[1.0 Call to Order]
[00:00:05]
>> [BACKGROUND] [NOISE] GOOD EVENING. I HEREBY CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CROWLEY ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CERTIFY THAT WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 551.041 SUBCHAPTER C, GOVERNMENT CODE AS A MINUTE BY THE 73RD LEGISLATURE, PURSUANCE OF PUBLIC NOTICE OF THIS MEETING AND A QUORUM IS PRESENT.
I REQUEST THE OFFICIAL ROLL CALL, PLEASE. MR. KIRCHNER.
TRUSTEE PLACE 1, NEDRA ROBINSON?
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE, PLACE 2, DR. LA TONYA WOODSON-MAYFIELD?
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 3 DR. MIA HALL?
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 4 JUNE W. DAVIS?
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE PLACE 5 RYAN RAY?
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE, PLACE 6.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. MICHAEL MCFARLAND?
>> I EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO EVERYONE, PRESENT FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING.
THE MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE BOARD ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US AS WE CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT, REVIEW INFORMATION AND MAKE POLICY DECISIONS RELATED TO THE EFFECT OF OPERATION OF CROWLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE WILL BE COMBINED TO THE TIME DESIGNATED FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
THE CORMAC COURTESY ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES OR COMMUNICATION DEVICES BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR PROCEEDINGS, AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND FOR YOUR INTERESTS IN CROWLEY ISD SCHOOLS.
AT THIS TIME, WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE AND JOIN US FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? WE ARE GOING TO REARRANGE OUR AGENDA A BIT BUT WE PROMISE YOU WE WILL GET TO EVERYTHING SO IT'S GOING TO BE A BIT OF A REMIX.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH OUR OPEN FORUM,
[5.0 Board President Reviews Open-Forum Regulations / Open Forum]
PER BED LOCAL, THE BOARD SHALL ALLOW 30 MINUTES TO HEAR PERSONS WHO DESIRE TO MAKE COMMENTS TO THE BOARD.IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN FORUM, YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE BY COMPLETING, AND SUBMITTING A SPEAKER CARD ONE HOUR BEFORE THE MEETING BEGINS AND INDICATE THE TOPIC YOU WILL DRESS.
THE SPEAKER CARD IS AVAILABLE AT OUR WEBSITE.
WHEN CALLED, SPEAKER SHALL STATE THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS.
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER THEY REGISTERED TO SPEAK.
COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENTS FOR THE BOARD SHALL BE EMAILED TO THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION TO SPEAK.
ONLY ONE PERSON MAY SPEAK AT A TIME.
RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ARE ALLOTTED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER WILL SIGNAL YOUR REMAINING TIME.
UPON EXPIRATION OF THE TIME LIMIT, YOU'LL BE EXPECTED TO STOP SPEAKING AND COMPLETE YOUR COMMENTS.
GROUPS CONSISTING OF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SHALL APPOINT ONE PERSON TO PRESENT THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE BOARD.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING SPECIFIC NAMES WHILE MAKING COMMENTS.
THANK YOU. MR. KIRCHNER, WHO IS ONLY SPEAKERS TONIGHT?
>> YES, MA'AM. TONIGHT WE HAVE MS. TERRY SHIHAN WHO SIGNED UP FOR OPEN FORUM MS. SHIHAN?
>> DR. MCFARLAND, DR. HALL, THE REST OF THE BOARD.
LAST TIME I APPEAR BEFORE YOU WAS TALKING ABOUT THE DRESS CODE AND YOU WERE VERY KIND AND HELPING OUR COMMUNITY ADDING JEANS, WHICH HAS GIVEN US A LOT OF FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND MENTAL HEALTH POSITIVITY SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
OUT OF RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE, THE COMMUNITY IS ANSWERING THAT WITH THE CROWLEY CLOSET.
WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST MONTH GATHERING DONATIONS OF UNIFORM, SELF-CARE PRODUCTS, WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE ASSURING THAT THE SELF-CARE PRODUCTS WE COLLECT TO CREATE KITS, WILL ALSO AND BE INCLUSIVE OF OUR BIPOC STUDENTS WHO NEED SPECIFIC SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, LOTIONS ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
WE ARE CURRENTLY HOUSED AT RICHARD ALLEY FOR THE CROWLEY SIDE.
WE ARE IN TALKS WITH OTHER SCHOOLS IN FORT WORTH TO TRY TO HAVE SOMETHING THERE TO REACH BOTH SIDES OF THE DISTRICT, BUT WE'RE DOING OUR BEST.
WE HOPE TO WORK WITH DISTRICT OFFICIALS MORE CLOSELY IN THE FUTURE SO WE CAN HELP OUR STUDENTS BETTER.
WE JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE COMMUNITY.
[00:05:01]
JUST SO YOU KNOW, RICHARD ALLEY'S OPEN HOUSE ON THE 10TH, ALL OF YOUR INVITED SINCE WE OPENED UNDER THE PANDEMIC, THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LIKE A TRUE OPEN HOUSE AND WE ARE CREATING A BIG COMMUNITY EVENT WITH FOOD TRUCKS AND BEVERAGE VENDORS.THE MAYOR IS GOING TO COME, CHS IS TRYING TO SEND PEOPLE TEXAS WESLEYAN.
WILL BE SENDING THEIR DANCERS, THE MASCOT RAM, JUST SO WE CAN GET THE STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT COMING BACK TO SCHOOL AS IT WAS INTENDED ORIGINALLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH MS. SHIHAN FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND ALSO FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE IT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS.
[8.0 Consideration and Possible Action Item (s)]
AGENDA ITEM 8.1; PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF MS. OPAL LEE AND THE JUNETEENTH FEDERAL HOLIDAY. MR. KIRCHNER?>> GOOD EVENING, DR. HALL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. MCFARLAND, THIS PRESENTATION THIS EVENING ALIGNS WITH GOAL 2 OF OUR VISION, 2025, STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY.
TONIGHT WE ARE SO VERY EXCITED TO HAVE A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS NOT ONLY BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN TARRANT COUNTY, BUT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS AND AROUND THE NATION.
MS. OPAL LEE IS A RETIRED TEACHER AND COUNSELOR, BUT SHE HAS NEVER STOPPED TEACHING, COUNSELING OR ADVOCATING.
SINCE HER RETIREMENT FROM TEACHING IN 1976, SHE HAS CONTINUED ACTIVELY ADVOCATING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATION.
SHE HELPED ORGANIZE FOR WHAT'S ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND CAMPAIGNED FOR DECADES TO MAKE JUNETEENTH OF FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
SHE PROMOTED THE IDEA BY LEADING 2.5 MILE WALKS EACH YEAR.
THOSE 2.5 MILES REPRESENTED THE 2.5 YEARS IT'S FOR NEWS OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION TO REACH TEXAS.
AT THE AGE OF 89, SHE CONDUCTED A SYMBOLIC WALK FROM FORT WORTH TO WASHINGTON DC, LEAVING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 AND ARRIVING IN WASHINGTON IN JANUARY 2017.
[NOISE] THIS PAST JUNE, AT THE AGE OF 94 HER EFFORTS SUCCEEDED AS A BILL TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.
SHE WAS AN HONORED GUESTS AT THE BILL SIGNING CEREMONY, RECEIVING THE FIRST OF MANY PENS BIDEN USE TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT INTO LAW.
TONIGHT, SOMEONE WHO WAS JUST AT THE WHITE HOUSE IS HERE WITH US IN CROWLEY ISD.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE GRANDMOTHER JUNETEENTH, MS. OPAL LEE. [APPLAUSE]
>> PEOPLE HAVE A TENDENCY TO REARRANGE THINGS AND WATCH THIS.
[APPLAUSE] YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOU ARE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IF YOU'RE NOT 94 YEARS OLD, [LAUGHTER] UNDERSTAND? IT'S A DELIGHT TO BE HERE.
YEAH, I'VE BEEN TO CROWLEY BEFORE.
THE CHILDREN WHO WERE HERE PROBABLY GONE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN, BUT I ENJOYED IT AND I'VE ENJOYED IT TODAY TOO.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE I SHOULD START.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU THAT HAVING A PASSION FOR JUNETEENTH, AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT I WAS BORN IN MARSHALL, TEXAS AND WE'D GO TO THE FAIRGROUND FOR JUNETEENTH.
THERE'D BE SO MANY THINGS, BUT THERE'D BE FOOD [LAUGHTER].
BUT WHEN MY PARENTS MOVED TO FORT WORTH, IT WASN'T.
PEOPLE CELEBRATED WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR BACKYARDS OR AT A PARK, BUT I HAD A MENTOR.
HER NAME WAS LENORA ROLLA, STRAIGHT AS A ROD, NEVER WORE GLASSES, WAS 90 PLUS WHEN SHE PASSED ON.
SHE HAD BEEN INVITED BY A COMMITTEE IN FORT WORTH.
[00:10:05]
THEY WERE CELEBRATING THE 175TH BIRTH I THINK, OF THE CITY, AND ASKED HER TO GATHER THE MATERIALS, THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT BLACKS IN FORT WORTH HAD MADE.SHE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRITTEN, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AND SO SHE STARTED THE TARRANT COUNTY BLACK HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.
I KNOW THAT'S A MOUTHFUL, BUT IT'S LOCATED AT 1050 EAST HUMBOLT STREET AT ILLINOIS IN FORT WORTH AND IT'S GOT A LOT TO OFFER.
YOU GOT TO GO BY THERE SOME TIMES.
WELL, MS ROLLA, WITH A GROUP OF US, STARTED GATHERING THE MATERIALS THAT WAS NEEDED.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS AND WE HAD A CELEBRATION.
THE PAPER SAYS, 30,000 PEOPLE IN A THREE DAY PERIOD, 10,000 PEOPLE A DAY AND DID WE HAVE FUN?
>> NOW FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WE TOOK EXHIBITS TO THE PARK.
DON'T THINK ANYBODY PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO THEM BECAUSE WE WERE HAVING FUN.
THE PARK CLOSED AT 10:00 AND WHAT THEY DO IS PULL THE SWITCH, THE LIGHTS WERE OUT TO GO HOME.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE I HAD NERVE ENOUGH TO GET ON A FLATBED TRUCK AND PUT THAT SWITCH BACK IN? WE PARTIED TILL DAWN [LAUGHTER].
WELL, LIKE IT'S SAID, GYM CHIEF IS A PASSION.
I'M ABOUT 89 AND I GET THEM THINKING ABOUT IT, AND FUMBLING WITH IT.
I ASKED MY PASTOR AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, THE MUSICIANS OF THE CHURCH, COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROY BROOKS AND THEY ALL GOT TOGETHER, AND GAVE ME A SEND-OFF FROM THAT CHURCH.
I WALKED 2.5 MILES TO SYMBOLIZE THAT THE ENSLAVED DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE FREE FOR 2.5 YEARS AFTER THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, THE ENSLAVED IN TEXAS.
THE NEXT DAY, I GOT UP AND STARTED WHERE I LEFT OFF, AND I ENDED UP WALKING FORT WORTH, ARLINGTON, GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS, BALCH SPRINGS, CHOPPER.
