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>> GOOD EVENING. I HEREBY CALL TO ORDER THE CALLED MEETING OF
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THE CROWLEY ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CERTIFY THAT WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 551.041 SUB-CHAPTER C GOVERNMENT CODE AS AMENDED BY THE 73RD LEGISLATURE PURSUANT TO PUBLIC NOTICE OF THIS MEETING, AND A QUORUM IS PRESENT.I REQUEST THE OFFICIAL ROLL CALL, PLEASE, MR. KIRSHNER.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. TRUSTEE PLACE 1, NEDRA ROBINSON.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 2, DR. LATANYA WOODS AND MAYFIELD.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 3, DR. MAYA HALL.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 4, JUNE W. DAVIS.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 5, DARRYL R. DAVIS, THE SECOND.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 6, GARY GRACIA.
>> TRUSTEE PLACE 7, CLESIA STEVENSON.
>> SUPERINTENDENT, DR. MICHAEL MCFARLAND.
>> THANK YOU, MR. KIRSHNER. 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 EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF CROWLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE WILL BE CONFINED TO THE TIME DESIGNATED FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
DECORUM AND COURTESY ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN EFFECTIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES OR COMMUNICATION DEVICES BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR PROCEEDINGS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND FOR YOUR INTEREST IN CROWLEY ISD SCHOOLS.
WE WILL MOVE NOW TO AGENDA ITEM 2.1,
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OUR BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATE, DR. MCFARLAND.>> MR. PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS, WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED TO BRING FORWARD THIS BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATE.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE'VE HAD A GREAT WEEK OF TRAINING AND PREPARATION.
WE HAVE MR. KIRSHNER HERE PREPARED TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. MR. KIRSHNER.
>> THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. MCFARLAND.
LIKE HE SAID, JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY FROM THE START OF SCHOOL, AND WE TONIGHT JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME QUICK UPDATES WITH YOU ABOUT SOME KEY NUMBERS AND PIECES.
BACK TO SCHOOL IS LIKE A PUZZLE.
LOTS OF PIECES, A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING ON THAT PUZZLE, AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT HERE IN CROWLEY, I SEE THOSE PIECES ARE COMING TOGETHER BEAUTIFULLY.
HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE NUMBERS AS OF TODAY.
OUR STUDENT ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY AT 16,687 AND NEW REGISTRATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED EACH AND EVERY DAY.
WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THAT NUMBER IS IT'S ACTUALLY UP SIGNIFICANTLY FROM LAST YEAR'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
LAST YEAR ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, WE HAD 16,148 STUDENTS.
WE'RE ALREADY A THREE PERCENT AND WE'RE NOT EVEN TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL YET.
WE KNOW THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND IN A FEW SHORT WEEKS, WE KNOW IT'LL SURPASS 17,000 AND THAT GROWTH WILL CONTINUE.
BECAUSE CROWLEY ISD IS THE PLACE TO BE AND FAMILIES ARE COMING HERE AND CHOOSING CROWLEY.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR HR TEAM.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS HIRED AND IN PLACE FOR THE START OF SCHOOL.
IN CROWLEY ISD, NOW WE HAVE 2,174 EMPLOYEES.
WELCOME TO CROWLEY ISD WHERE WE ACT LIKE A FAMILY, AND WE WORK LIKE A TEAM.
THAT NUMBER MEANS WE'RE 97 PERCENT STAFFED GOING INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THANK YOU TO DR. BERRY AND THE HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TEAM.
AS WE'VE BEEN GETTING READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL, DR. MCFARLAND HAS RESUMED AS VERY POPULAR MONDAYS WITH DR. MCFARLAND, AND THEY'RE HELD ON ZOOM EVERY MONDAY AT LUNCHTIME AND AT DINNERTIME.
WE ARE CAPTURING A LOT OF FAMILIES HAVE MORE THAN 400 ATTENDEES ALREADY.
THIS PAST WEEK'S TOPIC, WE HAVE A FULL SCREEN UP HERE FOR YOU TO ALL SEE.
THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC, A LOT OF OUR PARENTS WERE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT.
WE WANTED TO TAKE SOME TIME AND DIVE DEEPER INTO SCHOOL SAFETY.
YOU'VE ALL SEEN THESE POSTERS ALL AROUND OUR DISTRICT AND EVERY BUILDING.
WE HAVE THEM ON OUR ID BADGES.
THIS IS OUR STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL.
THIS IS COMMON LANGUAGE IS NOW USED IN DISTRICT AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE NATION BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT WORDS WE NEED TO USE IN THE EVENT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMERGENCIES.
WE SPENT SOME TIME TALKING WITH OUR PARENTS AND STAFF TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND IF THERE'S A HOLD IN THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL, WHAT THAT MEANS.
REALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE NEED TO KEEP EVERYONE, WE NEED TO HOLD THEM IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, BUT DO BUSINESS USUAL AND KEEP THOSE HALLWAYS CLEAR.
THAT'S COMMON SOMETIMES IF THERE'S A MEDICAL ISSUE AND WE NEED TO KEEP THE HALLS CLEAR, KIDS WILL BE AT SCHOOL AND TEXTING FAMILIES MAY SAY, WE HAD A LOCKDOWN AND REALLY WAS JUST A HOLD AND HERE'S WHY.
WE WANTED TO EXPLAIN THAT LANGUAGE.
WE TALKED ABOUT SECURE IS JUST BRINGING EVERYONE INSIDE IN CASE THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING OUTSIDE EITHER ON THE PROPERTY OR IN A NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE LOCKDOWN IS YOUR TRADITIONAL LOCKDOWN IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING INSIDE THE SCHOOL WHICH NEEDS LOCKS LIGHTS AND OUT OF SIGHT.
THERE'S AN EVACUATE IF WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE BUILDING AND SHELTER FOR THINGS LIKE TORNADO OR ABA TYPE SITUATION.
WHAT TO MAKE SURE PARENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT LANGUAGE, TRUSTEES AS WE CAN COMMUNICATE INCIDENTS OUT TO FAMILIES, WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS LANGUAGE AND MAKE SURE WE DEFINE EACH TIME WHAT THAT MEANS.
