Godley ISD school board trustees heard an academic report at the regular monthly meeting on March 24, 2024, at Godley High School.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Airemy Caudle reviewed the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for the 2022-23 school year.  Caudle explained how the school district is implementing the school district’s Community-Based Accountability System (CBAS) and evaluating district progress in several ways. CBAS pillars also are incorporated into annual district and campus improvement plans.

Caudle reported that no state accountability ratings by the Texas Education Agency were issued due to pending litigation.  GISD maintained an accredited status and also met requirements regarding special education programs.  She also outlined progress in:  literacy and math; kindergarten readiness; and college, career, military readiness; graduation rates; attendance; other postsecondary indicators.  Caudle discussed state-directed goals in several academic areas as well as areas of district and campus focus for continued work and improvement.

Highlighted was the low turnover rate among GISD teachers, as reported by the United Educators Association of Texas.  Caudle also reviewed professional learning opportunities available for teachers and staff.  The TAPR review concluded with an overview of fiscal and operational systems along with community engagement and partnerships.

Spencer Davis, the district’s new chief financial officer, presented information regarding moving the district’s fiscal year to begin July 1 and ending June 30 - a change from the current fiscal year of September to August.  The recommended change would align the fiscal year with the school year while also allowing staff to focus budgets from the first day of school rather than holding back from the prior year.  The board will consider the change at a future meeting.

A comprehensive district policy review was presented by Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes, who stated that district and campus administrators had recently conducted the local policy review with a consultant from the Texas Association of School Boards.  The recommendations included aligning policy to current practices, removing or consolidating obsolete or repetitive policies, and adding policy language to comply with recent changes in state law.  The board will consider the policy recommendations at a future meeting.

Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding for the 2024-25 school year to continue the Tarleton Today program allowing Godley students to earn college credit through year-long classes and have the option to add it to a college transcript at the conclusion of the course.  Tarleton provides training and stipends for GHS teachers, who lead the classes.  Free tuition is available for economically disadvantaged students, while others pay a reduced fee of $150 per 3-hour courses and $200 for 4-hour courses.  Current course offerings include college algebra, animal science and agricultural economics; the district will consider additional full-year and semester-only course opportunities available through the program.

In personnel, the board extended contracts for administrative employees.

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.

• Trustees heard a campus spotlight from GHS.

• Davis reported that the administration would not be recommending any added full-time positions for next school year.  This is due to the lack of increases in state appropriations that remain at 2019 levels because of state-level political disputes.

The board approved minutes from recent meetings, budget amendments as well as financial and tax reports. To ensure effectiveness during the spring and summer hiring season, board members delegated authority to Superintendent Dr. Rich Dear for hiring during the time period of April through August.

Trustees also approved several necessary designations for Davis as the new CFO, and board members engaged Snow Garrett Williams as auditor for the current fiscal year.  Other actions included approving interlocal agreements and joining purchasing cooperatives next fiscal year for broader purchasing power and access to lower costs.

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