We are deeply grateful to our Board of Trustees for thoughtfully selecting Ruth E. Laird Elementary School as the name of our new campus in Texas City. This meaningful decision continues our Legacy of Excellence by honoring an educator who truly made a difference in our community and in Gator Nation.

Ruth E. Laird—known affectionately as “Mrs. E”—devoted more than three decades to Dickinson ISD, serving students across multiple campuses including Dunbar, Barber, Silbernagel, and Bay Colony Elementary. She was beloved for her innovative teaching, deep care for children, and her belief that learning should be joyful and community-centered. Even after her formal retirement, she continued serving our district as a substitute teacher for nearly a decade, remaining a familiar and trusted presence in classrooms.

Beyond the classroom, Ruth was a founding member of the Dickinson Historical Society and an active supporter of local organizations and her church. Her lifelong service and impact were recognized with an official proclamation from the City of Dickinson celebrating her legacy. 

Naming a school in her honor ensures that future generations of students will walk into a place rooted in the values she lived every day—learning, kindness, connection, and pride in community. We thank our Board for making a decision that beautifully reflects who we are and what we stand for in Gator Nation.

Go Gators!