On Monday, the Austin ISD board of trustees voted to extend Superintendent Pat Forgione‘s contract by one year (it now runs through June 30, 2008), following the release of the board’s annual superintendent performance evaluation. Board President Doyle Valdez praised the “hard work and stability” provided by Forgione (hired in 1999) and his administration, citing among other things improved student test performance, lower dropout and high school completion rates, better college preparation, a balanced budget and strong bond rating, and better overall administration.
Valdez also noted that “much work must still be done,” and reiterated the board’s continuing focus on “eliminating the achievement gap” between various student groups, career education, campus safety and welfare, and community interaction. In extending Forgione’s contract, the board also agreed to buy him $50,000 worth of additional retirement credits from the Texas Retirement System (acknowledging his previous experience) through 2008.
The board also reviewed next year’s proposed academic calendar (set for approval Feb. 23); voted to request two class-size waivers from the Texas Education Agency for Lee and Ortega elementaries; and approved budget priorities and guidelines for the next fiscal year that the administration says are “basically unchanged” from 2002-2003 and are subject to additional financial information.
This article appears in February 13 • 2004.
