AQUILLA - This year only 43 school districts earned the State of Texas’ most coveted Exemplary rating — Aquilla I.S.D. was one of them!

"Accountability ratings provide parents and community members with a standardized way to examine academic performance at their local schools. The ratings help Texans highlight successes and pinpoint areas that need improvement," said Robert Scott, commissioner of education. Ratings are based on student performance on state tests, dropout rates and high school completion rates.

"These schools and districts are top performers. They are great role models for the rest of our schools. I applaud these schools and districts for their outstanding success," Scott added. [more]

With the start of the 2008-09 school year less than a month away when he took office, Whitney Independent School District’s new superintendent, Gene Solis, said he’s had to hit the ground running, but said he feels he’s up to the challenge.

"There are a lot of things that still need to be done in the next couple of weeks to get ready for the start of school," Solis told The Lakelander during an interview in his office last Thursday afternoon. "I’m counting so much on the staff we already have in place to make sure those things are done, and I feel confident they will be."

Solis was chosen by the WISD Board of Trustees from among about 40 applicants for the superintendent position. He was named the "lone finalist" on Monday June 30, and after the required 21-day waiting period, he was hired on Monday, July 22. [more]