ROCKWALL, TX (June 22, 2021) The following is a Rockwall ISD press release summarizing last night’s RISD Board of Trustees meeting.
NOTE: For information on every agenda item presented, please view the Board meeting videos
available at www.rockwallisd.com.
Board of Trustees Recognize State Champions
Outstanding students and student groups were recognized for the following accomplishments by the Board of Trustees:
• Rockwall High School Lady Jackets Softball Team State Tournament Semifinalists
• Rockwall-Heath High School Baseball Team State 6A Champions
Superintendent’s Update
As part of his monthly Superintendent’s Update, Dr. Villarreal recognized the following:
• Dr. Gene Burton Academy Senior Class Cording: The Academy held its first Senior Cording Ceremony the week before graduation. 207 graduating seniors earned professional certifications, with some individuals earning two. In all, the Academy offers 24 certifications to students. As an update, the Academy students earned 356 certifications this past school year with a few more testing now and in July, so we anticipate that number to grow. Academy students have already surpassed 330 in 2020 and 332 in 2019 professional certifications earned in 2019 and 2020.
• 2021 Graduation Ceremonies: Quest Academy had 110 graduates receive their diplomas at a ceremony on May 27 at Wilkerson-Sanders Field. In total, 153 students earned their diplomas from Quest Academy. Principal Christina Bradford and the staff held a wonderful ceremony that included the awarding of scholarships to outstanding students. Thank you to them for their work.
• Rockwall-Heath High School and Rockwall High School students graduated on June 3 at
Globe Life Field in Arlington. Rockwall-Heath graduated 516 students and Rockwall High School had 593 students receive their diplomas. Special thanks to Principal Todd Bradford, Principal Kevin Samples and their staff for coordinating a memorable event.
• GATOR organization forms: This past semester, a new parent booster club, GATOR (Gifted and Talented Organization of Rockwall), formed. This group provides a community of support, to increase awareness, and provide resources to support the unique intellectual, social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students. As a 501(c)(3) organization, they asked Burton Academy graphic design students to submit logos for their group under the direction of Mrs. Misty Rayson. Gavin Figert was the
winner and his logo will be used by the organization. We appreciate this new booster club and look forward to having their support.
• RHHS and RHS Fishing Teams Compete at State: The RHHS fishing team of Daxx Huddleston and Nate Stamper placed 6th place out of 271 teams in the Texas High School Bass Association State Championship. They each won a $3,000 scholarship and $150 Lowes and Strike King gift card. The RHS team of Corey Morris and Jordan Owens placed 7th at the state tournament. They caught 28.46 lbs. and each won a $2500 scholarship as well as multiple gift cards. Drew Sherrard and Zach Young finished in 115th with a total of 11.50 lbs.
• RHHS State UIL Robotics Championship: This past weekend Rockwall-Heath High School Black Hawk Robotics Team won in the State UIL Robotics Championship. They also won the FIRST Robotics Competition Texas Cup and the Coolest Play of the Day Award. We plan to recognize the team next month. Rockwall High School Full Metal Jacket Robotics Team also competed at the state level. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the semifinal round. We congratulate them on a successful robotic competition season!
• Board Book Online: The District began posting additional documentation to accompany the items listed on agendas posted online last Friday. Rockwall ISD Board meetings have always met the requirements outlined in Board Policy BE (LEGAL). In addition, members of the public can also access this information on the District’s website once agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting per state law. Also the new platform, called Board Premier, provides automatic notification to individuals who subscribe once agendas or meeting minutes are posted online. The public can find the ‘subscribe’ button at the bottom of the Board Premier page.
• 2021-2022 Remote Learning Update: Dr. Villarreal expressed appreciation for the tremendous efforts made by our teaching staff last year to provide a remote learning option for some students. Our student performance data suggest children learn at higher-levels when in-person and in our classrooms. In addition, the state legislature did not authorize the funding for full-time remote learning and, as we understand it, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is no longer authorized to waive attendance requirements for remote learning. As a result, the District will not offer at-home, remote learning as an option moving forward. As we have for many years, we will continue offering homebound services through our Special Programs Department for those students who qualify due to medical conditions. We are excited to see all of our students return to our classrooms to receive support and excellent educational opportunities amongst peers and staff.
Financial Advisor Update on Bond Financials, Tax Base Assumptions, Tax Rate History & Projected Tax Rate Impact Regarding 2021 Bond Recommendation
The District’s Financial Advisor, Jeff Robert with Hilltop Securities, presented information relating to Texas ISD Bonds, bond structuring variables, historical tax-exempt interest rates, Rockwall ISD’s tax base and tax rate history, tax base assumptions, projected Interest & Sinking tax rates, and ballot language propositions. Mr. Robert highlighted the following points:
• Based on a possible $479 million bond, as recommended by the Facilities Bond Committee, and estimating a conservative tax base growth rate, the projected tax rate would be 0.75¢ per $100 home valuation.
• The District has a stand-alone AA rating, providing for excellent financing rates.
• State law now requires separating the proposition on the ballot for certain types of projects (athletic stadiums, certain tech projects, etc).
• Rockwall ISD’s tax rate has declined and is the lowest in 30 years.
In April, members from the Facilities Bond Committee presented the committee’s recommendation for a possible bond proposal to the Board of Trustees. The 60-member committee, made up of parents, staff, and community members reviewed the District’s financial data, current academic needs, projected student growth and overcrowding of secondary facilities. After the extensive study, the Facilities Bond Committee came to a consensus on the proposed bond package. The proposed recommendation includes new construction, replacement campuses, capital projects, and Districtwide facilities improvements for approximately $479 million.
