ECISD Superintendent Smith Presents School Update

By Gloria Way

  It was standing room only at Ceccoli’s Vineyard in Winnie for the Winnie Stowell Lions’ Club summer social gathering last Thursday evening. The draw for the evening event was a presentation by first year ECISD Superintendent Andrea Smith.

  Smith provided the crowd with humorous stories about how she first got involved in education, “I was standing in line at Sam Houston State University as an incoming freshman filling out all the necessary forms; one of the questions was ‘what is your major’; I had no clue … so I looked at the girl next me and she wrote down elementary education, and I thought ‘that sounds good’, so here I am!” Smith laughed. “She and I are great friends to this day.” Smith, who graduated from High Island High School, talked about how former ECISD Superintendent Scott Campbell was her history teacher at High Island High School. “Scott takes credit for my marriage to Corey,” said Smith. “He paired us as the leads in the One Act play at school, and the rest is history!”

  Smith talked about the accomplishments of ECISD. “We are currently and proudly ranked with a B rating from the Texas Education Association. We are working hard to receive an A. We will receive an A,” she said.

  Smith presented interesting statistics on the students of ECISD. There are 1,560 students enrolled in the four campuses of ECISD. There are 13.5 students per teacher.  Ninety-nine percent of ECHS students graduate and are college, career, and/or military ready.

  Fifty-two teachers are Texas Incentive Allotment Designated, a distinction awarded to highly effective public teachers.

  Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are available at ECISD. CTE programs are specialized, state-approved sequences of courses that teach students technical and professional skills. “Our CTE programs are really growing,” said Smith. “So many of our graduates are ready to enter the workforce with good paying jobs. Several of our 2026 graduates who were in the welding program, were signed on by Bechtel to start working immediately after graduation.” In addition to welding, CTE programs offered at ECISD are floral design, cosmetology, culinary, vet techs, and “teach” programs on how to become teachers.”

 “Our extracurricular programs are second to none”, emphasized Smith. “We have top rated facilities and sports programs. Our FFA is outstanding. Fine Arts and Academic Clubs are competitive, and EC excels in numerous UIL programs.”

  “One aspect of ECISD that we are very proud of is our ECISD Education Foundation,” touted Smith. “Since its inception, our education foundation has presented over $500,000 to teachers to help provide innovative programs and to support schools, students, and educators by raising private funds and bridging gaps in traditional public budgets.” She added, “Every dollar raised goes straight to our teachers and students. Thank you to the community for supporting our education foundation and to the board members of the foundation that help raise the funds.”

  Smith closed by informing everyone what the 2026-2027 theme is for ECISD. “I believe this motto says it all …Buccaneers, Own the Moment! We are proud of our students, and we are proud of our community.”

  It is a good day to be a Buccaneer!