For families across Judson ISD, several decisions made Thursday night could reach directly into classrooms during the 2026-27 school year.

The Judson Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Sept. 17 to seek state approval for class-size exceptions, revise the district’s policy governing student retention and promotion, and approve amendments to the 2027 fiscal year budget. Trustees also considered contracts and major expenditures while district leaders reported on enrollment, staffing, campus security, early reading readiness and the Teacher Incentive Allotment program.

The meeting was also a chance to recognize the people behind the district, from a fifth grader representing his elementary school to dozens of art educators, an agricultural science teacher taking on a statewide leadership role and a local barber and beauty college whose staff have provided hundreds of free haircuts to Judson ISD students and employees.

Judson ISD Seeks Class-Size Exceptions for 2026-27

Trustees voted 6-0 to approve Judson ISD’s applications to the Texas Education Agency for class-size exceptions for the 2026-27 school year under Texas Education Code Sections 25.112 and 25.113.

A class-size exception allows a district to seek state approval when certain elementary classrooms exceed statutory class-size limits. The district’s official Sept. 17 meeting agenda included both a waiver application and a class-size waiver list supporting the request. 

The vote is particularly relevant for parents watching enrollment growth and classroom staffing because class-size exceptions can affect how students are distributed among teachers and campuses.

Enrollment and staffing were also included in the superintendent’s report during the meeting.

Retention and Promotion Policy Revised

Trustees voted 5-1 to adopt revisions to EIE(LOCAL), the district policy governing academic achievement, retention and promotion.

The policy addresses how Judson ISD determines whether students advance from one grade level to the next. Supporting documents for the proposed revisions were posted as part of the district’s public meeting materials before trustees acted.

The district’s Sept. 17 Board Briefs did not provide a detailed explanation of each policy change, but families interested in the exact language can review the supporting documents through Judson ISD’s BoardBook portal.

Budget Amendments and Major Expenditures Approved

Trustees unanimously approved amendments to the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget in a 6-0 vote.

The board also voted 6-0 to approve expenditures of $50,000 or more.

Another facilities-related decision involved Elolf Elementary School. Trustees unanimously approved extending temporary chiller rental services for the Elolf Elementary School Chiller Replacement Project through a TIPS contract, with the expense funded through Bond 2016.

For families at the campus, the action allows temporary cooling equipment to remain in place while the chiller replacement project continues.

Two Vendor Pool Motions Fail on 3-3 Votes

Not every proposal before trustees advanced.

A motion to approve the recommended vendor pool under Request for Qualifications 26-05 for Administrative Contracted Services failed on a 3-3 vote.

A separate motion involving the recommended vendor pool under Request for Proposal 26-02 for Fine Art Contracted Services and Products also failed 3-3.

For Request for Proposal 26-03, covering consultants, speakers and program presenters for staff and student development, trustees took a narrower approach. The board voted 6-0 to add JL Hines Consulting to the approved vendor pool while deferring action on the remaining recommendations.

All other consent agenda items not pulled for discussion were approved unanimously, according to the district’s Board Briefs.

Reading Readiness, Teacher Incentives and Security Discussed

Several topics were presented to trustees without separate action votes.

The superintendent’s report included updates on student enrollment and staffing as well as an intruder detection security audit.

Trustees also received a monitoring report on Student Outcome Goal 1, including progress measures for kindergarten through second-grade students working toward third-grade reading readiness.

The meeting included another monitoring report focused on District Guardrail 2 and the district’s Teacher Incentive Allotment implementation and expansion for 2026-27 and future school years. The Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment is designed to provide additional compensation opportunities for qualifying educators based on state-approved local designation systems.

The district’s official posted agenda confirms each of those topics was scheduled for discussion during the superintendent’s report. 

Masters Elementary Fifth Grader Leads the Pledge

Before trustees moved into the evening’s business, the meeting opened with a student representing one of Judson ISD’s elementary campuses.

Maxwell Anderson, a fifth grader at Masters Elementary School, served as the Pledge leader. Maxwell has attended Masters for three years and has consistently earned a place on the A/B Honor Roll.

His favorite subject is science. Outside school, he enjoys watching anime and jumping on his trampoline.

Asked what he likes most about Masters Elementary, Maxwell said he enjoys “how the teachers are, the library and the field.”

Looking further ahead, Maxwell hopes to become a YouTuber because he wants to “entertain people and make good money.”

His family will also have another milestone ahead this school year. Maxwell is expected to become a big brother to twins this spring.

