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IT IS 5:31 ON THURSDAY, MAY 13TH, 2021.
[1. 5:30 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
MISS ELLIS HAS JUST BEEN MEETING POSTED AND LAWFULLY TIMELY MANNER.THIS IS A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, GRAND PRAIRIE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL NOW ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
[2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION]
CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS FOR WHICH CLOSED SESSIONS ARE AUTHORIZED BY TITLE 5, CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.THE SUPERINTENDENT AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD WILL PRESENT FOR THE BOARD'S DISCUSSING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS: PERSONNEL INCLUDING ALL MATTERS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT, RESIGNATION, RETIREMENT, TERMINATION, NON-RENEWAL, REQUEST FOR LEAVE, CONTRACT EXTENSION AND SUSPENSION.
REAL PROPERTY, STUDENT DISAPPOINT AND OTHER MATTERS WHICH ARE PROTECTED BY STATUTE IN CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
THE BOARD RULE RE-CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION AT 7:00PM AND MAY TAKE ACTION AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED MEETING.
[NOISE] WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED SESSION FOR.
ALL RIGHT, IT'S 7:19 AND THE BOARD HAS RE-CONVENED IN OPEN SESSION.
[3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION]
IS THERE ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF CLOSED SESSION? SEEING NONE, THIS WILL MOVE US TO OUR INVOCATION.PASTOR MARCO LUNA FROM THE GATHERING CHURCH.
IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE RISE. [INAUDIBLE] [NOISE] I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT REAL QUICK TO THANK YOU FOR THIS INVITATION, AND TO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO HERE IN THIS ROOM REALLY DOES MATTER.
BOTH MY DAUGHTERS AND MY SON ARE PRODUCTS OF GPISD WITH ELEMENTARY TO REAGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, TO DUBISKI IN SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH.
MY OLDEST DAUGHTER IS NOW A SECOND GRADE TEACHER AT GARCIA ELEMENTARY HERE IN GPISD.
[BACKGROUND] MY MIDDLE CHILD IS ON OUR WAY TO FRANCE, HE GRADUATES NEXT YEAR WITH A DEGREE IN FASHION AND MERCHANDISING, AND MY YOUNGEST SON IS GOING TO GRADUATE IN TWO YEARS WITH MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH A POSSIBLE INTERNSHIP WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS ORGANIZATION.
EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO [APPLAUSE] MATTERS. LET US PRAY.
FATHER, I COME TO YOU HERE BEFORE YOU TO PRAY FOR OUR BOARD MEMBERS, TO PRAY FOR THIS MEETING, PRAY FOR EVERY SINGLE ADMINISTRATOR, PRINCIPAL, TEACHER, EMPLOYEES FROM CUSTODIANS TO FOOD PREPARES THE COACHES, TO ASSISTANT TEACHERS.
TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WORKS WITH OUR CHILDREN.
WE KNOW THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR, A DIFFERENT YEAR, A YEAR OF CHANGES FROM TEACHING VIRTUALLY TO TEACHING IN CLASS.
I PRAY FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT IS COME TO THIS CONCLUSION THIS YEAR, WE'RE TURNING THE CORNER TO THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND WE BELIEVE GOD THAT YOU WILL GIVE OUR BOARD MEMBERS, AND EVERY ADMINISTRATOR, EVERY TEACHER, VISION AND WISDOM FOR CASTING FOR THE FUTURE.
I PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR FELLOW TEACHERS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES TO COVID.
I SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THIS COMING YEAR, IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU WOULD ERADICATE COVID.
WE PRAY RIGHT NOW THAT YOU PROTECT ALL OF OUR TEACHERS, AND ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FROM THIS VIRUS.
WE PRAY RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THIS MEETING, AND BLESS OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND SENIOR STAFF, AND THEN WE PRAY, AMEN.
THANK YOU, PASTOR LUNA. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK [INAUDIBLE] SUPERINTENDENT, IF SHE WOULD LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE TO OUR COUNTRY AND STATE FLAGS. [INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE] YOU ALL MAY BE SEATED.
[NOISE] BEFORE WE MOVE INTO OUR RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE
[6. RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS]
ONE SPECIAL GUEST THAT WE HAVE IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US THIS EVENING, MISS GEORGIA CLEMSON, SERVES ON THE GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1.[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT WITH US, MISS CLEMSON.
