Crowley ISD Boardroom Rewind

Crowley ISD school board members and administrators celebrated the success of the Crowley High School Solar Eagles who took third place in a highly competitive solar car competition at Texas Motor Speedway.

Members of the Crowley High School Solar Eagles team took home a third-place trophy after qualifying to compete in The Solar Car Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway in July.

Trustees recognized Crowley High School instructor James Schroeder and the students, some who graduated in May, who worked long hours this summer on this project that began as an idea two years ago.

"You all should be commended for the work that you have done," Board President Daryl R. Davis said. "It is no small feat what you all have accomplished in just two years ... Congratulations to you all. You all have personified what it means to act like a family and work like a team."

Board Secretary Nedra Robinson called it a "phenomenal vehicle."

"I love seeing real-world things come to life — the mathematics, the science, the engineering. You are talented and well on your way" she told the students.

The Solar Car Challenge was established in 1993 to help motivate students in science and engineering and to increase alternative energy awareness. It teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars. The 2024 Solar Car Challenge, hosted by Oncor and Lockheed Martin, is a closed-track event at the Texas Motor Speedway.

The Board of Trustees has approved a fiscally conservative budget that holds expenses consistent for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Dr. Michael McFarland describes the budget as, "the responsible choice in spite of the lack of state funding for Texas public schools."

This year’s budget keeps employee compensation consistent with 2023-24 levels in spite of a lack of state funding. District administrators and trustees emphasized they will continue searching for ways to provide competitive compensation by reviewing revenue levels and external funding throughout the upcoming budget year and beyond.

Trustees approved a general operating budget of $188.38 million for the 2024-25 school year.

Revenue shortfalls from the state will require the district to use $1.9 million from its “rainy day” fund balance to have a balanced budget if current projections hold.

“In case you’re wondering, it is raining in the school system. It’s not one of those natural storms. This is a man-made, politically made storm,” Dr. McFarland said during a budget workshop with trustees earlier this summer.

Crowley ISD’s tax rate will be considered in August.

In addition to the General Operating Fund budget, the board also approved a Debt Service budget of $53.8 million in expenditures and a Child Nutrition budget of $9.5 million in expenditures.

School meals will be served by Sodexo starting in the 2024-25 school year across CISD.

Trustees voted unanimously to partner with Sodexo after the district conducted a request for proposals from food service providers.

Sodexo leaders say they will focus on student voice and choice as they provide nutritious breakfast, lunch and other meals for the district's more than 17,000 students.

Interested in applying? Food service workers who previously worked in Crowley ISD with Aramark will each have the opportunity to meet with Sodexo leaders about their career goals and potential job opportunities. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Individuals interested in applying to work for Sodexo in Crowley ISD can either text "Crowley ISD" to 82257 or scan the QR code on the flyer above.

More than 700 students from campuses across Crowley ISD competed in the Elementary UIL A+ Competition on May 4 at Richard J. Allie Middle School. The event featured 14 academic competitions and included Spanish and English competitions.

UIL Academics is the largest academic competition in Crowley ISD on the elementary level and continues to grow. Students compete in events such as Oral Reading, Ready Writing, Storytelling, Creative Writing, Number Sense and Social Studies.

Students from all CISD elementary schools competed in grades second through fifth this year.

First-place winners were recognized by event organizers Rose Eatmon and Gery Moreno at Thursday night's meeting.

“You always go above and beyond,” Superintendent Dr. Michael McFarland told Eatmon and Moreno of their work coordinating this annual event. “You all are doing the extra work that’s needed. We see you, and we appreciate you, and you do amazing work.”

View the full presentation to see the winners.

The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees and Paul Quinn College President Dr. Michael Sorrell

CISD is entering into an innovative institution of higher education partnership with Paul Quin College as it works to boost middle school academic achievement.

"We look at the as an opportunity to do very special and creative things," Paul Quinn College President Dr. Michael Sorrell told trustees. "It is something we are extraordinarily excited about. We really look forward to working with you."

Senate Bill 1882 incentivizes school districts to work collaboratively with new and existing partners to promote innovation and dramatically improve student outcomes.

