Forney ISD accepts names for future schools

During its regular Mar. 02, 2020 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met to recognize students, accept donation, plan for new middle & intermediate campus, and elementary schools 8 & 9;

• U.S. Flag - Secondary Student-of-the-Month, Tyler Henry, 11th Grade Student at North Forney High School introduced by Mr. Michael Jung, Principal at North Forney High School, who said Mr. Henry is interested in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, plans to attend a HBCU, interested in black history and empowerment and human rights.   He lived in Baton Rouge.   He served as M.C. for Annual Culture of Excellence.   He's often recommended by teachers, and recognized as a top 20 student.   He mentors other students.
  
• Texas Flag - Elementary Student-of-the-Month, Addyson Smith, 4th Grade Student at Johnson Elementary introduced by Ms. Nancy McElroy, Principal at Johnson Elementary, who said her mom is a teacher, dad is fire-fighter. She plays soccer, likes solving math problems.   Her teachers say she is amazing, honest, hardworking and pushes through to get things done.
  
• Swim/Dive State Qualifiers
  &nbps;   Mr. Neal Weaver, Director of Athletics said this is 3rd year competing at State level.   He introduced coaches, then Skye Hoover, Micah Smith, Bryce Benson, Maddie Belobraydic, Cody Senn and Andrew Gilbert.   Qualified for State Finalists, first year for Forney: Hoover and Smith.
  
• VASE State Qualifiers
  &nbps;   Mr. Mario Luna, Director of Fine Arts introduced: Chloe Apurado, Nicholas Theriot, Mandras Lopez, Claudia Putnam, Kayla Hubbard, Lauren Barbee, Eva Wortham, Michelle Joseph and Skylar Perkins.   He said they competed with 152 works of art, against 32 schools.   They will go to state competition in San Marcos in April.
  
• TSPRA State Communication Awards
      Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief of Information, Innovative and Technology Services, said Forney competed in this Public Relations conference, taking a Gold Star for photography, 4 Gold Stars for Marketing Videos and won highest award in the state for school communications.   She brought up Kristin Zastoupil, Bubba Willis, Dana Curry, Larry Coker.
  
• Accepted Forney Softball Booster Club donation of $7295.00 to Forney High School Athletics
      Mr. Weaver said many parents and volunteers work for FISD's benefit; UIL doesn't allow clubs to pay for travel, funds must be donated to district.   With the softball team being an elite team, they attend invitation-only events.   Rated #4 in the U.S.
  
• held a brief recess
  
• Monthly Financial Report
      Mr. John Chase, Chief Financial Officer, said revenue is expectedly large, tax office might be behind on processing.   Revenue 66%, expenses 57% of budget.   Debt service: payment next month will close this out.
  
• Detailed Summary of Finance Update
      Mr. Chase this is what state provides; based on Oct. enrollment.   The State has updated property tax data; this is the first year they used current data.   They have increased local share, reduced state aid.   Values went up almost 18%.   No real changes in report; M&O aid will be $48 million, I&S aid 434k.   They said when raised homestead exemption from 15k to 25k, state would make districts whole, didn't really happen, as not getting some aid.   Previous report assumed they would be slightly over-paid; now estimate will be underpaid by 1.2 mill, will get it in the Fall.
  
• Program Expansions Report:
      Dr. Judy Webber, Chief of Learner Services shared programs she's excited about.   HB 3 requires full-day Pre-K, 2/3 neighboring districts have done so, they will open that for 2020-21 year.   Due to good planning, they will be able to expand full-day Pre-K.   Been evaluating excess capacity at Lewis, Crosby, Blackburn.   Only 50% of districts provide transportation; ,,, Forney Focus 2.0: working to fill-in gaps, especially in GT (Gifted/Talented) programs, planning Advanced Academics Fine Arts Academy.   Combined dual-language programs.   Advanced academics will be at Blackburn, with accelerated programs, develop skills in art, drama, music, dance and piano.   Will use 6 classrooms in new wing.   GT program: handled by teachers during focus time, will start pull-out program for K-4, where students can work together.   May look at elementary STEM academy.
  
• Master Planning Update
      Ms. Morisak spoke about TIPS projects: Claybon didn't get expansion, will add a hub and small stage; floors are ready for re-work.   Looking at carpet designed for schools.   Large difference in noise levels.   Criswell parent loop - parents will loop around baseball field, hope to pull a lot of traffic off FM740.   Culinary arts, doing refresh on restaurant + new name.   Admin building - phase 1 - prep happens in spring break.   New middle & intermediate school, on the new property (on FM740).   Should be able to go from Devonshire to Lewis when new roads put in.   Two schools in new building, each will have a name and principal.   Super. Terry said saved $4m with shared cafeteria, storm shelter.   Devonshire will have elementary #8, along Raven Hill.   Will be 2-story building, for 900 students.   Gateway elementary #9 will be similar design., replacement for Johnson will be in Overland Grove.   Bids for projects will be let from now until June.   Mr. Carroll asked if carpet would be pilot for other schools - yes.
  