WE ALSO REMINDED ALL OF OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO BE SURE TO USE OUR STOPIT APP TO REPORT ANONYMOUSLY ANY SITUATION ESPECIALLY AFTER HOURS,
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THIS HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL TOOL BECAUSE ANYTIME SOMEONE SUBMITS AN ALERT, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR PRINCIPALS, OUR COMMUNICATIONS, OUR SUPERINTENDENT FINDS OUT ABOUT IT.IF THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR SOMETHING HEARS ABOUT, WE CAN GET NOTIFICATION ANYTIME AND IT'S ALL ANONYMOUS.
THAT WAS A VERY POPULAR SESSION.
WE'LL HAVE ONE MORE THIS NEXT MONDAY, WHICH IS THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS, JUST TO ANSWER ANY LAST MINUTE QUESTIONS.
BACK TO THAT PUZZLE, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL IN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, YOU'RE WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR RED CARPET WELCOMES AT ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES.
THIS FLYER IS GOING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, OUR FAITH MINISTERS ALLIANCE, I KNOW IS GOING TO BE HELPING OUT IN GREAT WAYS WITH THAT.
THIS FLYER SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS CROWLEY MONTSORY ACADEMY, OUR NEWEST CAMPUS THAT JUST OPENED.
WE'VE INVITED MEMBERS OF THE PRESS TO BE WITH US THAT DAY.
DR. MCFARLAND WILL BE THERE AS WELL TO WELCOME STUDENTS TO THEIR NEW HOME THERE A CROWLEY MONTSORI.
A LOT OF PIECES OF THE PUZZLE.
THEY'RE ALL COMING TOGETHER REALLY WELL.
THANK YOU BOARD FOR YOUR SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN. DR. MCFARLAND.
>> YES, JUST FOR A SECOND, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO BECAUSE WE HAVE RELIED HEAVILY ON OUR MINISTERIAL ALLIES, OUR FAITH BASED PARTNERS, SO I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL IN THE ROOM TONIGHT.
IF OUR FAITH BASED PARTNERS ARE IN THE ROOM, IF YOU PLEASE STAND.
WE JUST LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU, ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRESENCE.
YOU'VE BEEN CRITICAL PARTNERS IN THIS BACK TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT FOR SURE. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, MR. KIRSHNER AND DR. MCFARLAND.
MR. KIRSHNER, I HEARD THAT BAR YOU DROPPED.
GOOD JOB. [LAUGHTER] I'LL YIELD TO MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THE BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATE. ANYONE?
>> SUPER EXCITED AND IT'S ON MY CALENDAR, SO I'M READY TO DO THE FIST BUMPS AND HIGH FIVE.
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. LOOK FORWARD TO IT.
>> THANK YOU, DR. WOODS MAYFIELD.
>> I'LL SAY SOMETHING JUST COMING TO PRE K AND KINDER PARENTS.
IT IS OKAY IF YOU USE THE BOOHOO ROOM BECAUSE THE FIRST YEAR I WAS NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RED CARPET.
I WAS STANDING NEXT TO STACY ADRI AND I WAS LIKE, [LAUGHTER].
HERE CREEK WAS SO LARGE, AND SO I SAID, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO INSIDE.
IF YOU NEED TO USE THE BOOHOO ROOM, DON'T BE ASHAMED. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM SECRETARY.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, TRUSTEES?
>> [INAUDIBLE] WHERE WE END FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT IT'S VERY EXCITING.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE DAVIS. WE'RE GOOD? WE'LL MOVE NOW TO AGENDA ITEM 2.2 BOND FINANCING TEAM UPDATE, DR. MCFARLAND.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS, WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED TO BRING FORWARD THIS NEXT ITEM.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE DEFINITELY PASSED AN EXCITING BOND SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.
WE'RE NOW HERE ON THE SECOND PHASE.
WE'RE HERE WITH MR. FISHER, OUR CFO TO DISCUSS THE BOND FINANCING TEAM AND THE GIVEN UPDATE.
GOOD EVENING, MR. BOARD PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. MCFARLAND.
SOMEBODY ONCE SAID, IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE, IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO WITH THE TEAM.
MANY OF OUR FOUNDATIONAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES IN CROWLEY ISD ARE ABOUT TEAM.
WE EVEN HAVE OUR MANTRA, ACT LIKE A FAMILY.
I'M JUST SO PROUD AND SO HAPPY TODAY TO TALK ABOUT A VICTORY THAT WAS HAD IN CROWLEY ISD TODAY.
WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR PARENTS BEING TEAM MEMBERS OR OUR STUDENTS BEING TEAM MEMBERS OR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY OR OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERS BEING TEAM MEMBERS WITH CROWLEY ISD.
TONIGHT, I AM SO PROUD TO PRESENT.
YOU GUYS DIDN'T KNOW, BUT TODAY, WE ACTUALLY WENT TO MARKET WITH $250 MILLION FOR OUR BOND ISSUANCE, OUR SECOND TRANCHE, IF YOU WILL.
[APPLAUSE] BOARD, AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS PART OF OUR $1.4 BILLION BOND THAT THE CITIZENRY OF CROWLEY ISD APPROVED FOR THE STUDENTS OF THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BUILD THE FACILITIES THAT WOULD REPRESENT EXCELLENCE FOR YEARS TO COME IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO REALLY JUST TALK THROUGH WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED TODAY IN THE SALE OF THAT $250 MILLION BOND ISSUE.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TEAM MEMBERS THAT FACILITATED THAT SALE TODAY JUST A FEW MINUTES. I DIDN'T MEAN TO GO.
[LAUGHTER] BUT LOOK AT THE SCORE. OUR CROWLEY ISD BOND FINANCING TEAM
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IS TWO TO NOTHING VERSUS THE UNPREDICTABLE CAPITAL MARKETS.JUST A QUICK SUMMARY OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, BOTH LAST AUGUST, YOU REMEMBER WE SOLD APPROXIMATELY $450 MILLION WORTH OF BONDS AUGUST 3, I BELIEVE IT WAS, WITH AN ALL IN TRUE INTEREST COST OF 4.55 PERCENT.
TODAY, I'M EXTREMELY PROUD TO TELL YOU BOARD THAT THE $250 MILLION THAT WAS SOLD TODAY HAD A 4.35 PERCENT INTEREST RATE.