PEOPLE WALKED WITH THE SIGNS WITH ME.
BUT MY TEAM SAID, NOT GOING TO DO IT LIKE THAT AND THE REASONING WAS SOMEBODY HAD OFFERED US AN RV SO I CAN RISK BUT THEY RENEGED.
THEY DECIDED WHAT I WAS DOING WAS TOO POLITICAL TO LEAD.
I WOULD ONLY GO WHERE I WAS INVITED AND WHERE THEY HAD JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS.
DO YOU BELIEVE I WAS INVITED ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES? SHREVEPORT, TEXARKANA, LITTLE ROCK, FORT SMITH, DENVER, COLORADO, COLORADO SPRINGS, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, MADISON, WISCONSIN, CHICAGO, ATLANTA, THE CAROLINAS.
I MEAN, I WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
WELL, IF I LEFT SEPTEMBER 2016, I ACTUALLY GOT TO WASHINGTON JANUARY 2017.
WE HAD ASKED PRESIDENT OBAMA TO WALK WITH US FROM THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS HOUSE TO THE CAPITAL.
I DIDN'T GET WHAT I WANTED, BUT I KEPT WALKING AND KEPT ON TALKING.
WELL, WE'VE GOT A PETITION TOGETHER AND SOME 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE SIGNED THAT PETITION TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND WE WERE JUST SO CLOSE.
THE SENATE WAS GOING TO DO IT UNANIMOUSLY AND THEY HAD ONE LONE SENATOR TO DISSENT.
[00:15:07]
HE HAD OFFERED TO HAVE JUNETEENTH INSTEAD OF COLUMBUS DAY. IT DIDN'T FLY.WHEN IT WAS HIS TURN TO SIGN THIS ONE, HE RENEGED.
WE LOST THAT BILL AND WE LOST THE ONE IN THE HOUSE, BUT I WAS AT THE PRESS CLUB.
MAYBE THE SPRING AND THE [INAUDIBLE] WAS THERE.
THE SENATE AUTHORED ANOTHER BILL AND THE HOUSE OFFERED ANOTHER BILL, AND WE WERE OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN.
NOW, WHEN THE SENATE ACTUALLY MADE THAT BILL INTO LAW, OH, I WAS JUBILANT.
OH I JUST KNEW IT WAS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR THE HOUSE TO DO THEIRS.
I SAID MAYBE A YEAR AND THEY CAME THROUGH AND THE THINGS KNOW.
LISTEN, I WANT YOU TO DO THE WHOLE DANCE [LAUGHTER].
I DID ONE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TORQUE, WHATEVER.
[LAUGHTER] WELL, WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER DIONNE, WHO'S MY RIGHT AND LEFT IN ALL THAT SORT OF STUFF, GOT A CALL FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THAT SAYS, THE PRESIDENT WANTS YOU HERE TOMORROW.
I DON'T WALK TO WASHINGTON [LAUGHTER], BUT WE DID THE AFFAIR AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE AND BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
I'M STILL HUMBLED BY IT AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE I KEEP TELLING FOLK, THIS ISN'T A ME THING, IT'S A WE THING [NOISE] AND I'M ASKING EACH OF YOU TO MAKE USE OF [INAUDIBLE] TO CHANGE SOMEBODY'S MIND [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S NOT EASY. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN A DAY, BUT IT CAN BE DONE AND THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO REST ON OUR LAURELS.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE.
THERE'S TOO MANY TOO DISPARAGES [INAUDIBLE] AND OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM NEEDS TWEAKING.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THEIR HISTORY, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SO WE CAN HEAL FROM IT AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF GETTING AWAY WITH THE DISPARITIES WE HAVE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US, AND YOU ALSO NEED TO TELL PEOPLE THAT JUNETEENTH IS NOT A BLACK THING AND IT'S NOT A TEXAS THING, IT IS EVERYBODY'S THING.
NONE OF US ARE FREE UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE [APPLAUSE].
I SAY THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
WE'VE GOT THE HEALTH DISPARITIES; SOME PEOPLE CAN GET DECENT HEALTH CARE AND OTHERS CAN'T.
WE'VE GOT POLICE BRUTALITY AND WE'VE GOT THIS PIPELINE FROM THE SCHOOLS TO THE PRISON.
ALL THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE ARE THE RICHEST NATION IN THE WORLD AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THESE DISPARITIES TO BE AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
YOU CAN'T LEAVE IT TO THE NEXT GROUP OR THE NEXT PERSON.
IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND WE NEED TO BE THE ONES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I KNOW I'M PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, BUT YOUNG PEOPLE, JUST KNOW THAT WE HAVE
[00:20:02]
THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE WORLD AND SHOW THEM WHAT CAN BE ACTUALLY DONE.NOW, I'VE GOT A LITTLE BOOK CALLED JUNETEENTH CHILDREN'S STORY AND I WANT IT IN YOUR LIBRARY, IN YOUR CLASSROOM.
HERE'S [INAUDIBLE] WITH ONE OF THEM.
SHE'S PROBABLY GOT A FIST FULL OF THEM.
HERE THERE'S A HARD COPY AND THERE'S THIS ONE.
SO GET IT FOR THE CHILDREN, THIS IS FOR THE YOUNGER ONES.
I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU I TAUGHT 3RD GRADE 8 YEAR OLDS SO LONG I WAS BEGINNING TO ACT LIKE THEM, AND THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER POSITION, I WAS A [INAUDIBLE] TEACHER.
BUT DR. CHARLES TAYLOR HAS WRITTEN A BOOK CALLED JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION FOR THE UPPER CLASSES, SO THOSE BOOKS, AND I THINK DR. TAYLOR'S BOOK HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, YOU NEED TO GET THE BOOKS SO THE CHILDREN CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES.
YOU NEED TO BE SURE, AND THERE ARE OTHER WAYS AND MEANS.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THIS LITTLE STORY TOO, I HAVE A TREMOR IN MY HAND AND I WENT TO THE DOCTOR WANTING MEDICATION AND HE SAYS, "CAN YOU GET YOUR FORK TO YOUR MOUTH?" I SAID, "YES," HE SAYS "YOU DON'T NEED THE MEDICINE." [LAUGHTER] HOW ABOUT THAT.
BUT YOUNG PEOPLE, AND AGAIN, YOU ARE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION THIS EVENING.
IT IS A POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM AND SO IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING MS. OPAL LEE THE JUNETEENTH FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND THE OPAL LEE DAY OF ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE IN CROWLEY ISD AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOTION TRUSTEE ROBINSON, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECOND TRUSTEE REIN. MOVE TO VOTE PLEASE.
>> THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY [APPLAUSE].
IF YOU ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION TO YOU, RECOGNIZING OPAL LEE THE JUNETEENTH FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND THE OPAL LEE DAY OF ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE IN CROWLEY ISD.
WHEREAS MS. OPAL LEE OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THROUGH HER MANY YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION ENSURED THAT JUNETEENTH BECOME A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY.
WHEREAS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 17TH, 2021, THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ANSWERED HER CALL AND WITH MS. OPAL LEE STANDING BESIDE HIM IN THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A NEW FEDERAL HOLIDAY COMMEMORATING THE END OF SLAVERY.
WHEREAS, THROUGH HER TEACHING, ACTIVISM AND DEDICATED CAMPAIGNING, MS. OPAL LEE CHANNELS HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF RACISM AND SEGREGATION TO EDUCATE AND TRANSFORM OTHERS, AND WHEREAS BECAUSE OF MS. OPAL LEE, THE STORY OF JUNETEENTH IS BEING TOLD AND WE CAN USE THIS MOMENTUM TO CONTINUE WORKING TOWARDS UNITY, EQUALITY, AND THE FREEDOM OF ALL PEOPLE.
WHEREAS JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN CROWLEY ISD WILL BE INTENTIONAL, AS WELL AS RECOGNIZE THE ENDEAVORS OF MS. OPAL LEE TO MAKE THIS REALITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, AND WHEREAS IN ADDITION TO CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH, THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO DESIGNATE EVERY OCTOBER 7, THE DATE OF MS. OPAL LEE'S BIRTH AS THE OPAL LEE DAY OF ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE FOR CROWLEY ISD STUDENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
[00:25:02]
THE PREMIER [INAUDIBLE] PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN TARRANT COUNTY, CROWLEY ISD EXTENDS OUR APPRECIATION FROM MS. OPAL LEE'S VICTORY AND ONGOING EFFORTS.WE ARE THANKFUL FOR HER PERSISTENCE, SACRIFICE, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THIS CAUSE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CROWLEY ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES SO HEREBY RECOGNIZE MS. OPAL LEE AND PROCLAIM THAT EVERY OCTOBER 7TH WILL BE THE OPAL LEE DAY OF ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE IN CROWLEY ISD.
ISSUE THIS 29TH DAY OF JULY, 2021 [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND].
>> PUT THAT SCREEN UP AND WE'LL BE READY TO GO.
[NOISE] [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE]
>> DID I SAY THANK YOU? [LAUGHTER]
>> I DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE MY FELLOW TRUSTEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
I HAVE MRS. OPAL LEE, IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE.
I'M DEFINITELY OVERWHELMED AND HONORED TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND TO HAVE YOU HERE AND ALSO RECOGNITION AND DEDICATION OF THIS DAY SO I'M EXCITED.
THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. ANYONE ELSE?
>> I'LL JUST SHARE THE SAME THING.
I'VE BEEN KNOWING MRS. OPAL AND HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HER SINCE MY EARLY DAYS, WORKING WITH THE MINORITY LEADERS AND CITIZENS COUNCIL.
THINK OF THE NAME WITH COMMISSIONER BROOKS AND EVEN IN SCHOOL BECAUSE I'M A PRODUCT OF FORT WORTH ISD AND WE DID LEARN ABOUT JUNETEENTH IN THOSE CLASSES SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
I'LL ECHO MY PRESIDENT FROM THE BOARD.
WE JUST SO APPRECIATE YOU AND YOU ARE A LIVING LEGEND SO IT'S AN HONOR TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE THAT I THINK IS SO APPROPRIATE RIGHT NOW, NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
IN FACT, IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS, AND IN THIS CASE, NEVER DOUBT THE COMMITMENT OF ONE WOMAN MRS. OPAL LEE.
[APPLAUSE] I'LL JUST ADD, I STAND ON YOUR SHOULDERS.
>> JUST AS SUPERINTENDENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, I AM JUST HONORED AND JUST HUMBLED TO BE HERE IN THE DISTRICT AND TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND TO BE ABLE TO MEET YOU PERSONALLY TO SEE YOU, AND JUST TO GIVE YOU YOUR FLOWERS.
NOW, WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE, NOT ONLY THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW ABOUT, WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS YOU'VE DONE THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE, THAT YOU HAVE EXHIBITED LEADERSHIP IN YOUR NORMAL WALK AND SERVICE AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING IS THAT ON OCTOBER 7TH EVERY YEAR FROM THIS POINT FORWARD AND THE BOARD HAS ACTED AND SO ON OCTOBER 7TH, YOUR BIRTHDAY, AGAIN, AS WE MENTIONED, WE WANT TO HAVE ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES ENGAGED IN EITHER ADVOCACY,
[00:30:03]
LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM YOUR LIFE.
WE WILL ALSO MAKE SURE THAT IN EVERY SCHOOL, AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL, WE'LL HAVE YOUR BOOKS IN OUR LIBRARY BECAUSE WE WANT TO TEACH THEM ABOUT YOUR RISE SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND, THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY SET OUT TO BE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND FOR YOUR FAMILY SHARING YOUR TIME WITH US AS WELL AND TAKING DINNER WITH US.
SO THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD IF YOU CAN MAKE TIME FOR US TO SEE YOU AS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY IN ONE OF THESE YEARS FOR THAT DAY OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY.
I THINK WHAT BETTER TIME TO MOVE TO OUR BOARD CELEBRATIONS.
[3.0 Board Celebrations]
WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 3.0 BOARD CELEBRATIONS.ARE THERE ANY BOARD MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE? ANY ITEMS TONIGHT?
>> I JUST WANT TO AND IF ANY OTHER TRUSTEES WERE THERE, I DIDN'T SEE THEM BUT DR. HOLLAND AND I WENT TO DAVID WALKER FOR THE EXTENDED SCHOOL AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT JOINED US, MR. LOCKE, FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL, DR. WILLIAMS, WE HAD A GREAT TIME, RED CARPET, WE CHEERED WITH POM-POMS AND EVERYTHING.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR THE KIDS AND I THINK SOME OF THEM WERE A LITTLE SHOCKED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SCHOOL IN JULY BUT I DIDN'T TELL THEM THAT, SO THAT'S REALLY COOL.
>> THANK YOU TRUST AND VICE PRESIDENT GRASSIA.
I HAD ALMOST FORGOTTEN THAT WE'VE ALREADY HAD OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
IT WAS REALLY EARLY AND I WAS NOT PREPARED.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IT WAS GREAT TO SEE ALL OF THE, I CALL THEM THE LITTLES, ALL OF OUR LITTLES COMING IN.
I KNOW I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T SAY THAT.
I'M A SECONDARY TEACHER IN HEART SO IT WAS GREAT SEEING THEM THERE.
THEY HAD ALL THEIR LITTLE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND SOME OF THEM WERE IN DISBELIEF TOO.
I COULD SEE IT IN THEIR EYES LIKE, "I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RIGHT." BUT THEY WERE EXCITED AND OUR CISD FACULTY FAMILY WAS BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED AND READY TO RECEIVE THEM.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES, THE ACCELERATION, AND THE CLOSING OF THE GAPS THAT WE'RE GOING TO EXPERIENCE FROM THIS CHOICE THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS MADE.
YEAH, IT WAS A GREAT FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL AND WE GET TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN PRETTY SOON.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER CELEBRATIONS THIS EVENING? WELL, I'M GOING TO CELEBRATE.
YOU ALL KNOW, I'M A BIG CHEERLEADER FOR GIRLS IN [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY.
I USED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD IN GIRLS INC.
THEY WERE ONE OF THE PARTNERS THAT I HAD WHEN I OPENED THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IN FORT WORTH MANY MOONS AGO.
BUT IT'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT I FELL IN LOVE WITH AND PROUDLY SERVED FOR SEVEN YEARS.
WELL IN THAT TIME, THEY CREATED SOMETHING CALLED GIRLS IN COLLEGE SHOWER.
EACH OF THE DISTRICTS WHERE THEY PARTNER AND HAVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THEY GIVE GRADUATING SENIORS THAT ARE GOING ON TO COLLEGE, TECHNICAL SCHOOL, OR INTO THE MILITARY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHOWER TO GET THEIR WISHLIST ITEMS THAT THEY NEED AS THEY MOVE ON INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR LIVES.
THIS YEAR, I CHALLENGED OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OUR CENTRAL OFFICE TEAM FAMILIES TO SPONSOR A STUDENT, AND WE CHOSE MRS. KAIA REED FROM NORTH CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE HAD THIS EXTENSIVE WISHLIST.
SHE'S GONE TO PRE-REVIEW A&M, UNIVERSITY IN THE FALL AND EVERYONE HERE CAME OUT FOR HER.
WHEN I CAME ON THAT DAY TO PICK UP HER GIFTS, CATHY HAD BEEN GIVING ME STATUS UPDATES, HOW THINGS WERE GOING, AND SHE'S REALLY GOOD AT THAT.
I WAS ALREADY VERY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT CHRISTMAS WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FROM CROWLEY BECAUSE I KNOW HOW WELL YOU CELEBRATE PEOPLE.
WHEN I GOT HERE, I'M TELLING YOU MY MIND WAS BLOWN.
THERE WAS A REFRIGERATOR, THERE WAS A LAPTOP, THERE WAS A PRINTER, THERE WAS THE BIG KEYBOARD, THERE WAS A TOOL KIT, THERE WAS A SEWING KIT, THERE WAS A FIRST AID KIT, THERE WAS ALL OF HER BEDDING AND VERA BRADLEY BACKPACK AND JUST EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT SHE WOULD NEED FOR COLLEGE.
WELL, THE OTHER ADDED STEP IS WE PUT A SIGN IN HER YARD.
IF YOU'VE EVER WOKEN UP AND HAD ONE OF THOSE YARD SIGNS IN YOUR YARD.
IT SAID I THINK, "KAYA PV A&M BOUND," OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT WAS THE SCHOOL COLORS HAD THIS IN A PICTURE.
ANYWAY. FAST-FORWARD, LATER ON, THAT DAY WE GO AND I WAS THERE, CATHY JOINED ME, MRS. KUHN SHIK WAS THERE, DR. SETHENSKI THE PRINCIPAL WAS THERE.
[00:35:02]
THERE WAS OTHER PEOPLE. WHO ELSE WAS THERE? YOU WAS THERE.[LAUGHTER] MY SISY OVER HERE, DR. WOODSON MAYFIELD WAS ALSO THERE.
WE GOT TO MEET KAYA AND THE FUNNY THING IS THE WAY THEY SET IT UP, YOU DON'T SEE ALL OF YOUR GIFTS.
YOU GET TO MEET THE PEOPLE, WE HAVE A LITTLE PROGRAM AND THEN THEY DISMISS US AND WE GO STAND BY THE GIFTS.
IT'S LIKE OPRAH WINFREY AND I'M DEFINITELY DATING MYSELF.
BUT IT'S LIKE THAT MY FAVORITE SHOW WHEN EVERYONE GETS GIFTS.
DO YOU ALL REMEMBER THAT? MY FAVORITE THINGS? NO SPRING SHACKLES IN HERE BUT ANYWAY, SO SHE COMES OUT AND WE RECORDED AND TOOK PICTURES AND GOT TO SEE HER FACE AND SHE WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY.
MY CELEBRATION IS JUST A TESTAMENT OF HOW COMMITTED AND DEDICATED CROWLEY ISD IS TO THEIR STUDENTS.
I BELIEVE THAT WE STOOD IN THE GAP FOR THAT FAMILY AND WE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR KAYA.
WHEN SHE GOES TO SCHOOL THIS FALL, SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS AND WHATEVER WE MISSED, WE SENT GIFT CARDS AND MONEY SO THAT SHE CAN GET THOSE ITEMS. NOT ONLY WILL SHE KNOW THAT SHE WAS LOVED WHERE SHE WAS AND THAT SHE HAS A MIGHTY FORCE BEHIND HER, BUT SHE ALSO KNOWS THAT SHE FITS IN WHERE SHE'S GOING.
SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THEN NEXT YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE STUDENTS AT BOTH CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL AND NORTH CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
GET ON THE BANDWAGON AND JOIN US AS WE SPONSOR.
MY OTHER CELEBRATION MS. SHIHAN, I DID NOT WANT TO THROW ANY SHADE.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD BE ALL EXCITED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT BUT I DEFINITELY WANTED TO SHOUT YOU OUT FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE CLOTHES CLOSET THAT'S COMING, IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT OUR FAMILIES NEED.
WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FLAWS, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS SO WE APPRECIATE YOU BRING ANOTHER RESOURCE TO OUR CROWLEY ISD COMMUNITY AND ALWAYS KNOW THAT WE CAN COUNT ON YOU TO BE THERE AS WELL AS THE FORCE THAT YOU BRING.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT IS IT FOR MY CELEBRATIONS.
ARE THERE ANY MORE? HOPEFULLY, WE'RE BACK ON PROGRAM AND WE CAN GO IN NUMERICAL ORDER NOW.
[LAUGHTER] WE'RE NOW AT OUR RECOGNITION ITEMS.
[4.0 Recognition Item(s)]
AGENDA ITEM 4.1, INTRODUCTION OF NEW CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR, MR. KIRCHNER?>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT HALL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND DR. MCFARLAND.
THIS RECOGNITION ALIGNS WITH GOAL 3 OF THE CISD VISION 2025 PLAN, EMPOWERED STAFF.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, YOU, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, HAVE VOTED TO ADD SEVERAL PHENOMENAL LEADERS TO OUR INCREDIBLE GROUP OF CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS AND WE ALL KNOW THAT PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON STUDENT'S SUCCESS AND THEIR LEADERSHIP MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
TONIGHT WE'RE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE AND SOME OF THEM REINTRODUCE THEM IN THEIR NEW ROLE TO YOU.
WE WILL START WITH OUR NEW PRINCIPALS AND RESIDENTS.
AS I CALL YOUR NAME, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE STAND UP.
FIRST FROM DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WELCOME TO THE TEAM PRINCIPAL STEPHANIE GRAVELLY.
[APPLAUSE] MS. GRAVELLY WAS PREVIOUSLY THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT DEER CREEK, AND SHE'S WORKED IN CROWLEY ISD AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR MANY YEARS.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS A TEACHER IN CROWLEY ISD BEFORE BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR, AND ALSO TAUGHT AND LEAD IN GRANBURY ISD.
WE'RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE HER BACK AS AN ADMINISTRATOR AT DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WE ASKED HER WHAT SHE IS MOST EXCITED ABOUT, AND SHE SAID THAT SHE'S EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE FAMILIES AND STAFF OF DEER CREEK AND CISD, AND SHE'S THRILLED TO START THE NEW GLOBAL EXPERIENCE ACADEMY YOU HEARD ABOUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.
WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS EXPERIENCE TO FOSTER WORLD VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY.
TONIGHT, HER SPECIAL GUEST THAT SHE'S BROUGHT WITH HER IS HER HUSBAND, MR. PAUL GRAVELLY.
MS. GRAVELLY [APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE NEW ROLE.
>> UP NEXT, OUR NEXT PRINCIPAL IN RESIDENCE IS AT J.A.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING PRINCIPAL ROXY NORFLIS.
