Godley ISD school board trustees approved an afterschool partnership with the YMCA at the monthly meeting on June 17, 2024, at Godley High School.

The board approved the agreement with the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, which serves several locations not only in Fort Worth but also centers in Benbrook, Granbury and Joshua. 

The Club Excel program will replace Cub Club to provide afterschool care at elementary campuses until 6:30 p.m. each school day.  The program is open to students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade academic success and personal development with STEAM activities, mini clubs, homework support, fitness and sports, character education, and more. 

According to Director of Career and Technical Education Nikki Nix, weekly and monthly payment options provide flexibility for participating families, and a drop in option is also available for students who need occasional after-school care.  Discounts are available for multiple children, YMCA members and school employees, and additional opportunities will be available during school breaks and on staff development days. The YMCA also provides scholarships and other need-based assistance for families that qualify.

Through the partnership, the YMCA will pay facility usage fees to the school district to cover expenses such as utilities and custodial services.  The district will otherwise be fiscally independent of the program.  Previously, as a district-run program, Cub Club was self-sufficient, and program tuition paid by families covered personnel, snacks and other expenses.

In addition, Cub Club employees will have the option to apply for YMCA employment. The program could also employ teachers and aides as well as high school students enrolled in education and training courses. 

In other action, board members adopted the student code of conduct for the 2024-25 school year.  No changes from the prior year were necessary due to no new legislative requirements.  Trustees also reviewed the student handbook with Director of Safety and Well-Being Brian Hunt and campus administrators.

Hunt also reviewed a change in applications for anonymous reporting of security matters, bullying incidents and other issues of concern. The district will transition to StayALERT from the current platform of Anonymous Alerts. StayALERT offers comprehensive features that facilitate anonymous reporting through calls, emails, a website form and text messages. Importantly, all communications are handled by a live person - rather than automated technology - to ensure that each report is taken seriously and managed with the appropriate level of care. Once an alert is received, StayALERT personnel promptly contact the relevant campus authorities to ensure timely and effective response to the reported concern.

Trustees conducted a first review of possible local policy changes in TASB Policy Update 123 as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards. The board will consider the policy recommendations at a future meeting.

Reports to the board included:

• Facility progress was presented by Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company regarding Phase 2 projects at GHS including The WILD career and technical education center and competition gymnasium. In addition, REEDER Construction reported on Phase 3 construction for the high school’s fine arts wing.

The board approved minutes from recent meetings as well as financial and tax reports. 

School trustees have their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Jul. 22.