Board Adopts Annual Operating Budget for 2021-2022 School Year
The Board of Trustees approved the annual operating budget for the 2021-2022 school year of
$201,420,483 that includes the General Fund, Child Nutrition Fund, and Debt Service Fund.
Hazardous Routes Policy Updated
The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to amend the Hazardous Area Policy for the 2021-2022 school year. This annual update is based upon assessing the continuous improvements to the infrastructure across the county and District and the most recent updates to the school attendance zone boundaries. The Hazardous Area Policy grants eligibility of transportation services to students living within two miles of a school campus in areas determined to be unsafe or hazardous. The following is a summary of the updates:
• Dorothy Smith Pullen ES – Updated to more accurately describe hazardous boundary at Evans Drive and designation of Glen Abbey Court removed and corrected with Providence Way on providence Way line;
• Celia Hays ES – Line removed for John King Blvd under Hays hazardous routes;
• Sharon Shannon ES – Clarification excluding Fontana Ranch subdivision added for clarity;
• Cullins Lake-Pointe ES – Part A and Part B designations added for clarity of the north and south hazardous zone;
• JW Williams MS – Part C to more accurately describe hazardous boundary;
• Lupe Garcia ES – Hazardous zone at Lupe Garcia ES.
Linda Lyon Elementary School Principal and Sherry & Paul Hamm Elementary School Principal Named
The Board of Trustees approved the change of status of two current assistant principals to fill open principal positions at Linda Lyon Elementary School and Sherry & Paul Hamm Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year.
Lori Bailey continues service at Linda Lyon Elementary School in new role as principal
Mrs. Lori Bailey continues her service in a new role as Linda Lyon Elementary School Principal. Mrs. Bailey has served students in public education for 16 years, including the past year as the Assistant Principal at Linda Lyon Elementary and three years as the Assistant Principal at Howard Dobbs Elementary. In addition to her years in campus administration, she has also served as an Instructional Coach at Nebbie Williams and Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary Schools. Mrs. Bailey also has eleven years teaching experience in Kindergarten, First Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade where she taught multiple content areas and supported her grade level as Team Leader in Rockwall ISD and Garland ISD. She earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as her Educational Administration Certification from Texas A & M Commerce. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas in Denton.
She fills the position held by Dr. Megan Gist, recently named Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction. Note: Board of Trustee Jon Bailey recused himself from the meeting room and the vote.
Mrs. Bailey’s professional experiences and accomplishments include:
• 11th year in Rockwall ISD (2010-2021);
• Participant in the 2020 Rockwall ISD Aspiring Elementary Principal Academy;
• Successful elementary campus leadership experience;
• Successful implementation of Professional Learning Communities;
• Experience in Effective Schools Framework leadership; and
• Member Rockwall ISD Safety Planning Committee.
Danielle Patterson named principal of Sherry & Paul Hamm Elementary School
Mrs. Danielle Patterson continues her service in a new role as Sherry and Paul Hamm Elementary School Principal. Mrs. Patterson has served students in public education for 14 years, including four years as the Assistant Principal of Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School and is currently a Rockwall ISD Elementary Summer School Principal. In addition to her Rockwall campus leadership experience, she has served three years as an Assistant Principal at Tosch Elementary in Mesquite ISD. Mrs. Patterson has experience as an Instructional Coach, curriculum writer, and educator in Mesquite ISD. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M – Commerce. Mrs. Patterson fills the position held by Mrs. Megan Smith, who accepted an administrative promotion in another District.
Mrs. Patterson’s professional experiences and accomplishments include:
• Elementary Summer School Principal 2021;
• Fourth year in Rockwall ISD (2017-2021);
• Participant in the 2020 Rockwall ISD Aspiring Elementary Principal Academy;
• Successful implementation of Campus-Wide Professional Learning Communities; and
• Comprehensive knowledge of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports.
Reading Academies Update
The Board of Trustees heard information about state-required Reading Academies. Per House Bill 3, passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in June 2019, all kindergarten through third-grade teachers and principals must attend a “teacher literacy achievement academy” by the 2022-2023 school year. The academy aims to increase teacher knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices to positively impact student literacy achievement.
Adoption of Early Childhood-Prekindergarten Instructional Materials
The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation for the Early Childhood-Prekindergarten instructional material adoption as presented by the Prekindergarten Adoption Committee. The
committee, made up of all Prekindergarten, Head Start, and Early Childhood Special Education
teachers, were trained in the Essential Standards for Pre-Kindergarten students.
Draft 2021-2022 Grading Guidelines and Semester Exams Information Presented
The Board of Trustees heard information regarding semester exams in the Grading Guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year. A committee was formed in response to the Board of Trustees’ approval to suspend board policy EIAA (LOCAL) for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19.
As a result of the Policy EIAA (LOCAL) suspension, Rockwall ISD did not administer semester or final exams for the 2020-2021 school year. The committee was comprised of 27 campus administrators, central office administrators, teachers, and parents representing each middle school and high school. The committee evaluated the number of assessments currently in place (STAAR, STAAR EOC, District Unit Exams, CBAs, AP Exams, IB Exams, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, TSIA Exams, MAP Testing, CTE Certification Exams and others). With this information, the committee proposed eliminating semester exams in grades 7-12 beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. The Board of Trustees took no action at the meeting and was informational only.
Submitted press release, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.
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