[APPLAUSE] MS. NORFLIS HAS BEEN IN CROWLEY ISD FOR TWO YEARS AND WAS PREVIOUSLY THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT PARKWAY.
SHE HAS 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SHE TELLS US SHE IS MOST EXCITED ABOUT FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY, STAFF, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS AS WE EMBARK UPON AN AMAZING YEAR OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
SHE'S JOINED BY HER HUSBAND, MR. MILDEN NORFLIS [APPLAUSE].
OTHER PRINCIPAL AND RESIDENTS, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT, HER SCHOOL, DAVID L. WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, IS PRINCIPAL NICOLE MONTGOMERY.
SHE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR A MONTH, AND TONIGHT SHE'S WITH HER SON DOING SOME IMPORTANT WORK, BUT WE HAVE HER PICTURE HERE.
THAT'S FROM THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, THE RED CARPET WELCOMES YOU TALKED ABOUT.
MS. MONTGOMERY WAS PREVIOUSLY THE ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL AT CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS IS HER 5TH YEAR IN CISD AND HER 22ND YEAR IN EDUCATION.
SHE LOVES SEEING THE EXCITEMENT IN HER STUDENTS' EYES EVERY DAY, TALKING WITH THE PARENTS IN THE MORNING,
[00:40:01]
AND CREATING A SUPPORTIVE, FUN, AND FAMILY-ORIENTED WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACHERS.GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT WALKER, THE ACCELERATED LEARNING ACADEMY AND A STRONG LEADER THERE IN PRINCIPAL MONTGOMERY.
NOW, FOR OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS BACK TO DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE HAVE MS. KAYLEE SALEE [APPLAUSE].
SHE IS NEW TO THE CROWLEY ISD FAMILY.
SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY A FOURTH-GRADE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER FOR GRANBURY ISD.
SHE TELLS US THOUGH, THAT FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY, CROWLEY ISD HAS FELT LIKE HOME.
"I'M MOST EXCITED TO START MY ADMINISTRATIVE JOURNEY IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FEEL THE PASSION FOR THE WORK, THE VALUE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL, AND THE VISION TO THINK BEYOND TRADITIONAL EDUCATION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING AND GROWING ALONG THE DEER CREEK STAFF AND CROWLEY COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND I'M EXCITED TO BEGIN MY WORK DOING ABSOLUTELY WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR EVERY CHILD." JOIN US IN WELCOMING PRINCIPAL KAYLEE SALEE AND HER HUSBAND, MR. AMIR SALEE [APPLAUSE].
CONGRATULATIONS, WELCOME TO THE TEAM [APPLAUSE].
FROM PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, DELENA BARGANTZ, MS. BARGANTZ.
[APPLAUSE] SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY A MATH INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST, [LAUGHTER] ISS, THAT'S WHAT WE CALL THEM, AT DALLAS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THIS WILL BE HER THIRD YEAR IN THE DISTRICT.
SHE SAID SHE'S MOST EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING AND HAVING EVEN GREATER IMPACT ON BOTH TEACHER AND STUDENTS SUCCESS, AS WELL AS WORKING WITH THE AMAZING TEAM AT PARKWAY.
HER SPECIAL GUEST TONIGHT IS HER DAUGHTER, KENDALL.
[APPLAUSE] AT DALLAS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE HAVE ASSISTANCE PRINCIPAL, DELENA WOODS.
THIS IS HER FIFTH YEAR IN CROWLEY ISD.
SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY THE ELAR INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST AT NORTH CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE'S MOST EXCITED TO WORK WITH OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS AND HELP TO CULTIVATE A LOVE FOR LEARNING THAT WILL LAST THROUGH THEIR ENTIRE TIME IN CROWLEY ISD.
FROM NORTH CROWLEY TO DALLAS PARK, MS. WOODS AND HER SPECIAL GUEST, HER MOTHER, MS. FULTON [APPLAUSE] AT HIGH GRAVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE HAVE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, QUINNTELA KNOX, MS. KNOX.
MS. KNOX HAS WORKED IN CROWLEY ISD SINCE 2013 AND WAS MOST RECENTLY THE INSTRUCTIONAL AND BEHAVIOR COORDINATOR FOR SPECIAL SERVICES.
SHE IS MOST EXCITED ABOUT BEING WITH CHILDREN AND LEARNING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SHE MISSES SEEING THE LITTLE PEOPLE AND WATCHING THOSE LIGHT BULBS TURN ON EVERY SINGLE DAY.
MS. KNOX AND HER HUSBAND, MR. CALLIG KNOX, WELCOME.
[APPLAUSE] FROM DAVID L. WALKER ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, JOSEPH CATO, MR. CATO.
[APPLAUSE] THIS IS MR. CATO'S FIRST YEAR IN CROWLEY ISD.
HE WAS PREVIOUSLY AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN FORT WORTH ISD, AND HE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
HE IS EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE ACCELERATED LEARNING ACADEMY TEAM THAT WILL BE GREATNESS FROM THE GROUND UP.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM, MR. CATO.
[APPLAUSE] LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, WE HAVE THE NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL, MS. KABREA BUNDY.
[APPLAUSE] THIS IS HER FIRST YEAR IN CROWLEY ISD.
SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THE TRAVIS SCIENCE ACADEMY IN TEMPLE AND WAS AN ADJUNCT MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR AT TEMPLE COLLEGE.
SHE IS EXCITED ABOUT SERVING THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES, AND HER NEW COMMUNITY HERE IN CROWLEY ISD.
HER GUEST IS HER SISTER-IN-LAW, MS. KADORR BIRD.
WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] TRUSTEES, I PRESENT TO YOU OUR NEWEST CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS.
WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM ON THE TEAM.
>> WELCOME TO THE CROWLEY ISD TEAM FAMILY.
WE'RE SO HAPPY, AND MOST OF YOU ARE FAMILY MEMBERS ALREADY.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NEW, WELCOME TO OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY.
YOU COULDN'T HAVE PICKED A BETTER DISTRICT TO SERVE IN.
WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LUCK THIS NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
SOME OF US WILL BE ON YOUR FRIENDS SUPPORT THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, SO WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE NOW INTO OUR AGENDA ITEM 4.2, GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING. MR. KIRCHNER.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. MCFARLAND.
OUR FINAL RECOGNITION TONIGHT ALIGNS WITH ALL THREE GOALS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN BECAUSE IT INVOLVES HOW WE FUND AND ACCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING WE DO HERE IN OUR CROWLEY ISD FOR OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY.
WE ARE VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CROWLEY ISD FINANCE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AWARDED WITH AN ACHIEVEMENT IN FINANCIAL REPORTING BY THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
THIS IS THE NINTH YEAR IN A ROW THAT THEY'VE RECEIVED THIS RECOGNITION.
I THINK WE HAVE A GROUP PICTURE OF OUR HARDWORKING FINANCE TEAM THERE.
[00:45:02]
THERE'S REALLY COOL PLAQUE.>> THIS PLAQUE THAT THEY GET EACH YEAR, THEY GET TO ADD THE NEW BADGE.
IT'S SOLID, IT'S REALLY COOL, SO IT'S ON DISPLAY IN OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, SO ADDING THAT NINTH BADGE THIS YEAR.
[APPLAUSE] THIS AWARD IS FOR THE DISTRICT'S COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020.
THIS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN THE AREA OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.
IT'S ATTAINMENT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT BY GOVERNMENT AND ITS MANAGEMENT.
THE CROWLEY ISD FINANCE TEAM THAT YOU SEE THERE INCLUDES STACY ADRIAN, LEON FISHER, NADIA POWERS, CINDY HANKY, SHARON JOHNSON, BRITTANY PEAK, WONDER GENEC, SHANNET WARES, LORE MCCLELLAN, NEDER BRUTON, BRENDA MAYFIELD, ADRIAN MARION, AND SARAH AMADOR.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THEM AND ALSO THANKING THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO ENSURING THAT THE FUNDS THAT OUR TAXPAYERS ENTRUST US WITH ARE SPENT WISELY AND WITH FIDELITY AS WE PROVIDE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS, FINANCE TEAM [APPLAUSE].
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? MS. ADRIAN, I KNOW THAT I REST VERY SOUNDLY AT NIGHT KNOWING THAT YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THE FINANCES AND THE MONIES.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC TEAM.
I DON'T KNOW EVERYONE ON THE TEAM, BUT I SEE YOU HERE AND I KNOW THAT, YOU ALWAYS GIVE US THIS SURPRISE, THEN YOU SAY, "WE'RE GOING TO BE OVER BUDGET THIS MUCH, " AND THEN YOU COME BACK AND THEN YOU TELL US, "BUT WE WEREN'T AND WE GOT EXTRA MONEY. " [LAUGHTER] WE'RE EXCITED AND YOU ALWAYS COME BACK WITH AN AWARD.
THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM [LAUGHTER] FOR DOING SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB, AND YOUR RECOGNITION, AND YOUR ACHIEVEMENT.
I BELIEVE NOW WE ARE AT AGENDA ITEM 6.1,
[6.0 Report Item(s)]
WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR REPORT ITEMS. COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS, DR. MCFARLAND.>> MADAM PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED TO BRING FORWARD THIS NEXT ITEM.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN EQUITY WORK WITHIN OUR DISTRICT FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD WILL HELP US TO REALLY ACCELERATE THE WORK THAT WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN IN THE DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU SIR. GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, DR. HALL, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. MCFARLAND.
THIS EVENING, I HAVE THE GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESENT A GUEST SPEAKER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS KNOWN AS EOS, MRS. DOLORES CAAMANO.
MRS. CAAMANO WILL PRESENT TO YOU A COLLABORATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS AND CROWLEY ISD.
THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF OUR EFFORTS AND OUR COMMITMENT IN BUILDING AND DESIGNING EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF EQUITY, OUR COMMITMENT AS A DISTRICT IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR BRIGHT, AND OUR BRILLIANT STUDENTS OF COLOR, AND LOW-INCOME STUDENTS HAVE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO THE MOST ACADEMICALLY INTENSE HIGH SCHOOLS.
I WAS GOING TO SAY IN AMERICA, BUT IN THE WORDS OF MRS. [INAUDIBLE], I'LL SAY IN THE WORLD PROGRAMS AND TO SUCCEED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.
I'LL NOW TURN IT OVER TO MRS. CAAMANO WHO WILL SHARE HOW EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS WILL ASSIST US THIS ACADEMIC YEAR IN THIS ENDEAVOR. MRS. CAAMANO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME AND IN FULL TRANSPARENCY, I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS, COVID'S A REAL THING, AND I HAVE NOT PRESENTED IN FRONT OF REAL PEOPLE, WELL LIVE PEOPLE, AND SOMETIME VIRTUAL HAS BEEN MY WORLD.
BUT AFTER LISTENING TO YOU, MRS. [INAUDIBLE], YOU GAVE ME LIFE, SO THANK YOU.
JUST LIKE SHE SAID, YOU ALL, THERE ARE DISPARITIES.
