THRALL — Thrall Independent School District trustees are going to the head of the class, according to a state education association.
Out of 900 rural Texas schools, Thrall ISD’s directors have been named “School Board of the Year” by the Texas Rural Education Association.
A formal award luncheon is June 16 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock.
Superintendent Tommy Hooker submitted the district’s nomination in January, surprising trustees when Thrall was named one of six schools on the shortlist of finalists.
At the end of May, the school board was notified of its win.
“Our team of eight has been solid in building a plan (for the district) over the past 15 years, and three of the (trustees) have been a part of this the entire time, while the majority of our board has been serving for close to a decade,” Hooker said.
Hooker said the trustees, under the guidance of board President Bryan Holubec, and the Thrall community of students, leaders and parents all contributed to earning the award.
Holubec agreed. “I feel like this is a district award with the school board’s name on it,” Holubec said. “We will proudly accept it on behalf of the entire Thrall ISD community.”
Holubec also took time to praise former school board members.
“The core component in the success of our board is the trust that exists between the community and board, as well as between the board and the district staff. The seven sitting trustees are the stewards of that trust, but it was built over time,” Holubec said. “I credit every trustee who has served on our board over the last 15 years for contributing to the foundation we have today.”
Thrall ISD has become known for its academic ratings and high-performing students, officials said.
Kindergarten through grade 12 has around 900 students enrolled and the district has earned an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency for the past several years.
Most recently, Thrall also was named a “Destination District,” defined by officials as an area where families want to live and send their children to learn.
