A.J. Pontillo - Former GCISD Trustee

08/14/2026

Historic Academic Gains — The Result of Doing the Work

Today, GCISD has something worth celebrating: historic academic gains and an A rating for our district. This achievement didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly didn’t happen by accident. It is the result of years of hard work, accountability, high expectations, and a commitment to doing what is right for students.

Over my three years on the Board, we worked alongside our incredible staff to rebuild academic accountability and achievement from the ground up. We established a strategic plan and scorecard that gave us measurable goals and a clear way to track whether we were actually making progress.

We demanded some of the highest levels of accountability and transparency I have seen in public education. Monthly staff presentations to the Board, along with beginning-of-year, middle-of-year, and end-of-year workshops, forced us to continually examine the data, identify shortcomings, and ask the hard questions: Where are we falling short? Why? And what are we going to do about it?

Most importantly, we chose to raise the bar rather than lower it.

Higher standards only matter if we are willing to do the work necessary to help students reach them. We did not lower expectations or redefine success simply to make the numbers look better. We identified where students and campuses were struggling, worked collaboratively with staff to address those gaps, and built a culture focused on getting students over the higher bar.

It wasn’t always easy. There were difficult conversations, difficult decisions, and plenty of moments when progress took time. But accountability works when you stick with it.

And now, we are seeing the results.

Historic academic achievement. An A-rated district. And a first truly balanced budget in nearly a decade.

These accomplishments are connected. Academic excellence requires investment, stability, responsible stewardship, and a willingness to hold ourselves accountable for results.

I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together over these past three years, but the credit belongs to GCISD who did the work every single day.

Thank you to the men and women of GCISD; our teachers, administrators, staff, and leaders, who put in countless hours to make this possible.

And most importantly, congratulations to our students. You showed up, you worked hard, and you proved what is possible when we set high expectations and give students the support they need to reach them.

This is what happens when we refuse to lower the bar and instead commit ourselves to helping every student clear it.



https://txschools.gov/?view=district&id=220906&tab=performance|accountability&lng=en

07/30/2026

One of the Board’s most important responsibilities is ensuring every student receives the best education possible. That requires more than approving budgets and policies, it requires relentless academic accountability.

As I watch the Board majority, I’m concerned by what has not been discussed.

There has been:
• No End-of-Year Workshop reviewing district performance.
• No July Scorecard Priorities presentation measuring progress toward the Board’s adopted goals.
• No deep dive into this year’s STAAR results.
• No follow-up on the attorney-client privilege issue that was previously presented as a major transparency concern.

Instead, Board time has shifted toward issues that do little to advance student achievement. At the July board meeting, for example, a proposal was passed to amend district policy for the 2026-2027 school year to provide a one-time elementary transfer opportunity for students impacted by consolidation. While every family deserves to be heard, Board policies should be driven by what is in the best interest of the entire district and applied fairly and consistently, not through one-off exceptions to help people that worked on the new board majorities campaigns. There was no committee created and no report as to the ramifications for campuses, staff and leadership.

Equally concerning, recent meetings have included multiple amended motions without first properly disposing of the original motions through a vote. Parliamentary procedure isn’t a technicality, it protects transparency, accountability, and the integrity of every Board decision.

What concerns me most, however, is the apparent shift away from academic accountability.

From 2023 through 2026, our Board didn’t simply ask whether students passed or exceeded the state average. We demanded a deep dive into the data. We reviewed campus-by-campus performance, grade-level trends, student subgroup results, and growth measures. We asked hard questions because every student matters.

When students weren’t growing academically, we expected more than an explanation, we expected a plan. What interventions were being implemented? How would success be measured? When would the Board receive an update? We believed accountability meant ensuring every student had the opportunity to improve.

Those expectations became the standard for Board oversight. They shouldn’t disappear simply because the Board has changed.

Parents deserve answers:

* How did our students perform?
* Where are we excelling?
* Where are we falling behind?
* Which students need additional support?
* What is the plan to ensure every child continues to grow?

These are the conversations that should dominate Board meetings.

GCISD has exceptional students, outstanding teachers, and dedicated administrators. They deserve a Board that spends more time asking how to improve student outcomes than “debating” policy, creating committees that exclude minority Board representation, and replacing a law firm with more expensive alternatives without a clear benefit to taxpayers. They need to stop directing administrators to spend valuable time on initiatives that do little to improve outcomes for students. The district’s leadership team should be empowered to focus on academics, supporting teachers, and serving families, not diverted by distractions that consume time and taxpayer resources. Academic excellence, not political priorities, should be the Board’s primary focus.

Academic accountability. Transparent governance. Sound procedure. Clear communication.

Those aren’t partisan values, they’re the foundation of effective school board leadership, and our community should expect nothing less.

07/04/2026

America at 250 🇺🇸

Two hundred and fifty years ago, an extraordinary idea took root, that our rights come not from government, but from our Creator, and that a free people, united by courage and conviction, could chart their own destiny.

Since that day, generations of Americans have answered the call to defend liberty, build stronger communities, and leave a better nation for those who would follow. They crossed frontiers, fought on distant battlefields, raised families, opened businesses, taught our children, and served their neighbors with quiet determination. They proved that the true strength of America has never been found in our buildings or our institutions, it has always been found in our people.

America’s story has never been easy, but it has always been remarkable. Time and again, we have faced challenges not with despair, but with faith; not with fear, but with confidence; not with division, but with the enduring belief that our best days are still ahead.

