The Great Hearts Texas Board leadership welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation for the strong turnout and thoughtful engagement of the Northern Oaks community on Thursday, March 12th, 2026.
Headmaster Highlights
Headmaster Mitchel reflected on sustaining the academy’s culture into its next decade, emphasizing the importance of excellent teachers, strong family partnerships, and a continued commitment to the rigor of a classical liberal arts education.
Headmaster Funes welcomed the Board and community and reflected on the long work of building Northern Oaks into a flourishing school community. He praised the academy’s faculty, families, and students and highlighted the life-changing work of tuition-free classical education in forming young men and women through the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Public Comment and Athletics Update
During public comment, the Board received nearly 50 written comments and heard extensive oral testimony from parents, students, alumni, faculty, and community members regarding the UIL’s realignment decisions and the planned responses at Great Hearts Northern Oaks and Great Hearts Monte Vista North.
Executive Director of Upper Schools Sam Heisman provided an update on the matter, explaining that both schools appealed their new UIL placements after Northern Oaks was moved from 3A to 4A and Monte Vista North from 3A to 5A, despite school sizes well below those categories. He shared that those appeals were ultimately denied.
Superintendent Wade Dyke praised the athletes, families, and school leaders who advocated on behalf of both schools, and affirmed that Great Hearts Texas will continue exploring any remaining options while planning r for next year and working to preserve meaningful athletic opportunities, including for swim.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Dyke reported that re-enrollment is progressing well and is ahead of last year’s record pace. He also shared a facilities update across the network, noting that the Monte Vista South playground is nearing completion, Great Hearts Texas is working to add parking at Western Hills, and financing is proceeding for Invictus Phase 2. Regarding the Fisher Tract at Northern Oaks, Dr. Dyke explained that current planning is focused on parking and field solutions, with a work team of parents and school leadership helping develop a viable concept for the site.
Financial Report
Interim CFO Stacey Lawrence presented a positive financial report, noting that average daily attendance is projected to exceed budget and that revenues are outperforming expectations, primarily due to state funding. Expenses are over budget, but schools and offices continue to manage them carefully. Great Hearts Texas remains on sound financial footing, with a modest projected surplus and an improving cash position.
Academic Update
Mr. Heisman and Mr. Linville presented updates on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) and the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).
Leadership shared that Great Hearts Texas is currently tracking at 81% CCMR for the current senior class, already ahead of where many regions and districts finish at year-end. They also reported that Great Hearts Texas continues to outperform both Region 20 and the state on most academic metrics, with particular strength in English language arts and social studies, continued improvement in CCMR outcomes, and identified room for growth in math and science. Four campuses earned distinctions in academic areas, with Lakeside and Monte Vista North each receiving recognition in multiple subjects.
Governance and Board Actions
After returning from executive session, the Board approved the service agreement with Great Hearts Nova for the 2026–2027 school year and authorized its submission to the Texas Education Agency for review.
The Board also decided not to adopt the policy contemplated by Senate Bill 11 regarding a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts, concluding that Great Hearts students already have those freedoms during non-instructional time and the policy, as designed by the state would create an administrative burden on schools.
Board members also authorized submission of a non-expansion amendment to schedule the relocation of the Great Hearts Texas district office after May 2026.
Finally, the Governance Committee shared that Board Chair Jim Rahn and Vice Chair Jackie Moczygemba plan to conclude their board service at the end of June. The Board approved a resolution formally thanking both for their leadership and service. The governance committee will create a process for their replacement.
