Change is always GOOD. This community has taken the steps forward to provide new schools and a better learning environment to the students and citizens of Victoria.

I was a proud Stroman Raider. I do NOT want VHS and Stroman back. To all the fellow Raiders and Stingarees, we have those memories to cherish. Our days have passed us by and our memories will be with us forever.

Let's take this step forward again and allow the students of Victoria to have a reason to take pride in the new high schools. Let them start off with new names, new colors and new mascots. They will make their own memories and be as proud of their school as we were at Stroman and VHS. As adults, we have to move forward.

THANKS VISD for giving back to this community. I hope the growing adults within this community will appreciate all your efforts and see that the new high schools, no matter what they are named are great learning environments and will give them back a positive future.

Please submit your ideas for names for the new schools. As citizens we can be a part of this. Take pride in what we will have to offer in the future without looking back.

Is new running hill etc. by the soccer field part of the VISD bond?!?! Is it part of the nature water trail park thingy?!? I hear its VISD conditioning complex. It's called Mt. McFinley already. I thought the schools where gonna be built first. Athletics second.

VICAD can a reporter find out what this complex is and who will utilize it?

When St. Louis Ram Justin Lucas and I shared the field during Raider storm!and there was alway's 3 or four on Injured reserves.

Who else is in the pros besides Jerheme Urban?
I also don't ever recall the SHS football team only having 17 players. When was that?

"VHS had far more success in football than Stroman. Those on the Raider side always claimed that the reason was because VHS had more money. What they weren't honest with themselves about was the amount of money that was raised by the parents. They also failed to realize that the VHS players were far more committed, disciplined, and dedicated to their own success."...

After the 80's is when the changes in the way that the two schools got treated became apparent. As for Raiders not being Committed, Discipline and Dedicated. That is just Stupid!!

We have two NFL players playing right now. and I attribute that to the disipline and dedication we learned as members of a 17 player Raider Iron-man team, playing 50+ player teams.

As for the names...

WE NEED THOSE SCHOOLS BACK!
TRADITION NEVER DIES!
RAIDERS AND STINGS WILL LIVE ON AND I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE KIDS IN SCHOOL NOW HAVE PARENTS THAT HAVE INSTILLED STING AND RAIDER PRIDE INTO THEIR KIDS AND YOU WILL NEVER BEAT! THAT OUT OF THIS COMMUNITY!

 
RE:voting.  Kind of, but not really. They could not use anything from the past schools. Except of course Blue. hmmmm.  And no black was not one of VHS's colors, even though those who don't know any better keep repeating that myth. They were told their choices--they didn't pick  them.

For those of you who are not aware, the students did vote for the mascot, school colors, fight song, school song, ect. From what I remember they gave us a list of names and voted from those. The choices we were given were not that great. They let students who would be attending the school the next year vote, including 8th graders still in middle school. We can see how that turned out and how much school spirit was lacking even though we voted on some things. Give Victoria back its school pride. Victoria is taking the steps to fix consolidation and the one last step needed is to give us back Stroman and Victoria High.

I'm with the students choosing. They should do a vote like the did for us at consolidation. Only, this time, I hope they really do go with the majority vote. Because from all I heard, what was chosen for MHS was not actually what was voted for. Obviously I can't prove that, but there seemed to be a lot of complaining and dislike about mainly the mascot from the students.

I agree with the person who said maybe allow the student bodies to come up with something. My daughter will be the first graduating class, so she will basically graduate from a scchool she and her classmate have only gone to for a year, if it goes as planned. Maybe the colors and mascots. Name should probably be from the community, although when we lived in SA, no one chose except the school board, so its not unheard of.

We have a chance to do something new and unique for the students of this city. There is nothing new or unique by naming these campuses after two old schools over which people whined and fought over towards the end of their lifespan. The old pride and traditions have ran their course. It is time for something new. That is what the board is trying to do here. BTW Bundy, I might not have been old enough to remember exactly what was going on at the time, but I've read enough about it to tell you that the voters, taxpayers, and parents did this through their nagging.

It has always been about selling real estate. One solution was to change dividing lines, that one died a fast death.