AWESOME. THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT THE UNDERWRITING TEAM SECURED ORDERS THAT WERE REALLY THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT WERE AVAILABLE.
THAT'S WHERE YOU SEE THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND HAVING IMPACT, IF YOU WILL.
THE INTEREST RATES WERE LOWERED ON SEVERAL OF THOSE MATURITIES.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANTED OUR UNDERWRITING TEAM TO DO WAS TO REALLY PRESENT THE CROWLEY ISD INSTRUMENTS TO THE MARKET AS A WHOLE.
WE HAD 38 INVESTORS THAT PURCHASED THE 2024 BOND ISSUES, BUT 25 OF THEM WERE ACTUALLY NEW INVESTORS TO CROWLEY ISD BONDS.
THIS IS GOING TO HELP IN FUTURE BOND ISSUANCES.
NOW, UP UNTIL THIS POINT, WE'VE ACTUALLY ISSUED 700 MILLION OF THE 1.4 BILLION.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT $320 MILLION CAP, 20 MILLION TO GO.
WE'RE WELL AHEAD OF SOME OF THOSE PROJECT SCHEDULES THAT THE DISTRICT HAD PLANNED.
BOARD, YOU KNOW SOME OF THE DEVELOPING ISSUES WITH THE APPRAISAL BOARD AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE'RE WELL AHEAD OF THAT ISSUE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, IT WAS A GREAT TEAM EFFORT BY OUR CROWLEY STAFF, OUR ISD STAFF, OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS, OUR CO-BOND COUNCIL, THE UNDERWRITING SYNDICATE, AND THE UNDERWRITER'S COUNCIL.
LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 300 MILLION, IF YOU WILL, LEFT TO BE ISSUED FROM THE 2023 AUTHORIZATION.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST TAKE A QUICK MINUTE TO JUST REFRESH EVERYBODY'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES OF EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE TEAM MEMBERS, AND THEN WE'LL GO AND INTRODUCE THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR, AS YOU SEE, REALLY IDENTIFIES AND ANALYZES THOSE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS AND DEVELOPS A PLAN FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
THE CO-BOND COUNCIL DRAFTS THE BOND RESOLUTIONS, THE INDENTURES, THE LOAN AGREEMENTS, AND OTHER BOND FINANCING DOCUMENTS.
THE SENIOR MANAGER REALLY MANAGES THE PRICING PROCESS AND ALSO SHARES IN SOME OF THE RISK OF THE UNDERWRITING ISSUE, AND THE CO-MANAGER SHARING THE RISK OF UNDERWRITING THE ISSUE WITH THE SENIOR MANAGER AS WELL.
AS OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, BOARD, YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR LONGSTANDING FINANCIAL ADVISOR, MR. JEFF ROBERT OF HILLTOP SECURITIES.
JEFF HAS BEEN WITH US FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS, AND JUST THE SERVICE HAS JUST BEEN UNBELIEVABLE TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE NEXT PARTNER I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE IS OUR CO-BOND COUNCIL, MCCALL, PARKHURST AND HORTON.
CHRIS SETTLE HAS BEEN WITH THAT COMPANY SINCE 2013 AND WORKED WITH CISD SINCE 2013.
WE ALSO HAVE WEST AND ASSOCIATES.
ATTORNEY WEST IS HERE, IS BRIAN? THANK YOU, BRIAN.
>> TONY COULDN'T BE HERE. BRIAN IS HERE.
THIS IS A MINORITY OWNED FIRM, AND THEY COUNSEL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.
THEN OUR CO-MANAGER, SIEBERT WILLIAMS AND SHANK IS REPRESENTED. YEAH, I'M SORRY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. OUR SENIOR MANAGER, SIEBERT WILLIAMS AND SHANK IS REPRESENTED TONIGHT BY KEITH RICHARD.
THESE GUYS HAVE SERVED AS OUR SENIOR MANAGER ON THAT $1.4 BILLION BOND, BUT SPECIFICALLY THE $450 MILLION ISSUANCE OF LAST MAY.
I WANT TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REALLY TALK ABOUT HOW SIGNIFICANT THIS IS.
AT THE TIME OF THAT ISSUANCE, THE $450 MILLION LAST AUGUST, IT WAS THE LARGEST TRANSACTION IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
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THAT'S LIKE EVER EVER.IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS TO BE LED BY A MINORITY OR WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS FIRM.
I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NEW INVESTORS THAT ARE BEING ATTRACTED TO OUR INSTRUMENT.
SIXTY-TWO OF THE 66 INVESTORS FOR THAT AUGUST ISSUE WERE NEW FOR CROWLEY ISD.
WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE LOWER YIELDS COMPARED TO OTHER TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT PRICED ON THE SAME DAY IN THAT AUGUST TRANSACTION.
THEN I'LL GO OVER TO THE CO-MANAGERS, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS REPRESENTED TONIGHT BY MR. CLARENCE GRILL. IS MR. BOWLES HERE? HE DIDN'T MAKE IT TONIGHT. RBC BOARD, AS YOU KNOW, HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCE.
THEY'VE BEEN ONE OF THE ONLY FIRMS TO RANK IN THE TOP FIVE IN TEXAS AS BOTH A SENIOR MANAGER UNDERWRITER AND A MUNICIPAL ADVISOR.
MR. GRILL HAS PROVIDED JUST SOME GREAT INFORMATION TO ME THROUGHOUT THE PROCESSES, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION.
THEN STEVENS, ONE OF OUR CO-MANAGERS IS REPRESENTED TONIGHT BY DR. ALFRED RAY.
DR. RAY IS A LONGSTANDING MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
YOU SEE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, 14 YEARS AT THE CAMPUS LEVEL, EIGHT YEARS AS A SUPERINTENDENT.
HE'S WORKED WITH ALL THESE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON THEIR BOND REFERENDUMS. DR. RAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MORGAN CHASE IS REPRESENTED BY MR. CURTIS FLOWERS TONIGHT.
JP. MORGAN HAS ACTUALLY RANKED AS THE NUMBER 1 NATIONAL UNDERWRITER OF LONG TERM NEGOTIATED MUNICIPAL DEBT IN 2022.
