Board Notes: January 10, 2023

Public Hearing

Review of TAPR
Dr. Mike Mattingly, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction conducted the Public Hearing on the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR). Dr. Mattingly explained the annual dropout rate has remained constant over the past three years dating back to 2019. For the school year 2020-21, Denton ISD had 2,096 graduates.

Additionally, for the 2020-2021 school year, Denton ISD saw an increase in dual-credit courses, industry-based certification and special ed with advanced degree plan. Dr. Mattingly said Denton ISD is making gains in reading, and the district is closing the gap in STAAR testing for math. While Denton ISD is making progress, Dr. Mattingly emphasized the STAAR test is changing next year, with new types of questions, more non-multiple choice questions and constructed response questions. Dr. Mattingly said math is the district's primary focus for improvement. The district also experienced improvement in 15 of 20 STAAR tests for economically disadvantaged students. 

Workshop Items

Citizens Advisory Committee Bond Presentation
Members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) presented to the board of trustees the results from the four-month-long CAC meetings. Heidi Sandmann, a junior at Ryan High School, Kloe Kloiber, a junior at LaGrone Academy, and community members Andrew Morris and Aimee Jones also presented to the district, officially recommending a bond referendum of $1,423,755,381. 

"You really represent through this bond approval process the future of Denton ISD,” Trustee Dr. Jim Alexander said, thanking the Citizens Advisory Committee for their work. “What you have been doing is thinking ahead and engaging in a futuristic activity to help us prepare for Denton ISD in 2028, 2029 and 2030. It is those children who will be here those years that will benefit from this process. This is an absolutely critical process for our district. I am so grateful to each of you for serving. I am very pleased with the quality of product, and I look forward to moving forward with the authorization and building these things that are necessary for Denton ISD in 2028 and 2029.”

Election Day is May 6. Early voting is April 24-May 2. 

Discussion of Denton ISD Wellness Clinic
Chris Bomberger, executive director of child nutrition and benefits, presented the Board with a district wellness clinic aimed at promoting physical wellness, mental health and social-emotional well-being to Denton ISD employees, spouses, and their dependent children.

Mr. Bomberger explained the district met with multiple vendors, and eventually,  presented potentially partnering with Concentra to provide the wellness clinic. Concentra has nearly 520 medical centers and over 155 onsite clinics nationwide. 

More information will be available at a future meeting.

Report Items

3rd Quarter Attendance Report
Dr. Lesli Guajardo, director of student services, provided the board with an update on attendance for the 3rd reporting period.

New Business

The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda. In doing so, approved the hire of Rachel Hix as the new principal at Rivera Elementary School. Principal Marvyn White left mid-year to accept a similar position in a neighboring district.

Order of Trustee Election
Trustees approved the call of the Trustee Election. An election is hereby ordered to be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 for the purpose of electing to the Board of Trustees two trustees for a full three-(3) year term for each position designated as Place 6 and Place 7.

Applications for a place on the ballot shall be filed by February 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday, April 24 through Saturday, April 29. Early voting by personal appearance will also be conducted between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 30 and between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2.

Denton ISD Board of Trustees Vote to Call Bond Election
The Denton Independent School District Board of School Trustees unanimously approved the recommendation of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to call a capital improvement plan to address growth, safety and security and equity across the district. If approved by voters, the referendum would generate the necessary $1.4 billion to address district needs and not change the district’s current $0.48 debt service tax rate.

Denton ISD residents will have the opportunity to vote on the bond referendum during Early Voting, April 24 through May 2, and on Election Day, Saturday, May 6. Read the full story and what all is proposed in the bond package on the district website. Read more about 

Other Items of Note

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Rockin’ Readers

LaGrone Academy - Auto Tech Students

Board Appreciation Month