Board Notes: May 24, 2021

May 27, 2021

May 24 Northwest ISD Board Notes

The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees met Monday, May 24, 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.

NISD board members DeAnne Hatfield, Mark Schluter sworn in for additional term

Incumbents DeAnne Hatfield and Mark Schluter were sworn in for another term on the Northwest ISD Board of Trustees during a regularly scheduled board meeting on May 24. Hatfield and Schluter will remain in places 1 and 2, respectively.

The NISD Board or Trustees also re-elected Anne Davis-Simpson as president of the board, Steve Sprowls as vice president and Lillian Rauch as secretary.

Schluter, who was first elected to the board in 2006, retained his seat by 64.5% over Kevin Lebanik. Hatfield was elected in 2019 and ran uncontested this year.

NISD to offer only In-Person Learning for 2021-2022 school year

The board voted to approve the administration's recommendation to offer only In-Person Learning for the 2021-2022 school year.

NISD administration explored several learning options before concluding that In-Person Learning would be the only schooling option offered to all NISD students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

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:

Public hearing to discuss 2021-2022 Application for Federal Funded Programs.
Public hearing to discuss 2020-2023 ESSER Funding.
2021-2022 Proposed total tax rate of $1.3363.
First quarter demographic report from Templeton Demographics.
Northwest ISD Education Foundation effectiveness report.
Communications Department effectiveness report.

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

In other action, the board

Approved the 2021-2022 Northwest ISD Compensation Plan but voted to delay approving an employee raise at this time. District leadership was tasked with finding alternative ways to increase the proposed 1% midpoint raise for all existing employees.
Approved a contract with Tyler Technologies for transportation software called Versatrans.
Approved a contract with Communities in Schools of North Texas through June 30, 2022.
Approved a contract to renew student accident insurance with Great American.
Approved an interlocal agreement with TASB for casualty insurance for the 2021-2022 school year.

Recognitions

Trustees recognized Christa Schutz, an ELA teacher from Chisholm Trail Middle School, who was able to save a student who was choking on an orange in her classroom in the middle of a STAAR test. She was able to dislodge the orange and clear the student's airway in a safe manner.

The board recognized Valerie Valadez, a fifth grade science teacher from Clara Love Elementary School, who was named a distinguished award winner in the 2021 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching by the Texas Medical Association.

The board recognized Rhonda Lemieux and Chelsea Davis, educators who run the Agape House Food Pantry out of Chisholm Trail Middle School. These educators realized during the pandemic that food needs were great and swiftly put a plan into action. Each month, they work tirelessly to lower the food insecurity across the district. Not pictured: Jill Harris and Tiffany Santistevan.

Trustees also recognized Corrie Hood and Josh Brown from Huckabee, architects who received recognition at the state level through the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Business Recognition Program.

Trustees also recognized the V.R. Eaton High School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Matt Moore. The ensemble was selected to perform at the 2021 Percussive Art Society International Convention. They will travel to Indianapolis in November to perform a concert in front of students, musical educators and vendors. This is the first NISD percussion ensemble to achieve this honor.

Trustees also recognized Brandon Daugherty, a seventh grade student from Chisholm Trail Middle School, who was recently named the 2021 Communities in Schools (CIS) North Texas Student of the Year. Brandon is pictured here with CIS Program Manager Ryan Hooper from Chisholm Trail Middle School.

Trustees also recognized the district's amazing 2021 Guest Educators of the Year. Each NISD campus had the opportunity to select a guest educator to represent their school. We are thankful for all our guest educators who go above and beyond to serve our NISD student population.

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