THEY'VE UNDERWRITTEN OVER $33 BILLION IN NEGOTIATED MUNICIPAL OFFERINGS, AND THEIR TEXAS FINANCE BANKING TEAM IS COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 63 PERCENT MINORITIES.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST GIVE EACH ONE OF THESE OUR EXTERNAL TEAM MEMBERS A MOMENT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.
>> PRESIDENT DAVIS, MEMBERS OF BOARD, DR. MCFARLAND.
LET ME START BY SAYING I GOT MY CROWLEY EAGLES COLORS.
[LAUGHTER] IT'S NOT QUITE ROYAL BLUE, BUT I'VE TRIED NORTH CROWLEY AS WELL.
LET ME FIRST SAY THAT THANK YOU ALL.
I'M PROUD AND GRATEFUL TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS GROUP.
I'M PROUD AND GRATEFUL TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH CROWLEY ISD.
EVERYBODY BACK HERE DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS TRANSACTION TODAY AS WELL AS LAST YEAR.
LET ME DO ALSO TAKE SOME TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR. MCFARLAND, MR. FISHER, AND THEIR STAFF.
WITHOUT A BOND ISSUE, THEY'VE GOT MORE THAN A FULL TIME JOB.
WHEN A BOND ISSUE COMES ALONG, WE ASK THEM TO DO A LOT OF THINGS OVER AND ABOVE, AND THEY'VE ALWAYS DONE A GREAT JOB OF REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT.
TAKING THE TIME TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO INFORMATION REQUESTS, GET ON THE PHONE WITH RATING AGENCIES, GET ON THE PHONE WITH UNDERWRITERS, AND TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THE THINGS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS, AND THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB ONCE AGAIN IN DOING THAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL BECAUSE I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT.
I GOT TO TELL YOU, LEON IS INCREDIBLE TO WORK WITH.
HAVING A CLIENT WHO IS SO TIMELY AND JUST GETS BACK TO YOU AND VERY RESPONSIVE, IT MAKES MY JOB A LOT EASIER.
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DISTRICTS TO WORK WITH, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> ON BEHALF OF TANNA TARPLEY, WHO LEADS OUR INTERNAL SECTION IN TERMS OF PUBLIC FINANCE.
SHE WANTED ME TO MAKE CERTAIN I SAID THAT THANK YOU ON HER BEHALF.
SHE COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE SHE'S IN SPAIN, [LAUGHTER] SO I WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN I CAME HERE.
LET ME JUST SAY THIS. YOU SET A DIRECTION.
YOU HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT THAT UNDERSTANDS WHAT EDUCATION IS ALL ABOUT.
WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LOOK AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH AND YOUR PROPERTY TAX VALUES, AND IN TERMS OF THE FACILITIES THAT YOU AS A BOARD ARE TASKING THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH MAKING ARE CERTAIN SECOND TO NONE.
SUPERINTENDENT TASKING HIS FINANCIAL TEAM TO MAKE CERTAIN HE HAVE
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THE RESOURCES ON TO BUILD THESE STRUCTURES THAT WILL LAST AT LEAST 40 YEARS.GREAT JOB. I'M GLAD WESTON ASSOCIATE NOW HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF YOUR TEAM.
CHRIS AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER IN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO WORKING TOGETHER FOR CROWLEY ISD. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, PRESIDENT DAVIS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
DR. MCFARLAND, ON BEHALF OF SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK, WANTED TO DEFINITELY THANK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE DISTRICT AGAIN.
MY COLLEAGUE, NICOLE CONNALLY SERVES AS LEAD BANKER ON THIS. SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
SHE'S ACTUALLY IN AFRICA ON A SAFARI.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I'M HAPPY TO STEP IN IN HER PLACE AND SHOW UP.
AGAIN, IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO THE FIRM.
LAST YEAR'S TRANSACTION, WHICH, AS MR. FISHER MENTIONED WAS THE LARGEST STILL LED BY A MINORITY FIRM FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE.
HELPED PROPEL US TO THE NUMBER 4 RANKING AS A SENIOR MANAGER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, SO THAT MEANT A LOT TO US.
WE REALLY VALUE OUR PARTNERSHIP AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN, SERVE THE DISTRICT.
>> WELL, I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK DR. MCFARLAND, WHO'S BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING SURE HE HAS A DIVERSE TEAM EVER SINCE HE STARTED THIS PROGRAM.
I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THAT.
SPEAKING ON THEIR BEHALF, JP MORGAN, WE ARE A SPONSOR OF THE T3 PROGRAM, WHICH PARTNERS WITH CROWLEY, WHICH WE'VE GIVEN TWO MILLION DOLLARS MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THAT ENDEAVOR TO TRY TO INCREASE EDUCATION AND MOVE KIDS FORWARD.
I WAS JUST SITTING HERE LAUGHING AT ALL OF THE YOUNG LADIES WHO'VE BEEN IN SPAIN AND AFRICA.
I GOT TWO DAUGHTERS AT HOWARD, SO I'M STUCK HERE.
>> HELLO. I'M ALFRED RAY WITH STEVENS INC AND PRESIDENT DAVIS, DR. MCFARLAND AND BOARD MEMBERS, WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
I'M LIKE YOU, BECAUSE THEY'RE GRANDDAUGHTERS, BUT THEY ALL WANT MY MONEY TOO, SO I'M STUCK HERE WORKING.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
THIS IS OUR FOURTH TIME HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE UNDERWRITING SYNDICATE FOR CROWLEY ISD, AND WE FEEL IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
WE APPRECIATE IT TREMENDOUSLY AND ESPECIALLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE WITH THIS TEAM HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT EXCITING.
WE WORK SO WELL TOGETHER, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALWAYS PROVIDING THE BEST FINANCING POSSIBLE FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS AND YOUR TAXPAYERS, AND THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.
WE ALSO LOVE TO SHOW UP AT ALL THOSE GREAT BUILDING OPENINGS, AND I'VE BEEN IN A FEW OF THEM IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DO SO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CLARENCE WITH RBC CAPITAL MARKETS AND TO PRESIDENT DAVIS AND DR. MCFARLAND, IT'S REALLY GOOD AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT, TO SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.
