and most crowded campus. The renovation will add 10 new classrooms and enhanced safety features to accommodate projected growth from 350 new homes under construction in the district. “Ingleside may be small, but we’re growing,” Kilgore says.“We’re expecting several hundred new students within the next few years, and this bond prepares us for that.” ACCOUNTABILITY AND INNOVATION Looking ahead,Kilgore’s top priority is accountability— but not just in the traditional sense of test scores and metrics. “When we talk about accountability, we mean personal accountability,” he explains.“Every teacher, administrator, and student has a role in our success. It’s about asking,‘What’s working, what isn’t, and how can we change to get better?’” That mindset fuels Ingleside’s willingness to experiment with new ideas—from introducing VR in middle school to launching millwright and windenergy programs aligned with evolving industries. “As soon as you get comfortable, you stop growing,” Kilgore says. “We’re not afraid to think differently if it helps our students succeed.” A NEW MODEL FOR EDUCATION For Kilgore, the district’s emphasis on career readiness represents a return to an earlier educational ideal— one where schools prepare students for professions, trades, and real-world problem-solving rather than a one-size-fits-all college path. “When I first started in education, it was all about sending every kid to college,” he says.“But not every student’s success story looks the same—and that’s okay.Today, a student can graduate with certifications, walk into a job making more than many college grads, and build a great life.” At the same time, Kilgore stresses that college and career are not opposites but complementary choices. “Many of our students continue to learn through apprenticeships, certifications, or additional degrees,” he says. “Education never stops—it just looks different for each person.” 275 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 INGLESIDE ISD
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