Welcome back to the second semester of our 2025-26 school year. I hope you enjoyed your holiday break with family and friends.
I want to take a few moments to thank the men and women who serve on our Graham ISD Board of Trustees. January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas and a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation to our elected leaders for the time they dedicate to our district. We are very blessed and we know their families should also be thanked for the sacrifices they make so that our Board can serve, attend meetings and be present at district events. Please take a few moments this month to thank all of our Trustees: President Chris Blanton, Vice President Kristina Pettus, Secretary Brandon Bates and Trustees John Brown, Brandon Joy, Lauren Mahaney and Jason Smith. Thank you to our staff and students who compiled this Appreciation Video.
I couldn’t be more proud to serve as your Superintendent of Schools. We have so many amazing things happening right here in Graham ISD, and I hope you will get involved, volunteer and support our students and staff. It is a privilege to partner with our GISD families and our talented staff. Let’s make 2026 our best year yet!
Committed to Excellence,
Dr. Johnston
School Board Meeting Highlights
Board of Trustees Hear Results of Facility Assessment
On Wednesday evening, the Graham ISD Board of Trustees heard an update from Facility Planning Committee Co-Chair Courtney Bennett and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Johnston. They also heard a summary of the preliminary results of a recent Facility Assessment conducted by the Corgan Architect Firm.
The Board held a public hearing to share results of the 2024-25 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas or FIRST report. GISD earned a perfect 100 score on the financial report, and the district was awarded a Superior Rating, the highest possible rating for a school district in Texas.
In other business, the Board of Trustees:
Approved the designated non-business days for the Texas Public Information Act for 2026. House Bill 3033 requires a governmental body to identify ten days each calendar year that the governmental body’s administrative offices are closed or operating with minimum staffing as non-business days.
Voted to approve the May 2 Election Order in order to fill Place 6 and Place 7 on the Board of Trustees. The cost of the election will be approximately $10,467.88.
Approved the Consent Agenda, which consisted of previous meeting minutes, an enrollment report and financial reports; and
Met in Closed Session as permitted by Texas law.
The School Board’s next regular meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
School Board Recognizes Students
At the latest meeting of the Board of Trustees, Graham ISD proudly recognized several student athletes and student athletic trainers for their outstanding achievements. The Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) honored multiple student-athletes for their dedication both on and off the field. In addition, the 3-4A Football All-District selections highlighted the hard work, teamwork, and perseverance that defined the season.
Congratulations to Ryder Calhoun on earning a full scholarship to Rice University! The Quest Bridge College Match Scholarship is a full four-year scholarship worth over $325,000 that covers tuition, housing and food, and other expenses such as travel.
School Board Recognition Month
The TASB 2026 School Board Recognition theme is: Our Future Is Public.
“In Graham ISD, we are committed to excellence and nowhere is that more evident than in the work of our Board of Trustees," Dr. Johnston said. "These seven individuals volunteer countless hours, away from their own families and careers to ensure that every student in Graham ISD has the opportunity to succeed. Their service isn't just about policy; it's about heart. We thank them for their selfless leadership and for their relentless belief in the potential of every Steer and Lady Blue.”
The Board of Trustees were presented with books dedicated to them thanking them for their service. These will be placed in libraries throughout the school district.
The Facility Planning Committee met twice since our last newsletter update. The group met on Dec. 17 to tour the Crestview Elementary campus. In addition to the tour, the committee brainstormed campus and program projects during a Dream Big activity and heard a presentation on the GISD academic and special education programs from Dr. Janel Madeley, Chief Academic Officer, and Joe Gordy, Chief Student Services Officer.
The FPC then met on Jan. 7 at Woodland Elementary School. In addition to a tour of the campus, committee members heard results of a facility assessment conducted by Corgan Architects. Projects to address accessibility, lighting, drainage, safety and capital improvements were identified at every campus and district facility. You can access a copy of Corgan’s slides on our FPC website.
The students, parents, educators, business leaders and taxpayers have divided up into five subcommittees to study more closely some of the identified needs throughout the district. The FPC is serving in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees. The group will be meeting monthly to study facility needs across the district. This work will include, but is not limited to a review of facilities under the following scope:
academic;
co-curricular and technology;
safety and security;
transportation;
maintenance; and,
extracurricular program needs.
The committee will next meet Feb. 4 at Graham Junior High to tour the campus and hear reports from Zonda Demographers, technology and athletics.
From time to time, Graham ISD schools may implement one of five Standard Response Protocols (SRP) as part of the district’s emergency response plan. These protocols include Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter and Hold. We are using space in our monthly community newsletters to review the procedures and purposes of each of these protocols.