Similar racial components, yes. Similar economic components, absolutely not.
What would you say are the 10 wealthiest neighborhoods in Victoria?
Country Club
Country Club Village
Benchmark
Woodway
Spring Creek
Colony Creek
North Crest
Bell Tower
Castle Hills West
Downtown
Of those, only 3 are on the east side. I wouldn't even consider Bell Tower, except for the over-inflated property values. Actually the areas on the west side of Main St. are much nicer.
Anyway, now name me a public housing complex on the West side. I have been unable to think of one.
Don't call it equal unless you can verify that claim. There had to be a clear winner and a clear loser to get that bond passed. And don't forgrt: 2 of the 6 Board members of the CAD are VISD Board members. Hmmm...

Consolidating the high schools in the first place was one of the biggest and most expensive mistakes ever made in Victoria. The results of consolidation were disastrous.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that bigger is NEVER better when it comes to education. No one wants to say it, but the consolidation decision was made by a few people who wanted a grand football team for Victoria. By consolidation you cut extracurricula activities in half...only half as many people played sports, were involved in drill team, debate, journalism club, etc. The kids suffered. And guess what....we still didn't get that kick a$$ football team that the few powers that be wanted.
The consolidation cost millions of dollars, changes, remodeling, busing kids back and forth for classes. It was absolutely the most ridiculous action ever taken by a school board with absolutely the saddest and most damaging outcome.
Now we are having this big argument over what the two new schools are going to be named? Again, separating the schools after the consolidation is going to cost us so much in taxes that it has already been reported our kids and grandkids will be paying for decades. However I will never argue that it should not be done....it has to be done.
What about the people who graduated from Stroman or from Memorial....they have no alma mater.....Let's take back the same names and try to reinstill the original pride of the past. And let's remember what happens when schoolboards totally ignore the will of the people. When the consolidation was going on, I never heard anyone say it was a good thing except the school board.....the kids hated it the parents hated and the taxpayers most certainly hated it.
Naming them Erskine and Reed.....even more ridiculous. Neither one of those guys were even close to being outstanding....though I suppose they were adequate. However considering the education my kids got while going to school under them....perhaps adequate is more than a little generous. They certainly were not so remarkable that anything should be named after them.
Take back the original names and build the fancy schools which Bob the Builder has insisted we need. And don't give me that "our children need the high dollar facilities garbage". THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A CHILD GET A GOOD EDUCATION BY THROWING MONEY AT THEM~~~ DOLLAR BILLS DON'T TEACH ANYTHING.
I was educated in one of the most pitifully poor school districts in Texas. Classes were held in old buildings without air conditioning, ceiling tiles constantly crumbling, and sports equipment decades old. The only two real electives offered were shop and homemaking. There were no art classes, there were no speech classes, there was a band, but no real music classes, there were no female sports teams. My senior year I took Calculus as an elective because that was all there was to choose. I got a fantastic high school education.
When I went to college I joined the Debate Club and went to state competition, and that was without ever even taking speech in high school....you see learning to read and write well provides you with many talents.
In English and history I helped the teacher grade papers because I was so far ahead of the students who had graduated from schools in big cities.
At the time it didn't mean much, but now I realize my excellent education received in grade shool, junior high and high school had nothing to do with the building or the electives offered. It had to do with the fact that discipline was strict and enforced, frills were unheard of and basics were emphasized, and parents supported the teachers who had power in their job and loved what they did. I
 say keep the same names and try to at least reinstill some of the good things that were present before the disaster called consolidation.

Oh poor rg, I just couldn't let your quote go about us idiots who are 25+ years old commenting on this issue.
First of all, we are old enough to have an adult perspective on the VHS-SHS situation. How old were you in the 90's?
Second, we probably nearly all have children in VISD, who will attend one or both of these new schools.
Third, it is us idiots that PAY for these schools through our property taxes.
After thinking about this, you are absolutely right. I should just shut up and allow others to tax me to death and provide a poor education for my children.
You really should think next time before you type.

It is obvious that the one thing Victorians have in common is that no matter which high school they attended, Victoria High or Stroman, they still carry a great deal of school pride with them. Why not give the students that will be attending these two new high schools the opportunity to have that same pride by allowing them to name the schools?
Let each student body submit name suggestions during a set time period and then let them vote on a list of these names.
Each school could have their student council or student committee and staff committee work together to compose a vote ballot out of the names submitted. This could also be extended to include the selection of a school mascot, school colors, and maybe even let some of the music students come up with a school song and fight song. This would be a great way to start both schools out with strong ties and a strong sense of pride among the students that attend them by allowing each student to have a direct investment in building the new traditions that all those who come after will follow. Just a thought.

