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Veronica Casanova, Interim Superintendent (936) 291-5303
The Superintendent of the Windham School District has legal responsibility for all operations of the school district and reports directly to the Windham School Board (Texas Board of Criminal Justice). The authority to operate the schools within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was established in Texas Education Code, Chapter 19. The Superintendent's support staff includes:
Kelly Hoot, Administrative Assistant (936) 291-5303
The Administrative Assistant provides clerical support, coordinates scheduling, and maintains school board records.
Michael P. Mondville, General Counsel (936) 291-5304
The General Counsel of Legal Services advises the Superintendent on various legal issues in order to ensure district compliance with all applicable state and federal legal requirements.
Bambi Kiser, Public Information Officer (936) 291-5307
The Public Information Officer publicizes news and accomplishments of the staff and students of the Windham School District to campuses within the district as well as to the outside media and public. This includes:
· Publishing brochures, pamphlets, and other materials to promote better understanding of goals, programs or operations of the Windham School District.
· Contributing news to the monthly inmate newspaper, The ECHO, as well as to other publications.
· Serving as a resource person to schools and other departments in the preparation of publications and public information materials.
· Assisting the Superintendent in coordinating various aspects of the District's public relations effort.
· Photographing special events, students, staff, and programs.
· Serving as a liaison between WSD and the news media by providing news releases, answering requests for information, coordinating interviews and visits, and organizing media conferences.
· Receiving inquiries, correspondence, and visitors to the District, thereby assisting the public in gaining a better understanding of the programs of WSD.
· Supervising production of The ECHO, TDCJ's offender newspaper.
· Coordinating WSD’s statewide teacher recognition initiative: The Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching Award.
Charlene Moriarty, Administrative Assistant (936) 291-5304
Veronica Casanova, Division Director (936) 291-5335
Windham Programs
An interdisciplinary approach addresses multiple learning styles in real-world contexts. In all programs, emphasis is placed on workplace skills including, tolerance, teamwork, and problem solving.
1. Basic Academic Program emphasizes literacy training and GED preparation. The curricular framework includes the development of skills necessary for job acquisition and retention..
2. Special Education Program provides individualized instruction for students with disabilities so they can attain academic success.
3. Title I Program provides a supplemental academic program for eligible offenders who are less than 21 years of age.
4. English as a Second Language Program (ESL) provides English language instruction for offenders with limited English proficiency.
5. The CHANGES II Program (Pre-Release) prepares offenders for return to the "free world". The program addresses personal development, healthy relationships, living responsibly, drug education, health, emotional development and employment.
6. The Cognitive Intervention Program is designed to improve behavior during incarceration and after release by addressing thinking patterns which lead to criminal behavior. The program includes instruction and exercises in problem solving, anger management, impulse control, overcoming criminal thinking, creating positive attitudes and beliefs, goal setting and relapse prevention.
7. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program integrates career path planning and technical training to prepare offenders for today's work force. Career and technical training is offered in more than 30 occupations. The competency-based curriculum is designed to meet entry-level industry standards, including certification and licensure requirements. The CTE program also supports apprenticeship and On-the-Job-Training programs.
Library Services offer offenders a wide variety of books, reference collections, and materials in support of educational programs, as well as recreational reading. Librarians and clerks operate unit libraries and maintain library inventories. Librarians promote the use of libraries with library orientations, poetry contests, book reports, art contests and essay contests. They also maintain newspaper and magazine subscriptions at each library.
Volunteer Program
People helping people is the essence of volunteering in correctional education. Volunteers are active on advisory boards and committees, in education, vocational and life skills training. Correctional volunteers:
1. Provide assistance with specific activities and programs.
2. Promote personal growth and development.
3. Help facilitate an offender's reentry into the community.
Linda Goerdel, Division Director (936) 291-5365
Financial Data (936) 291-5365
Financial Data facilitates the planning, management, and reporting necessary to provide financial support of education and recreation programs within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Latreace Craig, Division Director (936) 291-5300
The Division of Human Resources provides employment services for the district as well as provides an array of services to district employees. Responsibilities of this division include:
1. Recruitment
2. Management and Distribution of Annual Term Contracts
3. Supervision of Employee Performance Process
4. Development and Administration of Salary Schedules
5. Maintenance of Services Records Laney Copeland
6. Supervision of Multiple Employment and Employee Transfers
7. Administration of Service Awards
8. Substitute Teacher Services Cheri Greer
9. Maintenance of Personnel Records
Susan Norris, Asst. Director of Human Resources, (936) 291-5310
1. Management of Employment Applications for all Positions
2. Coordination of the Selection Process
3. Certification Services for the District
4. Supervision of the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)
Elena Fortaneli, Human Resources Specialist, (936) 291-5380
1. Administration of Employee Leave and Insurance Benefits Programs
For employment opportunities, see the Employment Opportunities page or contact our office. To apply for a position, complete the Windham School District Application Packet and Checklist, or request an application packet. FAQ's for Applicants/Substitute Teachers
Windham School District
Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 40
Huntsville, TX 77342-0040
Karin Ruppelius, Division Director (936) 291-5351
This department provides services to all Windham Administrative Offices. The services provided include:
1. Providing analysis of computer needs
2. Developing specifications for computer purchases
3. Providing assistance with office automation
4. Providing programming for custom application development
5. Providing programming for data reporting
6. Providing training and assistance for end users
7. Scanning of student testing
Sandra Nash, Division Director (936) 291-5355
The Division of Operational Support provides support in the daily operations of education programs within the TDCJ Institutional and State Jail Divisions. The division coordinates the activities of the district with the regional administrators in matters related to compliance, policy and staffing. Responsibilities of this division include:
1. Coordination of campus planning
2. State Jail Coordination
3. Coordination of Private Prison Education Programs
4. Coordination of Attendance Accounting
6. Strategic and action planning of the district
Counseling, Testing and Records
Gail Swik Administrator (936) 291-5341
1. Assessment information is gathered through a combination of achievement and vocational interest and aptitude testing. General Educational Development (GED) testing is also offered throughout the system.
2. Counselors provide group counseling, recruit students and are responsible for placement in literacy and CTE classes. They also create and maintain career information centers and provide career guidance activities. Counselors assist offenders with the development of career path plans to enable them to make informed educational and occupational choices.
3. Intake and Records: This department maintains educational records on program participants, updates electronic educational records, and oversees the intake assessment process. This office can provide copies of educational records, certificates, and transcripts for academic and vocational work completed while incarcerated.
Luann Pickett, Administrator for Continuing Education (936) 291-5332
Post-secondary academic and vocational programs are made available to offenders who meet the participation criteria in order to provide them an opportunity for rehabilitation by developing their mental and job training skills so that they can reenter society as successful, productive citizens. Post-secondary programs are provided through interlocal/interagency contracts with colleges and universities serving the geographic areas where the units are located.
Mario Cotton, Administrator of Recreation Program (936) 291-5393
Recreation programs provide TDCJ offenders with time and opportunity for daily exercise on a planned and supervised basis. Recreational programs are used as management tools for TDCJ by assisting an offender in developing fitness and conditioning, developing skills and attitudes appropriate for group participation, and in the constructive use of leisure time.