• Benold - Bill Holland

• Carver - Megan Copenhaver

• Communications - Edgar Arellano

• Cooper - Kayla Harris

• Custodial - Dilson Mendoza Munoz

• EVHS - Staci Gammage

• Forbes - Richard Cool

• Ford - Rosie Lauborough

• Frost - Carrie Vogler

• Future Ready Complex - Paola Minas

• GHS - Bradley Watkins

• Maintenance/Support Srvs - Shane Phillips

• McCoy - Lindsay Vineyard

• Mitchell - Ann Rodriguez

• Purl - Heather Renee Buerger

• San Gabriel - Elsa Weick

• Teaching, Learning & Assess - Erin Pierce

• Technology - Drake Sinley

• Tippit - Heidi Ence

• Transportation - Shirley Garcia

• Village - Stacy Glenn

• Wagner - Carmen Torres Zamora

• Williams - Mabel Gallardo

• Wolf Ranch - Rocio Bacelis

• Carver ES - Lindsay Cartledge

• Cooper ES - Brittany Wodraska

• Ford ES - Jill Spilotro

• Frost ES - Jennifer Drum

• McCoy ES - Laura McGinnity

• Mitchell ES - Stephanie Tank

• Purl ES - Beth Gallo

• San Gabriel ES -  Alexis Renninger

• Village ES - Jill Culpepper

• Williams ES - Stefenia Phipps

Secondary 

• Benold MS - Kari Parker

• EVHS - Annie Hero

• Forbes MS  - Haley Brower

• GHS - Barbara Bahrainwala

• RHS  - Julie Sammons

• Tippit MS - Kaylee Cheek

• Wagner MS - Coach Hondo Gonzalez

• FRC - Emily Laceky

Goehring comes to Georgetown ISD with 24 years of experience in financial leadership roles in public education, as director of business and finance in La Grange ISD, and most recently, as chief financial officer in Burnet CISD. 

Goehring earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Texas State University.

“We are excited to welcome Clay to Georgetown,” said Dr. Devin Padavil, GISD Superintendent. “He joins our team at a pivotal moment in public education. While funding for education lags across the state, we are proud to be operating on a balanced budget. Clay’s experience shows he is ready to help us navigate the future for the benefit of students.”

In his new role, Goehring will be responsible for directing, managing, and providing leadership for business and operations functions for the district, as well as directing and monitoring the management and investment of all district funds to ensure they are adequately protected, among other duties.

Goehring lives in Burnet with his wife, Jamie, a speech pathologist. They have two adult children, a daughter, Ainsley, who lives in Georgetown, and son Adler, who will attend Howard Payne University this fall and play football. Clay enjoys sports and being outdoors in his free time.

Clay will begin his new role on July 6.

Kenneth Adix has been serving as interim CFO since Jennifer Hanna retired in December. 

After Valedictorian and Salutatorian, students are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

After Valedictorian and Salutatorian, students are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

After Valedictorian and Salutatorian, students are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Georgetown ISD received a donation from A+ Federal Credit Union in Georgetown to pay off lunch balances for students at seven campuses across the district in the amount of $1,582.37. 

“At A+FCU, we believe no student should worry about a meal at school,” said Eric R. Kase, President/CEO of A+ Federal Credit Union. “Through our A+ Gives program, we’re proud to continue our tradition of paying off school lunch balances and to support students and families in Georgetown ISD, one of our long‑standing partner districts.”

While public school districts provide critical resources for enrolled students and their families, schools can’t always do it alone. It takes a village.

“GISD is grateful for the continued generosity of our partners at A+FCU,” GISD Superintendent Devin Padavil said. “Donations like this make a tremendous impact on families, and we are truly thankful for their support in making this happen.” 

MORE —

Families can qualify for free or reduced lunch prices by completing the Free and Reduced Lunch application. 

Qualifying families can receive more than discounted meals for their students. The application helps determine Title 1 funding for public schools and can help students pay for fees associated with extracurricular activities, college admissions tests and applications, and more. 

The percentage of economically disadvantaged students in GISD is 43%.

