Cleburne ISD Trustees, in conjunction with the Texas Association of School Boards, have honored four district partners for their contributions to students and schools.

            During Monday’s school board meeting, TASB Business Recognition Awards were presented to representatives of James Hardie Building Products, the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Gary and Melissa Bennett, owners of Bennett’s Printing and Dr. Andy Tyler, pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church.

            “We appreciate the opportunity to join with school boards across the state in recognizing these partners who not only support our schools, but are also standing up for public schools,” President Elizabeth Childress said. “From supporting district initiatives and serving as generous contributors to school activities, to honoring the academic dedication of students, these four entities are great advocates of education.”

            James Hardie Building Products was honored for years of involvement and support, from donating bicycles to elementary schools in recognizing students for perfect attendance and support of PTA activities, to serving as an industry partner with Cleburne High School’s Career and Technical Education program. Last spring, CHS Valedictorian Brenda Zamora Chavez was named the recipient of the $20,000 James Hardie Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship.

            The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce has co-sponsored the CISD Adopt-A-School program since its implementation in the 1980s, and each year honors one of the district’s business-in-education partners with the Adopter of the Year Award. The Chamber’s "Weekly Scoop" to their membership includes a link to the CISD website, in providing information on district news, a special event or an initiative. The Chamber dedicates the entire morning to CISD in their day-long Leadership Cleburne Education session.

“The Chamber Board endorsed our landmark 2016 bond referendum, which led to the construction of a new high school, and repeated this tremendous level of support in endorsing Bond 2021,” Superintendent Dr. Kyle Heath said. “The Chamber is a friend of Cleburne schools and its students.”

The Bennett’s were honored for their numerous contributions as Adopt-A-School participants, and as supporters of PTA and the CHS Golden Pride Band. Their ongoing support also includes the design and printing of the district’s academic calendar, which is provided to staff and CISD households, with co-sponsorship by the United Educators Association.

For decades, Cleburne High School students have been honored for their work in the classroom at the annual Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony, which is sponsored by St. Mark United Methodist Church, which originally proposed the recognition. First-time recipients receive a special afghan in the school colors, with repeat honorees presented with a certificate.

The church, which is located next to Jacket Stadium, hosts special activities at home football games, while also allowing fans to utilize their parking lot. In recent years, the church has involved Smith and Wheat Middle School football players in their annual Pumpkin Patch, which benefits their community outreach initiatives. The players from both schools meet on a Saturday morning to unload an 18-wheeler filled to the roof with pumpkins.

“This is a great opportunity for students from both campuses to be engaged in community service together,” Heath said. “We appreciate this chance to help an advocate for CISD and education in the work they are doing in our community.”