Godley ISD school board trustees heard a demographic and growth update as well as an accountability report during the regular monthly meeting on September 23, 2024, at Godley High School.

Demographer Bob Templeton reviewed current demographics, economic and housing indicators and enrollment growth projections. GISD student enrollment increased by 821 (or 37.6%) between the 2018-19 and 2023-24 school years - and by 191 (or 6.8%) since the 2022-23 school year.

Key takeaways from Templeton’s analysis include:

• New home sales in Godley ISD accounted for 64% of total district home sales in 2023, an increase of 14% from 2022.

• The district has 29 actively building subdivisions with over 1,600 lots available to build on.

• GISD has 19 future subdivisions with over 16,400 lots in the planning stages.

• Groundwork is underway on nearly 700 lots within six subdivisions.

• Godley ISD is forecasted to enroll more than 4,100 students by the 2029-30 school year and more than 5,300 by the 2034-35 school year

Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes presented the district’s second annual community report under the Community-Based Accountability System.  The report features data and information on district progress and activities regarding seven important pillars:  student learning and progress, student readiness, engaged and well-rounded students, community engagement and partnerships, professional learning and effective staff, fiscal systems and safety and well-being. A digital version of the community report is available at www.godleyisd.net/cbas and will be distributed in print to all district stakeholders.

With growth in overall student enrollment, trustees approved the hiring of three new full-time employees for the Early Childhood Special Education program at district elementary campuses.  An additional special education position was adjusted from a paraprofessional to a teacher.  To ensure that students are served promptly, the board authorized the superintendent to hire individuals for these positions.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Airemy Caudle provided the first review of the district improvement plan, which includes a comprehensive needs assessment and other data to determine goals, projects and resources for the school district.  The district plan is based on the CBAS pillars.  The administration will continue work on the plan and present a final recommendation to the board at a future meeting.

Board members adopted a resolution for a good cause exception to a newly-enacted state law requiring a licensed police office at all school campuses.  Instead, the district will continue to use officers from the new Godley ISD Police Department as well as school guardians to provide armed security.  Guardians are staff members who volunteer and undergo training and other requirements in order to carry a weapon on campus.

The board adopted a tax rate for Hill College of $0.023218 per $100 of property valuation.  Action followed several assurances by college president Dr. Thomas Mills regarding professors for dual credit classes, simplified transcript requests and the hiring of a navigator for academic advising.  Trustees noted that the college tax rate in Godley ISD is the lowest among Johnson County school districts.

Trustees nominated several individuals to serve on boards of directors for county appraisal districts.  For Johnson County, the board nominated Cesar Diaz, Bruce Gibson, Lauren Pate  For Tarrant County, board members nominated Fred Campos, Daryl Davis, Phyllis Grissom, Gloria Pena and Sayeda Syed.

Trustees also adopted a resolution supporting a culture of voting to improve civic engagement and voter turnout among eligible students, employees, and community members.

Additional 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.

• The YMCA Club Excel after-school program currently serves 80 students at the three elementary campuses and also provides care during staff development days and student holidays. The YMCA is currently $3,000 in scholarships for families in need and excepts the annual amount to total about $20,0000.

The board approved minutes from recent meetings as well as financial reports and budget amendments.  Trustees also designated 10 non-business days for the 2025 calendar year applicable to the Texas Public Information Act.  Board members also appointed members to the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).

School trustees will hold their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.