FISD recognizes students, organizations, get Safety Audit Report

During its regular Sep. 11, 2023 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met to recognize students, partners, consider college MOU's, policy revisions, security personnel, hear Safety Audit Report.

• U. S. Flag Pledge - Aryial Burks, 8th Grade Student from Brown Middle School, introduced by principal Judith Willis, who said Aryial is in advanced classes, plays volleyball and basketball, plays clarinet, will finish 8th grade with 3 HS credits.  Aryial credits her mother with her success.
  
• Texas Flag Pledge - Mumeh Kinyui, 4th Grade Student From Johnson Elementary, introduced by principal Karen Wilson, who said Milton won them over with quiet demeanor, he loves math, science and legos; wants to be an architect.  He likes all his teachers at Johnson.
  
• Presentation and Posting of Colors by AFJROTC
  
• 9/11 Patriot Day Moment of Silence
  
• AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award with Merit
      Ms. Kristin Zastoupil, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, said they won highest possible rating last year, then top honors this summer.  Only 113 units in the nation received this award.
  
• College Board National Recognition
      Ms. Mel Harlan, Director of Advanced Academics, explained the College Board National gives awards to top exam scores with high GPA.  She said in the past have had a couple recognitions, this year had 39.  NFHS had 13, FHS had 26.
  
• Forney Family Award for FreeLife's Back to School Event
      Mr. Nick Edwards, Director of Staff and Family Services, said this goes to those who represent the very best of community - Free Life Church which has adopted Smith and Blackburn, donated 10k for backpacks, provided uniforms and haircuts for 200 students. 
  
• Forney Family Award for FCM's School Uniform Exchange
      Mr. Edwards said First Presbyterian Church, longest-standing partner, provided over 5k dress code items via student uniform exchange.
  
• Held a recess
  
• Monthly Financial Report
      Mr. John Chase, Chief Financial Officer, said this is first month of new FY, revenue at 1%, will be low for several months, were 1% last year; Expenses at 5%, some software licenses are front-loaded.  Food Service: at 1%, same as last year; expenses at 1%.  Debt Service fund at 1%, higher than last year.
  
• Master Planning Report
      Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief Operations Officer, said Rhea will break ground soon; The OC: West side open, working on bleachers, flooring about to start on east side.  4 elevators installed and working.  Theater seats and movable walls are on a boat.  NFHS freshman getting close, storm shelter baffles are in, done w/ parking lot.  Phase two dirt under way.  FHS expansion waiting on skylights, most concrete work done.  FHS Ph 2 utility relocation was very tricky.  Themer and Warren about same state, no delays in steel delivery, moving right along.  Warren concrete pour a little behind due to tear-down of transportation center.  Wilson ready for first floor pour, utilities are in.
  
• Safety Audit Report
      Chief Joseph Sanders, Forney ISD Chief of Police, said this is different than the state report, this is every 3 year audit.  This is the first report w/ PD in place.  All campuses including maintenance and transportation were audited, all campuses were in compliance.  Recommendations will be shared w/ campuses after board approval.
  
• Public Comment - there was none.
  
• Approved as one consent item:
  
  
  • Budget Amendment - includes: 23k for employee tracking system; 89k for wireless upgrades approved in prior year; transfer 4k for cheer-leading mat movers; transfer 4k for cooling fans at City Bank Stadium concession stand; transfer 13k for office furniture; transfer 16k for Screencastify site license; transfer 5k for travel expenses; 2k for weapon detection system.  For Debt service:increase by 4.7 mln to pay issuance cost.
    
  • Resolution Regarding Review of Local Investment Policy and Investment Strategies
    
  • Resolution and Adjunct Faculty Agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
    
  • Dallas College MOU
    
  • Texas Tech MOU
    
  • TVCC MOU
    
  • IWU MOU
    
  • Purchase of Cisco Cloud Security Software Subscription - a 3 year license is 123k.
    
  • Furniture, Equipment, and Technology Purchases for FHS Phase II and NFHS Phase II Additions - totals are 600k for FHS, 400k for NFHS.
    
  • Modular Building Relocation Payment - the cost is 176k.

• no action on #9 TASB policy update 121 as a first reading
  
• Heard revision of policy DEC (LOCAL) as a first reading
      Mr. Rick Geer, Chief of Human Services said as have PD, must provide provide mental health leave and quarantine leave
      Superintendent Dr. Terry said if no questions, will be on next agenda as consent item.
  
• Approved EIC (LOCAL) (Class Ranking) as a first and final reading
      Mr. Geer said part of having a standalone virtual academy is being required to enroll full-time students in their own entity.  Changes will allow students be part of top 10%, but not award valedictorian or salutatorian, or top 10.  He requested emergency adoption to not require two readings for approval.
      Sup. Terry said unique situation, had a governor-approved waiver, need this adjustment to help the many kids enrolled in the program.  He also requested approval on single reading.
  
• Approved property and casualty insurance premium payment
      Mr. Chase said belonged to co-op for a long time, they have been good about paying claims, had no problems during snowvid claims. New premiums are up about 937k to 2.7 mln, but also adding The OC, Dewberry and NFHS transportation lot to policy.
      Sup. Terry said everyone has seen insurance prices going up.
  
• Approved resolution related to assignment of campus security personnel
      Mr. Joseph Sanders, Chief of Forney ISD Police Dept. said TX Education Code requires board determine appropriate number officers.  Due to lack of qualified personnel, they have so far (not) acquired an officer for each campus.  PD will continue searching, they are dedicated to safety of students and staff.
      Sup. Terry said legislature put in requirements, but no funding.  FISD would have funding with successful November election, adopting this will move to 1:1 setting.
  
• Held a 57-minute executive session re:
  
  
  • Team of 8 Training
    
  • Presentation of Safety Audit and Deliberation Regarding Safety Audit and Assignment of Campus Security Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 551.076.
    
  • Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Legislative Developments, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 551.071.
    
  • Consultation with Legal Counsel Regarding Participation in Accountability Litigation, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 551.071
    
  • Deliberate Regarding the Ratification of Employment of Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 551.074, Personnel Matters
    
  • Consultation with Attorney, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 551.071

• Again took no action on #9 TASB policy update 121.
  
• no action re: ratification of employment of professional contract personnel
  
• Approved resolution to authorize district to participate as an intervenor in accountability litigation
  
• Announcements
  Thursday, September 21, 2023 Dewberry Elementary Dedication
  September 29-October 1 TASA/TASB Convention
  Monday, October 2, 2023 Monthly School Board Meeting
  Mon-Fri October 9-13, 2023 Students/Staff Fall Break
  Monday, November 6, 2023 Monthly School Board Meeting
  
• Adjourned at 2055