Georgetown ISD celebrated teachers and staff during its Employee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 5. At the event, the district recognized teachers and employees of the year. This event is held annually in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week. 
2026 Elementary Campus Teachers of the Year

• Sheena Arocho - Carver ES

• Esme Bruesewitz - Cooper ES

• Staci Thomison - Ford ES

• Edie Little - Frost ES

• Cathy Childs - McCoy ES

• Nicole Jones - Mitchell ES

• Elizabeth Gallo - Purl ES

• Alexis Renninger - San Gabriel ES

• Nancy Robledo - Village ES

• Alexis Bawcom - Williams ES

• Cassie Davis - Wolf Ranch ES – District Winner

2026 Secondary Campus Teachers of the Year

• Kristina Leach - Benold MS

• Emily Durell - EVHS – District Winner

• Karla Jimenez - Forbes MS

• Emily Jimenez - Future Ready Complex

• Amanda Sanford - Georgetown Alternative Program

• Jenny Gebhardt - Georgetown HS

• Lisa Nava - Richarte HS

• Shari Howard - Successful Transition Education Program

• Kaylee Cheek - Tippit MS

• Jennifer Paddock - Wagner MS

2026 Employees of the Year 

Auxiliary Campus Finalists:

• Julio Lozada Batista, Lead Custodian, Purl ES – District Winner

• Juan Martinez, Lead Custodian, Wagner MS

• Bianca Ramirez, Cafeteria Manager, San Gabriel  ES

Auxiliary Support Finalists:

• Michael “Red” Andrews, Lead Electrician – District Winner

• Roberto Ortega, Grounds Lead, Athletics

• Rick Towe, HVAC Lead

Instructional Paraprofessional Finalists:

• Allonna Bodkin, Purl ES – District Winner

• Adam Brinley, Georgetown HS

• Emily Evans, Wagner MS

Support Paraprofessional Finalists:

• Kayla Mullins, Nutrition Services Specialist – District Winner

• Sheila Runkle, Ford ES, Receptionist

• Sarah Spence, Administrative Assistant, Chief of Staff

District Support Finalists:

• Alicia Gierisch, Georgetown HS Instructional Coach – District Winner

• Susan Olivares, Dual Language Instructional Coach

• Amy Peterson, School Psychologist 

Administrator of the Year Finalists:

• Rebecca Lambert, Principal, San Gabriel ES – District Winner

• Dave Rainey, Director, Guidance & Wellness

• Bretton Schulz, Director, Career and Technical Education and Interim Principal, Richarte HS

GISD campuses and departments submitted nominations for teachers and employees who embody the district’s vision and mission. Nominations were reviewed by a committee, and a single winner was selected in each category. 

Campus Teacher of the Year nominations were determined using the Texas Teacher of the Year guidelines set by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Since 1969, the Texas Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program has honored excellence in classroom education and provided a forum to showcase many outstanding educators whose efforts and example have inspired their students, their colleagues, and the communities they serve.

Cassie Davis, Wolf Ranch Elementary, and Emily Durell, East View High School, were selected as District Teachers of the Year and will advance to the next level for consideration by Region 13.

This event is sponsored annually by the Georgetown ISD Education Foundation.

View the full photo album from the event here.

The following Georgetown ISD campuses earned the designation:

• Benold Middle School

• Carver Elementary School

• Georgetown Alternative Program

• Georgetown High School

• McCoy Elementary School

• Mitchell Elementary School

• San Gabriel Elementary School

• Successful Transition Education Program (S.T.E.P.)

• Tippit Middle School

• Wagner Middle School

• Williams Elementary School

• Wolf Ranch Elementary School

Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase Schools awards, the Flippen Group honors campuses that go above and beyond to ensure students feel safe, connected, and engaged in their learning. Schools are selected based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes campus observations, staff implementation data, and measurable improvements in areas such as attendance, discipline, school climate, and academic performance.

“This recognition speaks to our districtwide commitment to student wellbeing. Campuses create environments where every student feels known, valued, and supported,” said Chief of Staff Lindsay Harris. “We are incredibly proud of these campuses for their intentional work and daily dedication to building relationships that make a lasting difference for students and their academic success.”

