The MUSTANG Messenger

It’s almost time to welcome back our students, staff, and families for another exciting year in Overton ISD! We’re kicking off the 2025–2026 school year with a packed schedule of orientation, training, and celebration—our annual Meet the Teacher / Meet the Mustangs Night.

Here’s what to expect:

Thursday, July 31 – New Teacher Orientation
We are excited to welcome our newest Mustang educators to the district! Orientation will help them hit the ground running and feel right at home in our Mustang family.

Friday, August 1 – All Staff Return
All teachers officially report for the first day of the new school year. That morning we will attend the Back-to-School Bash offered by UT Tyler at the Cowan Center in Tyler.

Monday, August 4

• Morning: Bus Driver Training

• Afternoon: State-mandated training for anyone who creates purchase orders

Tuesday, August 5 – Active Threat Preparedness & Substitute Orientation

• Morning: ALL staff and substitutes will participate in Active Threat Preparedness training.

• Afternoon: Substitute Orientation for new and returning subs.

Thursday, August 7 – Meet the Teacher & Meet the Mustangs Night!
This special evening is a chance to reconnect with educators, pick up materials, and get ready for an outstanding school year.

• 5:00 PM – Elementary Meet the Teacher

• 5:30 PM – Secondary Meet the Teacher, beginning in the Auditorium with a presentation by Mr. Hogg. Secondary class schedules and enrollment packets will be available immediately afterward.

Important Reminder for Parents & Guardians
Please make sure to fill out the lunch form for every student—even if your child doesn’t plan to eat in the cafeteria. This form affects our district’s funding and helps ensure we can provide important programs and resources for all students.

7:00 PM – Meet the Mustangs!
Stick around to cheer on this year’s edition of Mustang Football, Volleyball, Band and Cheerleaders! This community event is a great way to show your support and get fired up for the year ahead.

Tuesday, August 12 – First Day of School for Students!
We’ll be ready and waiting to welcome back our students for the first day of classes. Let’s start strong and make it a year to remember!

We can’t wait to see everyone back on campus. Let’s make it a fantastic school year—because
It’s a Great Day to be a Mustang!

Overton ISD is proud to announce that our Board of Trustees has been named Region 7’s Outstanding School Board of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). This prestigious honor reflects the Board’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and student-centered decision-making.

Led by Board President Shane McCasland, Vice President Mike Rogers, Secretary Pam Raney, Assistant Secretary Sarah Stuart, and Trustees Mary Leigh Dike, Scotty Moore, and Haylee Finley, the Overton ISD Board has guided the district through a period of remarkable growth and innovation.

Their leadership has fueled major initiatives such as:

• The launch and expansion of the Northeast Texas Career and Technology Education Center (NETCTEC)—a regional consortium that provides dual credit and industry certifications to students from five area districts.

• The implementation of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to reward teacher excellence based on measurable student growth.

• A creative partnership with Teachworthy that enables Overton ISD to support current employees with proven commitment and talent as they work toward earning full teacher certification.

• Bold instructional improvements, including the phased adoption of the state’s Bluebonnet OER curriculum and the transition to a four-day instructional week.

• A strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility, transforming a one-year deficit into a stable and growing fund balance—while maintaining support for staff, instruction, and facilities.

Beyond strategic planning and governance, the Board consistently models harmonious teamwork, ethical conduct, and a deep commitment to placing the needs of students first—even when decisions are difficult or unpopular.

This recognition is a reflection not only of the Board’s leadership but of the shared commitment of our staff, students, families, and community. Please join us in congratulating our trustees on this well-deserved honor!

It’s a Great Day to be a Mustang—especially with this Mustang Board at the helm!

The sights and sounds of marching season are just around the corner, and the Overton Mustang Band is tuning up for what promises to be one of its most exciting years yet! After earning the prestigious UIL State Sweepstakes Award for two years in a row, our band program is marching forward with even more energy, more spirit, and more Mustang pride.

This year, the Mustang Band is adding a brand-new element to its performances—twirlers! These visual performers will bring an extra layer of flair and excitement to Friday night shows and competition performances.

Now entering their second year, Mr. and Mrs. Parker have brought incredible passion and structure to the band program. Their leadership has helped elevate the standard of excellence, and their energy is contagious across the entire band hall, campus and community.

All incoming 7th grade marchers and anyone not in band last year should plan to attend New Marcher Camp on July 30th and 31st. This is also a great opportunity for middle school students who want an extra challenge. Come learn fundamentals, meet fellow bandmates, and get acclimated to the Mustang Band culture.

From football games and pep rallies to contests and parades, the fall is packed with exciting band events. You can find all the important dates in the Overton Mustang Band Semester At-a-Glance, available now on the Overton Mustang Band Facebook page.

Whether you're cheering from the stands, volunteering behind the scenes, or marching on the field, this season is set to be one to remember. We’re proud of our Mustang musicians and can’t wait to see them shine.

Excitement is building as the Overton Lady Mustang Volleyball Team prepares to kick off what promises to be a strong and competitive 2025 season! With more experience on the court, a pool of returning talent, and a dynamic new head coach at the helm, this year’s team is ready to take the next step.

Last season, the Lady Mustangs were a young squad with just two seniors leading the way. Despite their youth, they battled into the bi-district playoffs and gained valuable experience that laid a solid foundation for future success. Now, with a more seasoned roster and strong team chemistry, expectations are high.

We’re excited to welcome Coach Kolebi Spikes as the new Head Volleyball Coach. Coach Spikes brings more than a decade of coaching experience, most recently as Head Volleyball Coach and Girls Athletic Coordinator at Center High School. Her passion for player development, competitive grit, and team-first culture is already energizing the program.

This year’s squad is deeper, faster, and more focused, with a talented mix of rising seniors and underclassmen eager to build on last year’s experience. The athletes have been working hard throughout the offseason and are determined to return to the playoffs—this time with higher aspirations and greater confidence.

The season gets rolling with the annual Alumni Game on Friday, August 1, offering fans a fun and competitive preview of what’s to come. Then, the official home opener takes place Tuesday, August 12, when the Lady Mustangs host San Augustine in what promises to be an exciting start to the new season. Get ready to fill the gym with Mustang pride!

This summer marked the completion of a meaningful renovation at Overton ISD, and we want to express our appreciation to our summer student-workers, Mr. Cliff Wilson, and Mrs. Kathy Calhoun for their contributions to the transformation of the Overton ISD District Board Room.

Over the past two summers, Mr. Wilson and his students in the Construction Management program have worked diligently to breathe new life into the space. The project began with the dismantling of the half-circle council table from the former Overton City Hall—thank you to the City of Overton for sharing this historic piece. The students then modified the stage in our Admin Building to recreate and reinstall the table as the focal point of our Board of Trustees’ meeting space.

Improvements over the two summers included:

• Installing new countertops

• Removing old carpet to uncover original hardwood floors

• Laying new carpet in the foyer and along the updated stage

• Refinishing the hardwood, painting woodwork, and completing detailed trim around the seating area

To complete the room, Mrs. Kathy Calhoun assisted by recovering the pew cushions in a fabric and color that complements both our district color scheme and the building’s history as a former church sanctuary. Her efforts helped tie the room together in a way that’s both respectful of the past and fitting for a modern boardroom.

The end result is a space that blends tradition with functionality—a dignified, welcoming setting for school board meetings and community gatherings. More importantly, it stands as a shining example of the real-world skills being developed through our Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

Thank you to Mr. Wilson, our dedicated student-workers, and Mrs. Calhoun for your time, effort, and craftsmanship—you’ve created something truly special.