Board approves partnerships with UT Austin Marine Science Institute and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi residency program

The Flower Bluff ISD Board of Trustees approved two education partnerships at its June 4 meeting: an interlocal cooperation contract with the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (UT Austin MSI) and a memorandum of understanding with Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi to host teacher residents.

Dr. Simon Brandle, a professor at UT Austin’s Marine Science Institute, described an NSF-funded mentor–mentee program that will pair graduate or early career researchers with Flower Bluff seniors. "The idea here is to form these mentor–mentee pairs ... four students in this first cohort ... they will guide them through a hands-on research project throughout that semester," Brandle said, adding that the work will align with the high school schedule and award three university credit hours recognized by UT Austin.

Administration also presented a teacher residency MOU with Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, continuing a residency program into the 2026–27 year and increasing resident stipends to $20,000 using available allotments; hosting teachers will receive stipends for mentoring residents. Both items were moved, seconded and approved by the board by voice vote.

Board members said the partnerships expand college-credit and early-career teacher pathways and will be considered in staffing and budget planning for next year.