Godley ISD school board trustees heard a recommendation from the Long Range Facility Planning Committee during its regular monthly meeting on December 18, 2023, at Godley High School.

Representatives of the long-range committee presented the group recommendation.  Addressing the facility improvements and additions were Graig Fancher, Cody Hutson, Jamie Roy and Travis Spears.  

Meeting five times over three months, the committee developed its proposal after hearing from demographers, financial advisors and others regarding projects to include in a possible bond election.  Committee members chose to use student enrollment and financial projections showing moderate growth over the next four years.

The committee included individual projects that garnered 70% consensus from members with 100% supporting the final composite list.  Projects totaling $355 million, which is less than half of the May 2023 unsuccessful initiative of $889 million, include:

• a fourth elementary school

• renovations at Legacy and R.B. Godley Elementary Schools 

• roof and HVAC replacements for Godley 6th Grade Campus

• additions and renovations for Godley Middle School

• special education classrooms, auditorium and paved stadium parking lot at Godley High School

• addition for agricultural project center as well as locker rooms for both ag and tennis students

• district-wide technology upgrades as well as safety and security improvements

• new transportation facility plus new school buses as well as a traffic study for the high school-middle school complex

Board members approved a local policy change to designate places for all trustees for future school board elections.  The board also adopted other policy changes in Policy Update 122 recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards, as reviewed by Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes.

Trustees approved a change order regarding Phase 2 construction at Godley High School due to material escalation costs.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Airemy Caudle reviewed the upcoming science textbook selection process for all grade levels.  A local committee of educators will review materials on the state-adopted list and narrow choices for consideration.  As in past processes, the district will hold a showcase for all teachers, parents and community members to peruse the materials and provide feedback through a survey.  The advisory committee will report to the District-wide Education Improvement Committee, and the final recommendation will be presented to the school board in April along with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) certification, which includes all instructional materials for the following school year.

Reports to the board included:

• Godley ISD Police Department Chief Matt Quinteros introduced new school resource officer Alex Rizzo.

• The board heard from Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company regarding facility progress for 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. Trustees also approved alternate approver access for Karnes in the TEA Login (TEAL) web applications.

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