After serving for two years as president of the Spring ISD board of trustees, Rhonda Faust passed the gavel to board member Deborah Jensen during the board’s Dec. 8 meeting.
Faust said she stepped down to spend more time with her family and take care of medical problems.
“I have some personal health issues that I have to address, but it’s with supreme confidence that I pass this gavel to Dr. Jensen,” Faust said.
The school board unanimously approved the measure, and Faust and Jensen swapped positions immediately during the meeting. Faust will continue to serve on the board in Position 4.
During Faust’s tenure as president, the board implemented Every Child 2020—a five-year improvement plan to address student performance in the district. Faust also brought her experience as a lawyer and child advocate to the position.
After accepting her new role as president, Jensen said she wished Faust could have kept the position but understood why she had to step down.
“I have the highest admiration for her,” Jensen said. “We would’ve liked for her to continue, but she’s a mother of a young child, has a high-pressure job and health issues. She is so hands-on, and the one thing that strikes you is how much she genuinely cares.”
“I believe in this community, I love this area and I want the children to thrive in this area.”
—Deborah Jensen, president of Spring ISD board of trustees
Jensen, who was an educator for more than a decade, said it is her life’s mission to equip teachers with the resources and skills to produce educated students. She said she hopes to improve communication within the district, increase literacy rates and find ways to improve science and math participation in the classroom.
“I’ve been in my [Spring-area] home since 1977,” Jensen said. “I’m devoted to this community, I believe in this community, I love this area and I want the children to thrive in this area.”
Other board members also rearranged positions. Board member Chris Bell was selected as vice president while Rhonda Newhouse will serve as secretary. Former vice president Justine Durant will assume the role of assistant secretary.
