Board Notes: May 14, 2024

Presentations and Recognitions

Fifteen Denton ISD Students Receive All-State Honors at VASE Competition
Fifteen Denton ISD students received all-state honors in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) – an annual competition with nearly 35,000 entries. Academically eligible high school students in grades 9-12 can participate in VASE.

Students create artwork, write about their creative processes and understanding of visual art, and articulate information about their artwork during an interview with a VASE juror, who evaluates their work using a standards-based rubric. To qualify for state, students must attend a regional event and have their original artwork with them at the event.

Jurors then interview students and evaluate the artwork using the aforementioned rubric. Artwork receiving an Exemplary Rating (IV) receives a medallion at the state VASE competition. The state jury panel will then select Gold Seal winners from artwork receiving an Exemplary Writing, and Gold Seal artworks receive a State Gold Seal medallion.

Denton ISD’s 15 all-state VASE students include the following: 

Braswell High School

Alazjah Tate – All-State, Gold Seal Medallion 
Ms. Kiba Jacobson, Teacher 

Arabella Graham – All-State
Ms. Angie Ford, Teacher 

Samantha Melendez – All-State
Mr. David Villegas, Teacher

Izabella Viola – All-State
Ms. Angie Ford, Teacher 

Guyer High School

Jade Arnquist-forte – All-State
Mr. Christian Reid, Teacher

Angelo Gallizzi – All-State
Mr. Jeremy Sale, Teacher

Manya Kumari – All-State
Mr. Christian Reid, Teacher

Jillian Love – All-State
Mr. Christian Reid, Teacher

Jaden Mayville – All-State
Ms. Tiffany Fitzsimmons, Teacher

Kaylee Murray – All-State
Ms. Shaye Watson, Teacher

Lillian B. Rodgers – All-State
Mr. Jeremy Sale, Teacher 

Mia Stolp – All-State
Mr. John Mooney, Teacher

Ryan High School

Paola Farinas – All-State, Gold Seal Medallion
Ms. Aimee Foutch, Teacher

Nova Bailey – All-State
Ms. Aimee Foutch, Teacher

Emily Stanley – All-State
Ms. Aimee Foutch, Teacher

Kailyn Head Wins Class 5A State Championship in 300-Meter Hurdles
Ryan High School’s Kailyn Head won the Class 5A title in the 300-meter hurdles at the UIL State Track and Field championships. 

The Ryan High junior finished the race in 41.2 seconds to claim the gold medal. She won the district, area and regional title in the event, as well.

Michelle Duesman Receives James Madison Fellowship
Michelle Duesman, an eighth-grade history teacher at McMath Middle School, has received the James Madison Fellowship from Georgetown University worth up to $25,000. 

The fellowship will go towards graduate school for Ms. Duesman, where she will take classes in constitutional history. Ms. Duesman is just the second teacher in Denton ISD to receive this fellowship. In addition to receiving the James Madison Fellowship this year, Ms. Duesman was also named the Texas Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Board Spotlight
James Rosin, the inaugural winner of the Corky Stuckenbruck Impact Award, goes above and beyond for his students. Mr. Rosin has served as the art teacher at Denton High School since 2008, and he makes it his mission to create a safe and encouraging environment where every student feels valued and empowered to explore their creativity in the classroom.

Mr. Rosin extends his classroom hours by opening his door in the summer and on Saturdays, so students can have extra studio time. Many of Mr. Rosin’s students have gone on to pursue careers in the arts, working at Disney, Pixar Animation and as art curators, professional artists and even as art educators.

Community Spotlight
Each year, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) honors businesses and organizations for their support and exceptional advocacy of public schools. This statewide honor, as part of “Stand Up for Texas Public Schools,” recognizes local businesses, community organizations and individuals that partner with school districts, making a difference in the lives of public-school students.

Denton Noon Rotary has been a longtime supporter of Denton ISD. Earlier this year, Denton Noon Rotary generously donated over $22,000 worth of books that were distributed to all incoming kindergarten students at the district’s Kindergarten Roundup. 

For the unique way Denton Noon Rotary has assisted our district, and for going above and beyond to assist our students and staff, we wish to thank them for their continued support. 

Discussion of 2024-2025 Budget
Jennifer Stewart, Executive Director of Budget, provided an update on the 2024-2025 budget. Ms. Stewart noted the linear growth of property values year over year dating back to 2016-2017. 

In addition, Ms. Stewart detailed projected expenditures for 2024-2025. For 2024-2025, Denton ISD will open Martinez Elementary School with no additional full-time teaching employees due to public schools receiving no additional funding from the State of Texas. 

