OUR MEMORIES: “Sept. 11, 2001, showed me both the unimaginable pain human beings can cause and the extraordinary compassion they are capable of showing afterward. It was a day of tremendous loss. And somehow, in the days that followed, there was also hope. Twenty-five years later, I still remember both.” - Rachel Clift, teacher, Fannin Elementary

As our nation reflects on the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and other parts of America, staff members of Corsicana ISD recall where they were on the fateful September day in 2001. We invite you to remember along with us and peruse our special commemorative website page, “9/11: Our Memories." 

Some of our employees were children. Some young teachers. Some in the media. And one knew about the attacks before the rest of us did. Visit www.cisd.org/page/911-memories to read our accounts. #DBD #GODBLESSAMERICA 

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NUESTROS RECUERDOS: «El 11 de septiembre de 2001 me mostró el dolor inimaginable que los seres humanos pueden causar a la igual extraordinaria compasión que son capaces de demostrar después. Fue un día de tremenda pérdida. Y, de alguna manera, en los días que siguieron, también hubo esperanza. Veinticinco años después, sigo recordando ambas cosas». — Rachel Clift, maestra, Escuela Primaria Fannin

Mientras nuestra nación reflexiona sobre el 25.º aniversario de los ataques terroristas del 11 de septiembre en la ciudad de Nueva York y otros lugares de Estados Unidos, el personal del distrito de Corsicana recuerda dónde se encontraba aquel fatídico día de septiembre de 2001. Les invitamos a recordar con nosotros y a visitar nuestra página web conmemorativa especial: "9/11: Our Memories" (11 de septiembre: Nuestros recuerdos). 

Algunos de nuestros empleados eran niños; otros, maestros jóvenes; algunos trabajaban en los medios de comunicación; y hubo uno quien se enteró de los ataques antes que el resto de nosotros. Visite www.cisd.org/page/911-memories para leer nuestros relatos. #DBD #GODBLESSAMERICA

Corsicana ISD is set to welcome high school cross country runners from across the region on Friday, Sept. 11, for the 2026 Corsicana Tiger Invitational. The action-packed morning kicks off at Corsicana Middle School and finishes at Community National Bank & Trust Stadium, routing athletes through a course of open grass fields, gravel roads, and concrete paths.
Event participation has surged dramatically this season, growing from seven schools last year to 18 confirmed schools.
The host Tigers enter the meet brimming with confidence after months of grueling preparation. "We have been training on our challenging hill course since early June," said head coach Jesus Rodriguez. "Our practice starts at 6:45 a.m. and we run for miles (typically 6 to 8) while working on fartleks, tempo, speed, and time trials. Our team is very capable of winning our meet this year."
Varsity competition begins at 8:30 a.m. with the 5A-6A girls' race, followed by the 5A-6A boys at 9 a.m. The top 10 finishers in each division will earn individual medals. Rodriguez and assistant coach Melissa Grantham highlighted a deep roster of local contenders to watch, including Hugo Hernandez, Juan Gonzalez, Oscar Saldana, Joshua Escobedo, Jose Reyes, Ben Gonzalez, and Juan Salinas for the boys. The girls' squad features standout runners Miah Jackson, Paola Guido, Denisse Alonso, Kyla Ross, Laila Ross, and Natasha Sanchez.
Beyond the competition, hosting the home meet is a point of immense pride for the entire program.
"The Corsicana Tiger Invitational meet is very special to us," Rodriguez said. "Not only do we get to share our passion for running, but we welcome anyone interested in coming to see what our community has to offer. Our meet is a very good way to show how our sports keep improving year by year and the commitment we have to our kids. We are Corsicana, and proud to be Tigers!"
Grantham echoed the sentiment, saying how eager the team is to race in front of friends and family after training all over town.
Spectators are asked to park on the visitor side of the football stadium. While traditional concession stands will be closed, local food trucks Taco Station, Kona Ice, and Chuy’s Gourmet Ice Cream will be on site. For event information, contact Coach Rodriguez at jrodriguez@cisd.org.

Corsicana ISD presents updates at Economic Development meeting

Corsicana ISD opened the new school year fully staffed with teachers, kept nearly all of its campus leadership, and has several voter-approved construction projects underway, Deputy Superintendent Scott Doring told community leaders Tuesday.

Doring gave the update at the City of Corsicana Economic Development Partnership's monthly meeting at City Hall, three weeks into the school year.

Doring was promoted to Deputy Superintendent Aug. 24 after serving as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Leadership. He's in his 13th year with the district. 

Despite a statewide teacher shortage, he said, the district filled every teaching position this year.

"We've had a great start," Doring said. "All of our students came back very excited. One of the reasons is we relaxed the dress code a little bit this summer. Kids got to express themselves a little more, and there's a lot of new enthusiasm about that."

All nine campus principals and nearly all assistant principals returned this year, he said.

"With that level of continuity in our leadership positions, it really helps us grow; it helps us get better," Doring said.

The district also launched two new tools this year: an app to help transportation run more efficiently, and Apptegy, a communication platform for staff and parents.

Doring pointed to other staff changes under Superintendent Stephanie Howell, including the promotion of Sean Kays, formerly Executive Director of Finance, to Chief Financial Officer.

"He's worked his way up from a paraprofessional, and he's earned the right to be our CFO," Doring said. "He's done some great things the last couple years in that office."

Doring said it's his job to help Superintendent Howell run the district any way he can.

"Her vision for the district, her story, makes it really easy to go to work, and to work hard for her and our students,” he said.

On construction, Doring said the first phase of a high school renovation is done: an exterior stairway was demolished and replaced with new interior hallways so students can still move through that part of the building. A second phase, covering the cafeteria, restrooms and other interior spaces, is expected to start around Christmas to avoid disrupting classes.

The district plans to break ground this fall on a new Career and Technical Education wing at CHS, Early Childhood Center, a transportation facility, and an agriculture building. Roof work at two campuses is finished, with two more in progress.

"Construction's in full force. It's really exciting," Doring said. "It's going to change Corsicana ISD."

A community Bond Oversight Committee will hold its first meeting Sept. 22 to track how bond money is spent. 

"It's just a way for the community to know that we're taking care of our business," Doring said.

Doring, a 31-year education veteran who previously coached and served as principal at Collins Intermediate and Corsicana High School, closed by marking the 40th anniversary of the district's "Corsicana C" logo, credited to the late coach Randy Green.

"It's a brand. It's the way we do business," said Doring, who served as defensive coordinator over Green from 2004 to 2007. He recalled Green's insistence that helmet decals be applied perfectly straight so the logo "couldn't hold water."

The district will continue to celebrate the logo's 40th anniversary during its second annual homecoming parade Oct. 8.