ALL RIGHT. MR. BUTT MEYER, IF YOU WOULD JOIN US.
THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, [INAUDIBLE] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, WE RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTION AND INFLUENCE OF ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS TO THE HISTORY, THE CULTURE, THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND ESPECIALLY GRAND PRAIRIES DAY.
IN GPISD, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 950 STUDENTS THAT IDENTIFY AS ASIAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER.
THAT REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 3.4 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL STUDENT BODY.
GRAND PRAIRIE ISD PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS RICH DIVERSITY AND WE CONSIDER THAT A STRENGTH OF OUR DISTRICT.
ONE OF THE WAYS WE NURTURE THAT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
TONIGHT WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE MR. STEPHEN LOWE WITH US.
[00:05:03]
MR. LOWE, IS A DIRECTOR OF THE LOWE FOUNDATION.THE LOWE FOUNDATION REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF THE STRENGTH, INTEGRITY, AND GENEROSITY TAUGHT DURING TIMES WHEN THE LOWE FAMILY HAD NOTHING.
TODAY THE LOWE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO SHARE LOVE, CREATE A OPPORTUNITY, AND GIVE HOPE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.
THROUGH THE FOUNDATION THEY'VE CREATED JOBS, PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS, PROVIDED FUNDING FOR A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS, AND ASSISTANCE IN THOSE TIMES WHEN THERE WAS NO HOPE.
IT'S MY HONOR TO WELCOME TO THE LECTURE, MR. STEVE LOWE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A WORD [INAUDIBLE] PRESIDENT, MEMBER OF THE BOARD, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON BEHALF OF THE LOWE FOUNDATION ASIA TIMES SQUARE I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY DEEP APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SINCERE DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, MOST IMPORTANT, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MY FAMILY, AND MY BUSINESS.
THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU SO MUCH. [BACKGROUND] [NOISE] GOT IT, THANK YOU.
>> MR. PRESIDENT FOR OUR NEXT RECOGNITION, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE GRAND PRAIRIE PRO TEAM GEORGIA CLEMSON.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND IT'S SUCH A GREAT HONOR TO SEE YOU ALL AND BE HERE WITH YOU ALL.
WE DO APPRECIATE EACH THING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CITY, YOU MAKE OUR CITY BETTER AND WE'RE SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU, AND IT'S MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO YOU AMANDA MARON.
IT USED TO BE LINDBERGH NOW IT'S MARON, AND SHE IS THE WONDERFUL DIRECTOR OF KEEP GRAND PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL.
>>THANK YOU. IT MIGHT BE EASIER TO HEAR ME WITHOUT THIS MASK ON. ALL RIGHT.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
I'M THE KEEP GRAND PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL TEMPORARY COORDINATOR WITHIN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING DIVISION.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THREE OUTSTANDING GREEN TEAMS. THE GREEN CLEANING CAMPUS PROGRAM IS IN OVER 22 YEAR LONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, AND SCHOOLS IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
IN 2019, KEEP GRAND PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL WITH ASSISTANCE FROM A $52,000 GRANT FROM THE NORTH-CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE 297 RECYCLING BINS FOR GRAND PRAIRIE SCHOOLS.
ONCE THESE RECYCLING BINS WERE INSTALLED, RECYCLING RATES SKYROCKETED.
STUDENTS MAINTAIN THE RECYCLING BINS AND CONTINUE RECYCLING EDUCATION ON THEIR CAMPUSES.
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS MEANT THAT MANY CAMPUSES WE'RE NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE RECYCLING IN 2020.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE CAMPUSES WHICH DID CONTINUE TO RECYCLE, AND THEY VARIED 2,112 POUNDS OF PLASTIC AND ALUMINUM FROM THE LANDFILL.
THESE CAMPUSES ARE AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY, BARBARA BUSH ELEMENTARY, CROSSWINDS ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOL, EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY, FLORENCE HILL ELEMENTARY, ELLEN OCHOA STUDENT STEM ACADEMY, SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL, URBAN SEE WHAT ELEMENTARY, HOBBES WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY AND YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY [APPLAUSE].
[00:10:02]
LET'S REMEMBER THAT BIG NUMBER, 2,112 POUNDS.ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO TO OUR THIRD PLACE [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S A LOT OF PLASTIC [LAUGHTER], YES.
WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR RECYCLING 175 POUNDS [APPLAUSE].
