About Heather
For the past three years, I have served CSISD with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to putting students first. Together, we have strengthened academic performance, invested in our teachers and staff, expanded opportunities for students, enhanced safety, and remained responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but I’m not satisfied with simply maintaining it. We have positive momentum, and I’m committed to building on it: raising expectations, recruiting and retaining exceptional educators, expanding opportunities for every student, and ensuring every taxpayer dollar is invested responsibly.
MY PRIORITIES
Academic Accountability
Our students are making measurable progress, and the numbers tell an encouraging story.
CSISD’s overall TEA accountability score has increased three years in a row: 81 → 83 → 86, demonstrating a clear upward trajectory.
Eight CSISD campuses earned an A rating, the most since TEA began issuing letter grades in 2019.
CSISD campuses earned 47 Distinction Designations in areas including ELA, mathematics, academic growth, and more.
College View High School achieved 100% College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR), while all three high schools showed year-over-year CCMR growth.
Our four-year graduation rate is 95.8%, exceeding the state average of 90.3%.
Progress matters, but so does continuing to raise the bar.
Financial Stewardship
Strong schools require responsible financial leadership.
CSISD holds an A-Superior Achievement rating through the state’s FIRST financial accountability system.
Bond-funded construction projects from the 2021, 2023, and 2024 bonds have been reported as on schedule and within budget, with some projects coming in under budget.
During each year of my service on the Board, we have worked diligently to overcome projected budget challenges while protecting the programs, people, and opportunities that directly serve students.
Being a good steward means asking tough questions, setting priorities, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are focused where they matter most
- our classrooms and students.
Investing in Teachers & Staff
Great schools begin with great people.
During my three years on the Board, CSISD has consistently invested in employee compensation, including teacher raises of 2%, 5%, and 3%, while also increasing compensation for critical support positions including bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers.
We have increased starting teacher pay to remain more competitive with peer districts, and our teachers bring an average of 12.5 years of experience, above the state average of 11.1 years.
Our teacher retention rate is approximately 85% and above the state average. While that is encouraging, retention remains an area where we must continue improving. Recruiting exceptional educators is important; creating an environment where exceptional educators want to stay is just as important.
Fine Arts & Athletics
A well-rounded education extends far beyond the classroom.
CSISD students continue to compete and succeed at the highest levels in athletics, earning championships, advancing through playoffs, and representing our community with pride.
Our fine arts students consistently earn distinctions and awards across music, theatre, visual arts, and other disciplines.
We have also invested bond funds into facilities and resources that support these programs, including instruments, natatorium renovations, stadium improvements, and field house upgrades throughout the district.
These opportunities help students discover their talents, build confidence, learn teamwork, and find a place where they belong.
Advocacy for Public Education:
Public education faces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to adequate funding.
I will continue working alongside our elected officials and advocating for the resources our schools need. Every student in CSISD deserves access to excellent teachers, strong academic programs, safe campuses, extracurricular opportunities, and the resources necessary to succeed.
Our community expects excellence from CSISD, and our state must adequately fund the public schools being asked to deliver it.
Safety & Security
As a member of the Safety & Security Committee, I understand that before students can learn, they must feel safe.
Since 2023, CSISD has invested approximately $2.3 million in district-wide security improvements, including secured entrances, entry-resistant glass, expanded camera coverage, and non-scalable fencing.
We have strengthened law enforcement presence by adding Brazos County Sheriff’s Deputies at our comprehensive high schools and middle schools, along with armed security personnel at elementary and intermediate campuses to comply with state requirements.
CSISD also maintains an active Safety & Security Committee, anonymous reporting systems including Quick Tip and P3, and continues planning and budgeting for additional state security mandates - including approximately $570,000 for bus seat belt retrofits.
Safety is not a one-time investment. It requires constant evaluation, preparation, partnership, and improvement.
Partnerships That Expand Opportunities:
Our community is one of CSISD’s greatest resources.
During my three years on the Board, CSISD has consistently invested in employee compensation, including teacher raises of 2%, 5%, and 3%, while also increasing compensation for critical support positions including bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers.
We have increased starting teacher pay to remain more competitive with peer districts, and our teachers bring an average of 12.5 years of experience, above the state average of 11.1 years.
Our teacher retention rate is approximately 85% and above the state average. While that is encouraging, retention remains an area where we must continue improving. Recruiting exceptional educators is important; creating an environment where exceptional educators want to stay is just as important.
When our schools and community work together, our students benefit.
Moving Forward:
I am proud of what we have accomplished, but I will never confuse progress with the finish line.
I am committed to continuing to challenge CSISD to be better - to raise academic expectations, support and retain outstanding teachers, protect taxpayer dollars, expand opportunities for students, and keep our campuses safe.
I will continue listening to our community, asking questions, demanding accountability, and being a strong voice for our students, teachers, staff, families, and taxpayers.
We have built positive momentum. Now, it’s time to build on it!
Heather Simmen for Place 7 College Station ISD School Board
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Heather Simmen for Place 7 College Station ISD School Board ~
Heather Simmen’s commitment to CSISD is both personal and deeply rooted in the community. A proud A&M Consolidated High School graduate, Class of 1993, Heather has experienced CSISD as a student, parent, volunteer, community leader, and now Trustee.
Heather and her husband, Will Simmen, have two children who have spent their entire educational journeys in CSISD schools. Their daughter, Sloane, graduated from A&M Consolidated in 2021, and their son, Dane, is a member of the Class of 2027.
From her own years as a CSISD student to raising two children in the district, Heather has seen public education from many perspectives. Her past three years serving on the CSISD Board of Trustees have broadened that understanding even further. Currently serving as Board Vice President and previously as Board Secretary, Heather has worked closely with parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members - listening to concerns, celebrating successes, and helping connect the community with district leadership.
Heather believes experience on the Board matters. Becoming an effective trustee is a continual process of learning - understanding how public education works, navigating the complexities of school finance and state requirements, and recognizing the responsibilities and limitations placed on trustees by law. With three years of Board experience, Heather is ready to build on that knowledge and be an even more effective trustee over the next three years.
As the owner of Pride Cleaners, Heather also brings a strong business perspective to the Board. Her retail background provides valuable experience in budgeting, financial accountability, customer service, and responsible decision-making. Every day, she interacts with members of our community, listens to their concerns, and works to connect them with those who can help.
A trustee is an important link between the community and the administration. Heather is committed to being that link - and to continuing to serve ALL CSISD students, teachers, staff, and families.
Experience
matters
Leadership
& Service
CSISD Board of Trustees
Current Board Vice President
Past Board Secretary
CSISD Committee Service
Student Health Advisory Council
District Education Improvement Council
Head Start Policy Council
Emergent Bilingual
Community Advisory Board
Special Education Committee
Budget Committee
Audit Committee
Safety & Security
Intergovernmental Council
Personnel Advisory Committee
Long Range Planning Facilities & Bond Committee
Community Leadership
Owner, Pride Cleaners
CSISD Education Foundation – 10 Years, Past President, Chair of 50 Men Who Can Cook & Scholarship Committee
Young Men’s Service League – Past President & Past First Vice President
National Charity League – Member 5 Years
Tiger Club Member
Junior League B/CS – 7 Years
Chi Omega Advisor
A&M Consolidated Centennial Committee
Supporter of The BEE Community & Brazos Valley Crusaders
A&M United Methodist Church