One school could be called The Whiners, they could be blue and gold.

woohoo, i agree wholeheartedly with you. we need a change of scenery and the new schools can and will do that. i actually liked your suggestion on what we should name the schools. and of course you're right, we NEED to do something about the situation down town. i'm very glad that nothing in the newspaper was mentioned about it. it's time we moved on to something more positive. i agree that maybe tyler should consider either stepping down or distance himself from the ratcliff investigation due to his conflict of interest. of course he should continue to investigate the city officials to make sure they were operating in the scope of their authority. but other then that, i really wish we could be done with it. on a side note: i am trying to do something positive for the community. i just need support.

Instead of complaining, whining, and nagging, we all need to start suggesting, brainstorming, and leading this town. YOU are the citizens of Victoria. Step up. Start suggesting and trying to be peacemakers and leaders. Step up. Run for office, run for school board, run for sheriff, run for Mayor, suggest new names for the schools, go to meetings. Step up and lead.
It IS important.  We have four "leaders" being arrested, including our mayor.  Our former sheriff is about to accept a plea deal admitting that he molested a child.  Our DA has lost it.  What do you mean it is not important?  It's embarassing.  It's humiliating.  Step up and lead this town.  Help us all out of the nightmare.  Do something positive for this community.  If you live here, you need to care.

YOU suggest a name, then.  I was just trying to help. My daughter went to Memorial and I was a teacher at VHS. I invested my time. I'm not going to argue over anything. It's not worth it.  Whatever YOU name the high schools will be fine with me.  

*SIGH* What in God's name are we arguing about here? First we people arguing about who was treated unfairly, looked down upon, who recieved the lesser amount of money, who worked harder, who worked the least, and why certain people are losers. We also have people complaining about a decision that was made less then a decade ago. Why did we consolidate? I'll tell you why, because it didn't matter if the entire town was redistricted, you people would still be having pissing match over this. I'm glad we consolidated, because it gave us something new. I never had a problem with going to Memorial and my school spirit wasn't diminished either. We had a strong administration, great students, (for the most part), and great teachers. Sure we never won our homecoming game atleast until recently, but we still had a great time there. We were great at academic competitions, basketball, and there was an organization for everybody to join. I'd say Memorial wasn't that bad. However, it, like many things have ran their course, just like the old schools did, and now it's time for something new and fresh. These new schools that are being built are being built so that are community can expand and grow and attract newer citizens. They were also built for the overall STUDENT BODY. Meaning of which, if anyone has a right to complain/comment about this, right now, then it should be them. Are you going to attend these schools personally? No, then what you are whining about? The ironic thing that I'm noting is that ALL of you went crying to the Board, so ALL of you are the reason to blame. You want the big bad government (in this case the School Board) to do something about your problem(s), then when they do, all you wanna do now is just whine and moan about how it was handled and it not being the outcome you wanted. Just like a bunch of welfare reciepients. I would LOVE to see the Board pick two new names just so I can come on here to laugh and rubbing in your faces. The only good thing that came out of all this was the Victoriadores. They seemed to had gotten used to the new schools without a problem. To Walden and the rest of the Board, your doing a great job, you're very decisive with a clear direction. Don't let a bunch of naggers get you down. Has anyone besides me note that most of the people whining about this are 25+ yrs old? Another irony. How about... Michael Ratcliff High and Consolidation High? BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....dies laughing again. You people crack me up sometimes.

Protons are positive, Electrons are negative. Radon is a radioactive gas found in the ground, when detected in homes, it is cancer causing.  I may be over 25 but I am educated. 
Nevermind. You come up with something better, then.  

to entice the nuclear co. we can call them:

Erskine Electrons, Reed Radons. Then 1 could be positive and 1 could be negative to represent the town's behavior.
rflmao. j/k

woohoo...great names....i like your suggestion

Ok, said I wouldn't post again. You have pulled me back.Here is what I propose and it is logical and something that will fit for this town and ALL of it's people. As much as I hate to say it, because one of these folks, I didn't like, but because I have to forgive and give credit where credit is due:
Name One School : Erskine High School
Name One School : Reed High School
They were both outstanding principals. They deserve the honor. New Schools, new names, good traditions. This is my 2 cents. Accept it or reject it, but it is truly logical for Victoria.
"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called sons/daughters of God".

