HISD Unscripted

Episode 19 of HISD Unscripted features Hereford ISD’s curriculum team in a conversation about accountability, instruction, classroom progress, and the work being done every day to support students and teachers. Kara Esquivel is joined by Chris Norton, Jennifer Jolly, and Tessa Stow to break down what accountability ratings actually mean, why state assessments have become increasingly rigorous, and...

In Episode 18 of HISD Unscripted, Dr. Ralph Carter and Kara Esquivel address community questions and clarify ongoing discussions about Hereford ISD facilities, school finance, and long-range planning. At the time of this recording, the Board has not called for a bond and no final decisions have been made. This episode is part of an informational effort to share facts from public meetings and Facil...

HISD Unscripted returns for 2026 with Episode 17, focused on a major topic in Hereford: the future of Hereford High School . Host Kara Esquivel is joined by Dr. Ralph Carter and Gallagher Construction representatives Chad Jones and Rob Sidebottom for an informational conversation about current facility challenges, long-term planning, and what it takes to explore options responsibly. Important: Her...

Kara Esquivel and Kyla Kenworthy discuss Hereford ISD’s mental-health and prevention efforts through the Stronger Connections and Youth Prevention Universal grants. The episode covers crisis counseling, early intervention, vaping awareness, parent-education nights, monthly meetings, and how counselors support students alongside campus counselors. Kyla also explains how community organizations can...

Now that Hereford ISD’s VATRE (“Vader”) has passed, what happens next? In this episode, Kara Esquivel and Superintendent Dr. Ralph Carter walk through the next steps: staff surveys on how to use the new funds, possible approaches to compensation, the idea of a community oversight committee, and long-term facility planning, including the needs at Hereford High School and the impact of rising constr...

Host Kara Esquivel talks with HISD Board President Brandy Murillo and Superintendent Dr. Ralph Carter about the district’s VATRE. The conversation covers how VATRE revenue supports the M&O budget, district priorities such as academics and campus maintenance, and examples of needs discussed by the guests—including HVAC, technology, safety, tutoring, and CTE programs. The episode also references...

HISD Unscripted features a conversation with David Faltys, Financial Advisor with Government Capital Securities and retired superintendent , about the district’s VATRE. The episode explains how ballot language is calculated, how current-year school finance formulas may differ from that calculation, the projected revenue associated with three golden pennies, and how state aid factors into those pro...

With just one week to go before the 2025–2026 school year, HISD Unscripted sits down with administrators from across Hereford ISD to share what’s new, what’s changing, and what parents and students need to know. This episode covers: House Bill 1418 and the new statewide cell phone ban in schools Open parking at Hereford High School New principals, assistant principals, and counselors Schedule chan...

On this episode of HISD Unscripted , host Kara Esquivel is joined by Chad Jones (Gallagher Construction), David Faltys (Government Capital Securities), and Robb Sidebottom (Gallagher Construction) to explain the upcoming Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE). They break down school finance, tax compression, staff salary challenges, and how Hereford ISD can benefit from this election—without rai...

New Law. Big Changes. Let’s Talk About It. Episode 10 of HISD Unscripted is here, and this one’s all about Texas House Bill 1481 —the new law banning student cell phone use in public schools. Dr. Carter and HHS Principal Cuca Alonzo walk us through what this means for Hereford ISD. From what’s banned to how it’ll be enforced and what exceptions exist , this episode is packed with important info fo...

In this week’s episode of HISD Unscripted , Superintendent Dr. Carter and hosts Kara and Adam continue the conversation on the Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) —what it is, how it impacts our district, and why it’s critical for Hereford ISD’s future. 🔍 Topics Covered: ✅ What is a VATRE? A refresher on what it means and how it allows districts to recapture funding through local voter appr...

Episode 8 of HISD Unscripted is now live! You’ve probably heard the buzz—and it’s true! Hereford ISD is launching a staff daycare , and in this episode, we’re sharing how it all came together. We’re joined by Dr. Ramon Garza and Esmeralda Guzman to talk about the planning, the purpose, and the impact this will have—especially when it comes to supporting our staff and students who may have caregivi...

Episode 7 of HISD Unscripted is out now! This week, we’re joined by Bennie Gonzalez and Vanessa Gonzalez from WT Services , one of Hereford ISD’s longest-standing community partners. We talk about the history of WT Services , how they stepped up during the pandemic to support students and staff, and the continued impact they have on our district today—from providing free WiFi at Whiteface Stadium...

Episode 6 of HISD Unscripted is live! This week, we’re serving up a conversation all about student nutrition and community support! 🍽️ We’re joined by Karen Esquivel , Director of Child Nutrition, and Candy Greening , Senior GM of Food Services, as they give us the inside scoop on the Summer Feeding Program —where it will be offered, what times, and who it’s for. PLUS: Kara Esquivel drops an excit...

Episode 5 of HISD Unscripted is here! This week we’re talking about student health, family fun, and how our community comes together to support both. We sit down with Bena Glasscock and Amalia Mata to learn more about S.H.A.C. (School Health Advisory Committee) —what it is, why it matters, and the role it plays in promoting wellness in our schools. Then we spotlight two exciting events coming up:...

Episode 4 of HISD Unscripted is now live! This week, we’re talking about a challenge that affects every public school in Texas— unfunded mandates . We’re joined by Danielle Bartels , CFO of Hereford ISD, and Superintendent Dr. Ralph Carter as they break down what unfunded mandates are, how they impact our district financially, and why this matters to parents, staff, and the community. It’s a tough...

🎙️ Episode 3 of HISD Unscripted is now live! This week, we’re shining a light on an incredible partnership between CTE at Hereford ISD and Whiteface Ford . We sit down with Bena Glasscock and Jon Galland to talk about how this collaboration is giving students real-world experience through internships—and even leading to full-time jobs right out of high school. It’s all about opportunity, workforce...

Episode 2 of HISD Unscripted is live! This week, we’re talking about student attendance—how it impacts district funding and why it matters for students' long-term success. Every day counts. 📚 Let’s work together to help our students thrive! Got questions, concerns, or suggestions? We want to hear from you! 📧 Email us at hisdmedia@herefordisd.net or message us on any of our platforms. 🎧 Catch th...

In this debut episode of HISD Unscripted , we’re breaking down the VATRE (Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election) —what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts Hereford ISD. We’ll discuss the key points you need to know and why staying informed is so important for our schools and community. This is just the beginning of the conversation, with more discussions to come in future episodes. Tune in, stay...