Highlights from Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting (Dec. 14)

ROCKWALL, TX – December 14, 2020 – Here is a summary of the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Meeting on Dec. 14.

NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items due to limited audience opportunities at Board meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board meeting videos are available for viewing within 24-hours of the meeting at www.rockwallisd.com.

Third Quarter Demographic Data Report

David Carter, Senior Chief Finance Officer, presented the most recent 3rd Quarter 2020 demographic report as submitted by Templeton Demographics. The District uses the quarterly demographic data to aid in the projection of student enrollment growth, selecting future school sites associated with student enrollment growth, and budgeting purposes as the District’s funding levels are tied to student enrollment. Highlights of the quarterly report include:

Annual Enrollment Change as of September 2020:

The District’s student enrollment for 2020-21 decreased by 61 or -0.4% students from the previous school year. While this is a decrease from the total student enrollment of the prior year, most DFW districts have seen 5%-6% student enrollment declines during the same period. Economic Factors as of September 2020:

Rockwall County’s unemployment rate is currently 6.2%, which is approximately double what it was at the 3rd quarter report from this time last year (3.0%). However, Rockwall County’s unemployment rate continues to be lower compared to the unemployment rate of DFW (7.5%), Texas (8.3%), and the nation (7.7%).
At the unemployment peak in March 2020, the State of Texas’ unemployment rate was 13.1% but has since decreased to 8.3% as of September 2020.

Housing Activity as of September 2020:

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market in Rockwall County remains strong.
Through the 3rd quarter of 2020, housing starts and housing closings are outpacing previous activity from recent years.

Enrollment Projections as of September 2020:

2020-2021 Current Enrollment = 16,943
2021-2022 Projected Enrollment = 17,347 (+405 or 2.4%)

Campus Capacity Notes as of September 2020:

Springer and Shannon Elementary Schools – The opening of ES#16 in August 2021 is expected to provide relief for the Springer and Shannon elementary zones.

Spring 2021 Calendar Amendments Approved for Professional Development Days

The Board of Trustees approved the school calendar amendments to the current 2020-2021 school year as recommended by District leadership. The amendments allow teachers and staff to have more team collaboration and lesson planning time through four additional professional learning/planning days in Spring 2021. Dr. Kelvin Stroy, Chief of Student Services, said the recommendation came from teachers and staff expressing a desire for more planning time through the recent employee survey conducted in October. Students would not have school on the following professional learning/planning days:

- Friday, January 29
- Friday, February 26
- Friday, March 26
- Friday, April 16

Next School Year’s Draft Calendar 2021-2022

Dr. Kelvin Stroy, Chief of Student Services, presented the 2021-2022 School Calendar draft to the Board of Trustees for feedback. The draft calendar will be posted for comment to the District website beginning January 6th through the 12th. The District anticipates presenting a final calendar to the Board of Trustees at their January monthly meeting.

Our print edition is delivered free to ~15,500 homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.