The Willis ISD Communications team supports district and campus goals to promote a positive, informative and educational climate by facilitating communications between and among students, staff, parents, and the community. The department works to communicate the outstanding achievements of our students, increase parental and community engagement, and foster public trust and understanding.
If you are a member of the community, or a parent/guardian, and would like to talk to someone about our district, please call 936-856-1217. We would be happy to speak with you!
Media Inquiries
If you are a media outlet requesting information, please send an email to the Chief Communications Officer, Dr. Sarah Blakelock at sblakelock@willisisd.org.
Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought. Read the complete policy on Public Information Requests.
The District will only respond to requests for information that are submitted through the Public Information Request Portal, mailed to the designated mailing address, or delivered to the physical address.
As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery. Our district cooperates with approved community partners by posting digital flyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar.
To request flyer approval, follow the steps below.
Once approved, your flyer will be emailed to all parents and posted online. Paper flyers from outside organizations will no longer be distributed.
Follow the steps to upload your flyer for approval
Your flyer will be automatically submitted to the district office. The Communications Director will review the material and approve or deny based on the standards established. Peachjar charges a fee for this service that is typically much less than the cost to copy and deliver paper flyers to each school. Please email Kayla Brocato at kbrocato@willisisd.org
Occasionally our area experiences severe weather that requires school closures. This can include flooding, tornadoes and ice/snow. This section outlines information on the process Willis ISD uses to decide if the district must close schools due to weather.
How Does the District Decide to Close Schools?
If inclement weather is ever a concern, our staff monitors conditions overnight and drives roads across the District in the early morning hours. The Superintendent also coordinates with neighboring districts before any decision is made. We strive to communicate all closure decisions by 5:00 a.m., if not the night before. Factors for consideration in closing schools for weather reasons include flooding of major roads across the District, patches of ice on major roadways and bridges, and predictions of worsening weather as the day progresses, which could impact school dismissal.
How Will the District Notify Parents of Closures?
If the decision is made to cancel school, the District's Communications Department will send an email, text, and phone call to the primary contact information listed in your student's file. Therefore, it is imperative that parents/guardians keep student information including phone numbers and emails up to date with the campus front office. We strive to communicate all closure decisions by 5:00 a.m., if not the night before. For the fastest updates, follow us on Facebook, visit our website (www.willisisd.org) or watch KHOU 11, KPRC 2, KTRK 13, or FOX 26.
Other Important Information
The decision to close schools is difficult and not taken lightly by administrators. We always aim to make decisions that keep all students and staff safe. However, we recognize that even minor weather that might not otherwise seem like a reason to close school, can negatively impact certain pockets of the District. We always encourage parents to evaluate your individual situation to determine if roads are safe for travel.
If you are not receiving emails and phone calls from the District, please check with your school's front office registrar to update your contact information. If your phone number or email has changed, please reach out to your campus' front office to update your records. We want to make sure we can reach every family when it matters.
