Traditional, Conservative… Children First
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell says, as a father—and a Paw-paw—he has deep appreciation for the values and benefits our children receive through public school education. In learning, as in all things, he believes we should not have a low standard of high expectations.
As County Judge, he is also keenly aware of the challenges Georgetown ISD leadership has been faced with since STAAR results were reported in 2019. “I am a person who relies on data for many things, but I am concerned these children have been led to believe their educational experience is diminished according to metrics that have more to do with their ability to take a single test than with their capacity to learn and pursue their goals.”
Specifically, the Judge refers to the accountability report that indicated a compelling number of Georgetown students were considered “at-risk” for dropping out. However, the District’s current graduation rate is 96 percent; 3 percent higher than the Region, and 6 percent above the State. “The District has been negatively influenced by those standardized scores, and yet, students are significantly surpassing those low expectations. That same year, GISD scores for the PSAT and SAT scores beat the state average by 6 percent. Surely, the administration’s Learner Profile is doing something right.”
Judge Gravell affirms what school superintendent Fred Brent has said that, despite challenges that remain from a test taken in 2018, he is confident the District will be ready for the next one. The Judge adds, “The STAAR test is important, and is a metric to judge how we are doing. But, as a tool, it pales in comparison to what the leadership has accomplished during the last year or two during a global pandemic. I believe Ben Stewart and newcomer Tim Carr have proven to be amazing leaders during the most difficult and complex times our city, county, and state have ever faced. They do not rush to judgment, or try to fix things with a band-aid, but will continue to focus on the things that make Georgetown special and reflect what the community truly cares about.”
He draws similarities between managing the needs of different schools and the needs of different municipalities within our growing county. “Our County is very diverse; the needs and resources of the folks in Jarrell are different than those in Cedar Park. It’s the same for a school system with 19 campuses. It is a leader’s job to dig deep and focus on making the best decisions for everyone, with a mindset toward the collective future of all of them. I believe GISD is well-served by Dr. Brent’s conservative and student-focused approach to problem solving. I’m pleased with the progress our students are making in their preparations for college, career, and military, and that he and the Georgetown community have stayed true to the traditional values that reflect the best Williamson County has to offer.”