DENISON ISD BOARD NEWS

Denison Independent School District

1201 S. Rusk Avenue, Denison, TX 75020

March 26, 2024

Published for DISD employees in the week following school board meetings.

 

NOTE: Attachments for agenda items can be viewed by visiting the Board of Trustees agenda site at  Board Book - Denison ISD Meetings

 

Denison ISD Board of Trustees President Bob Rhoden called to order the Meeting of the Denison ISD Board of Trustees on April 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bruce T. Hibbitt, Jr. Board Room of the Administration Building, located at 1201 S. Rusk in Denison, Texas. The Board began the meeting with Board Trustee Eric Hunt presenting the role of the Board of Trustees. “Board meetings are a public meeting of the Board of Trustees, not a meeting of the public. Day-to-day operations of the school district is the function of the Superintendent, but he or she must do so within the framework of policies and priorities adopted by the Board of Trustees.” The meeting continued with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kalen James from Terrell Elementary followed by the invocation by Denison ISD assistant superintendent Dr. Andru Gilbert. Board Trustee Shelle Cassell then presented the vision statement of the DISD Board Trustees who work diligently to serve and meet the educational needs of more than 4,500 Denison ISD students. “The Denison Independent School district will inspire, enable and encourage all students to learn, grow and succeed in a global society.”   

 

During the Board comments portion of the meeting, trustees stated… 

 

Board member David Hawley: “The flat things are coming along a little bit better in the case of the schools. Chuck (Edwards) is on the ball on this. We’ll get a little bit more information tonight and that and see how things are working out.”   

 

Board member Shelle Cassell: “I just wanna shout out to the food service ladies. From the first day of school, they have breakfast ready for us for the Welcome Back for employees, and at different events nights, days and weekends, and they're the last ones out when we close the door at the end of the school year. It’s the people who work behind the scenes who sometimes go unnoticed, and need to be appreciated, so thank you.” 

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Board member Linda Flemming: “I had the opportunity to attend the Texas Scholars Cookout this past week and it is just awesome seeing so many of our students awarded for that accomplishment. And, also thanks to the cooks that grill all those hamburgers and the food service staff who put it all together. It’s just an awesome event.” 

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Board member Eric Hunt: “I guess I'm gonna stay with my team of shout out our powerlifting team. I just want everybody to recognize the fact that between the girls and boys, we took 16 kids to state. They did very well. The Bigelows pour their heart and soul into this program, and I just think it needs to be recognized.” 

Board vice-president Becky Russell: “Well, I kind of wanted to bring to light here are three things that we have. The Backpack Buddies that have connected with the United Way and they help children with food for the weekend. And then we have the Junior League, who have united with the counselors to provide shoes for students that don't have shoes. And then Mayes has an interactive event. Their whole school turned into all of these ecosystems with all these interactive polls. That could not have happened without the help of the Denison Education Foundation. So, all three of these are great examples of community partnering with our schools. I think we need to be the biggest cheerleaders ever for public schools and what they do way beyond the classroom. When we're feeding kids and clothing kids and educating kids in creative and innovative ways with the help of the community, that's just the best you can get.” 

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Board president Bob Rhoden: “20 years ago, When Loretta and I were looking for a place to live, looking for a house, I asked ‘where do you want our kids to go to school?’ And she said, ‘well, Denison, of course.’ We were looking at Shermen and I said we should probably start looking for houses in the school district. So, we landed in the Denison ISD and it was absolutely the right place for us for a lot of reasons. About 17 years ago, my son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. And, I called Dr. Hatfield, and I said ‘I'm embarrassed to say that as much experience as I have with the school district, I don't know where to go, I don't know what to do.’ And he said, ‘is he three?’ And I said yes. And he said, ‘well then, if he's three, and he lives in our district, then I think we're supposed to serve him. Let me check and get back.’ And that started Kyle's work with the Denison School District and the time that he spent here. He moved along through elementary school. We did two years of Head Start because we qualified. Then into Lamar Elementary School. Finished there and then went to BMAC and Scott Middle School. And, in high school he hit a snag. We made the tough decision that perhaps it was better for him to do some online school than it was for him to stay at Denison High School. When your child is a special needs child, you know that your life, and your expectations, change radically when your child gets a diagnosis. So, he he plugged along with online high school for a couple years, got bogged down and just really got to the point where he was kind of bogged out. He was disappointed. We were disappointed. And, so, one evening when he and I were having a discussion that was louder than normal discussions, I said to him, ‘what do you think about going to Pathways?’ And he said to me in a really loud voice, ‘you just want me to go over there where all those kids are that are in trouble.’ Fortunately, having enough experience, I was able to explain that there's the Choice Program and the DAEP. So, he agreed to come and visit with Dr. Gilbert, which he did. And, he started last year, right after spring. In April of this year, just about a year to the day from when he began, he finished the equivalent two years of high school and he'll walk the stage at Pathways and graduate this year. And I get to hand him his diploma. Pathways is a wonderful, wonderful tool that we have, and I'm so excited, and so looking for them being in this building so that we can expand those offerings for kids who might need a choice for their education. So, to all of you along the way that helped my son, and there's too many to name, thank you.” 

