Round Rock ISD community,
Before March comes to a close, I want to take a moment to recognize Women’s History Month.
Women’s contributions have profoundly shaped our world. In Round Rock ISD and beyond, women in education continue to play a crucial role in shaping the next generation.
Arminda Velasquez is the head band director at Cedar Ridge High School. She is the first female high school head band director in Round Rock ISD. As Velasquez breaks new ground in Round Rock ISD music education, she follows in the footsteps of other women in education who have paved the way for our future generations.
Round Rock ISD has seven facilities named after women — women who made it their life’s work to support and educate Central Texas families.
- Xenia Voigt had a 48-year career as an elementary teacher and principal. Voigt was first hired in 1925 at a salary of $90 per month. In 1975, her service was honored with the naming of Voigt Elementary School, now known as Voigt Elementary Arts Integration Academy.
- Neysa Callison became the first woman elected to the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees in 1957. Callison served until 1963. In 2008, the district’s 29th elementary school was dedicated in her name.
- In 2005, North Oaks Elementary School became Kathy Caraway Elementary School. Caraway was an early childhood education teacher and librarian. She was appointed North Oaks’ principal in 1978, serving for 24 years. Caraway is known for her lasting connections with her students and their families, staying in touch even after they graduated.
- Patsy Sommer was a Round Rock ISD director of elementary education. Her namesake campus, Patsy Sommer Elementary School, opened in August 2008.
- Linda Herrington Elementary opened in 2011, honoring Herrington’s 39-year career in education. She served as principal at Purple Sage Elementary, Grisham, and Hopewell Middle Schools before retiring in 2003.
- Elsa England, a dedicated district teacher and counselor, was known for her relentless focus on students. In 2012, the Round Rock Board of Trustees named Elementary School #33 in her honor. Built on her family’s former land, Elsa England Elementary and nearby Pearson Ranch Middle now serve over 1,900 students each year.
- The district administration building at 1311 Round Rock Avenue honors Lillie Delgado, who served public schools from 1970 to 2012. Delgado was known as the heart of our district by her colleagues, demonstrating integrity and dedication as she supported numerous superintendents, campuses, and the community.
Round Rock ISD remains committed to preserving the rich history of these women educators. Through their dedicated service to children and advocacy for public education, Callison, Caraway, Delgado, England, Herrington, Sommer, and Voigt have left a legacy that continues to benefit all students. The voter-approved Bond 2024 will help ensure that the facilities named for these remarkable women (and all our facilities) are maintained and enhance the spaces where future generations will continue to learn and grow. Find out what’s happening at your campus on our Bond 2024 website.
Respectfully,
Dr. Hafedh “AZ” Azaiez
Proud Superintendent of Schools
