Godley ISD school board trustees called a May bond election during the regular monthly meeting on February 13, 2023, at Godley High School. 

The May 6 election includes a single proposition for a $889 million bond initiative recommended by the Long Range Facility Planning Committee, which included a mix of parents, students, community members and district staff numbering almost 60 strong.

Recommended by the committee were:

• Learning spaces for an additional 5,095 new students:  three new elementary schools, one new middle school, doubling the size of Godley Middle School, additions at Godley High School, renovations at R.B. Godley Elementary School and Legacy Elementary School

• Infrastructure and support to accommodate growing student enrollment:  several projects including traffic flow improvements and additional parking, safety and security upgrades, tornado shelters, technology infrastructure, additional school buses and replacement buses, transportation facility, and more

• Student programs:  career and technical education, performing arts center, black box theater, athletics addition, agricultural center addition, fine arts equipment, locker rooms for agriculture and tennis programs

A recent survey of parents and community members indicated over 66 percent supported the proposal, while 80 percent of employees favored the plan on a separate questionnaire.

New bonds will not impact the district’s property tax rate.  The tax base will increase as new homes are built and new businesses come to the community. The district cannot increase the tax rate, which is capped at 50 cents per $100 of property valuation. Bonds will only be sold as the district’s bonding capacity allows.  Should growth slow, the district can delay or postpone projects.

Additional information about the bond proposal and election is available at www.godleyisdbond.com.

Board members also approved an academic year calendar for the 2024-25 school year.

The May 6 election will coincide with a trustee election for two seats on the school board.  Board members approved the call for the bond and trustee elections as well as joint election contracts with Hood, Johnson and Tarrant Counties.

Other actions included adoption of a resolution designating February as CTE Month to highlight career and technical education programs in the school district.

The board heard from Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company regarding facility progress for Pleasant View Elementary School as well as projects at GHS.  With the new Pleasant View campus open, work continues to finish the building and address “punch list” items.  Phase 2 projects at the high school include a four-story career and technical education center and a competition gymnasium - together, these additions will house over 40 classrooms and learning spaces. In addition, REEDER Construction reported on Phase 3 construction for the high school’s fine arts wing.

Reports to the board included:

• Superintendent Dr. Rich Dear provided a student demographic update.

• Nikki Nix, Director of Career and Technical Education, reported on branding development of the future CTE center. The district will reconvene the district naming committee to seek input and approval of the brand for the facility and student-led enterprises.

• Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes provided a second review on staffing proposals for the 2023-24 school year developed with budget and student enrollment projections. New staff positions include a net increase of twelve full-time employees, including elementary and middle school teachers, special education teachers and aides, school resource officers, program specialists and other support positions.

• Implementation for seven pillars of the Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) plan. Karnes and campus principals discussed specific campus-specific strategies to implement each pillar.

The board approved minutes from the last regular as well as financial, investment and tax reports. Trustees adopted local policy changes recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards in Update 120 and an interlocal agreement with the Region 10 Education Service Center to join a multi-region purchasing cooperative for child nutrition products.  Board members also approved a resolution to pay non-exempt employees for Jan. 30 through Feb. 3, when the district was closed due to inclement weather.

School trustees have its next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Mar. 27.