The CFISD Board of Trustees approved the naming of CFISD Middle School No. 19 to Harold R. Rowe Middle School on Aug. 12. Pictured, from left, are Board members Tom Jackson, Don Ryan, Debbie Blackshear and Dr. John Ogletree Jr.; namesake Harold Rowe; and Board members Darcy Mingoia, Bob Covey and Julie Hinaman.

Aug. 12, 2019—The CFISD Board of Trustees approved the namesake for Middle School No. 19, Harold R. Rowe Middle School, during its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 12.

Harold Rowe’s CFISD career spanned 21 years starting in 1991. He served as director of computer services, senior director of technology services, assistant superintendent for technology services and retired in 2012 as associate superintendent for technology and school services. Rowe was also recognized as one of the district’s 75 influential honorees during its 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2014.

During his time in CFISD, Rowe implemented several instructional and administrative technology projects. He co-chaired an instructional technology committee that contributed to four successful bond elections, in which the community supported $165 million in technology bonds benefitting CFISD students. In addition, he implemented a 1:1 laptop program, which provided laptop computers to high school juniors.

Rowe and his technology team also completed a network upgrade and wireless overlay for all campuses. The project provided wireless coverage at 85 campuses and the Instructional Support Centers utilizing more than 2,000 wireless access points. The wireless infrastructure ensured that learning could occur anytime, anywhere. Rowe also provided a wide array of technology software that ensured teachers and students had access to the latest software packages, therefore supporting classroom instruction.

Under Rowe’s leadership, Transfinder, a school bus routing software that included GPS fleet tracking, fleet maintenance and field trip management for pupil transportation, was implemented.

In 2012, Rowe was awarded the Consortium for School Networking Withrow Award. The award honored Rowe’s visionary leadership in leveraging technology to transcend education throughout CFISD.

In addition to his many accomplishments within CFISD, Rowe was involved with private and public partnerships. Under his and former CFISD superintendent Rick Berry’s leadership, the district collaborated with the City of Houston to apply for a federal grant to provide computers and wireless access to students on a portion of the district’s underserved communities.

“I am extremely grateful for and humbled by this honor bestowed by the Board of Trustees,” Rowe said. “It was the greatest privilege to serve the students and staff of CFISD.”
Middle School No. 19 will be located on the Cypress Park multi-campus site next to Cypress Park High School and is set to open in the 2020-2021 school year.