Two brand new schools have absolutely nothing to do with VHS & SHS. As one who went to VHS naming one of the new schools Victoria High would mean nothing to me nor stir up any pride or emotion. I say some names get thrown around & then let the kids who will actually attend the schools choose....may instill some pride in their schools & possibly themselves.

scrappy-factual is pertinent info.

what do you what to know? let the board build the schools. they are your trustees. in my opinion if its fair and equal to all sexes and all campuses then the bond election was a success.

Oh ya, and about the parents being involved, I never saw or heard them complaining about the circumstances. What I saw was them cooking for us during late practices, helping us raise the money we needed, offering to be chaperones for out of town things, cheering us on, things of that sort.

I don't want to be ugly, but I guess as a Raider it really gets to me when people jump on my case about how much we complained or whatever about the differences. I had pride in my school, and I kind of wish that there could be less bickering and bashing between the two former schools and more allowing people to keep their pride in their alma maters and enjoy their memories.

Bundy, you're wrong about the amount of dedication. At least, from my viewpoint. And I for one, never blamed the differences on money.

As for the differences in competition, our director chose our competitions. I know we competed in smaller divisions for one because we were a smaller team. We competed against other teams our size. And we did bust our asses to raise money for these things. I remember always doing a fundraiser. For camp, for competition, for Disney World when we performed there.

Who are you scout, do you have any purpose for being on this site? We're looking for factual information that can explain to the voters what really happened.

bundy- i am no visd product. Your or my profiles are irrevelant here.

There we go...more empty accusations from someone who doesn't understand the concept of personal accountability. You said a mouthful with the words "you are the reason". That attitude is just the one you need to shake.
You know, I have some friends that attended Stroman, then went on to lead productive lives. They don't seem to have this chip on their shoulder, and they have a far different accounting of the perceived difference between SHS and VHS. I guess you can see past the pettiness when high school ceases to be the pinnacle of your life's accomplishments.
Oh well, I guess the true difference between the haves and the have-nots is through what prism they view the world. I do pity the pitiful, though.

bundy-you are 1 reason we consolidated.

i in my life have never seen a home team treated the way VISD treated "home" Stroman at events. When they played the home section/benches/lockers and decsions were always on the Stings side. I am not gonna go back and fuss. Do I have records or film to show this. Don't be blind or ignornant.

The stigma of having the old name will be a real estate nightmare. Just name a gym or field after the old mascots and hang old banners and such.

We will go 2 -4A schools. We will have 2 new names. Watch.

The differences in the performance and opportunities between VHS and Stroman had absolutely nothing to do with the appropriation of funds from the school board. Stroman habitually underachieved, and like true losers, many pointed the finger at the more affluent members of our community, and accused them of foul play.
I'll give you a perfect example. VHS had far more success in football than Stroman. Those on the Raider side always claimed that the reason was because VHS had more money. What they weren't honest with themselves about was the amount of money that was raised by the parents. They also failed to realize that the VHS players were far more committed, disciplined, and dedicated to their own success. I used to drive by both campuses at certain times of the year, and I would see the VHS players out there working hard far more often than the Stroman players.
On another note, did anyone from VHS cry foul or blame the school board when Stroman won the state championship in baseball in 1985?
Didn't think so. Note to Stroman supporters: Don't allow yourselves to become victims of our current societal downfall of self-imposed victimization. If you want to achieve, you have to work hard. You may think you are being forced to work harder than others, but you may not know their level of input, either.

JWhite, do the reasons for the two drill teams not competing in the same competitions have anything to do with money not being appropriated by the school board? If things happened in a bigger way at VHS, who controlled the way things happened at Stroman? If Raider Belle parents were involved, were they helping with support or complaining about the circumstances? Who made the decisions?

