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Northwest Board Notes: Oct. 22 Meeting
The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees met Monday, Oct. 22, during a regularly scheduled meeting. This is a recap of the major actions and reports from the meeting. To see every item that was discussed or voted on, click here.
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New road ramp near Eaton at U.S. 287 discussed
Northwest ISD officials have studied and are pursuing a partnership with necessary agencies to help alleviate traffic near Eaton High School, Adams Middle School and Schluter Elementary School.
The district is working with Tarrant County, the city of Fort Worth and the Texas Department of Transportation to determine the scope and engineering required to extend the southbound service road and relocate the U.S. Highway 287 southbound ramp at Blue Mound Road to allow for exit out of Eagle Boulevard. The goal of the discussions is to have a solution that could be constructed before the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Guaranteed maximum prices approved for Sendera Ranch, Thompson expansions
Trustees approved the guaranteed maximum prices for the expansions of Sendera Ranch and Thompson elementary schools, a combined total of about $12.45 million.
A guaranteed maximum price means the contractor pays for any expenses beyond the agreed-upon contract, insulating the school district from risk. The expansions for both schools are set to be completed by the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Campus improvement plans approved
All campus improvement plans were approved by trustees, following discussion at the previous board meeting on Sept. 24.
Campus improvement plans are submitted by schools as a way to identify challenges and key areas of focus for the school year. To see the plans, click here.
Legislative priorities discussed
Northwest ISD regularly advocates for public education to elected state officials when the legislative session reconvenes on a biannual basis, and trustees discussed their priorities for the upcoming new session.
Examples of proposed legislative priorities include: school finance improvements, accountability and assessment system overhaul beyond high-stakes exams, school safety and security funding, enhanced decision-making abilities at the local level, increased funding to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and improvements to North Texas transportation infrastructure.
To see the proposed priorities, click here.
Financial report discussed
Trustees discussed the district's annual financial report for fiscal year, as required by state law. Northwest ISD maintains a general fund balance of about $95 million, a debt service fund of about $42 million and a capital projects fund of about $120 million.
Northwest ISD's total tax rate is $1.49 per $100 of assessed value, which is below the limitation set by state statue. Financial information and documents can be seen on the district website's financial services section.
School FIRST public hearing held
The district and board held a public hearing, as required by state law, for the state's School FIRST - Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas - process.
Northwest ISD received a district score of 100, the top score possible, and well above the passing score of 60. The score reflects the district's exemplary financial practices.
In other action, the board
- Recognized the finance department for receiving the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting and the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
- Recognized FedEx for their exemplary service assisting career and technical programs during the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show.
- Recognized student artwork by Eaton High School's Taylor Cox, Juan Guzman, Ethan Le, Raegan LeGrand, Colton Pratt, Wyatt Ruten and Kaitlyn Zachary that now hangs in the district administration building.
- Recognized Love Elementary School's Sarah Aldridge and Jen Hall for being named CoServ Teachers of the Month for October 2018.
- Recognized the following Adopt-A-School sponsors: Chuy's Alliance Town Center, Sonic Tehama Ridge and Milestone Home Team, which each support schools within Northwest ISD.
- Approved delivery proposal processes for several projects, including: Elementary No. 21, Eaton High School's addition, the Outdoor Learning Center's drainage and landscaping work, all middle school additions and renovations, all elementary school renovations, and administrative and support service renovations. Proposals for these contracts will be accepted at some point in the future.
- Amended the district's transportation agreement with Reliant to reduce the charge for athletic coach-driven trips, saving the district money. The flat rate is reduced from $124.36 to $100.
- Approved a credit by exam resolution that fits with new state requirements. Northwest ISD uses the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University assessments.
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| Seven Hills Elementary School students led the pledges. |
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| Trustees recognized the financial services staff for receiving multiple recent awards for best practices. |
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| Trustees recognized FedEx staff for their recent assistance with CTE programs during the Alliance Air Show. |
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| Trustees recognized Eaton High School art students for their recent creation of a mural that hangs in the district administration building. |
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| Trustees recognized Love Elementary teachers Sarah Aldridge and Jen Hall for being named CoServ Teachers of the Month. |
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| Trustees recognized Chuy's of Alliance Town Center for serving as a district Adopt-A-School sponsor. |
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| Trustees recognized Sonic of Tehama Ridge for serving as a district Adopt-A-School sponsor. |
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| Trustees recognized Milestone Home Team for serving as a district Adopt-A-School sponsor. |
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