Superintendent updates trustees on novel coronavirus response
Dr. Ryder Warren, superintendent of schools, provided a recap with trustees of the district’s response to challenges arising from the novel coronavirus.

The district has put a meal plan for all students in place, and it will soon begin offering educational opportunities for the two-week extended break. These educational opportunities will include both online and physical pick-up lessons for those who lack internet access. An email will be sent to families soon with details; the plans are expected to begin Wednesday. He added that the district is awaiting further guidance for any possible extensions to the break and the district is looking into how to best provide educational services should the break be extended.

Dr. Warren also requested trustees meet for an emergency session Tuesday to address financial issues relating to the extended break, such as ensuring district-employed personnel are paid. The district has also requested companies offering contracted services continue to pay their staff members.

For continued updates on the district response to the novel coronavirus, expect regular emails and visit www.nisdtx.org/coronavirus. 

Next elementary school named Bonds Ranch
Northwest ISD trustees unanimously approved Bonds Ranch Elementary School as the name of the district’s 20th elementary campus, paying tribute to a local geographical area and road near the school.

Bonds Ranch has geographic significance in the Fort Worth and Saginaw areas, signified by Bonds Ranch Road, around where much of the school’s student population will reside. P.R. “Bob” Bonds began a large ranch in the area that bears his family name in 1933, which led to the naming of the road in his ranch’s honor.

Bonds Ranch Elementary School is located in the Berkshire master-planned community near U.S. Highway 287, between Lakemont Drive and Berkshire Lake Boulevard. The school will feature Northwest ISD’s newest elementary design, most recently used in Lance Thompson Elementary School and the currently under-construction Haslet Elementary School replacement.

The new school is scheduled to open at the start of the 2021-22 academic year and will relieve other campuses in the area, such as Schluter Elementary School.

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

  • Q4 2019 Demographic Update
  • 2020-21 Budget Process
  • Board Policy Updates

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

In other action, the board
  • Approved construction delivery methods – competitive sealed proposal – for Bonds Ranch Elementary School and the district’s Network Operations Center to determine the construction manager(s).
  • Approved the adoption of an order authorizing issuance of unlimited tax refunding bonds. Since 2015, trustees have approved seven series of unlimited tax refunding bonds, producing more than $96 million in direct savings for district taxpayers. 
  • Approved the third and final sale of the 2017 bond authorization by authorizing the issuance of $199 million in fixed finance bonds.