Navasota State of NISD

Navasota Independent School District is continuing its mission of offering large school opportunities with a hometown atmosphere and examples of that mission were shared at the annual State of the City address Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Navasota Center.

Navasota ISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Ronnie Gonzalez presented the NISD portion of the program for Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick who was out with a death in the family.

Gonzalez said NISD is a town with only one high school, but the district is able to offer students an array of extracurricular activities ranging from KickStart Kids, a karate program endorsed by Chuck Norris, to choir, FFA and everything in-between.

The district also began the Lil’ Rattler Academy, which is housed at the NELC campus. Teachers with children and students who may need daycare are able to utilize the daycare. Currently Gonzalez said there are 26 infants enrolled from ages sixweeks to age three. “We are very proud of the opportunity we have to provide this service for our teachers,” explained Gonzalez.

NISD offers five different graduation endorsements. Students that come to Navasota High School choose a path for an endorsement for when they graduate, and their electives are along that path.

Gonzalez stated Navasota High School is a collegiate high school where students can take dual credit courses. He said his daughter who is a senior at NHS will graduate this year with over 41 high school and college credits. “Some of the costs are free to students and some are free dependent on economic status,” said Gonzalez. “It is available to all students.”

Navasota ISD also offers Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs including Veterinary Medicine, Health Science, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Automotive Technology, Audio/Video and Media, Computer Science, Welding, Education Training and more. Gonzalez said the district also plans to add Criminal Justice in the future. “Students can also receive various certifications before graduation,” said Gonzalez.

There is a new program, Tango Flight, which the district is excited about. The program allows students to build a fully operational plane over the course of two years.

Renovating history

When surveying the community prior to the 2017 bond election, the community stated they wanted to see the historic Brosig Performing Arts Center that was built in 1952 and the Rock Gym built in the 1930s renovated.

Both facilities were remodeled. Part of the Brosig Performing Arts Center renovations included adding four new dressing rooms, expanding the stage, installing new lighting and sound system, renovating the restrooms and more. The facility will now be able to serve the community for many more years.

The Rock Gym was also renovated with new flooring, a concession stand, renovated restrooms, a new roof and more. Brule Elementary needed a gym for physical education and the renovated gym will be utilized to house those students.

Gonzalez thanked the crowd for allowing him the time to share all the great things happening at NISD.