For more information about the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase Schools program, visit: https://www.capturingkidshearts.org.

Other recognized GISD nurses include:
Nora Dekreek, Benold Middle School
Theresa Mitchell-Monroe, Frost Elementary School 
Elizabeth Pfuntner, Forbes Middle School

Sponsored by Cartwheel, the Bluebonnet Award celebrates school nurses who go above and beyond in caring for students and supporting their school communities. The program highlights individuals who demonstrate compassion, innovation in care, and a strong commitment to student wellness, qualities that GISD nurses exemplify every day.

“I get to see what our school nurses do every day, and their impact is undeniable. Their work is essential to everything we do in education; they lead, advocate, and step in wherever they’re needed to keep students safe and ready to learn,” said Mindy Petty, Director of Health and Emergency Services.  “Families trust that when they send their children to school, they’ll be cared for, and our nurses are a big part of that. I’m incredibly proud to see them recognized through these nominations.”  

Finalists for the Bluebonnet Award are selected by a judging panel based on criteria including patient advocacy, dedication to student well-being, creativity in care, and community impact. The grand prize winner will be announced on May 6, 2026, in recognition of National School Nurse Day.

The Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees approved the name S.C. Marshall Middle School for the district’s 5th middle school campus during its April 20, 2026, board meeting.

The new campus honors S.C. Marshall, a visionary Georgetown school leader in the early 20th century who championed access to education for African American students. As principal of the community’s “Colored School” at the time, he believed deeply in the power of learning and worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for students who had long been limited to an eighth-grade education.

Through his leadership, Marshall helped establish high school-level instruction for black students in Georgetown, enrolling the community’s first high school student in 1913 and laying the foundation for what would become a lasting tradition of academic achievement. Highly educated and deeply committed to his community, he also served as a mentor and leader beyond the classroom, advocating for the belief that every student deserved access to a quality education.

“Naming this new school in Marshall’s honor reflects Georgetown ISD’s commitment to recognizing those who have made a lasting impact on public education and to inspiring future generations of students,” said Cody Hirt, Georgetown ISD Trustee. “S.C. Marshall’s legacy is one of courage, vision, and opportunity, and S.C. Marshall Middle School will carry that legacy forward for years to come.”

S.C. Marshall Middle School is scheduled for completion this fall and will welcome its first students for the 2027-2028 school year. The project was funded by the 2024 Bond to support the district’s growing southeast quadrant.

Georgetown ISD is proud to announce the hiring of Drew Nichols as the next principal of Richarte High School, the district’s alternative high school of choice. Nichols brings 20 years of experience in public education and a proven track record of improving outcomes for students through innovative leadership and a strong commitment to student success.

Nichols currently serves as principal of Gonzalo Garza Independence High School in Austin ISD, where he has led one of Texas’ top-performing alternative campuses. Under his leadership, the school earned an “A” rating in Student Performance through the state accountability system, an achievement unmatched by any other alternative campus in Texas. He has also served as Vertical Team Chair for Special Schools, aligning strategies and supports across multiple campuses, and presented his work at the International Solutions-Focused Annual Conference in Toronto.

Throughout his career, Nichols has demonstrated success in improving attendance, increasing enrollment, boosting graduation rates, and reducing dropout rates. He has led major campus initiatives, including the creation of a dedicated testing center and a mental health and wellness center, while also building strong partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations to expand student support.

Prior to his current role, Nichols served in a variety of leadership positions at Anderson High School in Austin, including interim principal and associate principal. During that time, he helped guide the campus through remote and hybrid learning, supported staff development, strengthened school culture, and advanced academic and extracurricular programs. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach, building a strong foundation in student engagement and inclusive practices.

“Drew brings a depth of experience working with special populations that will be an asset to our Richarte community," said Superintendent Devin Padavil. "We look forward to welcoming him to the team."

Nichols lives in Leader with his wife, Shirley, son Emmett, and a Rottweiler named Gheera. They foster dogs through Austin Pets Alive and enjoy lake life. In fact, they are excited to be part of the Georgetown community and look forward to finding new adventures around Lake Georgetown. 

Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas State University and a Master of Education from the University of North Texas. His background spans special education, athletics, campus leadership, and program development, equipping him to meet the unique learning needs of students at Richarte High School.

Nichols will assume his role as principal at Richarte High School in July.

Less than a year after graduating from Texas A&M University, Georgetown ISD (GISD) Alum Claire O’Shoney is already part of something historic: helping develop the food that fueled astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission.

During her undergraduate studies in food science at Texas A&M, O’Shoney worked as a space food technician at the university’s space food research facility, where she contributed to the meticulous development and production of meals destined for space missions. 

“We produced food that takes vigorous testing for a year-plus before it actually makes it to launch,” O’Shoney explained. “What we produced will probably be going out for the next five or so years.”

O’Shoney didn’t always know exactly which mission her work would support. That was until she learned that her work would contribute to Artemis II, the first crewed mission to return humans to the Moon's vicinity after more than 50 years. 

“It’s surreal,” O’Shoney said. “Seeing that something I worked on, hands-on with other students and production supervisors, come to life in this historical moment has been incredible.”

The moment carries personal weight, too.

“Knowing that my grandparents watched the first moon launch, and now this is the first moon mission of my generation and I get to directly impact it is almost unbelievable.”

It was clear O’Shoney was destined for big things long before college. O’Shoney built a portfolio of outstanding achievements in GISD, including earning the title of “Number One Teen Chef in America” at the Culinary Arts National Competition in 2021. She credits a lot of those early experiences to her time in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Culinary Arts.

“So much of my success in college and post-grad is because of my time in GISD,” O’Shoney said. “Having the ability to learn from such a top-class pastry chef as a classroom instructor between the ages of 14 to 18 for hours a week is an invaluable experience, and it completely altered the course of my life.”

Chef Emily Jimenez, O’Shoney’s former instructor, said her success comes as no surprise.

“Claire has always been someone who thrives when she’s able to share her passion with others,” she said. “When Claire sets her mind to something, she pursues it with determination and focus, and very little can stand in her way.”

The technical skills O’Shoney learned from Jimenez in high school, from knife handling to food safety and sanitation, gave her a competitive edge.

“NASA was impressed that I already had extensive kitchen knowledge and knife skills,” O’Shoney said. “We learn tools and skills at such a young age that are not only beneficial to a trade, but to the workforce and occupational roles overall.”

Jimenez emphasized that the philosophy of the culinary arts program goes beyond technical training.

“In my classroom, I hold students to high expectations because I want them to be fully prepared for whatever comes next. We emphasize the importance of a positive mindset and a strong work ethic,” she said. “No matter where their careers take them, if they are willing to work hard and believe in themselves, countless opportunities will open up. I feel incredibly privileged to teach these lessons through the art of food and to watch students like Claire turn their passion into something extraordinary.”

Today, O’Shoney has turned her passion into a career at ClearMask USA, a flavor modulation company. There, she helps food and beverage companies refine their products, from enhancing flavor profiles to making ingredients like caffeine more palatable in energy drinks.

“I didn’t know food science was a career until later in high school,” O’Shoney said. “I think exposure to a variety of career options in high school for students is crucial. And in GISD, it’s not just available in culinary arts. There’s automotive, health science, hospitality, and more.”

O’Shoney’s journey highlights the power of early opportunity and hands-on learning. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that following your passions can lead you far – perhaps even to outer space.

To learn about other career and technical options in Georgetown ISD, visit our CTE website.

Free meals are provided for youth ages 18 and younger during the summer at select campuses. Students do not need to provide a GISD ID to participate, and meals are provided at no cost. Students with disabilities enrolled in GISD have access to free summer meals if 21 or younger. 

Summer meals are being served at various campuses. Date and times vary per campus:

Tippit Middle School
Dates: June 1 - August 7 (Monday - Friday)
Breakfast: 7:15-8:30 AM
Lunch: 10:30 AM-1:00 PM 

Please note: Only Tippit MS remains open until August 7th and provides meals on Friday. 

