February 23, 2009 For Immediate Release
MISD Announces 2009-2010 Grade Configuration and Principal Assignments
The Melissa ISD leadership team, comprised of the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Trustee members, recently met to finalize grade configuration plans and principal assignments for the 2009-2010 school year. “Students in Melissa ISD are continuing to experience higher and higher levels of learning and achievement each year and we are committed as a leadership team to keeping that positive momentum going,” stated Jason Smith, Superintendent of Schools. “Part of that responsibility entails making sure that we have grade configurations and key leaders in place that will give children the best opportunity possible to be successful,” added Mr. Smith. A summary of finalized grade configurations and principal assignments for the 2009-2010 school year is contained herein. The ongoing renovation of the Melissa Ridge campus is scheduled to be completed before the start of school in the fall of 2009. As a result, students attending fifth and sixth grade at Melissa Ridge Intermediate School, beginning in August 2009, will occupy the newly renovated facility at 1401 Fannin Street. Additionally, students attending seventh and eighth grade at Melissa Middle School in August 2009 will move out of the current secondary building and will occupy the updated middle school building at 2950 Cardinal Drive. “The planning for renovation of the Melissa Ridge campus to meet the needs of intermediate and middle school students has been led by the community based Building Program Committee (BPC) over the last few years,” indicated Mr. Smith. “The committee’s vision to renovate and use the space we have means that we can accommodate increases in student enrollment for a few years without having to build new schools. In particular, the BPC’s work to plan for the effective and efficient use of current facilities has proven to be remarkably proactive and insightful in light of current economic challenges nationwide,” added Mr. Smith. The opening of the renovated Melissa Ridge facility and the movement of students from the current secondary school to the updated middle school will also result in an adjustment to administrative assignments at the campus level for 2009-2010. Cheryle Gonzales, current McKillop Elementary principal, will continue to serve as principal of the McKillop campus during the 2009-2010 school year. Mrs. Gonzales is an experienced educator with 13 years of campus and district level administrative experience in Plano, Richardson and Melissa. Christy Fiori, current Melissa Ridge Intermediate principal, will continue to serve as principal of the intermediate campus and will also assume campus administrative responsibilities for Melissa Middle School beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. Mrs. Fiori has served the students of Melissa ISD for three years in the roles of assistant principal and principal. Charles Alderman, current Melissa Middle and High School assistant principal, has been named as lead principal at Melissa High School beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. Alderman has 3 years of administrative experience in Terrell and Melissa. He will assume the position that will be vacated at the end of the present school year by current principal Bobbi Taylor. Trustees considered and accepted a letter of resignation submitted by Mrs. Taylor at the February 19, 2009, regularly scheduled meeting. Mrs. Taylor cited the pursuit of professional goals as the rationale for her decision. “We are grateful for the leadership that Mrs. Taylor has provided and will continue to provide throughout the remainder of the school year at Melissa High School, particularly in the area of curriculum and instruction. The teaching staff at the secondary campus is a gifted group of educators, student achievement data continues to show strong consistent gains, and Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Alderman have worked closely throughout the year. As a result, we expect the transition at the end of the year to be seamless,” said Mr. Smith. Students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to watch the Cardinal Communique, the MISD website at www.melissaisd.org, and future press releases for additional information about the 2009-2010 school year as it becomes available.
For additional information in regard to this press release, please contact the Office of Administrative Services at 972-837-2411.
1904 Cooper Street • Melissa, TX 75454-9555 • (972) 837-2411 • FAX (972) 837-4233