Julie Hinaman - CFISD Trustee

This week, I was able to invest time and energy into improving as a Trustee. The Summer Leadership Institute offered multiple relevant continuous education sessions and opportunities to network with Trustees from across Texas. It was good to see old friends and to make new ones - all here to learn and grow as school board members and advocates for public education.

There were lots of training options - I focused on building my knowledge of Special Education/Special Programs, ways to build trust and effectiveness within the Board, learning what other ISDs are doing to add innovation (and students), and what to expect in the upcoming legislative session.

Bringing back lots of good ideas, focused questions, and renewed inspiration to make a positive impact on our CFISD community!

Even though the 2025-2026 school year ended, there were still lots of great things happening in CFISD this week! 💛💙💜

CFISD Community, please be aware of the District conducting a full-scale safety exercise at Rowe Middle School and the Berry Center tomorrow (June 3). You may see a large law enforcement and EMS presence as multiple local agencies practice and evaluate safety procedures together.
I appreciate the efforts of the CFISD Emergency Management Dept, CFISD PD, and local partners to keep students and staff safe.

CFISD reminds community about June 3 safety exercise June 2, 2026—Cypress-Fairbanks ISD reminds the community that its office of emergency management, in collaboration with the CFISD police department and local first responders, will host a full-scale safety exercise on June 3 at Rowe Middle School (7611 Westgreen Blvd.) and the Berry Center (8877 B...

Just a few days left in the 2025-2026 school year, CFISD! While celebrating students and staff this week, I’m reminded that CFISD focuses on serving ALL students and provides opportunities that can’t be found within charters or private schools. That’s just one of the things that makes CFISD special!
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Good morning, CFISD Community! ☀️We are in the homestretch for the 2025-2026 school year and there is so much to celebrate! 🎉
Looking through my pics from the past two weeks brings me joy and reminds me that students are at the heart of all that we do. ❤️

With all of the attention being given to public funds going to private schools (vouchers) recently, some have forgotten about the other state-funded education system in TX…charter schools.

A lot of people are confused…are charters public schools or private schools? The answer is Yes. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Charters are “public schools” that are 100% funded by the state (no pesky property taxes to collect just to pay the electric bill or make payroll), they do give STAAR tests, and do follow some state mandates for public schools. They also get more per-student funding than we do.

Charters are also “private schools” in that they are led by private organizations, not locally-elected Trustees. They may be run by a group of family members or people who don’t even live in the community. Charters can also open schools and sell bonds to pay for facilities without a vote by the local community. Charter schools do not have to accept all children but can pick/weed out kids through a “lottery” or application process.

Charters are approved by the appointed TEA Commissioner and the elected State Board of Education (SBOE).

I have testified twice to the SBOE in opposition to charter schools opening up more “franchises” in our area. Once, during a break while waiting to testify, I tried to visit with my elected SBOE representative. He did not have time to talk to me but spent time talking to a gentleman who owned interest in a charter management organization and who had contributed to the SBOE member’s campaign.

Just recently, I (along with Superintendents and school board presidents from multiple districts) received a letter from the TEA announcing the expansion of a charter organization with 7 new locations impacting CFISD, Katy ISD, Bryan ISD, College Station ISD, Spring ISD, Waller ISD, Tomball ISD, Klein ISD. Since it’s an “expansion”, there are no votes taken or opportunity to testify…it’s just a done deal by the TEA.

Why in the world is the TEA/state adding MORE schools without input from local communities, without transparency, and in areas where student enrollment is declining?

Why? Because charters are a step between locally-governed, community-based public schools and for-profit privatization of education in TX. That’s why the TEA pushes struggling school districts into partnerships with charters.

When I look around CFISD and see all of the many opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed, I am so proud. Charter schools don’t offer CTE certification courses or the extensive range of Fine Arts, Athletics, FFA, or Associates Degrees through the College Academies at every high school like we do. Most charter schools don’t provide transportation to/from school or special education services.

I’m not afraid of “competition” because I believe we are providing exceptional educational opportunities for students …but as a taxpayer and believer in local control, I sure wish our state leaders would be more strategically focused and fiscally responsible.

In a district as large and diverse as ours, we are brought together often to celebrate and to comfort each other. Thank you, CFISD Community, for coming together again this week.
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Hi CFISD Community! It feels like the school year is flying by AND the days are long at the same time, doesn’t it? While there is so much to celebrate in our district, I also recognize that sometimes it feels disappointing, frustrating, or heartbreaking. This I know….we always strive to do our best and focus on students. Thank you to everyone in CFISD who keeps showing up, doing the hard work, and doing the next right thing. You are appreciated! 💛💙💜