Crowley ISD Boardroom Rewind

The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees approved a new policy requiring sixth through 12th graders to carry see-through (clear or mesh) backpacks inside the building. Enforcement will not begin until Sept. 5.

Middle school and high school students may carry a non-clear personal item pouch in their backpack. Non-clear bags, such as purses, athletic bags or instrument cases, are subject to search.

CISD Dress Code: https://tinyurl.com/hjjrcp3s

SAFE START ZOOM MEETINGS

Parents and students in sixth-12th grade also are invited to join us for an important Zoom meeting about back-to-school safety and the new school year. Topics will include:

* Clear/mesh backpacks

* Dress code enforcement

* ID badges

* Transportation from home campuses to the BRJ CTE Center

* And more!

Safe Start Meetings for Middle and High School Families

Monday, July 31

12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

ZOOM ID 994 8152 2306

https://crowley-k12-tx-us.zoom.us/j/99481522306

The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees was selected as the 2023 Region 11 (north central Texas) winner of the School Board Awards program, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).

A representative from Region 11 shared with trustees Thursday night that the panel of local school superintendents that selected CISD's board as the Region 11 representative for this awards program agreed UNANIMOUSLY to do so.

"The selection criteria for this prestigious award is extremely detailed and often takes months to put together the data points and the extensive documentation required," Rory Peacock said. "Not surprisingly, Crowley ISD's application for this award was quite impressive."

The board’s application has now been forwarded to TASA to be considered for the state-level award.

The award, created by TASA in 1971, was designed to recognize those school boards that have demonstrated outstanding dedication and have rendered ethical service to the children of Texas. The criteria emphasizes evidence of support for the improvement of educational performance.

Crowley is excited to announce a new partnership with Texas Wesleyan University that will allow the university to play its home football games at the Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium for the next two seasons.

Head Football Coach Joe Prudhomme told trustees Thursday night they are looking forward to the partnership with Crowley ISD.

"I'm incredibly humbled in your presence and that we're going to have the opportunity to play in your facility, partner with you, work with your students," Prudhomme said. "This is where we're going to be because of the hospitality, the communication, the vision — and the most exciting part of this is, this is just the beginning. We are really excited to bring college football to Crowley."

Benefits of Partnership:

• All students can attend TWU games for free with an ID
• All CISD Staff can attend TWU games for free with an ID
• Exposure to more partnership and sponsorship opportunities
• Opportunity to host more events through established partnerships
• Scholarship opportunities for our students and athletes
• Employment opportunities for community members and CISD staff to work the games

2023TWU Football Home Schedule at CISD Multi-Purpose Stadium:

• Saturday, August 26 — John Melvin University
• Saturday, Sept. 2 — Ottaway Univ. of Arizona
• Saturday, Sept. 16 — Oklahoma Panhandle State
• Saturday, Sept. 23 — St. Thomas Univ.-Miami
• Saturday, Oct. 21 — Wayland Baptist Univ.
• Saturday, Nov. 11 — Louisiana Christian

Kick-off times will be communicated at a later date.

Crowley ISD proudly introduced the team that will lead the bond issuance for the $1.04 billion voter-approved 2023 Bond Program to build new school facilities and renovate or expand existing buildings.

Leon Fisher, who was named CISD's new chief financial officer Thursday night, told the board it was a momentous occasion. The team brings a wealth of experience and many years of successful bond transactions.

He also said this represents the largest bond offering that will be led by a minority firm in the state of Texas.

Read more details about each of the team members.

Also Thursday night, trustees moved forward with the next step in the 2023 Bond Program by approving a Parameters Order for the issuance of up to $450 million in bonds.

"The Parameters Order is the document that really conveys authorization for the sale of the bonds," Fisher said. "We use the term parameters because it gives parameters on the issue amount and the interest rate."

Read more details about the parameters in the Bond Order.

Crowley ISD is proud to be the recipient of several grants, including a highly competitive 21st Century grant for which only 29, of 143 applicants, across Texas were awarded.

CISD was one of only two districts in Region 11 to receive this grant, which totals nearly $10 million over five years.

