Godley ISD school board trustees held a monthly meeting on July 24, 2023, at Pleasant View Elementary School.

The board approved the sale of $18.5 million in bonds to complete current construction projects. This represents the final amount remaining from the May 2021 bond election, when voters approved $168.5 million for school facility improvements including the construction of Pleasant View Elementary School and expansion of Godley High School for a career and technical education addition, competition gymnasium and fine arts wing.

Regarding the 2023-24 district budget, Executive Director of Finance Bryan Myres provided an outlook on the upcoming budget and tax rate.  The presentation included a review of property valuation in the district.  Myres reported that the maintenance and operations tax rate is likely to decline for the second year in a row due to growth in local property values.  The finance director also reviewed changes in state law that will lead to an increase in residential homestead exemption to $100,000. Trustees will hold a budget workshop in August prior to final consideration of the budget and tax rate later in the month.

Trustees reviewed the 2023-24 student handbook and approved the student code of conduct.  The board also adopted several changes to local policy recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards in Update 121.

Board members approved life insurance for school guardians, who provide added security for students, teachers and staff to have a safe learning environment.  Guardians are staff members who volunteer and undergo training and other requirements in order to carry a weapon on campus.

Reports to the board included:

• Aubrey Moses with the Huckabee architectural firm led the board through a workshop to review project costs of all current construction initiatives.  The review included a summary of savings or unused contingency funds among individual projects as well as a potential change order necessary to address infrastructure improvements required by Johnson County Special Utility District as well as other updates not included in early bid documents.

• 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. S&P also reviewed finishing touches, warranty items and landscape reseeding at Pleasant View.  In addition, REEDER Construction reported on Phase 3 construction for the high school’s fine arts wing.

• Chief Technology Officer Marty Oliver reviewed network upgrades as well as ongoing implementation of ClassLink and ParentSquare applications. He also presented a review of network security measures.

• A list of innovative courses was presented by Nikki Nix, the director of career and technical education.  Innovative courses enable students to master knowledge, skills and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of state-required curriculum. GHS courses include:  Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight, Entrepreneurship II; Practicum in Entrepreneurship; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic; Advanced Floral Design; Kinesiology I - II; Advanced Video Game Programming; Agriculture Leadership, Research and Communications; General Employability Skills; PAL I - II; Sports Medicine I - III. The board will consider approval of the innovative courses at a future meeting.

The board approved minutes from the last regular meeting, budget amendments, as well as financial, investment and tax reports. Trustees also completed an annual review of district investment policy.

School trustees have their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.