Dear Community Leader,

Yesterday we awarded more than 700 diplomas to the Class of 2015 from Belton High School and Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow. That's a record number of graduates for Belton ISD.

The commencement ceremonies weren't just significant because of the number of students graduating. In fact, we're a fast-growth school district, and that number has been increasing for years now.

Yesterday was a milestone for Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow. The Class of 2015 is the first to graduate from the school, which opened in August 2011 with this year's seniors as its freshman class and only students.

Those students and their families decided to try something unique, innovative and even a bit uncertain when they signed up to attend a school that didn't exist yet. In the four years since then, they have helped build a school that is nationally recognized, and they've shaped its culture. Those students helped create a campus that really is both unique and innovative.

I'm proud of all of our graduates from both high schools. I'm also thankful to live in a community that supports our kids from the first day of kindergarten to the last day of high school. Belton ISD's mission is to provide an education that challenges all of our students to excel. Thanks to you, these students are prepared to excel in tomorrow's world.  

If you missed either ceremony, you can watch them on KISD TV (TimeWarner Channel 17). Between June 8 and June 21, KISD TV will rebroadcast New Tech's ceremony at 3 p.m. on Mondays and 12 p.m. on Saturdays followed by Belton High School's ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

As the Class of 2015 moves on, we're planning for the students who are on their way to Belton ISD.  Experts tells us that our enrollment will grow by about 3,500 students in the next decade. That means that, in 2025, we could be educating 14,000 students.

This past semester, a group of parents, educators and community members have been meeting to plan for our future. The Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee has been studying options to meet our facilities needs over the next decade. You can find the minutes and other materials from their meetings at www.bisd.net/bisd2025.

As they continue their work, we also want to hear from you. Throughout the summer and next fall, we'll be asking you to share your thoughts with us. As we plan for the future, your input matters.

Sincerely,

Susan Kincannon, Ed.D.

Superintendent