December 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Announcement by the Board President whether a quorum is present and that notice of the meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551 as required by law.

Description:  "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Description:   "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." 

Description:  The Florence High School Marching Band completed their marching season with a twelfth place finish at the UIL Area-D Marching Contest at Robinson High School, barely missing the top 10 finals. They qualified for the Area round of competition by earning straight ones and sweepstakes at the Region Marching Contest held at Burnet High School. These students started work on their show in July and spent many hours in the heat preparing. Congratulations on a great marching season and good luck at Solo and Ensemble and UIL Concert and Sight Reading in the second semester!

Congratulations to the following FHS band students who advanced to the Area competition from the ATSSB Region Band Contest.
Braeden Seaboch - Flute - 3rd Chair
Kieran Seaboch - Clarinet - 2nd Chair
Roy Scott - Clarinet - 7th Chair
Betsy Bradford - Alto Sax - 2nd Chair
Ben Conner - Trumpet - 2nd Chair
Chris Gomez - Trumpet - 3rd Chair
Celeste Bradford - French Horn - 1st Chair
Competing in 4A - Zane Smith - Bass Trombone - 1st Chair

The Florence High School FFA had two LDE teams advance to the state contest. Congratulations to the Radio Team consisting of Luke Nichols, Brody Fisher, and Kimber Bliton and the Quiz Team consisting of Luke Nichols, Weston Underwood, Cody Carlson, and Sebastian Gomez. 

Description:  The FISD Teacher of the Month for November is Ms. Brenda Moro. Brenda teaches Life Skills at Florence High School and is new to the district this year. We are very lucky to have her. From her nomination, "Brenda gives 100% each and every day to the students in the life skills class. The students are engaged with learning academics and skills from the beginning of the day all the way to the end. From sewing with machines, to learning about photography, to cooking, her kids are doing so much and it is because she gives more than should be humanly possible. The laughter and joy heard every day is an audible testament to the riches she is bringing to FHS and her kids."

Description:  The Board encourages comments about the district from members of the public.  Anyone who has signed up to speak in advance of the meeting in accordance with the Board procedures may do so at this time.  The Board asks that each participant's comments pertain to district business and be no longer than 5 minutes.  For any member of the public who is accompanied by a translator, your time will be doubled as required by law.  Remember that the Board may not discuss or act upon any issues that are not posted on our agenda.  In addition, the Board has adopted policies to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and concerns for employees, students or their parents, and the general public.  Copies of our district policies and procedures on public comments and filing complaints are available on the district website. 

Description:  A donation of $500.00 was received from The Standard on Vaughan, LLC for the FES Honor Choir.
A donation of $500.00 was received from Bertram Amusement Company, LLC for the FES Honor Choir.
A donation of $20,820.00 was received from the Florence Elementary PTO for the FES Honor Choir.
A donation of $1000.00 was received from Mr. Islas for the FHS Girls Soccer Team.

 

Description:  The District recommends approval of the Interlocal Agreement for the Strategic Facility Plan as outlined in the workshop.

Description:  As you will recall from last year, House Bill 3033 created Texas Government Code 552.0031, which defines business day for purposes of the Texas Public Information Act. School districts are permitted by law to designate no more than 10 additional non-business days during a calendar year in addition to those non-business days established in statute. For a day to be eligible, the district's administrative offices are closed or operating with minimum staffing.  Authority to designate districts’ non-business days is provided solely to the Board of Trustees. Per the calendar below, the District recommends January 2 and 3, 2025;  March 17 and 21, 2025; April 18, 2025; July 2 and 3; 2025; November 25 and 26, 2025; and December 23, 2025.

Description:  The Instructional Coach position has remained vacant for the first semester. Naomi Stephenson, Coordinator of Bilingual Education, has been serving in that position as an interim. The District recommends making that a permanent move to her new position as an Instructional Coach with some district Bilingual Education program coordination responsibility. Jennifer Michalewicz is currently the counselor at Florence Elementary School. The District recommends hiring her as the new Coordinator of Special Programs. Mrs. Michalewicz is a career educator with experience in all facets of special programs. 

Description:  The band practice field as specified includes the asphalt field, ribbon curbing, lighting, an exit drive for the band hall, and all associated fences and gates. This creates a long-term practice field for the marching band that will last much longer than a field without ribbon curbing and allow for easier access to drop-off and pick-up students from the band hall. The lighting allows for early morning and after dark practice. Funds for this addition would come from the 2024 bond. The total cost is $576,229.00.

Description:  A new telephone system will be installed in the new elementary school to be configured to work with existing systems within the District.  This will be purchased out of the 2022 School Bond FF&E funds for the Elementary.  The purchase will be made through previously bid pricing contracts with the Omnia Partners purchasing cooperative Contract Number R191902.