Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent
Dr. Paula Patterson, Superintendent of Schools
April 8, 2026
Dear East Harris County Families and Community Members,
It seems like just yesterday that I walked into Crosby ISD for the first time as Superintendent of Schools. On April 8, 2026, I will celebrate five years in this incredible role. In reality, I wasn’t stepping into just a position; I was stepping back into my home. This is the place where I grew up, taught, became a principal, and now have the honor of leading a community that has given so much to me. It is a privilege to give back to the next generation, and I look forward to continuing that work for many years to come.
As we reflect on the past five years, I am reminded of the challenges and triumphs we have faced together. In 2017, our district endured significant hardship, losing 100 dedicated staff members. When I returned in 2021, I found a district determined to rebuild, and I was eager to help. Since then, we have not only restored our staff but also grown stronger as a community of learners and educators.
Financially, our district has made remarkable progress. We passed all audits with A ratings from FIRST, had our bond funds released, and completed major expansions at Crosby High School, including a new CTE wing, Gray House, and parking lot improvements and expansions.
These projects added 47 new classrooms and learning spaces, preparing us for continued growth. Additionally, we are making strides toward breaking ground on our long-awaited Sixth Grade Campus, which will help relieve overcrowding at Crosby Middle School. This project is a milestone for our community, and we are excited to see it coming to life.
Beyond facilities and finances, we have reimagined how we serve students and staff. One of our most innovative changes was the implementation of a hybrid academic calendar, launched in 2023. This calendar was designed to attract and retain the best educators while maintaining high academic standards. With full five-day weeks during critical months for STAAR testing, attendance has stabilized, and our accountability scores have improved, showing that thoughtful innovation can benefit our students and teachers alike.
In addition to these structural improvements, we have made great strides in increasing student achievement through stronger curriculum and a renewed focus on instruction. We have enhanced our athletic and CTE programs to provide meaningful opportunities for all students and have implemented important safety upgrades and building improvements across campuses. These efforts ensure that our students learn in safe, modern, and supportive environments while having access to programs that prepare them for both college and career paths.
Just this past December, we introduced a Three-Tier system for school start times to ease traffic congestion, improve student attendance, and create a smoother start to each day. With over 7,200 students in our district and a single main thoroughfare running through town, this change was necessary. By staggering start times, with Crosby High first, then the elementaries, and finally Crosby Middle School, we’ve seen a meaningful decrease in tardiness, allowing students to arrive on time and be ready to learn.
Returning to lead the district that shaped me has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am grateful to work with the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees, a dedicated group of community members. Over these five years, I have learned, grown, and witnessed incredible accomplishments across our schools. I am proud of what we have built together and excited for the future. With each initiative, each project, and each student's success, from academic growth to extracurricular excellence and building improvements, we are truly building back, brick by brick.
With warm regards,
Dr. Paula Patterson
Superintendent of Schools
Crosby ISD
Committed to Students