[NOISE] [BACKGROUND] IN SECOND PLACE, WE HAVE A VIDEOS TO PLAY.
OH, JUST KIDDING, WE HAVE A PICTURE [LAUGHTER].
WE HAVE SECOND PLACE, SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL WITH 212 POUNDS [APPLAUSE].
>> CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].
>> THEN IN FIRST PLACE, I'D LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO, AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY FOR CONTRIBUTING TO OVER HALF [NOISE] [BACKGROUND] OF THE CAMPUS RECYCLING IN 2020, THAT IS EXACTLY [APPLAUSE] 1,182 POUNDS [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]
>> IN SIX WEEKS [LAUGHTER] AND GOT IN TROUBLE [LAUGHTER] [NOISE] [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE]
WE HOPE THAT YOU'RE AS PROUD OF YOUR STUDENTS IN CAMPUSES AS WE ARE.
>> THANK YOU [OVERLAPPING] SO MUCH [APPLAUSE].
>> ONE FINAL WORD, JUST FOR MY MOTHER, MISS RUTH, WHO THIS WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER HEART, "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS AND DON'T MESS WITH GRAND PRAIRIE AND PICK UP YOUR LITTER" [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE].
>> [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] THAT'S RIGHT.
>> I'D LIKE TO TAKE A QUICK SECOND TO ADD ON TO THAT.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO SERVE ON THE KEEP GRAND PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION, AS WELL AS MR. HALL, AND EVEN MORE SO HAD THE PRIVILEGE LAST TWO YEARS TO CHAIR THAT COMMITTEE, BUT YOU THINK ABOUT JUST TO KEEP GRAND PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL, YOU DO A COUPLE OF THINGS THERE, IT DON'T SEEM LIKE IT REALLY MAYBE CARRY AS MUCH WEIGHT IN COMPARISON TO SOME OF THESE BIGGER BOARDS THAT WE HAVE IN PROJECTS THE CITY HAS GOING ON, BUT THAT LITTLE SMALL, I CALL SMALL COMMISSION HAS SUCH BIG HEARTS WITH PEOPLE THAT SERVE IN IT.
THE AMOUNT OF TRASH THAT COMES OUT OF GRAND PRAIRIE JUST BASED ON THAT COMMISSION, AND THE THINGS THAT WE TRIED TO HELP IMPLEMENT IN THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY WE TRY TO BRING INTO THAT COMMISSION.
YOUR TRASH CANS, IT'S SET OUT IN THE MEDIANS, YOUR PUBLIC ART THAT'S GOING ON THE SIDE OF THE CONTROL BOXES FOR YOUR RED LIGHTS, AND ALL THE THINGS.
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT COME OUT OF THAT COMMISSION WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF AMANDA, AND SOME OF HER STAFF AND DIRECTORS WITH THE CITY.
IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM, I'M HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND BE PART OF THAT AND HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER HERE TONIGHT, BUT A GREAT JOB FROM THE CITY SIDE OF IT, AND A GREAT JOB TO THE COMMUNITY FOR PARTICIPATING, AND FOR HELPING WITH THIS LITTER, BECAUSE TRASH DOES PAY, YOU'LL LEARN THAT ONE DAY [LAUGHTER].
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT [BACKGROUND].
NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO A SPECIAL RECOGNITION COURTESY OF THE GPISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME UP TO THE LECTURE AND THE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT, MARY DOMINGUEZ SAME TEENY, FOUNDATION MEMBERS, ANGELA GESTER, JUSTIN ROSS, HEATHER ANDERSEN, AND GEORGIA CLEMSON [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] [NOISE]
>> I WAS ORDERING THE SAME THING.
[00:15:04]
>> YOU'RE READY? GOT IT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> [SPANISH] GOOD AFTERNOON. THE 40,000 THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DECIDED WE COULD DO A LITTLE BIT FOR OUR EDUCATORS IN OUR ADMINISTRATION IN THE SCHOOLS.
IT WAS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR THOSE TEACHERS' EMPLOYEE THAT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND.
WE FED THEM, THEY ORDERED, THEY HAD FOOD CATERED.
IT WAS JUST A LITTLE SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO DO FOR THE 42 SCHOOLS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS.
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
THEY ACTUALLY PROVIDED LUNCH FOR EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE IN THE ORGANIZATION.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING EACH AND EVERYONE IT WAS A GREAT WEEK AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK, THAT THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DOES. THANK YOU.
