Regular Meeting, October 8, 2007
Recognitions
FHS swim coach Bruce Eubanks was honored for receiving the "Theron Pickle Lifetime Achievement Award" given by the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. Bruce is one of 19 recipients that havereceived this award since it began in 1998.It is the most prestigious award that TISCA gives its members.
Superintendent of Schools Rick Reedy also recognized Dr. Ron Caloss and his University of Texas at Arlington Superintendency Class. Class members introduced themselves and stated the district in which they work.
County Bond Program
Commissioner Phyllis Cole shared factual information regarding the county’s bond program which includes $235.6 million in transportation/road projects throughout the county (matching funds with cities on projects; $46 million for Frisco); $76.3 million in facilities, including a new Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Placement Center; and $17 million in parks and open space, including the continuation of the plan to link the hike and bike paths of the major cities.
The election is November 6.
Consent Agenda – These items are considered to be routine by the board and were approved under one motion: tax office reports; tax roll for the 2007 tax year; payments to vendors, architects, and contractors; award for preferred approved vendor list; extension of bid for courier services; campus action plans; resolution for extracurricular status of 4-H members; recommendation to purchase district transportation fuel, tires, bus parts, and outside repair services for the 2007-2008 school year; newly trained appraisers for Professional Development and Appraisal System for the 2007-2008 school year; school calendar for 2008-2009 school year (The first day of school is August 25 and the last day of school is June 4. The staff development days are August 18-22, October 13 parent conference, November 24-25, January 16, May 4, June 5. The holidays are September 1, November 26-28, December 22-January 2, January 19, March 16-20, and May 25. Bad weather days are April 13 and May 22.); Board Local Policy Update 81; 2007-2008 FISD Elementary Mathematics Textbook Committee; food service secondary vendor proposal; professional services contract for project manager for construction services; recommendation to approve contract for two-way radio and cell phone communications; recommendation to approve vendors for miscellaneous supplies for the 2007-2008 school year.
Student Achievement Cadre and Initiatives –
Dr. Debra Nelson, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, presented an update on initiatives to deal with student mobility issues and training of teachers. In analyzing data across grade levels, subject areas and sub groups, there is a definite correlation between the length of time a student has been with us and how they perform on the TAKS test. For example, in looking at 11th Grade Math Low SES Subgroup, of the students who had been with us less than 2 years, 36% did not meet the passing standard. Of the students who had been with us more than 2 years, 12 percent did not meet the standard. To help with this mobility piece, we will continue to better assimilate students, which includes assessing where they are in their learning and developing an appropriate and personal education plan. This may include placement in tutoring. We will also continue to provide additional support staff and work with the parent regarding these plans and how we can partner together. In looking at our numbers of inexperienced teachers, we will continue to provide frequent and varied professional development opportunities, including model lessons and team teaching opportunities and team planning time focuses. Instructional specialists and the department chair/team leaders have modified their roles and we are adding personnel to assist in key areas of math, science and reading instruction. In addition, we are better communicating expectations and providing support as needed with funds for enhancement plans and tools to better analyze data.
Public-Private Partnership with FISD, City of Frisco and Hicks Sports Group
Dr. Reedy reported that negotiations have been taking place with representatives of the city and Hicks Sports Group regarding the expansion of the Deja Blue Arena. The goal is to have all agreements approved by various councils and boards in November, with construction beginning within 90 days after those agreements are complete. The plan will be to have the arena ready for use in May of 2009, in time for the graduations of FHS, CHS, LHS and WHS. The estimated cost of the expansion is $36 million which includes all equipment and a 1,000 car parking garage. Hicks Sports Group would contribute approximately $3 million in real estate and approximately $5 million through long-term lease agreement, along with the understanding to develop adjacent real estate. The City of Frisco and FISD would contribute approximately $15 million each using funds from the TIRZ. In addition, FISD will have priority use for all graduations, convocations and service pin ceremonies with no cost to the district. FISD will have 15 additional days per year of usage paying only pre-agreed “direct costs.” No parking costs will be incurred at any FISD event.
Annual Professional Staffing Report
Dr. Linda Bass, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented staffing highlights for the current school year. In looking at experience levels for the new hires for this year, of the 525 hired, 32 percent (165) had no experience; 30 percent (159) had 1-5 years of experience; 21 percent (108) had 6-10 years of experience; 2 percent (13) had 16-20 years of experience; and 1 percent (7) had more than 26 years of experience. Of this year’s 3,757 employees, we have the following breakdown of personnel:
Classroom Teachers - 1,952
Special Education Department - 84
Other Professionals - 426
District Support Personnel - 405
Campus Support Personnel - 887
Contract Personnel - 3
Discussion of Construction Issues
Representatives from Hisaw (Scoggins Middle School), Charter Builders (Stafford Middle School), and Cadence McShane (Career and Technical Education Center) were on hand to discuss the status of their projects and steps being taken to ensure a timely completion. Weather had affected some progress, but time has already been made up, with all completions estimated for June of 2008. Construction updates are posted each month on all FISD projects http://www.friscoisd.org/inside/construction.htm.
Security enhancements at FHS and CHS – All FISD schools except FHS and CHS currently have double door access, which causes visitors to have to enter the office and check in before entering the building. In order to have equity and controlled access, the district will move forward with retrofitting these two campuses.
Press Box consideration for Cotten Softball Field
This is the only field in FISD without a press box. The district will move forward with this addition.
Sale of excess portion of elementary site and purchase of middle school/elementary site – The board approved moving forward with these transactions.
Comparison Groups for 2008-2009
Each year the Human Resources department identifies districts with whom we compete for teachers so that we can conduct market value comparisons. For teacher salaries and benefits those districts will be Allen ISD; Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; McKinney ISD; Lewisville ISD; Plano ISD; and Richardson ISD. For all non-teaching staff comparisons, districts of similar size are utilized. Those are CFB ISD; Keller ISD; Mansfield ISD, McKinney ISD and Richardson ISD.
Staff Reports
Richard Wilkinson reported that Corgan Architects won a TASA/TASB design award for Ogle Elementary. He also reported that he was working with the city and within its processes to convey that we don’t feel that our electronic marquees should have to be off at 6 p.m. They dim at that time, but with many night activities in and around the secondary schools, it is felt to be a valuable communication tool until 10 p.m.
Dates to Remember
October 19 – Chili Challenge at PHP
October 27 – Gary Burns Frisco Fun Run at Frisco Square
November 10 – Community Parade at 11 a.m. for PHP
Regular Board Meeting November 12