Godley ISD school board trustees swore in newly elected members at the monthly meeting on May 19, 2025, at Godley High School.

Jamie Roy and Christa Heiner, who received the top votes for Places 4 and 5 respectively in the May election, were sworn in to serve three-year terms expiring in May 2028.  Roy is new to the school board, while Heiner is a veteran trustee.

Trustees reorganized following the swearing in.  Craig Stevenson was elected board president, while Terrie Goodloe is the new vice president with Heiner serving as secretary. 

Honored for many years of service on the school board was retiring trustee Marissa Abbott.

Kurtis Flood, principal of Godley High School, reviewed a proposed administrative regulation regarding student cell phone use during the school day.  He outlined data from other districts and additional research that support restricting cell phones, airpods, headphones and smartwatches.  Flood cited concerns among GHS teachers and staff about cell phones being a distraction to instruction and leading to disciplinary issues.  He presented summaries of his three presentations open to all district parents and families as well as survey results.  In addition, the principal reviewed current state legislation that could require school districts to restrict students to have cell phones during the school day.

Following a presentation by Chief Academic Officer Dr. Airemy Caudle, board members approved certification of instructional materials to the Texas Education Agency.  School districts must verify annually that the district and schools are covering required standards and identify instructional materials to be used in each content area.

Regarding facilities, trustees approved Gallagher Construction to complete minor renovations to district property at 600 N. Pearson to serve as offices for business, student services and other staff.  Purchase of the building and relocation of the administrative staff will free up several classrooms for Legacy Elementary School student growth.

Board members approved Huckabee and WRA firms as the district’s architects following a district-issued request for qualifications (RFQ).

In personnel, board members approved adding additional full-time employees in designated positions should additional state funding be authorized during the current legislative session.

Trustees approved waiver requests to the Texas Education Agency for missed school days or low attendance days due to weather, health or safety issues.

Additional reports to the board included:

• Dr. Melissa Block, principal of Pleasant View Elementary School, made a presentation for the campus spotlight.  She also introduced incoming principal Tracey Green.

• Introduced to the board were new Godley ISD Police Dept. officer David Falter and new transportation director Anthony Sims.

The board approved minutes from recent meetings and financial reports.  Trustees also approved additional purchasing cooperatives, an annual agreement with the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP), adjunct faculty agreement with Ellis County office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service so that the 4-H program is recognized as an extracurricular activity.

Honored at the meeting were several student groups:  National Math Stars nominees, GHS state speech and debate contestants, GHS Technology Student Association state contestants, GHS State Film Festival contestants, GHS VASE art state contestants, Godley FFA CDE state competitors, GHS Band state ensemble qualifiers, and the GHS Band indoor percussion state runners-up.  In addition, district and campus volunteers were honored, and Pleasant View student Andrew Vinet was recognized during the campus spotlight.

School trustees will hold their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Jun. 16.