FISD presents annual Performance Report

During its regular Feb. 03, 2020 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met and in summary:

• Held a 60-minute executive session.
• U. S. Flag - Secondary Student-of-the-Month, Eli Benavides, 8th Grade Student at Warren Middle School
      Mr. Josh Garcia, Principal at Warren Middle School said Eli is heavily involved in athletics and is in honors band, his favorite subject is science.   His teachers say he is willing to help classmates.
  
• Texas Pledge - Intermediate Student-of-the-Month, Vance Waldron, 6th Grade Student at Rhea Intermediate.
      Dr. Barbi Donehoo, Principal at Rhea Intermediate said he plays volleyball, plans to study chemical engineering, his teachers say he's highly motivated and helps classmates.
  
• Mr. Mario Luna, Director of Fine Arts, introduced students:
  • TMEA All State 5A Band Casey McClean has been a soloist for the band.   He has earned a spot in All-State Band.
    
  • TDEA All-State Dancer Bianca Monrreal is a Saphire Strutter captain, plans to pursue a business degree.

• Community Recognitions
      Ms. Kristin Zastoupil, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications said asked for community help 18 months ago, many churches and service organizations responded.
  
• Forney Family Award to reps from:
  • Church Partners: C-life, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Church of Christ, Lakepointe, Mustang Creek Community.
    
  • Social Service Organizations: Forney Community Ministry, Forney Food Pantry, Forney Lions Club, Sharing the Love Foundation

• held a brief recess
  
• Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) annual public hearing
      Dr. Judy Webber, Chief of Learner Services, presented an overview: all campuses met standard.   Approaching grade level, FISD is above Region X and State.   On STAAR growth: reading dipped, they have adjusted curriculum.   Also considering all-day Pre-K, as do most other districts.   STAAR mastery level - still above region and state, but didn't improve from last year.   Domain 3 (meets grade level for all sub-pop's): above state in all, above region except for reading.   Saw a dip in growth rate of reading standard, had a huge jump in math for grade 5.   Fast growth has an impact, seeing many new students (twice as many in North-side elementaries), some who come in several grade-levels off.   Graduation rates and attendance above region and state.   Post-secondary readiness stats look good.   Financial Integrity rating: A-superior.
      Violence prevention and intervention policies - she showed a long list of programs.   Also for Safe and Drug Free programs.
      The entire report is at TAPR.
      There was no public input.
  
• Professional Development Report
      Dr. Webber introduced Ms. LeMond, who said there is a teacher shortage, TX is 4th in nation for high teacher turnover.   She mentioned programs designed to induct new teachers.   Reports indicate need competitive salaries, a positive environment (such as Capturing Kids' Hearts), professional development.   They have a District of Innovation plan, which provides for growing teachers with District values.   They have a program where teachers video themselves in the classroom, which gets reviewed in a group setting.
      DMA local could prevent teacher development, removing it would clarify requirements.
  
• Future Ready Report
      Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief of Information, Innovative and Technology Services introduced Robyn Pearce to explain some future ready efforts, partnerships w/ businesses and schools.   Electrical Tech seniors will be paid interns at Intex.   Vet Med students have cared for 120 pets.   Culinary arts has done catered district events, make-and-take meals, coffee bar.   STEM pathway students worked on broken calculators, saving FISD $6k.   Public Service, partner w/ Eastfield for CNA, current students have all passed certification.   Forney Education Foundation provides dual-credit scholarships for 480 courses; all Jr. & Sr. students will be able to take free ACT tests.   Expanded partnership w/ Eastfield, have 200 applicants who could obtain associates when they graduate.   Texas Tech program for students, parents and community.   Certification testing may be done in-house.   Students are taking 822 dual-credit courses, 8 students will receive associates degree before graduate high school, 150 will graduate at college sophomore level.
  
• Master Planning Update
      Ms. Morisak introduce Mr. Jameson showed plans for welding center going next to existing shop.   It will have classroom plus retail space.   Animal science center - expanding facility at NFHS, more space for cattle & pigs.   Existing building is at capacity for not having sprinklers, and this will be better for having public access.   Culinary facility will be updated for better public access, up to 49 people.   "Local Cafe" update is under-way.   Ag and welding are in design.   Mr. Carroll asked if welding shop would have a lifting device - yes.
      Construction update - Mr. Fisher from Gallagher said in 30 days all 4 elementary schools will be in punch-list phase.   Criswell roofing project is complete; Dr. Terry said Gallagher took over after the first time roof was done.   Ms. Morisak said, thanks to bond passage, will be replacing security cameras at elementaries.   New Criswell driveway to pull traffic off main roads will go around back, parents won't be in the front of the school.
  
• County Tax Assistance District Report
      Mr. John Chase, Chief Financial Officer said were approached by County to include NFHS property in District; he introduced Skeet Phillips and Karen Badgley.   Ms. Badgley said under state code, may create a County Tax Assistance District which can impose sales tax to provide funds for: construction or maintenance of roads, libraries, parks, museums; law enforcement and detention; services for health and welfare, including fire-fighting.   They have asked undeveloped property owners to join; this would equal the same 8.25% tax rate as exists in the city limits.   Funds may only be used in that district.   Kaufman has two districts now: #1 Devonshire.   They request NFHS petition to join District 1, which commissioners court would consider.   Mr. Pharris asked where district 2 is: in precinct 1, will start collecting tax in April.   Districts are created by election.   Mr. Carroll asked if were growing it to other areas around the district; yes, it would be a shame to not capture that 2%, due to Amazon and other online sales.
  
• Monthly Financial Report
      Mr. Chase said revenue at 45%, expenditures 48%; a little behind collection from previous years, maybe due to change in tax laws.   Debt Service: 32% revenue, 71% expenditures; Have large interest payments coming up in Feb.
  
• Quarterly Investment Reports
      Mr. Chase said activity through Dec. 31, interest rate on $53 million is from 1 to 2 percent, yielding $194k.
  
• 2nd Quarter Tax Collection Report
      Mr. Chase said levy is 17% higher than last year, delinquent taxes about double normal for this time of year.   May be partly due to AG rollbacks, which have a longer delinquent period.
  
• Public Comment - none.
  
• Approved as one consent item:
  • Budget Amendment
    
  • Class Size Waiver

• Discussed deletion of policy DMA Local as a first reading; Mr. Pharris asked it be placed on next meeting consent agenda.
      Mr. Rick Geer, Chief of Human Services said this policy limits principals' ability to suggest professional learning for teachers; it is not included at many other districts.   This is not a standard TASB policy.   They will have a TASB consultant reviewing all policies in a few weeks.   During research, he found Texas School Procedures, a subscription on-line resource, he may present it to the board in future.
  
• Approved an order calling a School Board election for positions 1 and 2 for May 2, 2020
  
• Approved a contract with Kaufman County for election services for the May 2, 2020 School Board election
  
• Approved using an electronic voting system only for both early voting and election day voting
  
• Approved professional contract personnel, as discussed in closed session.
  
• Approved contract renewal of administrators and other professional contract personnel, as discussed in closed session.
  
• Approved authorizing Superintendent to negotiate and sign contract for the purchase or exchange of real property or easement, as discussed in closed session, consisting of approximately:
  • 0.67 acres of vacant property,
    
  • 2.96 acres drainage easement
    
  • 1.67 acres temporary construction easement, all in the J. Lopez Survey, Abstract NO. 286, Kaufman County, TEXAS.

• Adjourned at 2017