IT REMINDS ME OF WHEN WE START LOOKING AT COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS.
YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN TRANSPARENT DR. MCFARLAND INTO TRYING TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES, AND I'M SO TOUCHED PERSONALLY FOR THAT BECAUSE IN THIS INDUSTRY, WE HEAR THE WORD NO A LOT OR NOT NOW OR YOU'RE ALWAYS QUESTIONED.
WE'RE IN THIS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT NOW IN WHICH SKILLS ARE QUESTIONED, EVEN AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL AS WE APPROACH NOVEMBER.
BUT THIS IS INDICATIVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY, WHAT COULD HAPPEN WITH YOUR KIDS AND BLACK AND BROWN AND OWNERSHIP WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE AND ACHIEVE THE RESULT WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF SIEBERT.
THERE'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, LET'S BE A PART OF IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION, THE BOARD'S VISION IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, NOT ONLY TO SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY, BUT INSPIRING A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF BANKERS THAT WOULD PLACE ALL OF US UP HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I GOT TO SAY ONE OTHER QUICK THING. IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.
WHEN WE HAD OUR BIG MEETING, ONE OF MY EXECUTIVES FROM MARKETING SO I WANTED TO SIT IN ON IT BECAUSE IT'S DONE OVER LIKE A TELECONFERENCE ZOOM.
THEY COULDN'T STOP RAVING ABOUT LEON FISHER.
THEY SAID THAT IS ONE OF THE SHARPEST MEN OUT THERE.
THEY WERE TELLING ME, WHO IS THAT GUY? THIS IS THE CFO FROM CROWLEY ISD.
THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. THESE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
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AGAIN, BOARD, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO I ASPIRE TO BE, AND SO IT IS UNBELIEVABLE FOR ME AND UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, THE WAY WE HAVE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, BOARD.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN THOSE NOW.
>> THANK YOU, MR. FISHER. GREAT JOB.
AND CONGRATULATIONS CFO ON THAT 2-0 RECORD. [LAUGHTER]
>> I SAW WHAT YOU DID THERE. GOOD JOB.
[LAUGHTER] MR. FISHER, IF YOU DON'T MIND, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE INTEREST RATE BEING 44.55%, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, ON THE 2023 ISSUANCE AND 4.35 ON THIS YEAR'S ISSUANCE.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OUR TAXPAYERS AND FAMILIES AND EVEN STUDENTS THAT MAY WATCH THIS FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
YOU MENTIONED THAT WE OUTPERFORMED THIS YEAR, WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INTEREST RATE WITH THE BOND ISSUANCE?
>> YES, SIR. APPROXIMATELY 1% SAVINGS IN INTEREST IS REALLY ABOUT 60 MILLION.
IF THAT GIVES YOU ANY INDICATION AS TO HOW IMPORTANT THIS REALLY IS.
A HALF A PERCENT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 30 MILLION IF YOU WILL.
>> THAT IS THE LOWER THE INTEREST RATE THAT WE OFFER ON THE BONDS, THAT IS THE MORE MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SAVE IN PAYING BACK?
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. TRUSTEE DAVIS.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS ABOUT US AS A DISTRICT, AND OF COURSE, ABOUT MR. FISHER.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT'S WHO YOU WANT TO BE.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, AND I KNOW NOBODY IN THIS ROOM KNOWS WHAT MAGIC 8 BALL IS.
>> I WANT YOU TO TAKE OUT YOUR MAGIC 8 BALL NOW.
THE 25 NEW INVESTORS, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? WHY DO YOU THINK WE HAD 25 NEW INVESTORS THAT WANTED TO INVEST IN CROWLEY ISD?
>> TRUSTEE DAVIS, A LOT OF TIMES IT HAS TO DO WITH INVESTORS WHEN THEY HAVE CASH TO INVEST.
OBVIOUSLY, WE CANVASS AND REACH OUT AS A SYNDICATE TO THE WIDEST GROUP OF INVESTORS AS POSSIBLE.
TRY TO EDUCATE THEM ON WHO CROWLEY IS AS A DISTRICT.
THERE'S A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BONDS ISSUED IN TEXAS, SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES, BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE A GOOD NUMBER ONE AND PARTICIPATE IN TODAY'S TRANSACTION.
>> LET ME BACK UP. WHEN THE INVESTORS DECIDE WHO THEY'RE GOING TO INVEST WITH, DO THEY DO ANY RESEARCH ON THE DISTRICTS AND COME UP WITH A DECISION LIKE THAT?
>> MOST DEFINITELY. THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE RATINGS OF THE DISTRICT.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT VARIOUS METRICS GROWTH AND ALL THOSE THINGS TO MAKE THE DECISION ON INVESTING.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR BECAUSE WE'RE GOOD. [LAUGHTER]
>> MR. FISHER, MAKE SURE OUR BILLS ARE PAID. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> TRUSTEES, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I ALWAYS HAVE SUCH ELOQUENT PEOPLE THAT SPEAK BEFORE ME, BUT I WANTED TO JUST SAY JUST THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRIDE THAT I FEEL.
I FELT IT WHEN WE MET YOU THE FIRST TIME WHEN YOU CAME OUT AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE BOND ISSUANCE LAST YEAR.
TO SEE YOU ALL, IT'S ALMOST LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WITH THE OLYMPICS GOING ON.
I'M HAPPY THAT THE WOMEN ARE AWAY BECAUSE THEY'VE WORKED SO HARD.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOT HERE TODAY, [LAUGHTER] BUT I DO.
I JUST WANT TO JUST EXPRESS THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRIDE THAT I FEEL WHEN WE EMBARKED ON THE BOND, I THINK I WAS VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE IT WAS A FIRST FOR ME, AND I GUESS FOR MOST OF US, OR SOME OF US WAS A FIRST.
YOU'RE NERVOUS WITH THAT PART OF IT, AND THEN AFTER YOU PASSED THE BOND, THEN YOU'RE NERVOUS ABOUT THE REST OF IT, THE INVESTMENT PORTION AND HOW SUCCESSFUL IT WOULD BE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR TEAM JUST INSPIRES CONFIDENCE FOR ME.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE SO FAR, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GREAT THINGS AND TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE.