Last month’s newsletter explained campus Shelter procedures. The fifth protocol explained for the 2025-26 school year is a campus Hold. The Hold protocol is typically announced over the intercom system using plain language to alert students and staff members to a non-threatening situation that necessitates that they Hold inside the classroom while the administration handles a situation. There is no imminent threat to other students and staff when a Hold is announced.
If the “Hold” directive is announced, the response action is to have students and staff stay put in their classrooms until the situation is resolved.
If you ever have questions about any of the district’s SRPs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your campus principal.
Watch for #GrahamSafe announcements through the ParentSquare mobile app.
The GISD Calendar Committee consisting of teachers, community members and parents has met twice so far to work on the draft 2026-27 school calendar. Below is an update:
The committee reviewed the current calendar and discussed calendars from some TEA "A" rated districts with a similar calendar.
We discussed the new TEA requirements to qualify for a staff development waiver, requirements to qualify for instructional grants, and the new requirements to complete with fidelity the state-provided curriculum.
The team reviewed the 2.5 years' worth of attendance data since GISD moved to a 4-Day school week and discussed the original expectations when the district decided to move to a 4-Day week.
The committee discussed moving away from the LANGUAGE of 4-Day Hybrid Calendar to using the term Graham ISD calendar. The goal would be to have a calendar that resembles what we currently have with regard to days off, knowing we may need add a few instructional days to meet new Texas Education Agency (TEA) Requirements
Committee Members have taken blank draft calendars back to their campuses and to their stakeholders to discuss where to place Fridays off, teacher work days, parent teacher conference dates, and professional learning dates.
The committee will meet next month and we will have an update for you in the next teleGRAHAM and expect us to collect feedback during this process from YOU!
Finance Corner
Graham ISD Earns a Superior Achievement Rating on the 2024-2025 FIRST Report
The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) is a comprehensive financial accountability system established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to ensure that public school districts are held to high standards of financial management. These ratings are designed to encourage districts to maximize the allocation of financial resources toward direct instructional purposes while maintaining long-term fiscal stability and transparency for their local communities.
Graham ISD Performance
Graham ISD demonstrated exceptional fiscal stewardship for the 2024-2025 rating year, achieving the state's highest possible distinction: a Superior Achievement rating. The district earned a perfect score across all 21 financial indicators evaluated by the TEA. This "A" rating underscores the district’s commitment to financial transparency and ensures that taxpayer dollars are being managed effectively to support the educational success of all students.
Students Return to Pioneer with New Year Excitement
Pioneer students were excited to return to school and get back into their routines. Morning Music was just the way to get 2026 started!
Locked In Learning: Mrs. Bell’s 4th Grade Math Class
In Mrs. Bell’s 4th grade math class, students lean in and lock into equivalent fractions. Focused and excited, they tackle problems, share ideas, and celebrate progress together. With hands-on activities and teamwork, math becomes more than numbers, it’s an adventure in learning and confidence. Thank you, Mrs. Bell.
Staff and Student Shoutouts
Cortney Trammel
Special Thanks to Agriculture Educator, Cortney Trammel, for organizing the Tour of Champions today at the Young County Livestock Show. Thank you also to our mentor students for sharing their knowledge, animals, and kindness with Graham ISD students.
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.
Monday, Jan. 19: Closed, No School - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Friday Jan. 30: GISD Closed, No School
Friday, Feb. 6: No School for Students, Staff Professional Learning Day
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Board of Trustees Meeting
Friday, Feb. 13: GISD Closed, No School
Check out the Online GISD Calendar for a more comprehensive list of upcoming academic, athletic, fine arts and extracurricular activities.
PTO and Parent Class Officer News for You
Save the Date: Junior-Senior Prom is April 18
Graham High School presents Masquerade Ball for Junior-Senior Prom! The event will take place on Saturday, April 18 from 7-11 p.m. at Graham Country Club.
If you still would like to pay class dues for your student, please click below.
11th Grade: Class of 2027
Pay $20 Dues - Link Below
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9th Grade: Class of 2029
QR Code to Pay $20 Dues
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8th Grade: Class of 2030
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7th Grade: Class of 2031
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6th Grade: Class of 2032
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Community News
Save the Date: Community Resources Transition Expo.
Wednesday, March 25 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The 6th Annual Community Resources Transition Expo and Career Fair, hosted by Graham ISD and Community Partners, will be held in the Graham High School Gym. We will have a time for GHS students to attend from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and for surrounding schools/parents/community members to attend from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and a networking opportunity from 12:30-1 p.m.
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