FISD presents 12,000th student
During its regular Nov. 11, 2019 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met to recognize student achievements, introduce the 12,000th student, present Forney Family Award, hear about Mesquite project in FISD.
- Held a 1-hour executive session
- U.S. Flag - Secondary Student of the Month, Rhyan Smith, 8th Grade Student at Brown Middle School, introduced by Principal Dr. Pam Luttrull. She said he's in advanced academic programs, point guard on basketball team, runs track. He has a passion for helping others, leads by example. His actions inspired a teacher to provide a tutoring table.
- Texas Pledge - Elementary Student of the Month, Aaron Chan, 5th Grade Student at Smith Intermediate, introduced by Principal Ms. Courtney Rodriguez. She said he excels in all advanced courses, he is good as solving problems, helps others and shows leadership.
- Veteran's Day Celebration -
Ms. Kristin Zastoupil, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication said they wanted to to recognize staff who were veterans. Twenty filled out the form, eleven planned to come tonight. Six were presented certificates.
- Recognize Texas Association of Student Councils District 3 Regional Advisor of the Year-
Ms. Zastoupil introduced Mr. Phillip Jenkins, History and Geography teacher and presented him a certificate.
- Mr. Pharris said this is a historic moment. Ms. Zastoupil introduced Jaiden Smith-Frost and his family as the 12,000th Student Enrolled on Nov. 05.
- National Merit Commended Students
Ms. Judy Webber, Chief of Learner Services said of 3% of highest PSAT scores qualify for recognition. She introduced Micah Justice, Austin Luke Justice and Christian Pryor.
- National Hispanic Recognition Program
Ms. Webber said the NHRP selects 5000 from the 400,000 Hispanic Juniors for high PSAT scores. She introduced Alicia Simmons.
- Forney Family Award
Ms. Zastoupil said this is presented to person or group who demonstrate Forney Values through acts of service. Staff told her about a student and family who helped another family in need. They made brownies and jewelry to raise money to help a family acquire a car. She introduced Isabella Aviles and family.
- North Forney High School Band UIL State Qualifiers
Mr. Mario Luna, Director of Fine Arts said marching band did very well: 254 5A bands competed, 28 went to area, 5 to state. Forney was one of six to send more than one band to competition.
Drum Majors Natalia Bowman, Emily Fulton, Faith Burnes, Keianah McFadden
- Forney High School Band UIL State Qualifiers
Mr. Luna introduced Braden Dahlem, Alyssa Garrett, Vera Penniston, Emily Owen. FHS is one of two schools who have comteted the last 6 times.
- Recess
- Master Planning Update Report
Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief of Information, Innovative and Technology Services introduced Von Gallagher who updated the board on the four additions. Lewis is farthest along. He showed photos of ICF walls. Staff has great. Criswell roofing project - trying to do noisy items on weekends and breaks. Won't be done by Christmas.
Cliff Keheley, the City Manager of Mesquite, discussed the plans for the new I-20 Corridor developments in the Forney school district. They have named the area Trinity Pointe, E. of Trinity River and W. of 2932. Mesquite is not actively annexing anyone who does not request it. Polo Ridge has been in works for a decade; building is using a PID, a variety of lot sizes, 1016 lots. Spradley Farms is recent, a Municipal Management District is the financing structure, 2500 lots, they have 35 year agreement with developer, starting prices at 325k. Trinity Point Village - Skymark on High Country Lane, mostly in Crandall ISD, adjacent to Heartland. Heartland Retail will be first retail development by Mesquite on I20. $24 million of retail will have pads for grocery, restaurants, other retail and office. Trailwind (Heartland North/Parkway) has been considered for 10 years, gone through several developers, 450 lots, starting at 210k. Berkshire Estates (FM 2932) is the farthest in their ETJ, 270 one-acre lots, 280k - 400k.
Mesquite will be adding water lines and a pump station on Wiser Rd. They are working with NTMWD for sewer; the existing single sewer service will be an impediment to development. They plan to increase roadway capacity and add signals. Fire and police - will have a fire station in 2023, new police beat should be here in 5 years. Mesquite and MISD are good partners, hope to do same with FISD. They have a school park program, where every school site has equivalent size park next to it. They look forward to working w/ Dr. Terry and FISD.
Mr. Andrews asked about future school sites - Polo Ridge might, Spradley may not. Mr. Andrews said 1000 lots is a full elementary school. Dr. Terry said they have spoken w/ Spradley Farms and Polo Ridge. Sewer: a trunk serves Heartland, will serve initial sites. Their concern is about other drainage basin further to East for Berkshire and other areas. There will be a need for sewer treatment plant in S. Kaufman County. Andrews asked if have police beat now; yes, but accidents on I20 tend to pull officers away. Dr. Terry said Keheley has been great to work with.
- Monthly Financial Report
Mr. John Chase, Chief Financial Officer said were underpaid about 6 million, just received that. Revenue at 12%, expenses 23%; previous year was 13% & 22%, so similar. Debt service similar rates to last year.
- Quarterly Investment Report
Mr. Chase on hand 42.3 million, rates are 1% to 2.3%
- 1st Quarter Tax Collection Report
Mr. Chase said levy is 69.5 million, 17% over last year. Have have 15% over last 4 years.
- Approved as a single consent item:
- Budget Amendment
- Request for Maximum Class Size Waiver Exemption
- the Payment to Mesquite Regional Day School for the Deaf
- Budget Amendment
- Public Comment - Levi Gordon-LeBeau, a student, spoke about the dress code. He said there appears to be a legal issue with dress code: According to ACLU, gender discrimination in dress code is illegal, so restrictions on boys hair, nail polish or earrings are illegal. Under Title IX, school can't base a dress code on sex stereotypes.
- 2021-2022 school calendar as a first reading -
Ms. Morisak showed last year next to proposed; added professional development day, every month has at least one day off, still get out before Memorial Day.
- Approved resolution appointing member to Kaufman Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
Mr. Chase said rules allow FISD to make one appointment, Mr. Dobbs is current appointee and is chairman of the board. Recommendation is to appoint him 2 more years. Dr. Terry also recommended. Ms. Dobbs abstained.
- Policy CW Local as a first reading
Mr. Rick Geer, Chief of Student Services said this is facilities naming process, want to be sure FISD maintains full control. Changes: states criteria for renaming, and allowing board to rename a full or partial facility. They added another member to have an odd number.
- Policy DEC Local as a first reading
Mr. Geer said TASB likes to condense information. A goal is to provide competitive leave benefits. This would allow non-exempt employees to accumulate up to 20 hours. Also would adjust bereavement leave policy.
- Approved a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring the results of a bond election; and other matters in connection therewith
Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Forney ISD happily announce the winning results and recommended approval. Mr. Pharris thanked the public for speaking loudly that every student should have a seat. - Approved professional contract personnel As Discussed in Closed Session
16) ANNOUNCEMENTS
A) Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving Break, Admin Closed
Monday, December 2 - Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 7 - Forney Education Foundation Fun Run, Forney Community Park, 9:00 AM
Thursday, December 19 - Christmas Open House in the Boardroom at Administration, 7:30AM - 3:00PM
- Adjourned at 2020
meeting_date:
Monday, 2019, November 11