AS WE CRUISE INTO EXCELLENCE HERE IN CROWLEY ISD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM VICE PRESIDENT.
[00:30:01]
ANY OTHER COMMENTS TRUSTEES? TRUSTEE STEVENSON.>> I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF BECAUSE MY VOICE IS GONE.
WHEN YOU GUYS WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR, I WAS LIKE, WE GOT THE DREAM TEAM BACK.
I'M EXCITED TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN CROWLEY ISD, AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CROWLEY ISD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE STEVENSON.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS, TRUSTEES? AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND OUR STUDENTS, OUR FAMILIES, MOST OF ALL, OUR TAXPAYERS APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING.
GREAT JOB. MR. FISHER, KUDOS TO YOU ONCE AGAIN, AND DR. MCFARLAND, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR VISION FOR LEADING THIS ENTIRE TEAM.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I JUST GOT ONE COMMENT, AND THIS IS REALLY TO THE DREAM TEAM.
YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU'RE ON A TEAM, THEN YOU BASICALLY ARE A PART OF THE TEAM.
THE TEAM, WE OFTENTIMES HAVE MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES.
YOU ALL HAVE ACHIEVED ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES, AND SO I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO HANG AROUND IF YOU COULD BECAUSE I HAVE AN AUDIBLE I WANT TO CALL LATER.
BECAUSE IN OUR CONVERSATIONS, WE TALKED ABOUT PASSION AND PURPOSE AND ALL OF YOU ALL HAVE EXCELLENT FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE AND YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE.
WHAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY LATER IN THE AGENDA IS A COLLABORATIVE FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVE THAT WE'D LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO BE A PART OF.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CLOSED SESSION, BUT I'D LIKE YOU TO STAY TO HEAR ABOUT THE COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN DRAFTED. THANK YOU.
>> AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
[3.0 Executive Session ]
ON THAT NOTE, THE BOARD WILL NOW ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071 FOR PRIVATE CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD'S ATTORNEY.THE BOARD WILL RETURN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND WE ARE ADJOURNING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:01 P.M. WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION AT 7:42 P.M. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, I WANT TO JUST TAKE JUST A MOMENT, DR. MCFARLAND, IF I MAY, OF RECOGNIZING SOME OF OUR CURRENT ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL AS FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS.
WE'D LIKE TO HONOR THE PRESENCE OF OUR STATE SENATOR, SENATOR ROYCE WEST, IS HERE IN THE BUILDING TODAY.
>> AS WELL AS FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER, TERRAN COUNTY PRECINCT 2, THE HONORABLE DEVIN ALLEN IS HERE AS WELL [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR PRESENCE TONIGHT.
WE WILL MOVE NOW TO AGENDA ITEM 5.1,
[5.0 Discussion and / or Possible Action Item(s)]
APPROVAL OF THE 1882 INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT WITH PAUL QUINN COLLEGE, DR. MCFARLANE.>> MR. PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS, WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED TO BRING FORWARD THIS INNOVATIVE IHE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.
AS YOU KNOW, BOARD, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THIS PROCESS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
IS TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION SO THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
IN ORDER FOR OUR STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, WE KNOW OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WE STARTED THIS PROCESS WITH THE DESIGN CHALLENGE IN CROWLEY ISD.
OUR DESIGN CHALLENGE IS SIMPLY THIS THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD REALLY PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE IN CROWLEY ISD FOR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.
WE WANTED TO ALSO CONTINUE TO BE AN INNOVATION INCUBATOR, OUR LAB SCHOOL IN CROWLEY.
WE WANT TO BE THE PLACE WHERE WE EXPERIMENT AND WE REALLY INNOVATE TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A A STRATEGIC PLAN, AND WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE YEAR 2030 WILL LOOK LIKE, AND WE WANT TO DESIGN TODAY THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR 2030.
WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE ARE IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTING INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE ENSURING THAT IT'S ALSO RESEARCH BASED.
PARTNERING WITH A HIGHER ED INSTITUTION THAT'S CREDIBLE AND THAT'S REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING JUST MADE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE.
AGAIN, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS AND WE HAVE AN INSTITUTION THAT WE BELIEVE IS READY TO HELP US TO ANSWER THIS DESIGN CHALLENGE.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE INSTITUTION OF HIGH ED THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING AND WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING OUT OF THIS PARTNERSHIP, I HAD A QUESTION TODAY ABOUT, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP? WHAT IS IT THAT THIS PARTNER IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO TO HELP YOU IN CROWLEY ISD ACHIEVE YOUR MISSION.
WE KNOW THAT THE TEACHER PIPELINE IS ONE THAT WE
[00:35:01]
HAVE TO ADDRESS IN A VERY INTENTIONAL WAY.MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A TEACHER STUDENT RESIDENCY, WHERE WE HAVE COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED AT PAUL QUINN WHO ARE ENROLLED AND ACTUALLY SERVING ON OUR CAMPUS WITH OUR STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO BE ENGAGED IN CROWLEY ISD.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WHEN STUDENTS SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM, THEY ARE MORE ASPIRE TO BE THEM AND SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT DEGREE PATHWAYS.
WE KNOW THAT WHEN STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND GET THEIR DEGREE AND COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES AND WHEN FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES, IT DEFINITELY JUST HELPS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
OF COURSE, THE RESEARCH THAT WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY, PAUL QUINN IS KNOWN ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR INNOVATING AND COMING UP WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGN.
PROBLEM BASED, PROJECT BASED LEARNING IS JUST WHAT THEY DO.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT IF WE CAN ENGAGE STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AT THE SIXTH GRADE LEVEL IN THIS INSTRUCTION, WE KNOW THAT WE CAN DEFINITELY GET THEM TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.
AGAIN, WE MENTIONED THE COLLEGE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WITH OUR STUDENTS TRANSITION CAMPS.
DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR STUDENTS GO OVER TO PAUL QUINN'S CAMPUS TO SEE THEIR STUDENTS COME WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS.
WE THINK IT'S JUST A PARTNERSHIP THAT'S MADE, I BELIEVE IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE DESIGNED ON PURPOSE, AND IT'S A MISSION FITTING.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY BOARD.
