LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
Lackland Independent School district was nominated as a finalist for the 2008 HEB Excellence in Education Award in the small school district category. Judges from the award committee visited the campus on March 10.
The school district is one of three districts in the state that are finalists for the award.
"This is an award for teachers, principals and school districts," said Lackland ISD Superintendent Dr. David Splitek. "And they are looking for people who are doing good things in public education."
To win the award a school district must meet a number of criteria such as having innovative plans, an impeccable academic record, numerous extracurricular programs and quality instruction.
"We've been working really hard and we thought we could apply for this jewel to show our efforts," Dr. Splitek said.
The visit featured a tour of both schools and classroom visits, followed by a discussion over lunch with a teacher, a student, a community member and the principals from both the schools. If Lackland ISD wins, it will also receive $50,000 for its efforts. The award winner will not be announced until May.
In 2007, Lackland ISD was the only "Recog-nized" school district in Bexar County.
It was also a Recognized school district in 2006 and one of only two school districts in Texas to receive all the Gold Performance Acknowledgements available through the state accountability system.
Stacey High School's student council has earned the Texas Association of Student Council Sweepstakes Award for the last 17 years.
These distinctions are even more remarkable after acknowledging the nomadic lifestyle led by military families.
Many students may not finish out the year at the same school they started at in August. Still, the district has managed to remain stable and administer quality instruction.