THERE ARE DISPARITIES THAT EXIST ACROSS OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR HISTORY THAT SOMETIMES WE FORGET TO ACKNOWLEDGE, WHICH ALLOWS US TO MOVE FORWARD.
THE DISPARITIES WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY ARE THE ACADEMIC AND OPPORTUNITY DISPARITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL COURSES.
IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS, WE WILL GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CENTER STUDENT VOICE.
WE WILL GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CENTER STAFF VOICE AND NEEDS, SO THAT THEY CAN BE THE TEACHERS THEY CAME TO THIS PROFESSION TO BE.
WE WILL ALSO GIVE YOU, THROUGH THE USE OF OUR TOOLS, GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE STUDENTS IN A FULLER, DEEPER WAY.
ALL OF WHICH IS GOING TO HELP YOU FURTHER THE EQUITY WORK YOU ARE ALREADY DOING IN THIS DISTRICT.
I'VE SEEN THAT JUST BY DEEMING A HOLIDAY [INAUDIBLE], I KNOW YOU ALL ARE DOWN FOR THIS WORK.
OUR JOB IS TO HELP YOU DO IT IN AN EFFICIENT WAY AND OPERATIONALIZE EQUITY IN THIS DISTRICT.
[NOISE] LET ME TURN THIS ON, MY BAD.
OUR GOALS TODAY, WHO ARE WE, WHAT DO WE DO AND WHY OUR WORK MATTERS? I AM A TEACHER AT HEART.
I TAUGHT ELEMENTARY AND THEN A YEAR AFTER I TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS, SAME THING, BIGGER BODIES.
IT'S WHAT I DO. I LOVE THE LITTLES. I LOVED IT WHEN HE SAID THAT.
I'M GOING TO START WITH OUR WHY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S JUST IMPORTANT.
[00:50:02]
WE EXIST BECAUSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE NOTICED THAT OUR LOW INCOME AND OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR PARTICIPATE IN OUR MOST ACADEMICALLY INTENSE COURSES AT A MUCH LOWER RATE THAN THE HIGH-INCOME WHITE AND ASIAN PEERS.IT'S A FACT. LET'S CHECK OUT SOME CHARTS.
BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE SEEING GAPS AT THE COLLEGE COMPLETION RATE, SO WHEN YOU CENTER STUDENT VOICE BY TELLING ME ABOUT THE STUDENT [INAUDIBLE].
I GREW UP POOR IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, IN A SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLD.
I WENT TO MIZZOU, M-I-Z [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?
>> YOU WILL KNOW THIS. I GREW UP IN SAN ANTONIO.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK LIKE ME, THERE ARE A LOT OF LATINOS THERE.
I WENT TO MISSOURI AND NOTE THE FACT.
I REMEMBER I WALKED UP TO THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE AND I SAID, "WHERE AM I? LITERALLY, WHERE AM I REPRESENTED IN THIS CAMPUS?" THERE ARE 0.02 LATINOS IN THIS CAMPUS.
IT WAS SHOCKING AND IT AFFECTED MY SENSE OF BELONGING.
IN THOSE COURSES, I FELT LIKE I COULDN'T MESS UP BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE LOOKED LIKE ME.
IF I MESSED UP, MY PEOPLE MESSED UP.
I WANT TO TRANSLATE THAT, I WANT YOU TO KEEP THAT VISION IN MIND AS WE THINK ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
LATINOS LIKE ME, WE HAVE A ONE-IN-FIVE CHANCE OF ACTUALLY GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE ONCE WE'RE THERE.
OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN BLACK STUDENTS HAVE A 23 PERCENT CHANCE, YOU SEE THE GAPS THERE.
GOOD NEWS IS, WE KNOW HOW TO COMBAT THAT.
THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN WHAT STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHAT THEY END UP DOING POST HIGH SCHOOL.
MEET OUR OPPORTUNITY CHART, YOU WILL BE SEEING THIS A LOT IN OUR PARTNERSHIP.
IT ALLOWS US TO PROGRESS, MONITOR OUR PROCESS TOWARD ENSURING THAT YOUR LOW-INCOME AND YOUR STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE IN FACT ENROLLING FOR THOSE COURSES.
THAT IS OUR JOB TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE ABLE TO BREAK DOWN ENROLLMENT BY RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.
JUST LIKE THE NARRATIVE, WHEN IT COMES TO THE GAPS IN COLLEGE COMPLETION, YOU SEE THE SAME NARRATIVES IN OUR COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL.
WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT CROWLEY DATA, SPECIFICALLY YOUR TWO HIGH SCHOOLS.
WE WERE ABLE TO BREAK DOWN WHAT ENROLLMENT CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE FOR YOUR CAMPUSES IN TERMS OF AP AND IB ENROLLMENT, SO AP HERE.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE NARRATIVE IS VERY SIMILAR.
OUR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND, OUR LATINO STUDENTS, AND OUR BLACK AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS DO IN FACT PARTICIPATE AT A MUCH LOWER RATE. THAT'S CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF INTENTIONALITY YOU WILL COME TO EXPECT FROM US.
WE WILL BE MEETING WITH YOUR CAMPUSES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GOAL SETTING APPROPRIATELY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE GAPS DECREASED SO THAT WE CAN DECREASE THE GAPS POST HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT NORTH CROWLEY WHERE OUR LOVELY STUDENT WAS FROM? YOU SEE THE GAPS THERE TOO.
BUT I WANT TO URGE YOU THIS IS NOT JUST A CROWLEY ISD THING, WE SEE IT ACROSS OUR ENTIRE PORTFOLIO.
WE WORK IN 700 HIGH SCHOOLS AND OVER 300 DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THAT IS WHY WE EXIST, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY, AND I'M HONORED TO BE WORKING WITH SUCH A DISTRICT LIKE YOURS THAT IS SO DOWN FOR THE WORK AND ALL YOU NEED ARE THE TOOLS TO DO IT INTENTIONALLY SO WE CAN OPERATIONALIZE IT.
MINDSETS ARE THE HARDEST THING TO SHIFT, AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT SOME OF THOSE MINDSETS ARE HERE TODAY.
I DID NOT GET INTO TEACHING TO HURT STUDENTS OR TO OVERLOOK THEM.
I LOVE MY BABIES. I GOT INTO TEACHING BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE TEACHER, MRS. [INAUDIBLE] WHO MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME.
I WANTED TO BE THE MRS. [INAUDIBLE] TO ALL THE OTHER LITTLES.
WHAT WE ALSO KNOW IS THAT THERE ARE TOOLS AND INDICATORS THAT TEACHERS HAVE BEEN CRAVING, COUNSELORS HAVE BEEN CRAVING, PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN CRAVING THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW I HEARD THERE WERE THREE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE TEACHERS.
I LOVE THAT. THAT IS RARE. I LOVE THAT.
YOU WERE A HIGH-SCHOOL TEACHER RIGHT, MADAM PRESIDENT? WHEN YOU GOT YOUR ROSTER, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BABIES? A LOT OF THINGS TELL ME THEN.
>> I WANTED TO KNOW [INAUDIBLE]. I WANTED TO KNOW [INAUDIBLE]
>> WHAT WAS FUN, THAT'S WHAT [INAUDIBLE] THE FIRST DAY IF YOU WENT. [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU WANTED TO KNOW ALL THEIR BUSINESS, COME AUGUST, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW TOO.
I WOULD GO ON GREAT SPEED AND I WOULD TRY AND LOOK FOR THEIR BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T THERE FOR ME TO TALK TO.
I WOULD FIND THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER.
GPA, TEST SCORE, AND I GOT THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. WHAT WOULD WE DO? I WOULD LOOK TO SEE WHERE THEIR TEACHERS WERE AND I WOULD GO FIND THEM AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE STUDENT.
[00:55:01]
BUT WE KNOW THAT PROCESS IS INHERENTLY FLAWED, BECAUSE TEACHERS EXPERIENCE STUDENTS DIFFERENTLY, AND OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE DEFINITELY EXPERIENCING OUR TEACHERS DIFFERENTLY.HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE INFORMATION TO GET THEIR BUSINESS BEFORE WE EVER MEET THEM? HOW COOL IS THAT? THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU EXPERIENCE TODAY. I'M DONE TALKING.
I'M GOING TO DO MORE INTERACTIVE, SO I NEED EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TO ENGAGE ME, IS THAT COOL? I'M A TEACHER, YOU ALL, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF.
[LAUGHTER] I'M GOING TO READ STUDENT QUOTES.
ALL OF THESE STUDENT QUOTES ARE FROM STUDENTS HERE IN TEXAS, FROM CAPS FROM OUR CURRENT PARTNERS.
ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH US IS THAT WE CENTER STUDENT VOICE.
GONE ARE THE DAYS WHERE WE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT STUDENTS WITHOUT ENGAGING STUDENTS.
THEY'VE GOT TO BE AT THE CENTER OF WHAT WE DO.
NOW YOU HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO SO.
WE ARE GOING TO READ NINE QUOTES FROM STUDENTS HERE IN TEXAS, HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT HOW THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SCHOOL.
I WANT US TO TAKE TURNS. I'LL DO THE FIRST ONE AND IF YOU ALL JUST JUMP IN, WE CAN POPCORN IT OUT.
DEAL? DEAL. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO. I'LL DO THE FIRST ONE.
"I DON'T ALWAYS LEARN FAST LIKE THE OTHER KIDS AND NEED THINGS TO BE BROKEN DOWN OR RETAUGHT TO ME SO I CAN UNDERSTAND IT BETTER." A REAL SOPHOMORES SAID THIS, AS I READ THEM, YOU ALL, THINK ABOUT THE QUOTE THAT REACHES YOU, THAT TOUCHES YOU, THAT POKES YOU, THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO HOLD ONTO IT. NEXT.
>> "AP HAS HELPED ME WORK HARDER BECAUSE I HAVE TO WORK HARDER IN THIS CLASS.
THAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE."
>> "DON'T JUDGE MY INTELLIGENCE BY HOW I LOOK OR ACT."
>> "NOT ALL MEXICANS SPEAK SPANISH AND GET BAD GRADES, SO DON'T JUST ASSUME THAT WHEN WE ARE DOING BAD IN CLASS.
IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE WE DON'T UNDERSTAND AND NOT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE NOT HARD WORKING."
>> "I NEVER THOUGHT I WAS AN AP STUDENT BEFORE MRS. P TOLD ME I WAS.
SHE WAS RIGHT. I AM AN AP STUDENT."
>> "I'D LOVE FOR MY TEACHERS TO HELP ME MAKE IT TO COLLEGE.
MY DREAM IS TO HAVE A DEGREE, MAKE MY FAMILY PROUD, AND DO WHAT I LOVE TO DO, MEDICINE."
>> "I DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEEM UNINTELLIGENT, SO I KEEP MOST OF THEM TO MYSELF."
>> "I FEEL LIKE I DON'T GIVE 100 PERCENT EACH DAY IN CLASS BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE GOING ON AT HOME.
THERE'S TIMES WHEN I DON'T GET ANY SLEEP, DUE TO FIGHTS THAT GO ON AT HOME, BUT I'M REALLY TRYING TO GIVE MY SCHOOL MY BEST.
