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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dr. Meria Carstarphen has been selected to serve as |
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superintendent of the Austin Independent School District, and with |
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her appointment, she becomes the first woman and first African |
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American to hold that office; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Carstarphen has led the St. Paul Public Schools, |
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the second-largest school district in Minnesota, since 2006; during |
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her tenure there, she has worked to address declining enrollment, |
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achievement gaps between racial and ethnic groups, and the |
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financial needs of the district; her energy and enthusiasm, |
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together with a collaborative work style, are credited with helping |
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the district meet challenges that previously looked insoluble; and |
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WHEREAS, Before moving to St. Paul, Dr. Carstarphen served as |
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the chief accountability officer for the District of Columbia |
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Public Schools, executive director for comprehensive school |
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improvement and accountability in Kingsport, Tennessee, and |
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special assistant to the superintendent in Columbus, Ohio; she |
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began her career as a middle-school Spanish and documentary |
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photography teacher in Selma, Alabama, and she has also worked in |
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elementary education in Spain and Venezuela; and |
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WHEREAS, A Selma native, Dr. Carstarphen earned a bachelor's |
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degree from Tulane University, master's degrees from Auburn |
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University and Harvard University, and a doctorate in |
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administration, planning and social policy, with a concentration in |
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urban superintendency, from Harvard; she has also studied at the |
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University of Seville, in Spain, and the University of Innsbruck, |
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in Austria; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to her involvement with numerous civic |
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organizations, Dr. Carstarphen currently serves on the Educational |
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Testing Service Board of Trustees, the Council of the Great City |
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Schools Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and the |
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Minnesota Association of School Administrators Board of Directors; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Austin is indeed fortunate to have an individual of |
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Dr. Carstarphen's talent and dedication to lead its public schools, |
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and it is a privilege to welcome her to the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Dr. Meria Carstarphen on her selection as |
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superintendent of the Austin Independent School District and extend |
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to her sincere best wishes for continued success in her new post; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Dr. Carstarphen as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |