Matrice Raven named next principal of Adams Middle School
Trustees unanimously approved Matrice Raven, Ed.D, current principal of Chisholm Trail Middle School, as the next principal of Adams Middle School.

Dr. Raven has served Northwest ISD students in a leadership role since 2014, first as an assistant principal at Chisholm Trail before being named the school’s principal. In her time at the school, she has overseen curriculum and instructional development and coordinated numerous committees, departments and tasks.

In 2015, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals named Dr. Raven a statewide finalist in the Assistant Principal of the Year category following her selection as Region XI Assistant Principal of the Year. Her school leadership and oversight has also led to several campus honors, including the Texas Education Agency’s Exemplary Campus distinction, inclusion in the Texas Middle School Association’s School to Watch list and more.

Dr. Raven will begin her new position after the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year, and the district expects to name Dr. Raven’s successor at Chisholm Trail in the coming weeks.

To read more about Dr. Raven, click here.

New name recommended for next elementary school
Trustees heard a new name recommendation for the district’s 20th elementary school, with the naming committee suggesting Berkshire Elementary School.

Following input from a family with relation to the previously planned name, Northwest ISD decided to re-enter the naming process. Berkshire is the name of the master-planned community where the new elementary school will exist, near U.S. Highway 287. Though the school will reside in the under-development community, its boundaries are expected to extend into the surrounding areas. 

Trustees will formally vote on the name at an upcoming board meeting.

Medical premiums for 2020-21 approved
Trustees approved the district’s medical premiums for the 2020-21 school year, with increases in health care costs correlating to increases in plan costs.

The district offers three medical plan options – high-deductible, core and basic – with 69 percent of staff members enrolled in the high-deductible option for the 2019-20 plan year. In the new medical premiums, the district will continue to offer a $350 per month contribution, one of the largest contribution amounts among school districts in North Texas, while overall premiums will increase to keep pace with increasing health care costs.
 
These premium increases range from $35 for an employee-only high-deductible plan to $342 for an employee and family on the core plan (the most expensive plan offering).

In addition to the health plan updates, the district will change its dental provider from Ameritas to Cigna to increase its provider network and reduce premium costs by 11.5 percent. The district will also change its pharmacy provider network from Maxor to PCA RX. 

For additional information on the premiums and approved changes, please visit the Benefits and Risk Management webpage. District staff members will receive an email with additional information on medical plans and changes.

Reports, discussions addressed by board
District leadership presented the following subjects to the board as a report or discussion:

  • 2020-21 Budget Process Update
  • March Finance and Investment and 2020 Bond Sale
  • Fine Arts Effectiveness
  • Academic Recovery – Part One

To view reports or discussion presentations from board meetings, click here.

In other action, the board
  • Approved Cadence McShane Construction Company as the builder of Elementary School No. 20 following the competitive sealed proposals process.
  • Approved an agreement with the Department of the Navy to establish a Navy National Defense Cadet Corps program. This agreement will create a new pathway for College, Career and Military readiness.
  • Approved a contract renewal with Aramark for food services for the 2020-21 school year.