>> EVERY STUDENT HAS A STORY BEHIND THEM.
I WANT A FEW VOLUNTEERS TO TELL ME WHICH QUOTE STOOD OUT TO YOU, GRABBED AT YOU.
GIVE ME ABOUT TWO AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
WHICH QUOTE RESONATED MOST WITH YOU?
>> I'LL GO. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE ONE THAT I READ ACTUALLY BECAUSE, LET ME SEE.
YES, I DON'T ALWAYS LEARN FAST LIKE THE OTHER KIDS AND NEED THINGS TO BE BROKEN DOWN BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS JUST LIKE HER MOTHER.
I WAS AN A PLUS STUDENT, BUT I HAD TO GO AT MY OWN PACE BECAUSE I PROCESS THINGS A LOT DIFFERENTLY THAN [LAUGHTER] A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I WOULD DO THE WORK, BUT A LOT OF TIMES I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO MYSELF OR BE BY MYSELF TO JUST PROCESS IT OR ASK FOR IT TO BE REPEATED.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT QUOTE.
>> IMAGINE THE POWER OF YOUR TEACHER KNOWING THAT AHEAD OF TIME, SO THAT IT'S NOT PERCEIVED AS JUST NOT GETTING IT.
GIVE ME ONE MORE. WHAT QUOTE STOOD OUT TO YOU ALL?
>> I'VE READ IT, AND I DON'T ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEEM UNINTELLIGENT, SO I KEEP MOST OF THEM TO MYSELF.
I NEVER ASKED QUESTIONS IN CLASS BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME I WAS OFF TASK.
[LAUGHTER] I WASN'T DISRUPTIVE OR ANYTHING, BUT I REALLY WAS, DAYDREAMING, WONDERING, THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, LIKELY DOING THE HOMEWORK FOR THE NEXT CLASS THAT WAS DUE, BUT I NEVER WANTED TO ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SEEM LIKE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
>> EVERY STUDENT HAS A STORY BEHIND THEM AND ALSO THE ONE ABOUT FIGHTING AT HOME.
AS A COUNSELOR, I SPENT A WHOLE LOT OF TIME TRYING TO GET OTHER EDUCATORS TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
[01:00:02]
>> BECAUSE THE KIDS WOULD COME TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE THEIR HOMEWORK AND MY PLEA TO THEM WAS TO TRY TO GET TO KNOW THE STUDENT AND WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEN DON'T BE JUDGMENTAL, SO THAT ONE REALLY RESONATES WITH ME.
>> THAT GOES BACK TO MY SLIDE OF TEACH.
WE ARE NOT OUT TO OVERLOOK STUDENTS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE FULL CONTEXT, SOMETIMES THE ABILITY TO KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING ON.
AGAIN THESE ARE TOOLS THAT HELP YOU SEE STUDENTS.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU I LIED TO YOU.
I SAID EVERY SINGLE QUOTE WAS FROM A STUDENT HERE IN TEXAS.
THAT WAS ABOUT 99.9 PERCENT YOU, I'M SORRY, AND ALLIES ON THE BEST WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
BUT I HAD TO, SO I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THAT LITTLE GIRL AND THAT ONE PERSON SAID.
THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] I WAS OFFENDED BY THAT.
[LAUGHTER] THAT WAS ME WHEN I WAS FOUR.
>> [LAUGHTER] THAT WAS ADORABLE [LAUGHTER].
>> YOU SHOULD SEE MY DAUGHTER WE'RE TWINS.
THIS WAS CLEARLY HALLOWEEN, OCTOBER 31ST, NOVEMBER 2ND, JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, MY FATHER WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, HE WAS A FIREFIGHTER.
THIS IS THE LAST PICTURE I HAVE OF MY CHILDHOOD.
ACTUALLY, I HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND YOU'LL SEE THAT ONE TOO.
AFTER THIS HAPPENED, MY MOM WAS LEFT WITH FOUR KIDS TO RAISE ALL ON HER OWN AND SHE COULDN'T.
BY THE TIME I WAS A LITTLE BIT OLDER THAN THAT, WE WERE COMPLETELY ON OUR OWN.
MY SISTER WAS 12, MY BROTHER WAS NINE, I WAS FOUR, MY LITTLE BROTHER WAS TWO.
THIS WORK CONNECTS TO ME AT MY CORE BECAUSE I WAS A KID, WE'RE GOING TO BE REACHING OUT TOO.
IN THAT QUOTE, I NEVER THOUGHT I WAS AN AP TEACHER BEFORE MRS. PADALECKI, I MENTIONED HER EARLIER, SHE IS MY TRUSTED ADULT, MY PERSON.
TEACHERS WANT TO BE THAT TRUSTED ADULT.
SOMETIMES THEY EITHER DON'T KNOW HOW OR THEY DON'T KNOW HOW STUDENTS FEEL ABOUT THEM FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.
THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL HELP YOU FIND THE MRS. PADALECKI AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR BUILDINGS AND THEY WILL HELP YOU PAIR THEM WITH THE STUDENT WHO PICKED THEM THEMSELVES.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SPEAK FOR KIDS.
LET THEM PICK WHO THEY TRUST, AND WE PAIR THEM AND HAVE THEM TALK AND HAVE THEM PLAN TOGETHER.
MRS. PADALECKI COULD TALK BAD TO ME, BECAUSE I TRUSTED HER.
TRUST IS IMPORTANT HERE. WE HAVE STUDENT QUOTES.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONNECT THE LITTLE ONES WITH THE PEOPLE THEY TRUST.
ULTIMATELY, WHEN SHE SAID YES TO ME, SHE LET ME BE THE EDITOR OF THE NEWSPAPER.
IT OPENED MY EYES BECAUSE I HAD NEVER HAD A YES BEFORE.
HAD A LOT OF NEWS AFTER MY DAD PASSED AWAY. A LOT OF NEWS.
[NOISE] I BECAME THE FIRST PERSON MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.
I GOT THE BILL GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP.
IT PAID FOR 10 YEARS OF MY EDUCATION.
I HAVE NOT PAID $0.01 AND IT'S BECAUSE SHE WAS THERE FOR ME.
GRANTED, I DID ALL THE WORK BUT TO KNOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN THE BACK OF YOUR CORNER, IT'S EVERYTHING.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT OF THIS WORK.
WE WILL SURVEY 9-12, EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, EVERY SINGLE STAFF MEMBER ON YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
WHEN YOU DO THIS WORK AND I'VE SEEN IT IN OTHER DISTRICTS LIKE DR. RANDLES, THE WORK BEGINS TO TRICKLE DOWN BECAUSE YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND YOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO START ASKING HOW ARE THEY DOING IT AT THE HIGH-SCHOOL LEVEL? HOW ARE THEY CLOSING THEIR GAPS? HOW ARE THEY INCREASING THEIR GRADUATION RATES? HOW ARE THEY DECREASING THEIR DISCIPLINE RATES? HOW ARE THEY INCREASING THEIR SCORES OVERALL? THIS MINDSET SHIFT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE YOU ALL WITH THAT EQUITY LENS IS GOING TO BEGIN TO TRICKLE DOWN IN THESE MEETINGS AND IN PLCS MEETINGS AND ALL THAT OTHER GOOD STUFF.
MY LITTLE, MY NEPHEWS, THAT WAS ME WHEN I GRADUATED COLLEGE IN, I WON'T SAY IT.
[LAUGHTER] THE BLUE OF THE TWO IN THE BLUE ARE BOTH IN COLLEGE RIGHT NOW.
THE ONE IN THE WHITE IS THE SENIOR.
THE ONE IN THE PINK, [NOISE] THE LITTLE GROUCHY ONE RIGHT THERE.
I WASN'T ON HERS. I HAVE LIKE FOUR GRADUATIONS AND SHE WASN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.
SHE'S A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.
IT IS NOT ABOUT IF WE'RE GOING TO COLLEGE ANYMORE.
I BROKE THAT STREET FOR MY FAMILY. IT IS ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK, IT IS THAT LONG-TERM EFFECT.
IT IS THAT LONG-TERM OPERATIONALIZING OF ALL THIS, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE MORE KAYAS IN THE WORLD AND I LOVE HEARING THAT FROM YOU ALL.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT EOS, I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT KNOWING MORE AND SEING MORE.
I'M ALMOST DONE. THIS IS AN INSIGHT CARD.
EVERY SINGLE STUDENT WHO SURVEYS, I GET EXCITED BECAUSE I LOVE THIS.
I'VE DONE THIS WORK AS A TEACHER.
YOU GET THIS FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT WHO SURVEYS ON YOUR CAMPUSES.
BEFORE WE HAD TO RELY ON TEST SCORES AND GPA, WHICH ARE INDICATORS, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE END-ALL BE-ALL THEY DON'T TELL THE FULL STORY.
CHECK THIS OUT, BY COMPLETING THE SURVEY.
WE'RE ABLE TO FILL IN SO THAT YOUR TEACHERS KNOW MORE SOONER.
[01:05:02]
JOSUE'S, "SOMETIMES THE QUOTES THAT WE GOT THERE ON THE CARD.SOMETIMES WHEN I TELL PEOPLE AT SCHOOL THAT I WANT TO BE A SURGEON, THEY LOOK SURPRISED.
THAT MAKES ME DOUBT MYSELF, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN MY GOAL SINCE I WAS SIX.
JUST BECAUSE I HAVE AN ACCENT, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I AM DUMB.
I AM SMART. I JUST WISH YOU'D BELIEVE IN ME." WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SOME TEACHERS WHO NEED SOME MINDSET WORK, THAT'S A FACT.
NOT ALL OF US COME FROM THE SAME LIVED EXPERIENCES.
JOSUE GOMEZ IS GOING TO OPEN THEIR HIGHS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR THEM.
A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE THINK ABOUT AP ENROLLMENT AND HONORS, YOU WOULD LOOK AT THAT GP AND SHY AWAY.
WE DON'T WANT TO SET STUDENTS UP FOR FAILURE, AND YET FIVE OF HER CURRENT TEACHERS, FIVE OUT OF SEVEN RECOMMENDED HER FOR AN UPPER LEVEL COURSE.
NO LONGER ARE WE ALLOWED TO STOP AT THE NUMBER.
WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER INDICATORS LIKE MINDSETS, BARRIERS, AND THEIR OWN PERSONAL STORIES THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE ALREADY DOING AND ALIGN ALL OF THE OTHER EQUITY INITIATIVES TOGETHER BECAUSE KNOWING MORE IS BEING ABLE TO DO MORE.
THINK OF THAT CUTENESS. [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU.
I'LL HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET. I KNOW YOU'LL GET THERE.
[LAUGHTER] MY STORY ALL BEGAN WITH A LOT OF NO'S.
NO, YOU CAN NOT HAVE THE PERFECT FAMILY.
NO, YOU CANNOT HAVE THE NICE CLOTHES.
NO, YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS CLASS, A BUNCH OF NRO'S YOU-ALL.
