Brazosport ISD is pleased to announce that Mrs. Michelle Hale will be the new principal of Velasco Elementary School and Mr. Josh Lara will be the new principal at R O’Hara Middle School beginning this August. Both Hale and Lara are experienced administrators with backgrounds in supporting diverse schools and will bring a great deal to both campuses.

Mrs. Michelle Hale
Principal of Velasco Elementary School
Mrs. Hale has served as the principal of Aransas Pass High School, principal of Charlie Marshall Elementary School in Aransas Pass, Texas, and as an assistant principal of Ingleside High School. She has extensive knowledge as a math specialist and curriculum coordinator also having taught all levels of math, elementary through high school. Hale received her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. Mrs. Hale’s husband will be Brazoswood’s new girls varsity basketball coach. They have 2 adult children who are off pursuing their own careers.




Mr. Josh Lara
Principal of R O'Hara Middle School
Mr. Lara is a product of BISD as a 2003 graduate of Brazosport High School. Lara has served as Clute Intermediate’s assistant principal since 2019 and was assistant principal at Ney Elementary from 2017 to 2019. Before returning home to Brazosport, Mr. Lara was an assistant principal and teacher at Crosby Middle School in Crosby, Texas. Josh received his Bachelor of Science in Academic Studies, with a minor in Special Education from Sam Houston State University. He earned his Masters in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Mr. Lara’s wife is a teacher at Bess Brannen Elementary School and they are raising their 2 sons.

Welcome to BISD, Mrs. Michelle Hale and congratulations to Mr. Josh Lara!It’s going to be a great year!