Winters Independent School District

School district in Texas

Winters Independent School District is a public school district based in Winters, Texas (USA).

Located in Runnels County, the district extends into a small portion of Taylor County.

The school mascot is the Blizzard.[1]

In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.[2]

## History

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On July 1, 1991, it absorbed the Wingate Independent School District.[3]

On April 10, 1930, the first Texas chapter for the national organization of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Club was started in Winters.

The district changed to a four-day school week in fall 2022.[4]

## Controversy

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In July 2024, the ACLU of Texas sent Winters Independent School District a letter, alleging that the district's 2023-2024 dress and grooming code appeared to violate the Texas CROWN Act, a state law which prohibits racial discrimination based on hair texture or styles, and asking the district to revise its policies for the 2024-2025 school year.[5][6]

## References

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1. ^ Burch, Jamie (May 17, 2020). "Several Big Country high school mascots battling for best mascot in the state". KTXS. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
2. ^ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015.
3. ^ "CONSOLIDATIONS, ANNEXATIONS AND NAME CHANGES FOR TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS" (PDF). Texas Education Agency. September 10, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
4. ^ "Texas School Districts Switching To Four Day School Weeks". KSST. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
5. ^ Gross, Kristi (July 24, 2024). "ACLU of Texas Finds 51 School Districts Likely Remain in Violation of the CROWN Act". ACLU of Texas. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
6. ^ Leffingwell, Kelsey (July 24, 2024). "51 Texas school districts violating CROWN Act, ACLU says". Spectrum News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.

## Distinguished Alumni Honorees

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The Winters Independent School District and WHS Alumni Association established the "Winters High School Distinguished Alumnus Award" in 2013 to recognize former graduates who have accomplished extraordinary achievements in their life's work. They must have graduated at least 10 years prior to year in which nominated, should have been a leader in his/her field or made a significant contribution, and/or brought exceptional distinction to the individual or their community.

2022 Distinguished Alumni

Winford Hogan- WHS Class of 1953

John Andrae- WHS Class of 1989

Angela Perkins- WHS Class of 1994

2021 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Mr. Kenneth Marks, WHS Class of 1950

Dr. Mary Jane Matthews Wray, WHS Class of 1963

Mr. Jimmy Gonzales, WHS Class of 1968

Mr. Thomas Chapmond, WHS Class of 1970

2020 ~ No Distinguished Alumni Honorees, Due to the COVID pandemic.

2019Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Mr. Donald Roland, WHS Class of 1960

Mrs. Barbie (Bradley) Chambers, PhD, WHS Class of 1990

Mr. Wylie Clough, WHS Class of 1994

Mrs. Charles Bahlman, WHS Class of 1964, Posthumous Alumnus

2018Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Mrs. Eloisa Lopez Castro WHS Class of 1947

Harvey Michael Jones, MD WHS Class of 1958

Charles Simpson, PhD WHS Class of 1958

2017 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Mr. Baily R Mayo WHS Class of 1954

Mrs. Barbara Baldwin Pearce WHS Class of 1964

Mr. Terry R Gerhart WHS Class of 1979

2016 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Dr. Ann Calahan WHS Class of 1965

Mr. Geoffrey S. Connor ( 104th Texas Secretary of State) WHS Class of 1981

Lt Col Russell Parramore WHS Class of 1993

2015 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Freddy Jonas WHS Class of 1954

Wendell E. Dorsett WHS Class of 1953

Posthumous Alumnus James "Jimmy"Smith, D.V.M. WHS Class of 1960

2014 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Dr. Melba Lewis WHS Class of 1969

Jo Ray DeLaCruz WHS CLass of 1974

2013 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Mr. Bill Little WHS Class of 1960

Mr. Bill Wheat WHS CLass of 1984

## External links

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* Winters ISD \- Official site.