MY PERSON, BUT IT TOOK ONE PERSON TO SAY YES AND THAT FOREVER CHANGED MY NARRATIVE, MY CHILDREN'S NARRATIVES, MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS, MY COUSINS, COUSINS, COUSINS.
OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOU SAY YES, THIS YEAR AND FOR YEARS TO COME, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE FOR YOU ALL.
THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THIS WITH Y'ALL QUESTIONS TOO.
>> WE ARE GOING TO OPEN THE FLOOR, OPEN THAT UP TO QUESTIONS OR ANY TRUSTEES THAT I HAVE QUESTIONS.
>> I GUESS WHAT IS THE PROGRAM.
>> YES. WE HAVE A FOUR-PRONGED MODEL.
WE WILL COME IN AND COLLECT DATA FROM YOU ALL SO WE CAN BUILD THE SURVEY THAT'S SPECIFICALLY SUITED TO YOUR STAFF AND YOUR STUDENTS IN THE FALL AND YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM WILL BE ONBOARDED APPROPRIATELY.
IN THE FALL, WE WILL SURVEY STAFF AND STUDENTS SO THAT COME DECEMBER, NOVEMBER, DEPENDING ON YOUR TIMELINE, WE CAN DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR OUTREACH BASED ON THE TOOLS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE YOU.
WE WILL TELL YOU EVERY SINGLE STUDENT ON YOUR CAMPUS, STUDENT OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME STUDENT WHO SHOULD BE IN A HIGHER LEVEL CLASS BUT CURRENTLY ISN'T SITTING ONE.
WE'LL TELL YOU THAT IN NOVEMBER SO IF YOU WANTED A COURSE CORRECT FOR THE SPRING, YOU CAN.
BUT ULTIMATELY WE'RE HELPING YOU PLAN FOR THE FALL OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR SO WE CAN MAKE SURE YOUR ENROLLMENT IS AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STUDENTS WALKING IN AND OUT OF YOUR HALLWAY.
GREAT QUESTION. THANK YOU. I FORGOT.
WE HAVE, COLLECTING INFORMATION WITH THE SURVEY, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PLAN AND THEN SUPPORT IS A REAL THING.
BY SUPPORT, I DON'T ALWAYS MEAN FOR THE STUDENTS.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE KIDDOS LIKE [INAUDIBLE] WHO HAVE A 3.7 GPA AND FIVE TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE'S GOING TO DO JUST FINE. WE JUST MISSED HIM.
THERE ARE OTHER STUDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO NEED SUPPORT, BUT ALSO YOUR STAFF WILL NEED SUPPORTS.
YOUR AP CLASSES COULD POTENTIALLY GET LARGER SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT STAFF DEVELOPMENT, STAFF EXPANSION AND ALSO MINDSET SHIFT.
WE ARE NOT THE CURRICULUM EXPERTS, BUT WE ARE THE EQUITY EXPERTS.
WE'LL HELP YOU DEVELOP THOSE ADULT MINDSETS WITH AN EQUITY LENS, WHICH WE HOPE WILL TRICKLE DOWN INTO INSTRUCTION, CURRICULUM, ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY AND WHATNOT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I THINK IT MAY BE FOR DR MCFARLAND [LAUGHTER].
ONCE THE STUDENTS COMPLETE THIS INFORMATION AND THE TEACHERS READ IT, IF THERE ARE SUPPORTS NEEDED THAT WE DON'T HAVE, HOW ARE WE GOING TO ADDRESS THOSE?
>> YOU ARE MY HEART, MS DAVIS.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.
>> YEAH. DEFINITELY A GREAT QUESTION AND SO TO YOUR POINT, ONCE WE COLLECT THE DATA, THEN THERE WILL BE A REPORT FOR THE DISTRICT AND THEN WHAT WE WOULD DO IS USE THAT REPORT TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPES OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS ARE NEEDED ACROSS THE BOARD.
WE'LL BE LOOKING AT WHAT OUR TRENDS ARE AND FROM THAT, I BELIEVE WE GET THE REPORT IN DECEMBER OR SO.
>> DEPENDING ON WHEN YOU SURVEY AS SOON AS THE END OF OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.
>> GOT YOU. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SUPPORTS, WHETHER IT'S AVID OR WHETHER IT'S OTHER THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED BASED UPON WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY OR WHAT TEACHERS SAY, THEN WE BEGIN TO MAKE CHANGES FOR THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER AND COULD BE FOR THEIR FOLLOWING YEAR.
BUT AGAIN, IT STARTS OUT WITH A SURVEY OF
[01:10:02]
BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT WHAT IT IS THEY WANT, WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCES ARE, AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES.>> YES AND YOU WILL HAVE A PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR WHO IS SPECIFICALLY ASSIGNED TO YOUR DISTRICT, WHO WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
THINK OF THEM AS ADDED FTE TO YOUR CAMPUS.
THEY WILL DO THE WORK WITH YOU.
>> ONE OF THE OTHER BENEFITS IS THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER DISTRICTS THAT ALREADY ARE PARTNERS WITH EOS AND SO THERE ARE MAYBE A YEAR OR TWO AHEAD OF US AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LEARNED FROM THESE OTHER DISTRICTS.
I KNOW THE MORE CONSOLIDATED AS ONE FOR SURE THAT HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THIS AND MAYBE SEVERAL OTHERS MAYBE YOU CAN MENTION A COUPLE OF OTHER DISTRICTS.
BUT THE IDEA THOUGH IS THAT EVERYBODY'S ENGAGED IN THIS EQUITY WORK.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY WORK, WE FIRST TALK ABOUT ACCESS. THAT'S THE FIRST THING.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE'S DISPARITIES THAT RELATE TO ACCESS AND SO THE FIRST THING FOR US IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE REMOVED THE BARRIERS TO ACCESS.
THEN AFTER ACCESS, THE NEXT STEP IS PERFORMANCE.
WE KNOW ALSO THAT EVEN IF WE GET STUDENTS IN THOSE COURSES, WE HAVE TO ALSO HAVE THE SUPPORTS FOR THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE COURSES.
WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE TEACHERS THAT ARE TRAINED AND THEY CAN DEAL WITH NOT ONLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE AP OR GT TRACK THEIR WHOLE LIVES, WE ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND THAT MAY BE NEW TO THE GT OR AP AND SO THAT'S THE PROCESS AS WELL SO YOU HAVE LIKE A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH AND WE SEE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH EOS AS A WAY TO GIVE US INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS THROUGH SURVEYS AND WE CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEM AND THE OTHER AGENCIES TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A STARTING POINT FOR US PROBABLY.
>> YES. WE HAVE COLLECTED BEST PRACTICES IN REGARDS TO OPENING UP ACCESS, SUPPORT SYSTEMS, DROP POLICIES THAT EVEN IMPACT ENROLLMENT WHEN WE ALLOW STUDENTS TO BAIL OUT SO QUICKLY SO YOUR PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR WILL WALK THROUGH ALL OF THOSE PRACTICES AND POLICIES THAT HINDER STUDENTS FROM HAVING THAT ACCESS AND THAT'S THAT OPPORTUNITY AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU BEST PRACTICES.
LAMAR CONSOLIDATED, ARLINGTON ARE JUST A FEW, BUT YOU ARE JOINING THE LARGEST TEXAS COHORT THAT WE'VE EVER HAD WITH AUSTIN ISD, SPRING ISD, WE HAVE CROWLEY OF TEXARKANA, AND THEN WE HAVE LEANDER ISD.
YOU CAN DO THIS WORK TOGETHER.
I'M JUST EXCITED FOR YOU OUGHT TO BE OUR PARTNER AND NOT HAVE TO DO THIS WORK IN A SILO EITHER.
>> AS A PERSON WHO WORKS SOME EQUITY WORK AND ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT, I GET TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS NOT ONCE, TWICE A MONTH, EVERY MONTH. IT'S VERY EXCITING.
>> THE QUESTION I'M GOING TO ASK YOU IS NOT NECESSARILY MY QUESTION, BUT PERHAPS THE QUESTIONS OF OTHERS.
WHAT IS THE ADDED VALUE IN DOING THIS WORK AND HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS UPON IMPLEMENTATION?
ADDED VALUE IS THAT STUDENT SIDE, STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO OPEN UP AND HAVE MORE INTENTIONAL ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS WITH ADULTS THAT THEY TRUST IN THE BUILDING.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, SOME STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT.
IN THE PAST, WE'VE NEVER REALLY HAD A WAY OF NOTICING THAT PROACTIVELY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN THE NORTH CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL WHO DOESN'T HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT BECAUSE COVID WAS A REAL THING AND THEY FELT DISCONNECTED, I CAN RUN YOU A REPORT SO THAT OUR NEXT STEP IS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THAT STUDENT TO HELP THEM CONNECT TO AT LEAST ONE ADULT IN THE BUILDING.
THERE'S A SOCIOEMOTIONAL WELLNESS PART OF THIS THAT JUST HELP STUDENTS THRIVE.
ANOTHER ADDED VALUE THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IS WHEN YOU INCREASE ACCESS, FOR LAMAR CONSOLIDATED, WE SAW THEIR AP SCORES OVERALL INCREASE BECAUSE WE'RE OPENING UP ACCESS TO STUDENTS WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE THE ENTIRE TIME.
BECAUSE INSTRUCTION HAS TO BECOME MORE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE.
BECAUSE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM LOOK DIFFERENTLY NOW.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LIVED EXPERIENCES.
WHAT DID THEY SAY, WHEN YOU RISE THE TIDE FOR SOME, IT RIDES THE TIDE FOR ALL? THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE AS ADDED VALUE.
ON YOUR SIDE IN TERMS OF WHAT I KNOW IS IMPORTANT TOO IS THEIR TEA REPORT CARD.
THEY HAD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET TO AN A.
THEY HAD BEEN TRYING, THEY'RE AT A SOLID B AND THEY CREDIT THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS AS THAT THING THAT FINALLY MADE THEM AN A.
BECAUSE IT HELPED YOU IMPROVE INSTRUCTION OPEN UP ACCESS, THERE'S A LOT THAT I GET EXCITED ABOUT WHILE TALKING.
I HOPE THAT ANSWERED SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS?
>> I GUESS I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD TO THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS ALSO, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING THE EQUITY WORK, BUT FOR WHERE WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GO, WE HAVE ALSO HAVE A CULTURAL SHIFT THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.
WHEN WE BEGIN THE SURVEY STUDENTS AND GET THE INFORMATION THAT WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN GET FROM THE SURVEYS AND THEN PROVIDE IT TO OUR TEACHERS AND THEN BUILD THE SUPPORTS AROUND IT, IT JUST SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS FIRST AND THEN SECOND, MAKING SURE THEY'RE IN THE MOST RIGOROUS COURSE AS POSSIBLE.
NOW, WE KNOW THAT IF KIDS ARE IN A RIGOROUS COURSE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE.