>> MRS. ELLIS, I WILL TELL YOU THAT I WAS PRIVY TO A TEXT FROM ONE OF OUR TEACHERS THAT SAID, "THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST [OVERLAPPING] EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK EVER." THAT WAS IN NO SMALL PART TO OUR FOUNDATION SO THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, SAM.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME TO THE PODIUM OUR CHIEF TEACHING AND LEARNING OFFICER, DR. ANGELA HERRON.
>> BOARD PRESIDENT AARON KING, SUPERINTENDENT LINDA ELLIS, BOARD MEMBERS, GOOD EVENING.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE LEADERSHIP QUOTES BY DONALD BERWICK SAYS EVERY SYSTEM IS PERFECTLY DESIGNED TO GET THE RESULTS THAT IT GETS.
TONIGHT WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE TWO PHENOMENAL WOMEN, DR. DOROTHEA GORDON, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND MAGDA GRAPE, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BILINGUAL ESL EDUCATION, AND THEIR TEAMS FOR THE SYSTEMS THEY CREATED AND IMPLEMENTED TO SUPPORT OUR CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS.
[APPLAUSE] DUE TO THEIR RELENTLESS HARD WORK, COLLABORATION, AND DEDICATION GRAND PRAIRIE ISD EARNED THE HIGHEST RATING ON OUR MOST RECENT RESULTS DRIVEN ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS FROM THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY.
TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PHENOMENAL ACCOMPLISHMENT I INVITE TO THE PODIUM DR. DOROTHEA GORDON.
>> GOOD EVENING GUYS. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
RESULTS-DRIVEN ACCOUNTABILITY I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE SUMMARY OF WHAT IT IS.
THERE ARE TWO REQUIREMENTS, FEDERAL AND STATE.
FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ARE THE THREE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE AND THAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION, BILINGUAL ESL, AND OTHER STUDENT POPULATIONS.
OTHER STUDENT POPULATIONS REPRESENTS OUR HOMELESS SCHOLARS, SCHOLARS WHO ARE IN FOSTER CARE, AND SCHOLARS WHO ARE MILITARY CONNECTED.
THE OTHER FEDERAL REQUIREMENT, OF COURSE IS FUNDING.
IF WE RECEIVE THE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE MUST PLAY BY THEIR RULES.
OUR STATE REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL ED THERE ARE THREE DOMAINS, AND YOU HAVE THOSE THREE DOMAINS.
WE HAVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, POST-SECONDARY READINESS, AND DISPROPORTIONALITY ANALYSIS.
THERE WAS 18 INDICATORS WITHIN THOSE THREE DOMAINS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
NOW I'M CONSTANTLY TOLD THAT IT'S LIKE PLAYING GOLF.
YOU WANT THE LOWEST NUMBER WE WANT ALWAYS ZERO IN THOSE INDICATORS.
IN GPISD, I HAVE A THREE-YEAR ANALYSIS AT SPECIAL EDUCATION.
THE FIRST TWO YEARS, WE HAD WHAT THEY CALLED STAGING TO, WHICH MEANS WE NEEDED ASSISTANCE.
HOWEVER, THIS PAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF OUR TEAM, WE HAVE RECEIVED THE HIGHEST DETERMINATION LEVEL WHICH MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
AN AFRICAN PROVERB BRINGS TO MIND WHAT WE DO HERE IN GPISD.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD.
[00:20:03]
OUR VILLAGE IS VAST AND WIDE, OUR VILLAGE IS YOU AND I. I'D LIKE TO EXTEND THANKS TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR VILLAGE, OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR PARENTS, OUR CAMPUS LEADERSHIP, OUR RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS, OUR CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF, OUR CAMPUS TEAMS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR SCHOLARS. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, DR. GORDON. [APPLAUSE]
>> OUT OF ALL THE RECOGNITIONS YOU GUYS SAVED US FOR LAST SO I THINK THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT KING, SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, JUST LIKE MY COLLEAGUE, WE ALSO ARE WRITING THOSE ZEROS IN BILINGUAL ESL.
[APPLAUSE] I'M EXTREMELY PROUD.
