September Recap - State of VAISD
Van Alstyne ISD welcomed community members to its first Coffee & Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Van Alstyne High School.The new monthly series gives parents and community members an informal opportunity to hear directly from district leaders, learn more about VAISD operations and ask questions. Superintendent Dr. David Brown led the first discussion, titled “State of VAISD.”
Managing continued enrollment growth
Dr. Brown shared that VAISD’s enrollment has increased by approximately 6% since the end of last school year, growing from about 2,852 students to 3,024. Projections show that number could reach approximately 3,100 to 3,120 students later this year.
VAISD has added more than 1,000 students since 2018, and demographic projections indicate that continued residential development could produce annual growth of 6% to 12%.
Dr. Brown described growth as both an opportunity and a challenge. As enrollment increases, the district must provide additional staff, programs and facilities while maintaining the quality of education provided to students and preserving the traditions, relationships and values that help define Van Alstyne ISD.
He pointed to Fall Festival as one example of how the district is adapting a longstanding community tradition. With the district’s third elementary school now open, the event’s format is being adjusted so every campus can remain involved while accommodating a larger student population.
Strengthening academic support
Dr. Brown also reviewed several academic initiatives introduced for the 2026–27 school year, particularly those intended to strengthen reading and math instruction.
VAISD added four math teachers at Van Alstyne Middle School and double-blocked reading and math through sixth grade. The district also added kindergarten-through-second-
Additional staffing and resources have also been directed toward the district’s Emergent Bilingual (EB) and Gifted and Talented (VAULT) programs.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jamie Martinez then spoke about the introduction of MAP Growth assessments this year as another way to measure student progress and guide instruction. Students will take the adaptive assessment three times during the school year. Because MAP adjusts the difficulty of its questions based on each student’s responses, students are expected to answer approximately half of the questions incorrectly. The purpose is not to assign a passing or failing score, but to identify each student’s current instructional level and measure growth over time.
District leaders said teachers regularly review assessment results with campus administrators to identify strengths, address areas of concern and determine what additional resources students may need.
Although state accountability remains important, Dr. Brown emphasized that VAISD’s broader goal is to educate the whole child. The district wants students to leave VAISD prepared to communicate effectively, enter the workforce, succeed in college or pursue military service. VAHS’s current College, Career and Military Readiness rate is approximately 98%.
Planning facilities for the future
Facilities and long-term planning were also central to the discussion.
Dr. Brown explained that the district must begin planning new schools years before they are needed. Even when VAISD reuses an existing elementary school design, site preparation and construction can take approximately two years. A larger project, such as a junior high school, may require three to four years for design and construction.
The condition of the current middle school building, which was constructed in 1972, remains a significant concern. Dr. Brown discussed the building’s foundation, air-conditioning, traffic and long-term maintenance challenges. The district may need to make interim investments in the facility while determining when the community’s tax base can support another bond proposal.
VAISD is also considering the future construction of another elementary school to accommodate continued growth. Dr. Brown said the district and Board of Trustees remain committed to staying ahead of enrollment and avoiding the use of portable classrooms whenever possible.
Additional projects discussed included the indoor multipurpose facility under construction near the high school and plans to eventually relocate the district’s agricultural facilities to the same area. The indoor facility is expected to create additional space for programs including soccer, football and a potential future dance program.
Community questions
During the question-and-answer portion, attendees asked about elementary recess, extracurricular opportunities, school security and future bond planning.Dr. Brown explained that outdoor recess can be affected by heat-safety requirements that account for factors including temperature and humidity. When conditions allow, VAISD continues to prioritize opportunities for elementary students to play outside while balancing recess with instructional time.
One community member asked about interest in a future dance/escadrille program at the high school. Dr. Brown responded that the district remains interested in adding dance and has previously advertised for a qualified instructor. Space constraints and a lack of qualified applicants have currently put that dance program on hold, but the district remains invested in getting a dance program off the ground in the future. Soccer is beginning this school year, and wrestling is expected to start as an after-school opportunity.
School security was also discussed during the question-and-answer portion. Dr. Brown shared that longtime VAISD police officer Steve Nabors has been promoted to serve as interim chief of police. Although Nabors is moving into this leadership role, he will remain assigned to a campus and all VAISD campuses will remain staffed with a VAISD police officer during the transition. The district is also working to hire two additional officers as it continues expanding the department to meet the needs of a growing district.
The discussion concluded with facilities and bond planning. Dr. Brown said a community committee may be formed to help residents learn more about the needs at existing facilities and participate in conversations about future solutions.
Continuing the conversation
Coffee & Conversation will be held monthly at different campuses throughout the district. Each meeting will focus on a specific topic while giving community members an opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback and visit VAISD facilities.
The next Coffee & Conversation will be held on Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. in the Partin Elementary Library. That meeting will focus on school finance.