I THINK BOARD IF JUST TEND TO TAKE YOU BACK TO THE SPRING,
[01:15:03]
THERE ARE A LOT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE TRADITIONALLY, THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ENROLLMENT IN ADVANCE ACADEMICS AND SO THIS PROCESS OF THE SURVEY, AS WELL AS OUR FOCUS ON GETTING MORE KIDS IN ADVANCED COURSES, WILL CAUSE US AT THIS LEVEL TO REALLY LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING, TO SEE HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT THE CULTURE ACTUALLY AFFIRMS AND ACTUALLY SUPPORT THIS MOVE TO TRY TO GET MORE KIDS IN RIGOROUS COURSES.WE JUST THINK THAT THE INFORMATION IS GOING TO BE VALUABLE TO US IN THAT WAY FOR SURE, TO HELP US MAKE DECISIONS.
QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS THAT [NOISE] WITH WHAT STEPHANIE WAS DOING WITH THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL AND THEN MR GILLIES WITH THE GT AND STUFF LIKE THAT, HOW DO THESE TWO PROGRAMS WORK TOGETHER SO THAT WE MAKE IT THAT MUCH BETTER?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND REALLY, SO IF WE GO BACK AND WE THINK ABOUT THE WORK THAT MR GILLIES PRESENTED TO US AND WE WERE ACTUALLY ON THE GROUND.
HE WAS ACTUALLY ON THE GROUND FROM A PRACTICAL STANDPOINT, LOOKING AT WHAT ARE BARRIERS AND WORKING TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS.
THE SAME THING WITH SDL, WE FOCUSED ON THE TRAINING AND A PDS OFFER.
WHAT THIS DOES, THE MISSING PIECE IS, WE GET INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY PERCEIVE AS THE ISSUE.
BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AND SEE, WHAT ARE BARRIERS THAT WE CAN SEE? THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO BEFORE.
BUT WITH EOS, WE'RE ABLE TO FIND OUT FROM STUDENTS, THEIR PERSPECTIVE SO THE SURVEY IS CRITICAL AND ALSO FROM TEACHERS THEIR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT WHAT'S NEEDED.
WE LOOKED AT THE DATA BEFORE IT MADE SOME DECISIONS, BUT NOW WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FULL PICTURE.
THAT'S HOW WE BELIEVE IT WILL HELP WITH THAT.
>> CAN I ADD TO THAT? I THINK IT DISPELS MYTHS TOO BECAUSE THERE ARE ASSUMPTIONS THAT STUDENTS WITH A CERTAIN GPA WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN A HIGHER-LEVEL COURSE.
ONCE WE DISPELLED THAT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, WHICH I'VE SEEN, THEY BEGIN TO TRICKLE DOWN INTO WHAT GT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW WE SELECT STUDENTS FOR THAT AT A VERY EARLY AGE.
NUMBERS AREN'T THE END-ALL-BE-ALL.
STANDARDIZED TESTING AREN'T THE END-ALL-BE-ALL.
ARE THERE OTHER MORE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE WAYS TO BE SELECTING STUDENTS AT A MUCH YOUNGER AGE? THIS WILL HELP START THAT CONVERSATION.
>> YOUR STORY WAS VERY TOUCHING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU TELL THE STORY AS MANY TIMES AS YOU HAVE, OR HOW MANY TIMES IT'S TAKEN YOU TO GET TO WITHOUT CRYING OR WHATEVER.
THE LAST PICTURE WITH YOU AND YOUR TEACHER, I BELIEVE, THE ONLY THING I HAD TO SAY WAS HE HAD A REALLY GOOFY SAN ANTONIO SPURS JACKET ON SO SORRY ABOUT THAT [LAUGHTER].
>> IT WAS EITHER THAT OR THE EYELINER [LAUGHTER].
I SHOW THAT BECAUSE I WAS 14 HERE AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT THEY DO THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR, THEY HAVE A LOW GPA THEIR SOPHOMORE JUNIOR YEAR, IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAD A REALLY BAD FRESHMEN YEAR.
GO BACK AND LOOK AT US WHEN WE WERE 14.
THAT LINER SHOULD NOT DEPICT WHAT I SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE REST OF MY LIFE AND GOES FIRST GO.
I WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION WAS VERY TOUCHING AND THANK YOU TO DR. MCFARLAND AND THE MS. KUNCHIC.
I REMEMBER THIS TIME LAST SUMMER WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS WORK AND WE WERE MEETING WITH STUDENTS WHO WERE NGT, FREEBIE, AP THEN MEETING WITH THOSE STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT, BUT HAD EITHER THE GPA OR THE OPENNESS, WILLINGNESS TO BE IN IT.
I KNOW WE TALK WITH STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT IN THE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY OR STUDENTS WHO HADN'T MET WITH THEIR COUNSELORS OR EVEN TALKED ABOUT COLLEGE OR HAD A COLLEGE VISIT.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT 12 MONTHS LATER THAT THIS WORK THAT WAS STARTED A YEAR AGO DURING COVID ON ZOOM IS COMING TO FRUITION.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT COMES FROM OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS BECAUSE I THINK IT'LL BE GREAT FOR OUR DISTRICT.
WELL, THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMMENTS AND THEIR QUESTIONS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? WILL YOU PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME FOR ME?
>> I WAS A TEACHER. I CAN'T HELP MYSELF.
>> NO, I APPRECIATE THAT. MS. KAMANYO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU.
MS. CLEANSHAKE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR WORK.
THIS NOW MOVES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.
[7.0 Consent Agenda]
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? BOARD MEMBERS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.[01:20:02]
IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING CONSENT AGENDA, IS THERE A MOTION?>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOTION, DR. MAYFIELD, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE RAY, FOR YOUR SECOND. MOVE TO VOTE, PLEASE?
>> YES, WE HAD A MOTION FOR DR.
WOODSON MAYFIELD AND THEN WE HAD A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE RAY.
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THIS NOW BRINGS US TO OUR FUTURE ACTION ITEMS.
[9.0 Future Action Item(s)]
AGENDA ITEM 9.1, BOARD POLICY UPDATE NUMBER 117, DR MCFARLAND.>> MADAM PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS, MS. KUNCHIC IS HERE PREPARED TO ADDRESS THIS ITEM. MS. KUNCHIC?
>> HELLO ONCE AGAIN, MADAM PRESIDENT, HALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. MCFARLAND.
THIS EVENING, THE BOARD IS PRESENTED WITH LOCAL AND LEGAL POLICY UPDATE 117, RESULTING FROM CHANGES TO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RULES IN LEGISLATION FROM THE 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
LET ME CATCH MY BREATH. [LAUGHTER] MY APOLOGY I JUST RAN OUT THERE.
THIS BRIEF SUMMARY IS LISTED AS A FUTURE ACTION ITEM AND ALIGNS TO ALL OF OUR THREE GOALS, THRIVING STUDENTS, ENGAGE COMMUNITY, AND EMPOWERED STAFF.
UPDATE 117 WILL HOUSE 26 LEGAL POLICIES AND THREE LOCAL POLICIES THAT ARE IN CURRENT REVIEW AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
LEGAL POLICIED, OF COURSE, WE ALL KNOW DOES NOT REQUIRE BOARD ADOPTION AND THEREFORE IS BEING REVIEWED FOR ALIGNMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
HOWEVER, LOCAL POLICY REQUIRING BOARD ADOPTION IS BEING REVIEWED AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL TO RECOMMEND PROPOSED ACTION TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE THREE LOCAL POLICIES THAT ARE BEING REVIEWED, ARE CH PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION, CV FACILITIES AND DEC, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS LEAVES AND ABSENCES, ALL OF WHICH ARE HOUSED AS AN ARTIFACT FOR YOUR REVIEW IN ESP ASIDE ALL OF THE OTHER DOCUMENTATION YOU WILL NEED.
IN SUMMARY, THE REVISIONS TO LOCAL POLICY CONCERN THE BOARDS DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO APPROVE PURCHASES OR CONSTRUCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THAT SURFACED FROM THE WINTER STORMS THAT WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR.
ALSO IN THIS UPDATE ARE SUBSTANTIAL REVISIONS RECOMMENDED TO THE DISTRICTS LEAVES AND ABSENCE POLICIES.
UPDATE 117 SO THAT YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE TO DATE, WAS RELEASED TO DISTRICT LEADERS FOR REVIEW ON JUNE 16TH.
TODAY, WE PRESENT IT AS A FUTURE ACTION ITEM TO YOU AND ON AUGUST 26 WE'LL RECOMMEND BOARD CONSIDERATION AND ACTION.
THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION ON UPDATE 117 AS A FUTURE ACTION ITEM.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME FROM MS. KUNCHIC REGARDING OUR POLICY UPDATE? I DID HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION OR CLARIFICATION.
WILL WE BE RE-CONVENING OUR BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THESE UPDATES, I KNOW COVID AND WHAT'S HAPPENED SO GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS?
>> YES, WE WILL DO THAT AND WE'LL DO THAT IN AUGUST.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
THIS NOW BRINGS US TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[10.0 Executive Session]
WE WILL AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 55 1.074, TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL 55 1.071, PRIVATE CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD'S ATTORNEY, AND 55 1.072 TO DISCUSS PROPERTY.THE BOARD WILL RETURN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE ARE ADJOURNING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7: 25 PM.
WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION AT 7:54 PM.
GOT CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS, AGENDA 11.1,
[11.0 Consideration and Possible Action Item(s)]
EMPLOYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL,[01:25:03]
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SUMMER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL; IS THERE A MOTION?>> YES. I RECOMMEND MR. JERIN WILLIAMS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SUMMER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL AS RECOMMENDED.
DR. MAYFIELD, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE GRASSIA, MOVE TO VOTE PLEASE?
>> BY A SHOW OF HANDS? ALL IN FAVOR [LAUGHTER]. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ITEM 11.2, EMPLOYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CROWLEY, NINTH GRADE; IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I RECOMMEND ERIN ROBBINS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CROWLEY NINTH GRADE CAMPUS AS RECOMMENDED.
SECRETARY ROBINSON, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECOND VP GRASSIA, MOVE TO VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ITEM 11.3, EMPLOYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT MARY HARRIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I RECOMMEND AMINA SHEARD FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT MARY HARRIS ELEMENTARY AS RECOMMENDED.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOTION, SECRETARY ROBINSON; IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECOND VP GRASSIA, PLEASE VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS.
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ITEM 11.4, EMPLOYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR BEHAVIOR AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES; IS THERE A MOTION?
>> [INAUDIBLE] COORDINATOR FOR BEHAVIOR AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AS RECOMMENDED.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOTION, TRUSTEE RAY, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECOND. VP GRASSIA, MOVE TO VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS. ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE'RE NOW AT AGENDA ITEM 11.5.
BOARD RESOLUTION FOR SALE OF REAL PROPERTY; IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE BOARD RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 309 ASH, CROWLEY, TEXAS 76036, AS PRESENTED.
SECRETARY ROBINSON, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECOND. VP GRASSIA, MOVE TO VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS. ALL IN FAVOR.
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
IF THERE IS NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BRING BEFORE [LAUGHTER] THIS BOARD, THEN WE ARE ADJOURNING AT 7: 57 PM.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.