WE HAVE 14 INDICATORS AND I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT WITH ANY OF YOU WHEN YOU HAVE SOME TIME TO GO THROUGH THE DATA AND WILL NEED MISSY FOR SOME OF THE PERCENTAGES AS WELL BECAUSE THAT'S HER THING.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND THE FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT THAT YOU GIVE TO OUR DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE WITH THIS MOMENT TO SEE IF MY BILINGUAL STAFF WOULD ALREADY STAND UP, EVERYBODY THAT'S HERE FROM MY DEPARTMENT [APPLAUSE].
I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE BILINGUAL ESL PROGRAMS ARE A RESULT OF A TEAM EFFORT.
OUR DEPARTMENT'S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO STANDS HERE WITH ME AT THIS MOMENT.
I'M MOST GRATEFUL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FOR THAT OF MY OWN FAMILY, AND MY TWO GIRLS THOSE SITTING OVER THERE [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] IT IS A DISTINCT PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO LEAD THIS GROUP OF VERY TALENTED PEOPLE.
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT OUR DISTRICT'S ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE WELCOMED, SUPPORTED, AND VALUED.
THIS TEAM OF BRIDGE BUILDERS DEMONSTRATES THEIR COMMITMENT EVERY DAY THROUGH ATTENTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE, APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM SUPPORTED INSTRUCTION, AND THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK OTHER BRIDGE BUILDERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE ISD. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU TO CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS, DUAL LANGUAGE AND ESL TEACHERS AND ASSISTANTS WHO PARTNER WITH US TO ENSURE THAT ALL ELL KIDS ARE SUCCESSFUL.
ON BEHALF OF MY DEPARTMENT, I HUMBLY THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING OUR EFFORTS, DEDICATION, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE ISD.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN LOOKING AT BRIDGE BUILDERS THROUGH THIS SHORT VIDEO.
[00:25:50]
DR. GORDON, PLEASE STAND THERE FOR A SECOND.I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW REAL QUICK THAT WE'RE NOT LOSING.
ONE OF [NOISE] THE GREAT EDUCATORS IN GPISD HAS DECIDED TO ADVENTURE OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTO HER RETIREMENT.
I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND ALL THE MANY HEADS THAT YOU WORE OVER THE YEARS IN GPISD, AND I COULD THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUBLICLY SAY HOW MUCH I WANT TO THANK YOU AND IF ANYBODY GIVE HER A [INAUDIBLE] HAND I'D APPRECIATE IT.
[APPLAUSE]. DR. GORDON, IF MS. ELLIS CAN TELL YOU, I HOPE I DIDN'T EMBARRASS YOU.
BUT I'VE TOLD HER MANY TIMES AND THIS SOME AND OTHERS CAN TELL, THAT SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO ASK FORGIVENESS THAN IT IS PERMISSION, SO FORGIVE ME.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY JUST SOMETHING VERY QUICKLY, DR. GORDON AND MS. GREY.
YOU LADIES I HAVE WORKED THROUGH YOU FOR MANY YEARS WHERE WE HAVE THE TWO'S AND WE HAD THE ONE'S AND I CAN REMEMBER SOME CONVERSATIONS IN WHICH DR. SIMPSON WAS PERHAPS, I'LL CALL IT COACHING US OUT OF THE TWO'S.
NOW, I KNEW THIS WAS COMING, SO I ASKED DR.
STEER FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THAT AND I UNDERSTAND GREEN IS GOOD.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS, THE GRAND PRAIRIE ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENTS, OUTPERFORMED THE STATE IN AT LEAST ONE PERFORMANCE LEVEL IN EVERY GRADE LEVEL AND SUBJECT EXCEPT SEVENTH GRADE WRITING.
WHAT AN AMAZING THING [APPLAUSE].
DR. GORDON, YOU KNOW, I LOVE YOU AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR SO MANY SCHOLARS IN THIS DISTRICT, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOODBYE, I THINK WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> YEAH, SHE'S NOT GOING TO GO HOME AND SIT AROUND AND WATCH ALL OUR BLUESY EVERYDAY[LAUGHTER].
>> LAST MONTH WE ANNOUNCED OUR TWO DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.
WE WERE ALSO FORTUNATE TO RECOGNIZE THEM IN OUR DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE AWARDS EVENT.
THESE OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS WILL NOW MOVE ON HIS PART OF THE REGION TEAM, TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM.
BUT TONIGHT WE WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORMALLY HONOR THEM AS DISTRICT LEVEL WINNERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, OUR ELEMENTARY TEACHER MEGHAN HOT, COULD NOT BE HERE TONIGHT.
