 The public school system has been building brighter futures for San Marcos children and their families for over a hundred years. Although there is documentation of organized education in our area since the late 1840’s, the year 2007 marks the 130th anniversary of the incorporation of San Marcos on July 7, 1877, in large part to bring the state and federal funding that was needed to support the new school built for the community’s children. When the public schools came under the oversight of the city in 1877, there were 58 students enrolled and three school board trustees. In 2007, we are looking forward with excitement to the new school year in San Marcos CISD with seven school board members and slightly more than 1,000 teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, counselors, secretaries and administrators working together for the success of our approximately 7,200 students. Added to that number are the parents, community members, businesses, and university staff and students who will bring additional resources to our efforts. San Marcos High School students will begin the 2007-2008 school year in their spectacular new building built on a hill south of the city. They will be welcomed by the San Marcos High School team of educators led by their energetic and talented new principal. The faculties from two of our elementary schools, Crockett and Travis, are watching with anticipation the construction of their new campuses and preparing for transitions. The conversion of the former high school facility into a middle school is now underway. District-wide, the overall construction program is on schedule and—thanks to the community’s approval of the spring bond election—funds are available for its completion. San Marcos CISD is well on the way to having state-of-the-art campuses that are safe, secure, and progressive centers for learning. As always, there are instructional challenges. Teachers have been involved in training and curriculum writing preparations throughout the summer. Additional focus has been placed on mathematics and science improvement throughout the District, and there are high expectations at all grade levels by our dedicated staff. We welcome all of the San Marcos CISD family—students, staff, parents, supporters—new faces and returning faces—to the exciting, productive year ahead for us as we continue the mission of our educational forbearers in blazing new frontiers in education. |
Dr. Patty Shafer is the new Superintendent of San Marcos CISD, coming on board on March 19, 2007.
 She most recently served as the Deputy Director at the Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC) in Houston, Texas where she led 11 departments within the Education Division that provide educational resources, products, and services to 54 school districts (over 1 million students) in a seven county area. The Region 4 ESC has the largest student population of the 20 state service centers.
In addition, Shafer coordinated the Quality Management System for Region 4 ESC and the ESC response in helping districts provide services to Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees. She has served as Superintendent with two school districts: Liberty ISD in Liberty Texas from 2003-2005 and Utopia ISD in Utopia, Texas from 2001-2003.
While with Liberty ISD, Shafer led the process of establishing fiscal health to the district by lowering expenses and debt and oversaw the design and construction of two campuses. In Utopia ISD, she led the construction process for a new maintenance and transportation facility, implemented a new pre-kindergarten, secured grants to improve the campus, and chaired the UISD Energy Conservation Task Force to reduce energy costs.
 Prior to this, Shafer worked with Calhoun County ISD in the Port Lavaca/Port O’Connor/ Seadrift, Texas area as an English and Math teacher, as an elementary and secondary counselor, as an elementary and middle school principal, and as Director of Instruction for the district. Shafer is proud of the fact that the rating of the last campus where she served as principal rose from low-performing to Exemplary and the district rose to Recognized status for the first time while she served as Director of Education. She began her educational career teaching math for San Antonio ISD in San Antonio, Texas.
“The magic that takes place between teacher and student during learning is the key to education,” says Shafer. “A strong, instructionally-focused principal is necessary for the success of the campus, and central office staff is responsible for helping each campus be successful. A superintendent manages this process by putting systems in place and focusing on the ‘main thing’: academic success for all.”
Shafer is not a stranger to San Marcos, as she acquired her B.A. in Secondary Education – English/Math at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). She went on to earn a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas and an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Shafer is also a graduate of the Lamar Superintendent Academy XII from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
She maintains several professional certifications, has served on numerous educational committees, and is active in community organizations. Shafer is a member of both the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). Currently, she is actively involved in the Greater Houston P-16+ Council and the Houston A+ Challenge Regional Faculty Executive Committee.
She and her husband Cecil both enjoy "adventures," and are scuba divers, airplane pilots, and river rafters. Together they raised three daughters: Jennifer, Shannon, and Wesla. The Shafers have three grandchildren, arguably the most exciting "adventures" in their lives at this point. |