As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, let us remember that the blessings of liberty are never guaranteed. Every generation is called to protect them, cherish them, and pass them on stronger than they were received.

I believe in America, not because she is perfect, but because her people have always been willing to strive toward a more perfect Union. I believe the next chapter of our nation’s story will be written by citizens who choose service over self-interest, faith over fear, and hope over cynicism.

May God continue to bless this great nation, and may we always be worthy of the priceless gift of freedom entrusted to us.

Happy 250th Birthday, America. The best is yet to come. 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, selflessness, and love of country secured the freedoms we enjoy every day.

On this Memorial Day, we also remember the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice each and every day. We are forever grateful to our fallen heroes and will never forget the price they paid for our freedom.

May we live in a way that honors their legacy.

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jason Adams on being named the lone finalist for GCISD Superintendent.

After an extensive review process of more than 20 candidates and a deep dive into the top five finalists, that spanned 3 months, Dr. Adams consistently rose to the top through his leadership, vision, and commitment to students, staff, and the future of GCISD.

I’m proud of the work we did together as a board that helped position the district for continued success, and I’m equally proud to see that work carried forward by the new board majority through this important decision.

Wishing Dr. Adams the very best as he leads GCISD into its next chapter.

05/13/2026

During National Police Week, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every day and willingly serve and protect our communities.

This week is also a time to honor the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and the families who continue to carry that loss each and every day. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid.

Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment often go unseen, but the impact you make is felt every single day. From long hours away from family to stepping into difficult situations without hesitation, your service matters more than words can fully express.

I also want to give a special thank you to our incredible School Resource Officers. Our SROs do so much more than provide safety on our campuses, they build relationships, mentor students, support staff, and serve as trusted role models for so many young people. The care and dedication you show our students and schools does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to all of our law enforcement officers and especially our SROs for your unwavering service, professionalism, and heart. Our community is stronger because of you.

- AJ

05/08/2026

Reduction in GT Specialist

Over the last several years, I have said repeatedly that GCISD has made great strides, but the hard work is nowhere near over. As GCISD continues working to ensure long-term success and financial stability, there have been, are and will continue to be times when difficult but necessary decisions have to be made. That won’t change just because of an election.

Recently, the district has made the decision to reduce GT Lead personnel from nine to six beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Central Administration has provided additional context and clarity to Trustees, so I want to share that with all of you.

This transition is directly tied to the ongoing budget challenges discussed extensively and the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Moak Casey staffing study. According to that report, GCISD currently exceeds recommended staffing benchmarks by 43 teaching roles. Through efficiencies already implemented, including the consolidation of Bransford and Dove Elementaries, the district has already reduced approximately 20 positions while continuing to protect our classroom student-teacher ratio model.

As GCISD evaluated areas where additional efficiencies could be achieved without impacting the 22:1 homeroom ratio, GT staffing became one of the few remaining areas available for consideration. It is also important to note that the current GT Lead structure has been evaluated for the past four years, but no reductions had been made until now.

This change moves the district from a one-GT-lead-per-campus model to a caseload-based model, similar to how special education and dyslexia staffing is structured. Student populations vary significantly from campus to campus, creating major inconsistencies in workload among GT specialists. Under this updated structure, students will continue receiving GT services, and the district has stated that the current GT model and instructional minutes will remain in place.

It’s important to emphasize that GCISD’s current GT model already goes well beyond state requirements. Many districts serve GT students entirely within the general education classroom setting, while GCISD has continued investing in a specialized pull-out model because we believe it provides tremendous value for students.

District leadership and HR have already met with affected staff members and are actively working to provide internal opportunities for reassignment, including ASPIRE teaching roles and other openings within the district.

Good news: Last year, when Title 1 funding was reduced by nearly 50%, some GT specialists with smaller caseloads assisted with intervention and enrichment support on campuses. I’m excited to share that Title 1 funding has now been restored for the upcoming school year, allowing those positions to once again focus primarily on serving GT students.

I understand these conversations are difficult, and change is never easy. GCISD has made tremendous progress and I firmly believe leadership means making responsible decisions today that protect the long-term health and future success of our district tomorrow. Our District Leadership is doing exactly that. I commend them, support and am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. They care about our students, our community and they want the best for GCISD.

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

Had a great time at GCISD Walk a Mile. It was a lot of fun catching up with so many people and being reminded how strong this community really is.

Also great to see all the vendors and sponsors out there supporting the event, really helps make it special. Might’ve been the best one yet!

05/03/2026

Tonight didn’t go the way we hoped, but I’m not going anywhere.

This campaign was never about a title. It was about standing up for our schools, doing what’s right for ALL GCISD, and refusing to stay quiet when it matters most.

We took on tough issues, made hard decisions, and told the truth, even when it wasn’t easy or popular.

I’m proud of the work we’ve done and the coalition we built. To every parent, teacher, and community member who stood with me, thank you. Your voices matter more than any election result.

Let me be clear: the challenges facing our district didn’t disappear tonight. The fight for strong academics, responsible leadership, and putting students first continues. And I’ll continue to be part of that fight, because this is my home, my family’s future, and a community worth showing up for every single day.

To those who won, congratulations. I look forward to learning about your strategic plan; I hope you lead with integrity, transparency, and a true commitment to every student in this district. Our kids deserve nothing less.

This isn’t the end. It’s just a new chapter.

Stay engaged. Stay informed. And never stop advocating for what’s right.