Bundy, I'd like to comment on something you said. And you're not the first to say it, but I'm delayed. There was actually a lot of parental involvement that I saw at Stroman. Maybe not everywhere, but I wasn't in every organization. I know the Raider Belles had a lot of help and involvement from our parents. I don't think it was seen as much because we didn't do things as big as VHS (and that's not meant as a bash, I saw both sides and could appreciate both), but there was still involvement. There was definitely a difference in levels maybe, and I mean that in financial and physical ways, but there was a difference in programs at each school, too. For instance, the dance teams competed in different competitions, and the number of girls and number of performances differed as well. I could probably go into reasons for the difference, but I see no need to start unnecessary controversy over that. It's all how you see it anyway.

I don't want anyone to feel like I'm being ugly, I just also don't want what our parents did for us to go unnoticed.

VISD School Board:
You have a unique opportunity to do the right thing for the people of this community. Sit back, be quiet, and listen to the people you were elected by. If we want the old names, let us have them. If we want a new start, then work with us to make that happen as easily and inexpensively as possible. I guess you can tell by my user name which way I'm leaning!! You will not get another chance to have this issue settled the way is should've been done in the first place. Vipers?!? Good Grief! And since Ray Walden has prematurely cast his vote...his won't count!!

It still amazes me when I see how ignorant people in Victoria are to what is happening around them. Everyone seems to be upset with the former board members who were serving when consolidation happened, and in love with the current board members. I find this anger to be misplaced. Most may not know this, but 2 of the current board members (Ray Walden and Lou Svetlik) were very instrumental in making consolidation a reality. They both live in the former Stroman district, and were constantly complaining about the unfair treatment that Stroman supposedly received.
These 2 guys have a hard time looking in the mirror, or around them at their friends. The major difference between the schools was the parental involvement. But I guess when you are incapable, it is easier to claim a conspiracy and point fingers.
If everyone took an interest in our schools, neither Walden nor Svetlik would be sitting on the current board.

I forgot to add that in trying to prevent all that, they only lumped us all together anyway.

You know what's funny, scrappy, is that consolidation cost MORE money than redistricting would have and I'm pretty sure didn't make any less work for them. Possibly more, having to choose a name and mascot and colors and deal with all the other issues going along with it. Including finding new teachers to replace the ones unwilling to move with the change. I'm not trying to argue with anything you're saying, I hope you don't take this wrong, I just think that it's funny that the schoolboard did go against the town when the town actually wanted the cheaper, probably easier option!

So who was REALLY driving the consolidation decision? My opinion is that it was the superintendent (probably under the impression he was doing the community good and bringing it together) and those people who didn't want to "lower property value" or have to send their kids to school with those lower class troublemakers (you know, like me).

From the information I have gathered, I think too much has been "swept under the rug" (referencing the Stingaree). There was a big controversy in 1999,a decision was made by the school board, not the citizens of Victoria, to consolidate. It was probably less trouble (work) for the school board at the time. This has NEVER had the full support of the parents and the kids or you wouldn't be having these discussions.

What do you want the children to learn? The elected officals made a mistake in judgement, and rather than correct their mistakes, they start over with a new slate...(This must mean if I cover up what I do wrong and don't take any responsiblity, the problem will just go away..) The stigma of unfairness looms in Victoria and it won't matter one bit unless you correct the town history. There are a lot of folks who think like this.

RedRage is trying to explain this very thing. Isn't it also rather inappropriate for the current school board president, Mr. Walden, to give his voting opinions publically? Nevertheless, these are opinions, I have not read anything that would cause me to believe Victorians need to pick two new high school names. And for what reason?

I did check the VISD website, and much to my surprise, the Stroman High School Campus is referred to as "Memorial, Stroman Campus".... The Victoria High School Campus is referred to as "Memorial Senior High Campus" - At least list it as "Memorial"- Victoria High School Campus for accuracy.

Does this mean we can finally get rid of the "Victoriadores"? New start, new traditions, right?

You know, sometimes the majority doesnt always make the best the decisions. They mean well and all, but in the end, they don't really comply with the bottom line. In this case, a FRESH START. Case and point: When WE voted to pay for the defense of the 4 indicted officials. Walden, like I said, just throw a bunch of names into a hat and pick out two.

I say hmm,let's start off fresh.<~~~~~~~~~~~~Ducks