 

Following the public comment portion of the meeting, the agenda resumed with superintendent comments. 

 

Denison ISD Superintendent Dr. David Kirkbride: “I have some dates that I want to remind the Board about. Thursday, May 2nd is our annual Scholars Among Us Banquets which is always a shiny penny event that we have here in Denison at the Hilton Garden Inn at 7:00pm. I talked with Melanie Truxall (Denison Education Foundation) and she said the invitation, a formal invitation to each of you, is coming out the next day or two. So be looking for that. And then May 3rd, the very next day, right here behind the Administration Building, we're going to unearth the Time Capsule that was buried by this year's senior class when they were kindergarten students. We're going to unearth that and then we're going to bury another Time Capsule with contents from this year’s kindergarten students. Again, that’s Friday, May 3rd at 9:00 here at Admin. And then the very next day, Saturday May the 4th, is our annual 5K for Kindness event, to promote being kind and respectful as a District, and as a community. Obviously, those are wonderful ideals to promote. The proceeds from that event go to the Denison Education Foundation, which all that comes right back into our classrooms. And, it also goes to support the Rachel Ramer Memorial Scholarship and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Denison. Again, that’s Saturday, May the 4th. And then, just a reminder, our first of three budget sessions that we're offering to the entire district over the next week and a half, that begins. Our first one is tomorrow at Mayes Elementary at 4:00pm and you should have your schedule so that we have two or three Board members in each of those sessions. We’re looking forward to those being informative sessions and hopefully some Q&A about what our budgeting process looks like each year. Thank you.” 

 

At the conclusion of the Superintendent’s comments, the meeting proceeded as scheduled. 

 

ACTION ITEMS 

• Routine Business - Consent Agenda 

• Approval of Board minutes for the March 2024 (11.A.1) 

• Approve Expenditures for March 2024 (11.A.2) 

• Approval of the March 2024 investment report (11.A.3) 

• Approval of the March 2024 financial reports (11.A.4) 

• Approval of the March 2024 tax reports (11.A.5) 

 

 

REGULAR BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item #: 12.B.1.  

Subject: Consider approval of 2023-24 Budget Amendment 

Budget amendments are recommended to realign budgeted amounts to meet 

projected actual revenues and expenditures. The attachment details the 

recommended budget amendments. 

• General Fund: Add $160,100 to Function 71 and reduce Function 11 by $160,100 because of GASB 96 requirements. 

The Board approved the budget amendments as presented. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 12.B.2.  

Subject: Consider approving the summarized competitive sub-contractor 

proposals and the GMP proposals for Terrell Elementary 

On Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 competitive sub-contractor packages were received for the Terrell Elementary Renovations and Additions. The project will renovate the office and library spaces and provide a new cafeteria, kitchen, and provide additional classroom space that will also serve as the campus storm shelter. It was recommend the award of a Total Guaranteed Maximum Price to Pogue Construction Co., LLP in 

the amount of $16,399,711.00. The Board approved the summarized competitive sub-contractor proposals for Terrell Elementary. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 12.B.3.  

Subject: Consider approving the summarized competitive sub-contractor 

proposals and the GMP proposals for Lamar Elementary 

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, competitive sub-contractor packages were received for the Lamar Elementary Renovations and Additions. The project will renovate the existing cafeteria and office into classroom space and provide a new cafeteria, kitchen, office space, and provide additional classroom space that will also serve as the campus storm shelter. It was recommended the award of a Total Guaranteed Maximum Price to Core Construction in the amount of $18,298,922.00. The board approved the summarized competitive sub-contractor proposals for Lamar Elementary. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 12.C 

Subject: Innovative Course Approval 

School districts must have local board approval to implement innovative courses. Denison High School is seeking approval to offer approval of the following innovative courses: 

• Sports Medicine 1 

• Sports Medicine 2 

• Practicum in Digital Audio Technology 

• Employability Skills 

• AVID I, II, III, and IV 

The Board of Trustees approved the Denison High School innovative courses. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 12.D 

Subject: District Annual Professional Development Schedule 

DMA (Local) requires the board to adopt and review the annual training list for Denison ISD in alignment with the SBEC clearinghouse. The Board of Trustees approved the annual training list for all staff during the 2024-2025 school year which is in full compliance to the SBEC Clearinghouse requirements. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 12.E  

Subject: Consider Waiver to the Texas Education Agency for Low-Attendance Day 

This school year, 2023-2024, Denison ISD experienced low attendance on the following dates: 01/22/24 – Due to inclement weather, the district implemented a delayed start. Student attendance was 71.87%, which is 21.73% lower than the prior year’s district attendance of 93.6%. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires this waiver type to have the Board of Trustee’s approval prior to the request being submitted on-line. 

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STUDENT ATTENDANCE ACCOUNTING HANDBOOK: 

• 3.8.1.4 Low-Attendance Day Waivers For a day when school was held but attendance was at least 10 percentage points below the overall average attendance rate for your district or the applicable campus for the prior year because of issues related to inclement weather, health, or safety, your district may apply for a waiver to have the day excluded from ADA and FSP funding calculations. An application for a low-attendance day waiver must be submitted using TEA’s automated waiver application system, which is available in TEAL. Your district must include the following items in its application:  

• documentation of low attendance for the day, including the reason for the low attendance rate, and  

• the prior year’s attendance report, showing the overall average attendance rate for the year for the district (if a waiver is requested for the district) or applicable campus (if a waiver is requested for the district).  

