kandice Craig: Woodland Elementary
- Jennifer Patrick: Graham Junior High
- Paige Reese: Graham High
Trustees also recognized the District Teachers of the Year: Elementary Teacher Lisa Lester and Secondary Teacher Jennifer Patrick. These two outstanding educators will go on to represent Graham ISD in the Region 9 Teacher of the Year competition.
The Board and Administration also recognized Graham High School as a PLTW (Project Lead the Way) 2024-2025 Distinguished High School. GHS was recognized for a commitment to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW [Biomedical Science, Engineering] programs. The Board and Administration recognized the efforts of educators SaraJo Carrico and Michelle Lowrey.
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During the May School Board meeting, the following students were recognized:
- College Board National Recognition Program
- GHS UIL District & Regional Academic: Accounting, Current Issues, Feature Writing, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Science, Spelling, Math, Social Studies, Calculator Application
- Regional UIL Academics: Accounting, Prose Interpretation, Spelling and Vocabulary
- GHS UIL One Act Play-Bi-District & District Results
- FFA State Qualifiers: FFA Range State Contest, FFA Wool Team
- Golf State Qualifier and Medalist
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Beginning May 27, Graham ISD will offer meals to children ages 2-18 within the community. Every Monday through Thursday from May 27-June 19, breakfast will be served from 7:30 - 8 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. - Noon at Pioneer Elementary School.
Our summer meal program is made possible by USDA funding. For more information, call Food Services at 940-549-4011 or 940-550-9106.
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For the 2025-26 school year, all students who will be in grades 7, 9 or 11 during the 2025-26 school year, as well as any students who did not complete a Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) during the previous school year, will be required to submit a new PPE in order to participate in sports, cheerleading, marching band, or the dance team. All incoming 7th grade students who plan to participate in Summer Speed and Strength must have a PPE prior to the first workout. |
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee met Monday, May 12 to hear updates from action plan leaders. Their strategic work is focused on key areas, including:
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Academics - ensuring excellence in education
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Our People - through hiring and retaining the best and brightest
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Finance and Facilities - providing the best through fiscal responsibility
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Culture - fostering a positive environment for all
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Safety - prioritizing student and staff well-being and
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Communications - strengthening community and staff connections.
Their work culminates in June 2025, when they present their vision to the School Board, shaping the next chapter for Graham ISD.
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Graham ISD is now hiring excellent employees to support our amazing learners! Open Positions include:
GISD
Graham HS
- Principal
- Math Teacher
- Science Teacher
- Theatre Teacher
- Agricultural Sciences Teacher
Woodland
Crestview
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Graham High School hosted the 11th Annual Academic & Military Signing Day Ceremony. It was exciting to recognize so many seniors who have committed themselves to furthering their education next fall at a trade school, college, university or enlisting in a branch of the military. Thank you to the educators and parents who played an integral role in the success of our seniors! |
This year we began a tradition of celebrating the Top 10% of the Senior Class, and the students recognized the educators who made an impact on their journey. Students were able to thank their teachers, and tell why they were grateful for them. Educators honored ranged from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Thank you to our Graham ISD educators and to our students for making this a meaningful event for all. We are proud of you! |
Congratulations to Audra Barrett and Joe Gordy!
Mrs. Barrett will serve as the new Graham Junior High School Principal. Audra Barrett has served students and staff in public education in Graham ISD for 24 years. Most recently, for the last seven years, she provided leadership as the Principal of Woodland Elementary. Prior to Woodland, Mrs. Barrett served as the Assistant Principal at Graham Junior High.
Mr. Gordy was named the new Chief of Student Services which fills the vacancy left by Natalie Husen. This role encompasses leading several departments that support our students, such as special education, 504, counseling, safety and security. Joe Gordy has served students and staff in public education for 28 years. For the last 10 years, Mr. Gordy has provided leadership as the Principal of Graham High School. He also served as Graham Junior High Principal for six years. Mr. Gordy also served as the Principal of Woodland Elementary and the Assistant Principal at Graham Junior High.
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Congratulations to two of our teachers! Jimi Bates and Brooklyn Walls have been selected to participate in the 2025 Workforce Solutions North Texas Externships for Teachers. This opportunity is funded by a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. We’re proud of our teachers and this incredible professional learning opportunity! |
Graham High School has been recognized as a 2024-25 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is among a select group of high schools across the U.S. to be recognized for their commitment to inspiring and engaging their students to unlock their potential through their PLTW [Biomedical Science, Engineering] program. PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that creates transformative learning experiences and empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills for future careers.
“We’re incredibly proud of our students and our staff earning this national recognition for our PLTW program,” Mary Johnston said. “PLTW provides Graham students with real-life experiences in specific fields that they may want to pursue after high school. We’re proud to provide these opportunities for our high school students.”
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“Mrs. Wright is my son’s first grade teacher at Crestview and she deserves all the recognition! Every time I go to his class I am amazed by how kind and patient she is with each child. She has all levels of students in her class but she is able to make every child feel seen and heard. Her passion for teaching and developing each child to their best potential is clearly seen. Every time I leave I have tears in my eyes because every child deserves a teacher like her and someone to fight for them in this world.” - Submitted by Noelle Dooley |
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“A great big Pioneer THANK YOU to Lupe Leija for her tireless dedication to creating engaging, hands-on kindergarten art projects that encourage creativity and support the development of fine motor skills in our Kindergarten students. Lupe’s thoughtful approach to early childhood education makes a meaningful impact every single day. We are so grateful for the passion, patience, and joy she brings to the art rotation and to every classroom she works in. Thank you, Lupe, for all that you do!” - Submitted by Donna Gatlin- Principal Joe Gordy |
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“Brooklyn works tirelessly at GHS in the CTE department, with early childhood development, principals of education and training, among other classes. On top of a juggling multiple class curriculum she is also a GHS Cheer Coach. She spends countless hours going the extra mile for her students and cheerleaders and is always there to lend an ear and a smile. She is always going above and beyond and gives her all for every single student! Thank you for all that you do for GHS, Mrs.Walls! " - Submitted by Hunter Walls- Principal Joe Gordy |
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Sunday, May 18 is Speech-Language Pathologist Day!
Thank you to our dedicated speech-language pathologists, along with their speech teams, in our buildings that support our students each day with their speech and language needs.
- Speech Pathologist for Graham ISD: Melynda Cox and Dana Weldon
- Speech Pathologist Assistants: Kelly Brockway and Tiffany Armstrong
- Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Kelly Qualls
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Baseball Area Champs
Congratulations to our Steers Baseball Team and their coaches. They secured Area Champs on Friday. The Steers are scheduled to play El Paso Riverside tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at Andrews High School.
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Have a Graham ISD student or staff member that deserves a shoutout in an upcoming newsletter or social media post? Take a few moments to share information about the achievement or contribution the staff or student made and share photos if you have them using the form provided below. |
- May 16 - GISD Closed/No School
- May 21 - Pre-K Awards Ceremony 9:30 a.m.
- May 22 - Early Release/Last Day of School
- May 23 - Employee End of Year Awards and Breakfast/Class of 2025 Graduation
- May 26 - GISD Closed for Memorial Day
Check out the Online GISD Calendar for a more comprehensive list of upcoming academic, athletic, fine arts and extracurricular activities.
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First United Methodist Church is hosting their Vacation Bible School! The dates run from June 2-5 from 9 a.m. - noon and incoming 1st-5th graders are welcome to attend.
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Visit the Library of Graham May 23rd through June 9th to register and join the fun!
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400 Third Street | Graham, TX 76450
940-549-0595
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