WHAT WE'RE DOING, WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOUR SUPPORT PURSUING THIS PARTNERSHIP AND TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL FOR OUR STUDENTS IN CROWLEY ISD.
I WANT TO STOP NOW BOARD, I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD THIS QUITE SOME TIME.
BUT WE ALSO ARE JUST DEFINITELY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING PRESIDENT SORRELL HERE.
I WANT TO INVITE HIM UP TO THE PODIUM TO SHARE ANY COMMENTS HE'D LIKE TO SHARE BEFORE YOU CONSIDER THIS ITEM.
>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
DR. MCFARLANE IT'S A PLEASURE TO BEING YOUR COMPANY.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU AND WITH EACH OF THE TRUSTEE MEMBERS.
IT IS JUST A WONDERFUL MOMENT TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOME FOLKS THAT I BROUGHT WITH ME.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT BEING HERE AT PAUL QUINN IS WE TRAVEL IN PACKS.
MY CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, DR. KIZ WANDAGRANT.
[APPLAUSE]. DR. GRANT, IS LAUREN SOMEWHERE BACK THERE WITH YOU OR SHE'S OUTSIDE? WE ALSO BRING OUR CHILDREN HERE SO WE ALSO HAVE DR. LEMONT SMITH, [APPLAUSE] DR. LEMONT SMITH, WHO I KNOW SOME OF YOU KNOW, IS A LONG TIME VETERAN AND JUST EXCELLENT EDUCATOR.
HE'S GOING TO BE THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR DAY TO DAY WORKING WITH THIS PROJECT AND ACTUALLY HELPING TO MAKE SURE IT'S EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD DESIGNED IT TO BE.
THEN ALSO LAST BUT NOT LEAST DR. CHRIS SHROPSHIRE, [APPLAUSE] NOW, HE BROUGHT HIS DAUGHTERS ALONG WITH HIM AS WELL.
I'M TELLING YOU, OUR CHILDREN GET INVOLVED IN THIS AT A YOUNG AGE.
I ALSO WANT TO INTRODUCE MY SON, MICHAEL.
[APPLAUSE] LET ME JUST TELL YOU, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE BELIEVE AT PAUL QUINN IS THE INEVITABILITY OF OUR CHILDREN'S SUCCESS.
WE DON'T THINK THAT THE CONVERSATION CENTERS AROUND WHAT CAN BE, WHAT'S POSSIBLE, WE THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF CERTAINTY, OUR CHILDREN WILL BE.
WE DESIGN SYSTEMS WHERE THEY ARE TOLD FROM DAY ONE THE EXPECTATION THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU IS GREATNESS.
PERIOD. NOW, NOTHING GREAT COMES FROM PLACES OF COMFORT, SO THE JOURNEY TO GREATNESS IS GOING TO BE ONE WHICH TROUBLES YOUR WATER.
THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GET IN THE WATER WITH YOU, STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH YOU, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS.
THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE WE ARE GOING, AND THAT IS TO GREATNESS.
WHAT THIS PARTNERSHIP DOES, IT ALLOWS US TO BEGIN TO SPEAK TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS OF CROWLEY IN THAT WAY.
WE INTEND FOR THEM TO BE SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATED INTO THE QINITE NATION EXPERIENCE.
THEY WILL BE WELCOME ON OUR CAMPUS ALWAYS.
AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE, WE ARE PREPARED TO ADMIT THEM TO COLLEGE NOW.
THAT WAY, THEY DON'T GROW UP WONDERING IF THEY'RE JUST KNOWING THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHEN.
THAT TYPE OF SHIFT IN MENTALITY IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO DO GREAT THINGS.
NOW, I CLEARLY GET FIRED UP, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, I WILL TURN THIS INTO A QUININ NATION SERMON.
[00:40:01]
I'M GOING TO STOP, SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER, IF NOT, I WILL TRY TO SIT DOWN AND MANAGE MY EXCITEMENT.BUT THIS IS A WONDERFUL MOMENT FOR US, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO YOU AND WE WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THIS DREAM OF OURS, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING THAT THE CHILDREN OF CROWLEY ARE CAPABLE OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL AND SOMETHING BETTER AND BEING UNAFRAID TO PUSH TOWARD THAT GOAL. WHAT CAN I TELL YOU?
[APPLAUSE] TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE FOR DR. SORRELL? OR ANY COMMENTS? DR. SORRELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOU. TRUSTEES, THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM.
AGAIN, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, WE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ITEM TONIGHT.
>> YES, MR. PRESIDENT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, PLEASE.
I MOVE TO WARD 4 TEXAS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS WITH AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ACCORDING TO SENATE BILL 182 TO PAUL QUINN COLLEGE FOR THE OPERATION OF CROWLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, RICHARD J ALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, HF STEVENS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND SUMMER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO FINALIZE THE TERMS OF AND ENTER INTO A PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO AMEND THE PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT WITH PAUL QUINN COLLEGE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOLS DURING THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED THAT SUCH AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH BOARD POLICIES.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE WOODS MAYFIELD FOR THE MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, SECRETARY ROBINSON.
IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY UN-READINESS? HEARING NONE, MOVE TO VOTE, PLEASE.
LET'S VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS, PLEASE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, AND THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, TRUSTEES FOR THAT VOTE.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AGAIN TO DR. MCFARLANE FOR HIS VISION AND HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS PROJECT.
ALSO, CERTAINLY HE WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU THAT HE DID NOT MAKE THIS HAPPEN ON HIS OWN.
THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE WORK OF THE CROWLEY ISD ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, PARTICULARLY MISS CRYSTAL POKE.
MISS POKE, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND, PLEASE? [APPLAUSE] MISS POKE IS A ROCK STAR.
SHE OVERSEES THE ACQUISITION OF GRANTS, BUT ALSO THIS 1882 PARTNERSHIP, AND IT WAS TRULY A LABOR OF LOVE.
WE WANT TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND RECOGNIZE YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK LEADING UP TO THIS, ALONG WITH MR. FISHER, CERTAINLY WAS A VERY INTRICATE PART OF THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
AGAIN, IN ALL THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE DAVIS WAS A PART OF THAT COMMITTEE AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU AND LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE TO BRING THIS TO FRUITION.