Recent grant awards include:

•2023-2024 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Cycle 12, Grant Award Amount: Year 1-$1,987,775; Total Grant Award: $9,938,875

The federal Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic and enrichment opportunities, during non-school hours for students. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

•Strategic Compensation Grant Award Amount: $75,000

The Strategic Compensation Fellowship Grant allows Crowley ISD to plan and implement salary-based strategic compensation systems, in alignment with funds received through the Teacher Incentive Allotment and supplemented with local funds. The purpose of this grant program is to provide the opportunity for planning and implementation for strategic compensation to reward, retain and recruit the best teachers to serve the students who need the most support.

•School Action Planning Grant - (College Prep) Awarded Amount: $1,000,000
This grant program aims to increase the number of students in great schools by providing customized planning support to districts committed to bold action to transform low-performing schools and expand access to world-class learning environments for students.

The CISD school board approved an agreement with Huguley Medical Associates Inc., doing business as Texas Health Medical Associates (THMA), to operate a School-Based Health Center in Crowley ISD.

The center will open in August and be located at the Parkway Elementary campus.

Crowley ISD previously partnered with JPS Hospital for the operation of a School-Based Health Center at Parkway Elementary that served the community for 14 years. Unfortunately, JPS closed almost all of its SBHCs due to COVID in the spring of 2020. The clinic served as a medical home to many of students and their families.

Benefits of SBHCs:
•Increases access to care: immunizations, well-child exams, physicals
•Addresses obstacles to health care
•Promotes health equity
•Broadens community outreach and education
•Improves school attendance

As part of the agreement, the School-Based Health Center will also serve as a practicum site for CISD Career and Technology Education (CTE) students in the health sciences field.

Stacey Adrian is retiring as the district's chief financial officer, and Leon Fisher will step into the position.

Trustees approved naming Leon Fisher as the district's new chief financial officer. Fisher currently serves as the district's executive director of finance, a position he has held since 2019.

Fisher has 24 years of administrative experience, including serving as CFO for Sanger ISD, Lancaster ISD, Cedar Hill ISD and St. Louis Public Schools.

Fisher will replace Stacey Adrian, who retires after 11 years of service as the chief financial officer for Crowley ISD and a 22-year career in public education.

Trustees praised Adrian's conservative approach to budgeting and finances, her ability to make the complicated nature of school finance easy to understand and her joyful demeanor.

Adrian credited the finance team as a whole for the district's financial accomplishments.

"Our skills put us in the Finance Department, but we truly want to support the children of Crowley ISD," she said.

Trustees also approved Gregory Williams as the new executive director of Athletics.

Williams joined Crowley ISD in July 2022 as the district's assistant athletics director/athletic facilities coordinator. He previously served in Lancaster ISD in various roles, including as an athletic coordinator at Lancaster High School as well as an AP Social Studies teacher, Head Boys Track and Field coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator.

He has seven years of administrative experience and 30 years of teaching experience.

He replaces Daryle Moffett, who was recently named the district's new chief of Student Services.

Robert Green will serve as the district's new energy coordinator. Green is currently an HVAC technician in Crowley ISD, where he has served since 2014.

Green also worked with Lone Star Heating and Air in Arlington from 2003-2022, installing and repairing A/C systems on commercial and residential properties.

Green replaces Jamie Jackson, who was recently promoted to director of Energy Management.

Other approvals:

•Aletha Daniels — associate principal at Crowley High School

•Kathy Tucker — assistant principal at Crowley Middle School

•Karlmichael Jones — assistant principal at Summer Creek Middle School

•Dezmon Harris — assistant principal at Summer Creek Middle School

•Nyjha Andrews — assistant principal at H.F. Stevens Middle School

•Sonia Fortson — assistant principal at Meadowcreek Elementary

•Delltra Sipho-Lewis — assistant principal at Oakmont Elementary

•Gerardo Moreno — assistant principal at J.A. Hargrave Elementary

•Kirsten Bosilikwa — assistant principal at S.H. Crowley Elementary

Learn about the Teacher Incentive Allotment and the positive impact it can have on teachers in this quick video. For more about TIA, the Phase 1 recipients and what's ahead, visit crowleyisdtx.org/TIA.

Front row (L-R): Nedra Robinson, board secretary; Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland;
Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield, board president; Gary Grassia, board first vice president

Back row (L-R): June W. Davis, board member; Kelicia Stevenson, board member;
Daryl R. Davis II, board member; Dr. Mia Hall, second vice president

MEETING VIDEO: To watch a recording of this meeting, please click here.

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