The district has seen success with transformation and innovation efforts at the elementary level with schools such as J.A. Hargrave and David L. Walker. Those schools' ratings rose from the 50s to the 90s in four years.

Outside funding helped pay for the innovation needed to boost student achievement at those and other elementary campuses. But outside funding is limited as the district looks to implement the same kinds of initiatives at the middle school level.

This higher education partnership with Paul Quinn College will help provide additional funding for innovative programs and it paves the path for Crowley ISD to create model middle schools that leverage research and best practices in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Fine Arts Integration, STEM and Professional Development.

Trustees approved the acceptance of more than $700,000 in grant awards for Crowley ISD that impact salaries, safety and innovative programming. Grants include:

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.

Sid Richardson Grant

Award Amount $27,000

The Solar Car Challenge Education Program teaches students at Crowley High how to plan, design, engineer, build and race roadworthy solar cars. This is accomplished through six national teaching workshops (held in North Texas), on-site visits, curriculum materials and summer camps. The end product of each 15-month education cycle is the Solar Car Challenge: a closed-track event at Texas Motor Speedway, or a cross-country event designed to give students an opportunity to show the country the product of their efforts.

Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) II Grant

Award Amount: $495,313

This grant will allow the implementation of the adopted safety standards applicable to Chapter 61, Sub-chapter CC, 61.031 of Commissioner's Rules. The funds will assist Crowley ISD in meeting the adopted school safety standards or other security measures.

Stronger Out-of-School-Time (OST) Grant

Award Amount: $106,665

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) includes a supplemental appropriation to the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. The award is intended to support, “evidence-based practices intended to increase attendance and engagement of students in the middle grades and high school.” The Texas 21st CCLC program operates as the Texas Afterschool Centers on Education, or Texas ACE.

Several Bond 2023 projects are moving forward. Watch the video above to see what the new Crowley High School will look like when it's completed in the fall of 2027.

The board approved next steps on several Bond 2023 projects, including:

•Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $23,263,586 for the additions and renovations of CH9, Sycamore, Deer Creek and Meadowcreek elementary facilities

Additions and renovations for CH9, Sycamore, Deer Creek and Meadowcreek elementary schools include expansion of coolers/freezers, parking, parent drive drop off/pick up, upgrade of selective finishes, flooring replacements, fencing and playgrounds for the elementary campuses. CH9 will have classroom floor replacement, cafeteria renovation, removal of hall lockers with tile and paint upgrades and a new marquee sign.

•Guaranteed Maximum Price of $13,468,532 for the early release package of the CHS Fine Arts dance addition and Central Plant for the heating and cooling of the new Crowley High School

This early package is for the construction of the Fine Arts dance/orchestra classroom additions and the Central Plant for the heating and cooling of the new Crowley High School.

•Guaranteed Maximum Price of $99,237,422 for the North Crowley High and North Crowley Ninth Additions and Renovations projects. The renovations at North Crowley and North Crowley Ninth will address capacity needs ranging from additional classrooms, cafeteria and field house expansions, improvements at the baseball/softball facilities and upgrades throughout the campuses.

•Post L Group for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) for the Elementary Playground Replacement at Multiple Campuses

The project will progress in two concurrent packages of six campuses with a superintendent for each package. Construction is expected to begin in September 2024 and be substantially complete in March 2026 (18 months construction schedule).

It will impact a total 12 campuses: Bess Race, Jackie Carden, Parkway, Oakmont, Dallas Park, Hargrave, Poynter, Sue Crouch, S.H. Crowley, David Walker, Mary Harris and June W. Davis elementary schools. Sycamore, Deer Creek and Meadowcreek elementary playgrounds will be replaced in the bid package 5 scope of work.

