ASBO International recognized Jesus Amezcua of Harris County Department of Education as a 2021 Pinnacle of Achievement Award Recipient. He will be honored, along with the Pinnacle Award Recipients at the ASBO International Conference in Milwaukee this coming October.
ASBO International recognized Dr. Jesus Amezcua of Harris County Department of Education as a 2021 Pinnacle of Achievement Award Recipient. As one of three recipients, the award is part of the Pinnacle Awards that honors effective school business officials, who are experts at combining experience with creativity to solve problems facing 21st-century school districts. He will be honored, along with the Pinnacle of Excellence Recipient at the ASBO International Conference in Milwaukee this coming October.
Jesus is currently Assistant Superintendent for Business Services at the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). When one of HCDE’s schools, which serves special needs students from several districts, reached the end of its lifespan, Jesus, the superintendent, and board recognized the need for a new, larger school to accommodate the growing number of students in need of special services. The school, which opened in August 2020, serves students ages 5–22. Features include a low student-to-instructor ratio, sensory rooms, a domestic living lab, and an innovative, inclusive playground.
The program was financed by negotiated lease revenue bonds through the district's Public Facilities Corporation. Jesus' department was able to secure a bank-qualified bond at a low rate and use a combination of one-time fund balance money and new debt to pay for the $11 million school.
