The College Station ISD school board held a special meeting Wednesday (May 1) to fill two vacant administrative positions.
Unanimous votes were made by the four members who were present, after a parent’s comments about the central office last week announcing the restructuring of educator positions.
Board members explained their reasons for hiring a new assistant special education services and a new assistant transportation director.
CSISD’s new assistant special education director is Pebble Creek elementary principal Blaire Grande.
The new assistant transportation director, Caroll Lester, reunites her with three colleagues from Willis ISD. They are her supervisor, CSISD’s new transportation director Shannon Calltharp, chief of staff Sara Goolsby, and superintendent Tim Harkrider.
Click below to hear comments from the May 1, 2024 College Station ISD school board meeting:
News release from College Station ISD:
The CSISD Board of Trustees approved Blaire Grande, principal at Pebble Creek Elementary, as the new assistant director of special services and 504, and Caroll Lester as the new assistant director of transportation during its special workshop on May 1. Both are filling vacant positions.
Grande is completing her 17th year in education. Her career began as a life skills teacher in North Lauderdale, Florida. She also served as an exceptional student education specialist in Florida before coming to CSISD in 2012 as a special education teacher at South Knoll Elementary. She was promoted to assistant principal at Spring Creek Elementary in 2016 and named principal at Pebble Creek Elementary in 2018.
Grande earned her Bachelor of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and her Master of Education in Administration and Leadership from Sam Houston State University.
“Special education is what I studied in college and what I did as a teacher, so it really is at the root of my heart,” said Grande. “I’m excited to serve the district in this position where I can serve and support all of our special education students and teachers.”
Lester joins CSISD from Willis ISD with more than 25 years of experience in transportation. Over the years she has served as a driver, administrative assistant, special needs coordinator and student management coordinator. She has specialized experience in the various aspects of transportation including route coordination, communication, budgeting and staffing.
“It’s always been a passion of mine to provide a safe, positive environment on school buses for all students to prepare them for a successful day of learning, then get them home safely to their families,” said Lester. “I’m excited to continue that work in College Station ISD.”