In a move that could potentially have a significant impact on Texas schools, today Governor Perry accepted the resignation of Shirley Neeley, the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency. Commissioner Neeley's resignation letter is reproduced to the left and is also available for download here.
In addition to the letter, Commissioner Neeley offered 3 pages of "Parting Thoughts". I have captured some of her "parting thoughts" below.
The Quorum Report is reporting that Governor Perry requested the resignation. No specifics for the request were provided. In addition, the Quorum Report indicates that a replacement is expected to be named by August 1.
The next Commissioner, to be appointed by the Governor, will not have to go through the typical Constitutional approval process, which requires a 2/3rds vote by the Senate, until the next session, which does not convene until January 2009.
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Some of Commissioner Neeley's "Parting Thoughts":
Texas is leading other states in our country in the P-16 initiatives! Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner of Education and my dear friend, and I came on board within six months of each other in 2004. We are proud of the strides we have made getting our two agencies to work hand-in-hand, side by side as true partners in P-16. Our P-16 mission for creating a college going culture for all children and guaranteeing every Texas high school graduate that they will be college/career/work ready when they graduate from our high schools is clearly important work that will continue.
• While some may speculate that my departure as commissioner is based on the negative media clips regarding the entire testing integrity issue, nothing is farther from the truth. There will never be a 100% guarantee that cheating in some shape, form or fashion will not occur, but I believe with all my heart that Texas has taken a very bold stance that is second to none. To do this right and make sure every decision was research based and vetted by important stakeholder groups, I clearly believe the outcome was worth the time and effort.
• Public school politics may train one to some degree for politics at the state level, but I have continued to learn until my last day on the job. Staff and I worked hard to build a positive, professional image of TEA and the commissioner on both sides of the aisles in both houses. I am proud to call so many of our legislators and their staff members my friends! Their jobs and countless long hours of work are many times thankless. We must always remember we elect them and they deserve our support and respect.
• Right after I moved to Austin to become commissioner, I met a wonderful man who loves the school business as much as I do with a proud and distinguished 35 year career as a school architect. Bill and I were married on May 18, 2007. We look forward to having more time together riding our Harleys, ranching and traveling.
• Finally, I have greatly enjoyed working and getting to know some of the strongest, most dedicated, most compassionate superintendents, board members, teachers, administrators and support personnel in the entire world through my continuous travel across our great state. These hard working men and women are true heroes and miracle workers in my book!
It would be uncharacteristic of me to not address the challenges that still need serious, focused attention:
• We must do whatever it takes to make sure that NO child drops out of school – ever! We must work with all stakeholders as a team toward "on time" high school graduation, with the skills necessary to enter any post secondary institution, the world of work or the military.
• We must continue our efforts and mission to do whatever it takes to make teaching the noble profession it truly is. I will always believe that every Texas educator, regardless of their role, is serving our nation through education!
• We must work collaboratively and sequentially as we develop our end of course exams and make sure we follow the curriculum alignment process so that our work will meet the expectations of every stakeholder group and prepare our students for global competition.
• We must be diligent and sincere by putting our money where our mouth is in leading this nation in teacher salaries and incentives for a job well done, especially for those teachers making remarkable achievement gains with economically disadvantaged children.
• We are getting closer and closer to funding full day pre-kindergarten for all children. We must continue our pursuit of quality early childhood programs.
• Like it or not, it is time to require all children to read, write and speak fluently in English and Spanish followed closely by Chinese or another global foreign language.
• Finally, we cannot continue adding more and more mandates in the same amount of days using our ancient agrarian calendar. For Texas to compete fairly with other countries, we need a level playing field that extends the school day AND school year far beyond the 185 days, not only with more time on task when needed, but also providing for accelerated programs and internships with business, industry, high tech career pathways and higher education.
Runoff elections that resulted from the March 4 primary in both the Republican and Democrat parties will be held on April 8, 2008. Early voting for the runoffs begins today and continues through April 4 from 7:00a - 7:00p. In Spring Branch, you can vote at the following locations during early voting (although you can vote at any early voting location -- click map below to enlarge).
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