The fully accessible playground unit will be the standard moving forward at all new elementary campuses. The scope of work includes:

• Fully accessible playground with multiple entrances, lower level play units, turf fall zone, canvas canopy covering portions of the playground equipment and bench seating
• An accessible route from the elementary school building to the playground ramped entrance and lower level play area that complies with Texas Accessibility Standards
• Drainage as required per playground equipment and turf fall zone manufacturer
• Irrigation reroutes as required for playground and fall zone installation
• Rework of paving and striping as required for accessible route compliance to the new playground

Trustees approved several new hires at June and July school board meetings. They include:

•Dina Jammer as the new principal of J.A. Hargrave Elementary School

Jammer comes to Crowley ISD from Desoto ISD where she served as a principal. Jammer also has served as a principal in Grand Prairie ISD as well as an assistant principal and teacher in Lancaster ISD.

She has 10 years of administrative experience and nine years of teaching experience.

•Nicole Pryor as the new principal of Dallas Park Elementary School

Pryor has served in Crowley ISD since 2009, most recently as the associate principal at North Crowley High School. She also has worked as an assistant principal at North Crowley Ninth Grade, Mary Harris Elementary School and an instructional coach at Crowley Middle School.

She began in CISD as a teacher at Crowley Middle School.

•Rock Magis as assistant principal of Meadowcreek Elementary School

Magis comes to CISD from Rocketship Public Schools where he served as a founding assistant principal. He also has worked as an assistant principal in Castleberry ISD, a teacher in Fort Worth ISD and a teacher in North Carolina.

•Michael Smith as assistant principal of Richard Allie Middle School

Smith is currently assistant principal at a middle school in Tyler ISD. He also has served as dean of students at an elementary school in Tyler ISD as well as a teacher and assistant coach at a high school in Tyler ISD.

•Dr. Irving Glenn II as assistant principal of Sycamore Elementary School

Glenn currently serves as a campus coordinator at an elementary in Dallas ISD where he also has worked as an assistant principal. He has served as a principal in Clayton, Ala. and a dean of instruction in Lewisville ISD. He also has worked as an assistant principal and teacher in North Carolina.

•Nathalie Mora as assistant principal of Crowley Middle School

Mora is currently a master teacher at Crowley Middle School. She previously served in a variety of leadership roles for Grand Prairie ISD, including an ELA district strategist and literacy coach.

•Terrence Reed as assistant principal of Deer Creek Elementary School

Reed comes to CISD from Fort Worth ISD where he has worked as an administrative intern, special education teacher and athletic coach. He also has served in Birdville and Everman ISDs.

•Amy Jo Wall as assistant principal of Crowley Middle School

Wall comes to CISD from Chapel Hill Academy where she has served as a principal, assistant principal and education research and data coordinator. She also has worked as an English Language Arts teacher and Reading instructional coach.

•Dr. Terryl White as assistant principal of Crowley High School

White has previously worked in Wichita Public Schools - USD 259 for more than 12 years in various roles, including dean of students, athletic director, JROTC instructor and PE teacher. He also has served in the U.S. Army and served as an adjunct professor.

•Dr. Fanta Fridia as assistant principal of North Crowley High School

Fridia has recently worked at Engage2Learn as the director of Partner Success and as a certified data-informed growth coach. She also has served as a K-12 science coordinator for Duncanville ISD, an instructional coach at Dallas ISD and a teacher in Cedar Hill ISD.

•LaTanya Robinson as district's secondary coordinator of English, Language Arts & Social Studies

Robinson is currently a coordinator for K-12 Literacy in Fort Worth ISD where she also has worked as a literacy/learning model instructional coach and secondary literacy teacher. Robinson also has served as a Tarrant County College adjunct instructor and a program coordinator in Birdville ISD.

•Natasha Johnson as district's secondary coordinator of Math & Science

Johnson currently works in Everman ISD as that district's secondary math curriculum specialist. She previously served in Crowley ISD as an instructional support specialist at Crowley Middle School and H.F. Stevens Middle School. She also has worked in Fort Worth ISD as a math and science teacher.

(L-R): June W. Davis, board member; Nedra Robinson, board secretary;

Kelicia Stevenson, board member; Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland;

Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield, board president; Gary Grassia, board first vice president

Dr. Mia Hall, second vice president ; Daryl R. Davis II, board member;

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

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