FISD - moving time soon.

During its regular Feb. 04, 2019 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met and in summary: acted on TEA lawsuit, signed up for Flippen Group program, held TAPR hearing, bought furniture and hired movers.

  • Adjourned into executive session for 1 hour re:
    • Employment of Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §551.074, Personnel Matters
    • Contract Renewal of Administrators and Other Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §551.074, Personnel Matters
    • a Matter Regarding a Student or That Would Reveal Personally Identifiable Information of a Student, Including Pending Litigation, Student vs. Forney Independent School District, Texas Education Agency Docket No. 072- SE-1118, Tex Gov't Code §551.0821

  • Approved professional contract personnel as Discussed in Closed Session
  • Approved contract renewal of administrators and other professional contract personnel as Discussed in Closed Session
  • Regarding the pending litigation: Approved authorizing superintendent to resolve claims as stated in Student v. Forney Independent School District, Texas Education Agency Docket no. 072-se-1118, pursuant to terms discussed in closed session.
  • Pastor Robert Kennedy, Mustang Creek Church
  • U. S. Flag - Secondary Student-of-the-Month, Caleigh Cross, 12th Grade Student at Forney High School
    Dr. Jonathan Campbell, Forney High School Principal said she is planning to be clinical psychologist or physical therapist, has a scholarship for softball, credits teachers for helping her along the way.
  • Texas Pledge - Elementary Student-of-the-Month, Sophia Simmons, 6th Grade Student at Smith Elementary School
    Mr. Jeff Hutcheson, Smith Elementary Principal said she participates in choir, piano, swim, wants to work in performing arts.
  • Staff Recognitions
  • Evaluation Capacity Grant - Ms. Judith Webber, Chief of Learner Services, said the grant was to help ISDs provide certified and licensed staff to evaluate special education students. Ms. Jill Huber applied for a grant, and was awarded $20k for the FISD.
  • Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) annual public hearing - Ms. Webber said required to post report annually, and hold a hearing for public discussion.
        In almost all categories, Forney is above Region X levels, even more above state levels. Of students who didn't meet standard, 81% have been here less than 2 years. Graduation rate is 98%. On college ready graduates, FISD was affected by the rules changes: now at 44%. Violence prevention - FISD offers many resources. Safe & drug-free schools - have several programs on elementary and middle schools, mentoring in HS. All info is on website.
  • Public Comment - none.
  • Future Ready Report -
    Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief of Information, Innovative and Technology Services introduce Robyn Pearce who said she has massive data. Have gained new partnerships. CTE programs - students have presented at national conferences; Business & Industry: vet services provide day care + grooming service, partnered w/ vet's to provide vaccinations; Graphic Design: provide banners, signs and decals + DTG printing; Culinary Arts: went to state for management team; AV partnership w/ DAKS to train on the new scoreboard; will have 1st annual film festival, might hold it at AMC; STEM: have built gocarts, hovercraft, arcade games, robots, manipulators, 3d printing, partnerships w/ Eastfield & A&M so students may take summer classes at Eastfield. AOPA will provide curriculum for aerospace, allowing senior students to get flight license; Robotics competition; Public service pathways: law enforcement has doubled, partner w/ UNT for criminal justice; Health Science: partnered w/ BSW allowing students to do rotations; students may get CNA. Hosted Angel Trees just for students, gave 217 gifts.
        Resources & support: counselor visits from Sep. to Jan. by 3,300 students; Counselors receive many training programs. Partner with Forney Food Pantry with backpack program. STEAM camps - 851 students last summer, 40 teachers have signed up for this year. Work w/ Lions Club Angel Tree.
        College & Career readiness: provide future-ready classes K-12; held Parent/Youth academy; edgenuity provides online prep classes. College career days: Major help is Forney Education Foundation, part of reason enrollment w/ Eastfield increased. Dual-credit classes grew last year, up 122 this year already w/ 3 weeks left.
  • Master Planning Update - Ms. Kim Morisak Rhea & Smith will start pouring sidewalks, ceiling going in, interior doors. She showed pictures of ongoing construction. Rep from Huckabee showed slides of the plans. Lewis is different than other schools, they discovered underground propane tanks that can't be disturbed. Will be working with city for number of people the shelter areas will hold. Shelter area will not have windows in classrooms. Mr. Carroll asked if shelter was for law enforcement or just FISD: just FISD. Operated by staff, Once locked down, no one gets in or out w/o communication. Designed strictly for students and staff. Mr. Carroll asked about opportunity for natural light - it is very expensive to do. Primarily they do gyms, don't have windows. Most districts choose to not have glass. Dr. Terry said majority of classrooms are interior and don't have windows. Mr. Andrews asked about the hub furniture, if it was movable - yes.
        Mr. Geer - they gathered teacher input on relocation. Only 6.5% of teachers didn't get one of their top 3 choices. 292 teachers were involved. Dr. Terry complimented principals for helping with the process.
  • Monthly Financial Report - Mr. John Chase: high collection month for taxes: 51% revenue, 49% expenses, 1/2 through Fiscal Year. Debt service - $10.3 million collected, no expenses, payments will occur next month. Cash = $59.9 million, after Jan will start going down to $20 million.
  • Quarterly Investment Reports - Mr. Chase said earning 1% to 2.4%, income was $230k.
  • 2nd Quarter Tax Collection Report - Mr. Chase, tax levy $63 million, 13% higher than last year. Delinquencies of $532k is on track. Large delinquents due to AG revaluations.
  • Approved as one consent item:

    • Budget Amendment
    • Purchase with Move Solutions
    • Class Size Waiver
    • Resolution Authorizing Investment Officer Training Providers

  • Approved Utility Easement at North Forney High School - Mr. Chase said FEC building a sub-station, want a 20ft wide 720 ft long easement, parallels the gas line easement. Would be advantageous to be connected to this sub-station. It is all underground. Mr. Andrews said this would not change how campus can be used - correct, can build a road over it, but in general can't build. This would make it 20ft longer. Mr. Andrews asked if adding them to substation was at 0 cost- yes.
  • Approved the purchase of district-wide professional development with the Flippen Group - Mr. Geer said this will train all staff, will have 4 programs. Rep Dr. Mike Holt spoke, stating almost have to experience how it works. He used to teach AG, became a principal. Went to a low-performing school, became familiar w/ Flippen group - have two-day training to build psychological safety in classroom. "The only discipline that works is self-discipline." 30th year as a company. About 70% of behavior is through modeling, so they built a process to take advantage by training teachers. During his time at Hillsboro, went from 2nd worst in state to high-performing after 3 years of using the Flippen program. The process is brain-science tested, research-based. They greet people at the door, and work on social anxiety. Must have safe classrooms to achieve rigor, to allow students to take risks and achieve. He said the ISD will see increased student attendance from this program.
        Mr. Carroll said item states 100% staff - is that everyone? Yes, but not everyone gets the whole program. Mr. Carroll asked about the 2nd year fee - Dr. Terry said that is induction of new staff, it should go down to 60k / year. Dr. Terry said has dealt w/ Flippen, probably most impactful ever worked with.
        Documents indicate the cost for 2 years is $370k.
    10) TASB Policy Update #112, affecting local policies listed, as a first reading -
    Mr. Rick Geer, gave a brief overview of changes to the 14 items. No action was taken.
    A) BJA(LOCAL): SUPERINTENDENT - QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES:
    B) CCG(LOCAL): LOCAL REVENUE SOURCES - AD VALOREM TAXES moved to CCGA
    C) CCGA(LOCAL): AD VALOREM TAXES - EXEMPTIONS AND PAYMENTS
    D) CH(LOCAL): PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION
    E) CQ(LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
    F) CV(LOCAL): FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
    G) DCB(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - TERM CONTRACTS
    H) DH(LOCAL): EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
    I) DIA(LOCAL): EMPLOYEE WELFARE - FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION,HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION
    J) FMA(LOCAL): STUDENT ACTIVITIES - SCHOOL-SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS
    K) FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
    L) GF(LOCAL): PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
    M) GKA(LOCAL): COMMUNITY RELATIONS - CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES
    N) GKB(LOCAL): COMMUNITY RELATIONS - ADVERTISING AND FUNDRAISING

  • Approved appointment of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) - Mr. Geer said 2015 IBC changed to look at emergency response plans & shelters , this will be a sub-committee of the security committee. The board has a list of 10 staff members and 2 parents they appointed.
  • Approved furniture purchase from Lonestar Furnishings as presented.
        Ms. Judith Webber said hubs require $351k / campus plus some current classrooms have no furniture. Mr. Chase said about 300k available, rest will come out of construction budget $400k / campus, some construction money will be refunded to use for this. Mr. Regan asked if the price included shipping and setup - yes. Dr. Terry said didn't add shelving? some of this furniture will be used for storage, replacing those costs.
        Documents indicate the cost is $1,045,722.
  • Approved an order calling a school board election for positions 5, 6 and 7 for May 4, 2019.
  • Approved contract with Kaufman County for election services for the May 4, 2019 School Board Election.
  • Approved the use of an electronic voting system only for both early voting and election day voting.
  • Adjourned at 2051.
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meeting_date: 
Monday, 2019, February 4