Partnership with Samsung touted
A strong partnership with Samsung Austin Semiconductor and focusing on four key priorities for success are among the many positive developments at work in the Taylor Independent School District.
Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen expressed those sentiments as well as sharing updates with trustees during her State of the District address Thursday.
The assessment presented during the regular school board meeting Jan. 29 included a look at programs to uplift and inspire students, staff, trustees and the community.
One of the most innovative initiatives, the superintendent said, is the growing relationship between Samsung and students eager to enter lucrative hightech fields.
“One of the things that really sets us apart,” she said, “is our unique partnership with Samsung with a world-class student internship program.”
This summer will be the fifth year in which 24 Taylor learners will have the opportunity to intern at Samsung. Last year, a newly graduated Legacy Early College High School student was offered a job at Samsung after completing her internship.
Samsung also donated $1 million to Taylor High School’s new Career and Technical Education wing.
“It is important that we not only invest in our students during this amount of time we have them in school but for life,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.
She noted courses under the CTE umbrella offer 10 different career pathways, including a oneof- a-kind electrical technology class supported by Samsung.
“After graduation, these programs are preparing students for the jobs of the future, especially in the growing semiconductor industry right here in their own backyard,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.
The multibillion-dollar chip foundry not far from the high school is expected to go online this year.
Garcia-Edwardsen also gave school board members a look at goals achieved in the past year and those moving forward.
She began by stretching out a long green ribbon with the words, “Every student. Every day,” printed on it.
“This ribbon represents a student’s whole life,” she said.
A small section of the ribbon was then cut off to represent the short time of a child’s life spent in school.
“These are the most impressionable years and it matters so much because it sets the foundation for the rest of their lives. At Taylor ISD, we act with purpose and urgency…We go above and beyond for our kids, sharing our four priorities,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.
She listed the district’s priorities as:
• Excellence in Student Outcomes – engaging and preparing students for a bright future.
• Exceptional Workplace Climate – engaging, retaining, investing and supporting talented teachers and staff.
• Strong Partnerships – creating lasting bonds with students’ families and the surrounding community.
• Efficient Financial Stewardship – continuing to receive “A” ratings for financial management as the district has for the past 10 years.
Garcia-Edwardsen acknowledged students’ extracurricular accomplishments in sports, band, barbecue and a second-place trophy for the first year of the district’s robotics competition team.
Moving forward, the district’s focus is on providing a strong learning environment for pupils and to align the four district priorities and goals across all campuses.
“As we look ahead, we’re going to continue to build a legacy of success,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.
The next board meeting is 6:45 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Taylor ISD boardroom at 3101 N. Main St.