Purl Elementary
Dates: June 1 - August 6 (Monday - Thursday)
Breakfast: 7:15-8:00 AM
Lunch: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM 

Future Ready Center
Dates: June 1 - August 6 (Monday - Thursday)
Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 AM
Lunch: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM 

The district will be closed June 24 - July 3  and no meals will be served on those days.

Questions:
Contact us at [512-943-5000] or visit our website.

ages 5 and older. Her arrival marks the first time the clinic has offered on-site behavioral

health services. The clinic, which opened in 2021, has provided family medicine services since

its inception.

The Health & Wellness Center is located in the building that houses the Future Ready Complex

at 5001 Airport Rd. in Georgetown. The center operates as a school-linked clinic and is

available to all GISD students, staff, and their immediate families. It was created through a

partnership between Georgetown ISD and Lone Star Circle of Care, with the shared goal of

providing convenient, accessible care for the district community.

In addition to the new behavioral health services, the clinic continues to offer a full range of

family medicine care provided by a board-certified nurse practitioner and clinical support

staff. Services include wellchild checks, sick visits, and school and sports physicals. The

addition of onsite behavioral health therapy enhances the center’s ability to support patients

experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and behavioral or emotional challenges.

The clinic accepts most insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP. For those

without insurance, a sliding fee scale is available based on household size and income. More

information is available at www.georgetownisd.org/healthcenter.

“Students get full range of the classroom and have complete autonomy,” said Ward. “As I stand to the side and gently guide the mission, I watch the room turn into a dynamic environment filled with high-quality peer interactions.”

While students collaborate, Ward gathers data. 

“One of our district goals is to use timely data and feedback to inform instruction,” said Ward. “During each mission, Mission.IO gives me real-time scores based on collaboration, resilience, innovation and knowledge, which allows me to give students immediate feedback that they can implement in the next round.”

Before students embark on their mission, Ward opens with an “I can…” statement to ensure that everyone is grounded in their learning goals for the day. 

One recent morning, students entered the classroom to find, “I can collaborate with my peers and use critical thinking skills to be successful in our mission” written in big, bold letters at the front of the room.

For Sixth Grader Sadie Smart, this was an exciting discovery.

“My favorite missions are focused on critical thinking because we have to come together to solve a lot of riddles,” said Smart. “It’s cool to work as a team and share our ideas freely.”

This sense of teamwork and curiosity builds confidence in students, and opens opportunities for the future.

“Before I discovered Mission.IO, I wanted to be an interior designer,” said Smart. “But this class is making me reconsider things…I think I want to be a scientist now!”

If you ask Ward, Smart and her classmates have already earned that title. 

“This classroom is a laboratory, and these students are scientists,” said Ward. “We use scientific syntax. We make mistakes. We fail, and we fix. Every scientist that walks through the door enters with a growth mindset, including myself.”

That mindset is having a noticeable impact beyond daily missions.

“Attendance is up because students really want to be here on the days we are doing a mission,” said Ward. “Forbes has high attendance numbers, and I think it’s because we are going out of our way to engage students with activities like Mission.IO.”

The National Competition

On March 23, Ward’s classes used their knowledge and skills to compete in Mission League, a global event where teachers run a special Mission with their class and compete for prizes, bragging rights, and a spot on the leaderboard. 

One of the missions ended in cheers and high-fives as the class watched their team climb to the top of the leaderboard, finishing 10th in the nation. 

You can learn more about Mission.IO and see samples of missions on their website.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS

“Kifford Reimagined” from Benold MS - 4th year competing

• Team members: 8th Graders Elias Bourquin, Peter Handakas, Walter Luke, and Brian Rand

“Neon Nemo Ninjas” from East View HS - 9th year competing

• Team members: Seniors Jack Cherry, Hunter Saffill and Shaun Bruton

“Navy Seals” from East View HS

• Team Members: Senior Parker Steinly, Sophomores Graden Steinly and Alisa Salikhov

  • G. Steinly has been competing for three years, P. Steinly for two years, and Salikhov for one.

The SeaPerch International Competiton will be held at University of Maryland on May 30 - 31st. 

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