Denton ISD will also be reducing its number of full-time employees by not filling vacancies left by retirements and resignations. In total, Denton ISD will be reducing 103 total full-time employee positions either by not filling vacancies left by retirements and resignations, or by reclassifying full-time employees. Of the 103 full-time employee positions being reduced, 94 are non-classroom positions and eight are classroom positions (8 campus paraprofessional and 1 campus professional). 

For 2024-2025, Denton ISD is projecting $321,637,312 in revenue and $342,427,885 in expenditures, resulting in a projected $20,790,573 deficit. 

Discussion of Proposed Legislative Resolutions & Priorities for the TASB Advocacy Agenda
Dr. Deron Robinson, General Counsel, provided an update on new Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Advocacy Resolutions for the 2024-2026 Advocacy Agenda. 

As Denton ISD continues to advocate for improved and sustainable funding of the school finance system as well as sensible accountability for all Texas schools that receive public funds, the district recognizes the power of a unified voice and the critical intertwining of supportive organizations in advocating for policies that directly impact Denton ISD staff, students, families and community.

The two proposed agenda items include a resolution advocating for providing adequate funding for Texas public schools, and a resolution advocating for sensible accountability for all Texas schools that receive public funding. Each of these resolutions aligns with Denton ISD’s Board of School Trustees’ “Super Six” board values. 

Discussion of Employee Medical Update 2024-2025
Chris Bomberger, Executive Director of Child Nutrition and Risk Management, provided an employee medical update. From 2022-2023 to 2023-2024, Denton ISD’s total workers’ compensation claims fell from 747 to 720. Denton ISD’s total workers’ compensation claims over $5,000 also fell, dropping from 26 to seven from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024. 

Mr. Bomberger also explained that from 2022-2023 to 2023 through April 30, 2024, the total amount of claims paid decreased from $710,338 to $398,664. 

Additionally, since opening the Theresa Grant Riggs Employee Wellness Center in July 2023, there have been 2,542 visits by employees, costing $30 per visit. Compared to the average cost of care in Texas at $169, Denton ISD has helped employees save $353,268 over the last 10 months. 

Discussion of Employee Benefits Update
Chris Bomberger, Executive Director of Child Nutrition and Risk Management, provided an update on employee benefits for 2024-2025. Compared to TRS ActiveCare, which Denton ISD left last year in order to give the district flexibility with its benefits, a majority of Denton ISD’s employee benefits through BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) are cheaper. 

Mr. Bomberger explained that each of the medical insurance plans rose between $34 to $120 per month. BCBS will also offer vision insurance to replace the current superior vision plan. This plan will offer the same coverage at a 20 percent rate decrease, while the high vision plan will offer the same coverage at a 30 percent rate decrease. 

BCBS will also replace One America to offer both the employer-sponsored and voluntary life insurance. The employer sponsored life insurance will experience a rate decrease of 39 percent, which will save Denton ISD $21,000 on the employer sponsored life insurance.

Voluntary Life Insurance will experience a rate decrease of 10 percent, saving Denton ISD employees $167,000 annually on life insurance premiums. 

Discussion of Property, School Liability, Privacy & Information Security, Automobile Insurance Renewal and Excess Workers' Compensation Renewal
Chris Bomberger, Executive Director of Child Nutrition and Risk Management, provided an update on property, school Liability, privacy and information security, automobile insurance renewal and excess workers' compensation renewal.

Mr. Bomberger explained from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, Denton ISD’s total insured value rose from $2,051,793,673 to $2,274,695,957. The premium also increased, rising from $2,982,031 to $4,462,999. Other district coverage premiums include:

  • School liability: $274,076

  • Auto liability: $183,709

  • Auto physical damage: $78,256

  • Privacy & Information Security: $12,500

In total, Denton ISD’s total coverage premiums for 2024-2025 is $5,011,540. 

Intruder Detection Audit
Denton ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jamie Wilson provided an update on the recent Intruder Detection Audits conducted by the Texas School Safety Center. Further detail was provided to the board in executive session for safety and security.

Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter ended March 31, 2024
Vicki Garcia, Executive Director of Financial Operations, provided an overview to Trustees regarding the district’s investment report for the quarter ending March 31, 2024.

Ms. Garcia noted from Dec. 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the beginning market value of Denton ISD’s portfolio was $1,269,942,498.55, while the ending market value was $1,294,025,176.21 – representing a $24,082,677.70 increase in market value.