Board Notes: May 10, 2021

May 11, 2021

May 10 Northwest ISD Board Notes

The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees met Monday, May 10, during a regularly-scheduled meeting. This is a recap of the major actions and reports from the meeting. To see every item discussed or voted on, click here.

COVID protocols updated, masks optional beginning June 7

Superintendent Ryder Warren recommended the following changes to the district’s COVID-19 protocols to begin on June 7, 2021 for summer school and for the 2021-2022 school year:

Masks and face coverings will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors;
Visitors will be allowed on campuses; and
Facility rentals will be available again.

After a lengthy discussion, the board ratified the updated guidelines.

District administrators are still in the process of analyzing the guidelines for contact tracing and specific cleaning measures, and any updates to those protocols will be announced later.

“I cannot put into words the pride we feel for our children, our staff members (with an emphasis on our classroom teachers), and our families for following the COVID protocols we initiated to fight the disease,” Dr. Warren said in an email to families.

“Every day of this school year, everyone in our buildings took precautions to protect themselves and each other, and for that we will be ever grateful.”

Site of future elementary school purchased in Northstar Development

The board voted to approve the purchase of 13.4 acres of property within the Northstar development, located east of Highway 287 and north of Avondale-Haslet Road, for $1.3 million.

The development is expected to contain more than 2,200 single family homes, and the land purchase was funded by the 2017 bond program.

Budget workshop looks at financial forecast

Trustees held a workshop as the 2021-2022 budget process continues, taking a look at challenges stemming from the state’s House Bill 3 that overhauled school finance.

Because of further state-mandated tax rate compression and a cap on growth in taxation, Northwest ISD will receive significantly less funding than if the state kept the current tax rate. Additionally, Northwest ISD will contribute a sizable and increased recapture payment (commonly referred to as a “Robin Hood” payment) to the state to distribute to other school districts.

Northwest ISD will continue its budget process for the 2021-2022 school year at coming board meetings.

Reports, discussions addressed by board

District leadership presented the following to the board as a report or discussion item:

ESSER III (Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) program.
2021-2022 Compensation Plan.
2021 Legislative update.
Texan Stadium report.

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

In other action, the board

Canvassed the May 1, 2021 Board of Trustee General Election returns.
Canvassed the May 1, 2021 Bond Election returns.
Approved an agreement with MedStar for first aid services at NISD graduation ceremonies.
Approved a contract with Aramark for food services for the 2021-2022 school year.
Approved a contract with ABM for custodial services for the 2021-2022 school year.
Approved a contract with O’Donnel’s Landscape Services for the 2021-2022 school year.

Recognitions

Trustees recognized Ron and Janet Barnes from the Feeding Wise Kids organization for their generous donation of 2,300 snack packs to help students in-need during the summer months.

The board recognized the Northwest ISD Financial Services team (Brian Carter, Tanda Dovel, and Jonathan Pastusek pictured) for receiving the 2020-2021 Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). The district has been participating in the MBA program — which promotes and recognizes best budget presentation practices in school districts — for 20 years.

Trustees also recognized the Byron Nelson High School competition cheer team for their victory at the 2021 UIL Spirit State Championship. The squad was judged in the areas of crowd leading, fight song, and band dance, and placed first overall in the Division II 6A competition. This is the first state championship for an NISD cheer team. The coaches are Bailey Broadstreet and Tatianna Thornton.

To view photos from Northwest ISD’s board meetings and other district and school events, visit the district Flickr account.