Highlights from Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting (Oct. 19)

ROCKWALL, TX (Oct. 20, 2020) Here is a summary of last night’s Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting.

Board Recognizes Mrs. Leigh Plagens for Years of School Board Service

Leigh Plagens, retiring Board of Trustee member, was recognized for her 18 years of service to the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees. While on the Board of Trustees, her service includes the successful passage of several bond programs, managing the District’s growth, reducing the tax rate to the lowest in 30 years, recognition as a top-five Honor Board in the state of Texas, and student achievement resulting in back to back state accountability ‘A’ ratings. Before she served as a board member, she retired from Rockwall ISD with 22 years as a Rockwall High School teacher and 37 total years in education.

Spring 2021 Instructional Planning Update

District leadership presented a Spring 2021 Instructional Plan to the Board of Trustees. The Spring 2021 Instructional Planning timeline includes a survey for all teachers with specific questions for high school teachers’ readiness for in-person learning 5-days a week. For high school students and their parents, the District is considering in-person learning 5-days a week or remote learning only (not hybrid) like the middle schools and elementary schools beginning the third grading period on January 6, 2021.

Additional highlights of the report include:

As a result of the 2^nd grading period commitment to change forms submitted by parents, 74% of all students districtwide will return to in-person (grades Prek-8) or in-person hybrid (grades 9-12) learning while 26% will learn remotely.
Dr. Mary Johnston, Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Schools, reported, as of last Thursday, approximately 6,564 (76%) students chose in-person learning and 2,116 (24%) elementary students chose remote learning. As a result of more students returning to in-person learning, 35 remote teachers will now transition to the classroom for the 2^nd grading period beginning Tuesday, October 20, leaving 97 teachers dedicated to remote learning. Dr. Johnston thanked the elementary teachers for their flexibility as adjustments were made to accommodate more students returning to classrooms. She also thanked the elementary assistant principals who worked over the weekend scheduling all returning students.
Dr. Amy Ellis, Chief Curriculum & Instruction Officer, reported approximately 5,429 (65%) secondary students chose in-person or in-person hybrid learning and 2,904 (35%) secondary students chose remote learning for the 2^nd grading period. At both Rockwall HS and Rockwall-Heath HS, 61% of parents chose in-person hybrid and 39% chose remote learning for the grading period that begins October 20 through December 18. Dr. Ellis expressed appreciation to the high school and middle school teachers as they teach both in-person and remote learners.
Mark Speck, Chief of Human Resources Officer, reported since August 6, approximately 36 teachers and staff members were COVID-19 test-positive with 219 staff members quarantined due to exposure during the 1st grading period. To help attract and retain substitutes, the administration increased the pay schedule in September. Speck also reported hiring four additional nurses, seven teachers, and four special education assistants during the first grading period in response to the pandemic. The Human Resources Department has seen a 250% increase in substitute requests compared to the same time last year due to quarantine requirements.
Dr. Kelvin Stroy, Chief of Student Services, reported hiring two nurses at the start of the school year and an additional two nurses in October to conduct contact tracing and perform student and staff screenings before their return to campuses. The contact tracing process is quite extensive, with each case requiring several hours of interviews and notifications during the day, at night, and on the weekends. As cases trend upward, mitigation efforts increase to higher levels. The additional mitigation includes daily temperature checks of all students, teachers, and staff, wearing of masks by grades PreK-2, increased hand hygiene and the completion of daily self-screening surveys by teachers and staff for a period of time, typically five days, to reduce the number of exposures and positive cases. These efforts have proven successful at two elementary schools during the first grading period. Stroy also reported that school counselors at all levels will continue to contact or conduct safe home visits checking on students’ social/emotional well-being.
David Carter, Senior Chief Financial Officer, reported on the building modifications in the first grading period, including desk/teacher/cafeteria shields, deep cleaning procedures, and handwashing and water stations. Carter also reported on transportation safety and technology services that include expanding hours for the parent technology helpdesk. He mentioned the extension of the free breakfast and lunch program by the United States Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture for all students, no qualifications required, through the end of the school year.

District Earns ‘Superior’ Rating by Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas

Senior Chief Financial Officer, David Carter, announced Rockwall ISD earned a ‘Superior’ rating by the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. Texas school districts are evaluated annually on 15 financial indicators. The data assessed for the 2019-2020 rating is based upon the 2018-2019 data. Rockwall ISD earned a perfect score of 100 for the third year in a row.

Restroom Renovation 2015 Bond Projects Approved

As part of the 2015 bond program, restroom renovations for Williams Middle School and Cain Middle School were approved to include replacement of floor tile, wall tile, restroom partitions, plumbing fixtures, sink fixtures, and drop-ceilings if applicable.

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

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