Wagner High School JROTC Presents the Colors

The United States Colors were presented by the Wagner High School JROTC.

The color guard included Cadet/Captain Miguel Guzman as U.S. Guard, Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel Xavier Rehak carrying the U.S. Flag, Cadet/Sergeant Alexavier Barrett carrying the Texas Flag and Cadet/Sergeant Christopher Castro serving as Texas Guard.

Judson ISD Earns Third Straight Arts District of Distinction Honor

The evening also brought recognition for Judson ISD’s fine arts educators.

For the third consecutive year, Judson ISD has been named a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association. The designation recognizes districts demonstrating a strong commitment to visual arts education and the role arts programs play in student learning and development.

Educators recognized for helping Judson ISD earn the distinction included:

• Judson Early College Academy: Alexander Haley
• Judson High School: Charlie Smith, Margaret Trost, Melissa Elzner, Marvin Pringle and Ryan Murphy
• Veterans Memorial High School: Caitlyn Gutierrez, Carole D’Alessandro, Courtney Brown-Crecy and Ruth Hui
• Wagner High School: Brenda Rodriguez Torres, Crysta Caulkins-Clouse, William Delahay and William McDaniel
• Cibolo Creek Middle School: Melissa Carter
• Kirby STEM Academy: Abigail Lania
• Kitty Hawk Middle School: Melonie Morrow and Terri Fritts
• Metzger Middle School: Niki Rosales
• Woodlake Hills College Prep: David Manion
• Converse Elementary School: Joel Kurtz
• Copperfield Elementary School: Aubree Hochstetter
• Crestview Elementary School: Maria Bryan
• Escondido Elementary School: Melita Ogden
• Fine Arts Academy at Olympia: Jessica Granados
• Hopkins Elementary School: Kina Weston
• Masters Elementary School: Julie McCanta
• Miller’s Point Elementary School: Heather Walker

For students and families involved in Judson ISD fine arts programs, the repeat designation represents districtwide recognition of work happening from elementary classrooms through high school art programs.

Judson FFA Instructor Jay Trees Takes Statewide Leadership Role

Judson Agricultural Science and FFA instructor Jay Trees was also recognized following his election as president of the Texas FFA Alumni Association.

In the statewide leadership position, Trees will help serve and support nearly 160,000 FFA members across Texas.

Trees has been involved with the Texas FFA Alumni Association since 1994 and chartered the Judson FFA Alumni and Supporters chapter in 2005.

His work has helped support student opportunities through scholarships, leadership development and FFA programming, extending Judson ISD’s involvement in agricultural education beyond the district itself.

Cut & Shave Barber and Beauty College Honored for Supporting Students

One of the evening’s most community-centered recognitions went to Cut & Shave Barber and Beauty College.

Owners Tim and Brianna Torres, along with instructors Roger Martinez and Kris Sneed, received the September Community Connections Award for their partnership with Judson ISD.

What began as a connection with students interested in barbering as a career has grown into an ongoing service and mentorship partnership.

The Cut & Shave team has provided hundreds of free haircuts to Judson ISD students and staff over the years, helping families while giving students a chance to begin the school day feeling prepared and confident.

The team most recently volunteered at a back-to-school event at Kirby STEM Academy.

The partnership also gives students interested in barbering and beauty careers a connection to people already working in the field, adding a career-exploration component to the community service.

Board Reviews Training and Personnel Matters

Trustees also received an update on board training, conferences, events, committee activities and board norms.

Following closed session, the board voted 6-0 on the personnel report and related updates, including new hires, resignations and administrative appointments.

Residents who want to review the complete Sept. 17 Judson ISD meeting agenda and supporting documents can access the district’s public BoardBook materials.

The district has also posted a recording of the Sept. 17 meeting on YouTube.

What Judson ISD Families Should Watch Next

For parents, employees and taxpayers, some of the most consequential issues from the September meeting will continue beyond a single board vote.

The Texas Education Agency will be involved in the district’s class-size exception applications, while families may also want to review how the revised retention and promotion policy applies to students. Enrollment and staffing trends, reading readiness, teacher incentive programs and ongoing facilities projects will remain important measures as the 2026-27 school year progresses.

At the same time, the meeting offered a broader look at a school district shaped not only by policies and budgets, but also by students, teachers, volunteers and local businesses whose work often happens far from the boardroom.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Judson ISD news, school updates, board decisions and community stories affecting families throughout the district.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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