For a district or campus with multiple tracks, the overall average attendance rate for all tracks must be used. For a new campus or a campus that existed as two separate campuses the prior year, the overall average attendance rate for the district as a whole must be used. These documents should be uploaded as attachments in the automated waiver application system. 

The Board of Trustees approved submission of the waiver request to the Texas 

Education Agency (TEA). 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

 

 

INFORMATION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item #: 13.A 

Subject: Board Training Hours 

The Texas Education Code requires the minutes of the last regular meeting of the 

Board of Trustees held before an election of trustees to reflect whether each 

trustee has met or is deficient in meeting training requirements. The last regular 

board meeting before the May 4, 2024 trustee election is April 16, 2024. 

The requirements for training are measured as of the first anniversary of the date 

of the trustee’s election or appointment or two-year anniversary of his or her 

previous training, as applicable. 

There are eight training areas for board member continuing education: 

1. Local District Orientation (First Year Trustees) 

1. Orientation to the Texas Education Code (First Year Trustees) 

1. Post-Legislative Update to the Texas Education Code (Experienced Trustees) 

1. Team Building 

1. Additional Continuing Education 

1. Evaluating Student Academic Performance and Setting Goals 

1. Identifying and Reporting Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children 

1. School Safety 

The Board President announced each board member’s completion or 

deficiency for each area of the required training as applicable for the particular 

board member as well as any board member’s training in excess of the continuing 

education requirements. 

SEE ATTACHMENTS 

 

Agenda Item #: 13.B 

Subject: Commencement Program 

DENISON HIGH SCHOOL 

The Commencement Program for Denison High School seniors will be held on Saturday, May 18th, at 8:30 p.m. at Munson Stadium. Approximately 288 students will be graduating. The year’s commencement speaker will be Jaycee Parker, a 2012 graduate of Denison High School. Jaycee earned an academic scholarship to Columbia University where she made the Dean’s List and was Columbia University’s NAACP, President. Jaycee earned her J.D from NYU School of Law, where she served on the executive board of Black Allied Law Students Association. She is currently a Litigation Associate at Locke Lord LLP.  

 

In case of rain on Saturday night, we will move graduation to Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. If we have rain on Sunday night, the program will be moved to the DHS gymnasium and each senior will be issued four tickets to distribute to their family. 

 

The doors to the gymnasium will be open at 7:00 p.m. and ticket holders will be 

admitted until 8:00 p.m. From 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. any other persons will be 

admitted, if seats are available. Space for any overflow crowd will be provided in 

other areas of the high school. 

 

PATHWAYS HIGH SCHOOL 

The Commencement Program for the Pathways High School seniors will be held 

on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The program will be at Eisenhower 

Auditorium at Scott Middle School, with 45 students graduating. 

The doors to Scott Middle School will be open at 6:15 p.m. 

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Agenda Item #: 13.C 

Subject: Employee Recognition Program 

Each year the Board of Trustees recognizes those employees who are retiring and those who are to receive service pins. The retirees will receive their choice of a rocking chair or a mantel clock with an engraved plate showing our appreciation. As of this date, seventeen employees that will be recognized as retirees. In addition, thirteen employees will be receiving 20-year service pins and one 30-year pins will be awarded. The Classroom Teachers Association, District POPS Council, and the Board of Trustees will host a breakfast in honor of these employees at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17th in the Denison High School Cafeteria. The Board President or designee will present the retirement awards and service pins at a program in Smith Auditorium immediately following the breakfast. 

 

Agenda Item #: 13.D 

Subject: Personnel Report 

The following resignations were accepted, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 

school year. 

• Tori Tucker – Scott Middle School Teacher/Coach 

• Diana Windle – Hyde Park Elementary Teacher (retirement) 

• Vicky Newsom – B. McDaniel Intermediate Teacher 

• Liz Dunn – B. McDaniel Counselor (retirement) 

• Emily Holder – Scott Middle School SPED Teacher 

• Rhonda Troxtell – Curriculum Coordinator (retirement) 

• Joel Maresh – B. McDaniel Teacher 

• Corine Terrell – Pathways High School Teacher 

• Hunter Bigelow – Scott Middle School Teacher/Coach 

The following employees have been hired for the 2024-2025 school year: 

• Jessica Fulmer – Hyde Park Teacher 

• Leigh White – Lamar Teacher 

• Makena Bodine – Terrell Teacher 

• Michelle Housden – SPED Teacher 

 

Title I II III and IV 2023-2024 Public Hearing with Board  

Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV Federal Programs 

Texas Education Agency guidelines require public input and disclosure regarding expenditures of federal funds. This Board meeting provides a public forum for parents and community members to ask questions, provide comments, and receive feedback regarding Federal dollars. 

 

 

Following the handling of all business, the April Denison ISD Board of Trustees meeting was adjourned.