Kingwood.com Exclusive Interview with Dr. Sconzo Superintendent of Humble ISD Schools - Kingwood

Community surveys confirm that many young families choose to live in Kingwood and the surrounding areas because of the choice of schools offered in Humble ISD.  The high quality of teachers, the superior school facilities and the abundant academic, athletic and club activities combine to create an extraordinarily attractive package. 

We decided to go right to the top and ask Dr. Sconzo a few questions about the current state of our schools and what he envisioned in the years to come.

• How would you rate the ability of Humble ISD to keep up with the population growth in this school district over the last 10 years?

It’s been very difficult especially given the very rapid growth we’ve experienced over the past few years. Thanks to our community’s amazing support, however, I believe we have gotten better and better at trying to keep pace. We are finally at the point where with the openings of Summer Creek HS, Middle #8, and Elementary Schools #25 and #26 over the next two years, we will have gotten to the place where virtually all overcrowded campuses will experience needed relief.

• What is your first impression of the Texas State Senate Bill 982 proposed last week which would alter the current school finance system?

S.B. 982, as authored y Sens. Van de Putte, Eltife and West is a significant step in the right direction to resolving the funding crisis facing public schools throughout our state! It is also very encouraging that Rep. Diane Patrick has also introduced H.B. 1555 which is a mirror image of S.B. 982! This will expedite the legislative review process that could result in lifting the 2005-06 frozen operating revenue that we have been living with for three years now! These bills, if passed, will return us to a more sensible and equitable formula funding for public education and would put an additional $2.9 billion in new funding into the system. Of course, it has been conservatively estimated that in order for public schools to be funded in a totally equitable and adequate manner, given the reality of how far behind we have fallen in the past three years, it would take an additional $6 billion in new funding coming from the state. Hence, even with the hopefully passage of these bills, we would need more school finance reform and many more additional dollars in the 2011 legislative session.

• How would this bill affect Humble ISD funding?

There have not been any simulated runs on the impact of S.B 982 or H.B. 1555 as of this date, so I don’t yet know how we will specifically be affected. Nevertheless, I will state again, that they can’t help but being better than the system we have been barely surviving under.

• How is Humble ISD doing regarding recruitment of “Highly Qualified Teachers” to staff the new schools opening in the 2009-2010 school year?

We have been very fortunate in our ability to recruit many “highly qualified teachers” to our district, even though our teacher salaries are near the bottom of our market group of school districts. Clearly, we are a community and district that are highly desirable and sought after! At the same time, however, as we hopefully realize more adequate state funding, we must work diligently at becoming more competitive with our teacher, and frankly all employee salaries. As we grow forward, that is something that just has to be a high priority.

• Has Humble ISD felt the effects of the teacher shortage?

We have not been immune to the teacher shortage being experienced statewide, particularly as that relates to Math, Science and Bilingual teachers. Those are very hard to fill positions and we compete against districts in our market that offer signing bonuses and retention stipends that are added to base salaries. This is yet another of area of employee compensation that we are going to have to address very soon!

• What are your opinions on how the AVID program is functioning at Humble ISD schools?

AVID  (Advancement Via Individual Determination) may just be one of the most important and successful programs we’ve put in place in our district! Our AVID teachers are doing a phenomenal job in providing students with needed organizational and study skills and they have provided students with the kind of support and caring monitoring that has resulted in students not only succeeding academically, but doing so in more advanced courses! AVID is clearly making a huge difference for many of our middle and high school students!

• What would you rate as the top three concerns of parents in the Humble ISD school district?

I believe our parents rightfully have very high expectations for their children’s schooling. And in my experience, that is a key ingredient in having quality schools! Our parents expect quality teachers who personalize learning for students in the safest and most secure campuses possible.

• How would you grade Humble ISD on their execution and implementation of the recommendations made by the High Schools of the Future Task Force in 2003? 

Based on the model our High Schools of the Future Task Force recommended for all of our high schools back in 2003, I would definitely give the district an “A” for execution and implementation. All of the Task Force’s recommendations were approved by our Board of Trustees and are now in place at every one of our high schools. From smaller learning communities (houses) to educational support staffing on campuses, we are living and constantly improving all of their recommendations as we get ready to soon open the fifth comprehensive high school in the district!

• What are you looking forward to in the next decade of growth in Humble ISD?

We’ve experienced some slowing of our growth coming into this school year, but interestingly enough, we also moved from being the 24th fastest growing district in the state in 2007 to the 19th fastest growing district in the state in 2008! I suspect the slower growth will continue into next year, but I still foresee us serving near 55,000 students by the end of the next decade. Many new campuses will continue to be needed and I see our district doing more and more to take advantage of technology to advance learning in more effective and efficient ways.

• Your closing comments or opinions. 

I consider myself to be very blessed to be able to serve our community students, and staff. We live in a very special and great place, in my opinion and no matter what challenges we have or will face, together we all do the best possible for our kids! To me, it just doesn’t get better than that!