• Public Comment - none
  
• Approved as one consent item:
  • Budget Amendment
    
  • Class Size Waiver
    
  • the Final Reading of the Deletion of Policy DMA Local
    
  • a Resolution by the Board of Trustees of the Forney Independent School District Refunding Penalties and Interest on Delinquent Taxes for Property Identification Numbers 185246 and 191685
    
  • the Devonshire Easements
    
  • the Purchase of Band Uniforms
    
  • the Purchase of Furniture
    
  • the Purchase of Ten Buses
    
  • Purchase of Professional Development with The Flippen Group
    
  • Statement of Impact Form(s) from Charter School(s) Could Have a Major Financial Impact on Forney ISD
    
    
    • CityScapes Schools
      
    • Premier Schools
      
    
    
  • Petition for Addition of Certain Forney ISD Land to Kaufman County Assistance District No. 1, being described as approximately 245.488 acres including North Forney High School
    
  
  
• Approved tasking a 2020 visioning committee for the purpose of strategic planning.
      Dr. Webber said in 2014 FISD brought together employees, students, parents and community, which resulted in the 6 goals have now.   In 2017 people met again, formed Forney Focus 2.0.   Time to review.   Super. Terry said have received nominations and volunteers for committee members.
  
• Approved the pre-kindergarten waiver
      Dr. Webber introduced Ms. Whitley, who said districts could be exempt if require new building, or result in fewer children enrolled, both of which are true here.   State requires solicition of partnerships with qualified entities.   They did so by posting notice on website, and hosting a community meeting, no response to either.   They qualify to request a 3-yr waiver.   Super. Terry said excited for majority to have full-day Pre-K next year, this allows them a waiver if attendance higher than expected.   Mr. Carroll asked if any financial implications for this waiver; no, just a safety net.
  
• Approved construction bids for the Intermediate School #3 and the Middle School #3.
      Ms. Morisak introduced Jeff Fisher from Gallagher to review the bids for this bond project, which include site-work and some structural items.   They received bids for concrete, structural steel, utilities; had good turnout that were competitive.   They total 27 million.   Super. Terry said this is under budget, Mr. Fisher agreed it was a little bit lower than estimated.   Mr Andrews expressed concern about the demolition bid price; Mr. Fisher said they reviewed it with contractor, are comfortable with them.
  
• Approved appropriate action to delegate authority to the Superintendent to select the construction delivery method providing the best value for construction projects.
      Mr. Chase said about 8 methods other than competitive bidding, best price not always best option.   In order to speed up projects, they should delegate procurement method to Superintendent; over 100k still must be approved by board.   Mr. Carroll asked how this differs from what just did on mid/int school.   Mr. Chase said board specified 5 year contract with Gallagher; other projects weren't included in that agreement.
  
• Approved the design schematic and budget for the elementary campus #8.
      Ms. Morisak reviewed the 2 story building, budget 814 million.   Mr. Andrews asked if amount met budget; yes, due to accelerating the project.   Mr. Carroll asked about the addition - it's one-story.
  
• Approved the AIA amendment with Huckabee Architects.
      Ms. Morisak said they've been here since 2017, amend to build elem #8, design for #9 and Johnson, plus welding expansion.
  
• Approved construction contracts for facility renovations.
      Ms. Morisak said these are the TIPS projects shown earlier; these are just construction costs.   These are notes, except for Criswell loop which is bond money.
  
• Approved 6-1 (Andrews nay) the recommended naming of district facilities provided by the committee.
      Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Schools said they asked community for feedback, received a lot, committee worked well as a team.   They have a list for facility names.   Pres. Pharris said committee did a great job of vetting names that were submitted.
  
• Approved full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for 2020-2021 school year
      Mr. Chase said have received 4Q demographics plan, plus the all-day Pre-K, need 27 positions.
  
• Approved granting hiring authority to the Superintendent through September 14, 2020
      Mr. Rick Geer, Chief of Human Services said in past requested this authority during peak hiring period, gives district competitive edge.   Super. Terry said this is a blessing that helps them get quality staff.
  
• Approved the certification of unopposed candidates for the May 2, 2020 school board election
      Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Schools
  
• Approved cancelling the school board election previously set for May 2, 2020
      Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Schools
  
• Held a 69-minute executive session re:
  
  
  • Employment of Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §551.074, Personnel Matters
    
  • Re-Employment of Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §551.074, Personnel Matters
    
  • Consultation with Attorney, Pursuant to Government Code §551.071, Attorney Consultation
    
  • Potential Purchase or Exchange of Real Property and Easements, Kaufman County, Texas, Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code § 551.072

• Approved employment of professional contract personnel as discussed in Closed Session
  
• Approved re-employment of professional contract personnel as discussed in Closed Session
  
• Approved a resolution to determine necessity to acquire property consisting of approximately: (A) 0.67 acres of vacant property, (B) 2.96 acres drainage easement, and (C) 1.67 acres temporary construction easement, near the intersection of fm 740 and Hillside Drive all in the J. Lopez Survey, abstract no.   286, Kaufman County, Texas, by voluntary purchase or the use of eminent domain to condemn property if necessary, authorizing Superintendent to execute all documents necessary.
  
• Monday, March 9 - March 13 - Spring Break
  
• Monday, March 30, 2020 @ 5:30 - Middle and Intermediate School Groundbreaking
  
• Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13, 2020 - District Closed
  
• Tuesday, April 28, 2020 @ 5:30 PM - Elementary School Groundbreaking
  
• Adjourned at 2154