Godley ISD school board trustees heard a report from the Long Range Facility Planning Committee during the regular monthly meeting on December 12, 2022, at Godley High School.

Presenting the LRFP recommendation was committee member Jeff Neal, who outlined the committee process and findings for a bond to: build and make additions to accommodate an additional 5,000 students; make significant upgrades to facilities and equipment including safety and security, technology, transportation and parking; increase capacity for growing student programs including agriculture, fine arts and athletics.

Neal and Superintendent Dr. Rich Dear stressed that a bond will not increase property tax rates, as GISD can make all existing and new bond payments under the current rate. New growth in GISD will increase the tax base, which will increase bonding capacity.  Disabled veterans and citizens 65 years of age and older are eligible for certain property tax exemptions including school taxes.

Recommended by the committee are:

• Learning spaces for an additional 5,000 new students:  three new elementary schools, one new middle school, renovations and addition at Godley Middle School, additions at Godley High School, renovations at RB Godley Elementary School and Legacy Elementary School

• Infrastructure and support to accommodate growing student enrollment:  several projects including district-wide safety and security upgrades, district-wide technology infrastructure, additional school buses and replacement buses, transportation facility, and more

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

The board heard from Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company regarding facility progress for Pleasant View Elementary School as well as projects at GHS.  Construction at the new elementary campus is wrapping up, with teachers ready to move in and students set to attend classes in January following Christmas Break.  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 the beginning of Phase 3 construction for the high school’s fine arts wing.

Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes outlined continued development of the Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) plan.  Seven pillars center on:  student learning and progress; student readiness;  engaged well-rounded students; community engagement and partnerships; professional learning and effective staff; fiscal and operational systems; safety and well-being.  Karnes outlined key questions, benefits as well as implementation with specific campus-specific strategies. 

The board approved Campus Improvement Plans after a presentation from Chief Academic Officer Dr. Airemy Caudle.  These academic documents focus on CBAS pillars, and the campus plans were reviewed by trustees at two prior meetings. 

Reports to the board included:

• Nikki Nix, career and technical education director, reviewed student certifications.  The Texas Education Agency recently contacted the school district about a high percentage of GHS students earning college, career and military readiness points.  In past years, students could earn a CCMR point by successfully passing an industry-based certification exam.  However, the state agency is now changing the rules to require those students to take a coherent sequence of courses aligned with that certification.

• Emergent bilingual programs were presented by Caudle and ESL coordinator Bailey Lee, who reviewed data on student progress and teacher certifications.  The district will focus on state assessments, professional development, parental involvement and a summer school program.

• Caudle provided an overview of the Godley Reads program. The district is continuing efforts to encourage reading and ensuring that students are reading on grade level.  Caudle also discussed continued implementation of an accelerated learning program through American Reading Company.

The board approved financial, investment and tax reports. 

School trustees will next meet on Monday, Jan. 23.  Board meetings are held at GHS, which is located at 9501 Highway 171.