ALSO WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE, AGAIN, SENATOR WEST, WHO WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE 1882 PARTNERSHIP BILL.
[APPLAUSE] PLEASE HELP US CELEBRATE HIM, SENATOR WEST.
>> FOR THE RECORD, I WAS A CO-AUTHOR.
>> LET ME JUST SAY THIS. I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS EVENING, BUT IT'S A MANIFESTATION OF WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE INCENTIVIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO WORK WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN ORDER TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT AND YOU ARE TO BE APPLAUDED FOR TAKING THIS STEP.
HOPEFULLY, THERE WILL BE OTHER INNOVATION PROJECTS THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN GET INVOLVED IN.
MAKING CERTAIN JET LIKE MISS POKE AND THIS AFFECTION,
[00:45:03]
BIRD DOG GRANTS THAT TEXAS HAS AVAILABLE AND BRING INFORMATION BACK TO THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR CAMPUS SO YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF STUDENTS HERE AT CROWLEY ISD. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, SENATOR WEST. [APPLAUSE] BEFORE WE MOVE ON TRUSTEES, I WILL YIELD, IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
HEARING NONE. WE WILL MOVE NOW TO OUR FUTURE ACTION ITEMS AGENDA ITEM 6.1,
[6.0 Future Action Item(s)]
COLLABORATIVE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROJECT.I THINK IT'S TIME FOR AN AUDIBLE, DR. MCFARLANE.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS AND ALSO PARTNERS IN THE AUDIENCE.
I WANT TO REALLY TRY TO WEAVE THIS WEB TOGETHER.
TONIGHT, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IHE AND K12 PARTNERSHIPS.
WE ALSO HAVE INVITED OUR FAITH BASED LEADERS BECAUSE THEY'RE SUCH A CRITICAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'VE INVITED OUR FAITH BASED LEADERS TO THIS MEETING TONIGHT, AND WE HAVE OUR FINANCIAL TEAM STILL HERE.
THE REASON THAT I ASK YOU ALL TO STAY IS THAT IN CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH ONE OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND ALSO COLLECTIVELY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED TO INCREASE AND ENHANCE FINANCIAL LITERACY IN OUR DISTRICT, FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS A COMMON IDEA, A COMMON TOPIC THAT COMES UP IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT, AND SO NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO ORGANIZE AND REALLY WORK COLLECTIVELY TO ACTUALLY BRING IT TO FRUITION.
AS A DISTRICT, QUITE FRANKLY, WE KNOW THAT WE SERVE WHAT WE DEEM OUR SCHOOL DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
OUR CHILDREN DEPEND ON US FOR THEIR ACADEMIC NEEDS, BUT WE KNOW THEY ALSO DEPEND ON US FOR SO MANY OTHER NEEDS.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING ALONE IS TOUGH FOR US TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
BUT WHEN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN OPERATE WITH OUR MINISTERIAL LINES AND WITH OUR FACE BASED LEADERS, WITH OUR HIGHER PARTNERS, WITH OUR BUSINESS LEADERS, WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHEN WE CAN SAY, HEY, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND WE CAN PUT THINGS TOGETHER FOR OUR CHILDREN, THEN WE KNOW THAT WE CAN CREATE THE GOOD SOCIETY THAT WE ALL DESIRE.
TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AND OUR FINANCIAL TEAM, WE'RE GOING TO LEAN ON YOU AND LEVERAGE YOUR INTELLECT, YOUR SKILLS, YOUR EXPERTISE TO HELP US TO REALLY CRAFT A VERY INTENTIONAL, A COLLABORATIVE LITERACY PROJECT THAT WILL FOCUS ON PARENTS, THAT'LL FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND FOCUS ON OUR COMMUNITY.
MINISTERIAL LEADERS, WE'RE GOING TO RELY ON YOUR CONNECTIONS, YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND YOUR INFLUENCE TO HELP US TO GET THE WORD OUT TO FOLKS THAT ARE IN YOUR CONGREGATION AND FOLKS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, TO PAUL QUINN, WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU AND ALLOW ON YOUR EXPERTISE IN THE AREA OF FINANCES AND COLLEGE FUNDING AND EVEN PREPARING KIDS FOR EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE OF COLLEGE, WE'RE GOING TO RELY ON YOU TO HELP US AS A PARTNER, AND THEN CROWLEY ISD, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK THAT WE'RE DOING WITH STUDENTS.
OUR GOAL IS TO PULL TOGETHER THIS TEAM AND SO YOU'LL BE GETTING A CONTACT NEXT WEEK.
MISS DIGGLES WILL BE COORDINATING THAT AND WE'LL HAVE A MEETING TO ORGANIZE AND REALLY BEGIN THE PLAN DURING THIS FIRST SEMESTER.
OUR GOAL IS TO LAUNCH BY THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER, BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2025, THIS COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY DRIVEN, COMMUNITY LED A FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVE, WHERE WE'RE TOUCHING ALL PARTS OF OUR ORGANIZATION, ALL PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE MORE WE CAN DO FOR COLLECTIVELY, THE FURTHER WE CAN GO.
THAT IS THOUGH YOU ALL DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, SO LOOK FOR THE EMAILS, LOOK FOR THE CONTACT.
I KNOW YOU ALL ARE WILLING BECAUSE YOU ALL SAID THAT BEFORE WE HIRED YOU, FINANCIAL PEOPLE THE [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] I'M JUST CALLING YOU INTO ACCOUNT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR LOOKING AT THIS IS A FUTURE ACTION ITEM, MR. PRESIDENT.
OF COURSE, THE BOARD, YOU'VE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT THIS FINANCIAL LITERACY NEED FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, YOU'VE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT IT.
WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS WE'RE GOING TO PUT MEAT TO THE BONE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS INITIATIVE, LEVERAGE EVERYBODY'S INTERESTS AND EVERYBODY'S SKILLS TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
MR. PRESIDENT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE, I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE THAT INITIATIVE AND MORE TO COME.
TRUSTEES, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR DR. MCFARLANE ON THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM? FOR THE RECORD, TRUSTEE DAVIS SAID, WOOP WOOP.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, DR. MCFARLANE.
WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BRING BEFORE THE BOARD, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 7:59 P.M.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.