SHE HAD THE ONLY EXCUSE WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW, WHICH WAS GETTING ON A PLANE TO GO TO HER SON'S COLLEGE GRADUATION.
[LAUGHTER] CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND HER FAMILY WE'LL SEE HER AT A FUTURE MEETING.
BUT WITH US TONIGHT IS MR. KENNETH THOMPSON.
HE IS OUR SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
HE'S A BAND DIRECTOR AT REAGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING HIM UP AT THIS TIME, AS WELL AS SOMEONE FROM THE FOUNDATION WHO HAS GENEROUSLY DONATED $100 FOR MR. THOMPSON. MR. THOMPSON. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] [OVERLAPPING].
[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] KEEP BACKING UP VIVIAN.
I'M SMILING, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU CAN YOU SEE ME.
>> OKAY, I'VE GOT YOUR SMILE NOW [NOISE].
CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING] [NOISE].
[00:30:31]
AS YOU WILL REMEMBER, IN PREVIOUS MONTHS, WE HAVE CAST A LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHERS, NURSES, OUR CUSTODIAL TEAM, OUR MNO TEAM, AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS.TONIGHT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHINE THE LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT ON THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CAMPUSES, THAT BEING OUR COUNSELORS AND OUR SOCIAL WORKERS.
NOW NORMALLY, OUR HEAD CHEERLEADER WOULD BE HERE FOR THE COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, BUT DR. JACKSON IS GRADUATING TONIGHT FROM DTU.
[APPLAUSE] IN HER STEAD, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A VIDEO THAT HONORS THE COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS. LUIS.
[MUSIC] OUR GPISD, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CAMPUSES.
[MUSIC] ELEMENTARY COUNSELORS LEAVE THE KINDNESS INITIATIVE ON ALL ELEMENTARY CAMPUSES, AND THEY WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH PRINCIPALS, STAFF, AND PARENTS.
THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH STUDENTS TO HELP THEM WITH GOAL SETTING, ALSO WITH THEIR CAREER EXPLORATION.
[MUSIC] THEY ARE THE MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER MEET.
[MUSIC] SECONDARY COUNSELORS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE.
WHETHER IT'S COURSE REGISTRATION, HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, OR GETTING STUDENTS READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER.
THEY DO A VARIETY OF THINGS TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE IT TO THAT NEXT STEP IN LIFE.
SECONDARY COUNSELORS ALSO WORK WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE RESPECTING OTHERS BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, RESPECTING THEMSELVES.
[MUSIC] OUR SOCIAL WORKERS IN OUR DISTRICT ARE AMAZING.
OUR CAMPUS SOCIAL WORKERS WORK HAND IN HAND WITH FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE THE SUPPLIES, HAVE THE FOOD FLOATING, ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED SO THAT WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL, THEY CAN BE THEIR BEST.
[MUSIC] THIS YEAR, GPISD WAS AWARDED THE POWER OF HOPE AWARD.
THIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION SPOTLIGHTS THE COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND COLLEGE ADVISORS IN OUR DISTRICT.
THIS GROUP IS TRULY OUTSTANDING.
I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
FINALLY, TONIGHT WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENTS WITH CHARACTER FOR THE FOURTH AND FINAL NINE WEEKS PERIODS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HAVE A SLIDESHOW HIGHLIGHTING THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENTS.
[MUSIC] FROM AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY, ABIGAIL NINO.
[MUSIC] FROM BONHAM EARLY EDUCATION SCHOOL, LEAH TREVINO.
FROM BOWIE FINE ARTS ACADEMY, GAEL NUNEZ.
FROM THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT BARBARA BUSH ELEMENTARY, JARRIADIA MADDOX.
FROM CROCKETT EARLY EDUCATION SCHOOL, MIA SIERRA.
FROM DANIEL'S ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND MATH, GABRIEL CAMPBELL.
FROM DE ZAVALA, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY, CHRISTINA GONZALEZ DURAN.
FROM DICKINSON MONTESSORI ACADEMY, ANTHONY SCOGGINS.
[00:35:02]
FROM EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY, ARLETH HERNANDEZ.FROM FLORENCE HILL ELEMENTARY, MELANIE OCAMPO.
FROM GARCIA ELEMENTARY, JAYDEN ANTHONY JUAREZ.
FROM THE GARNER FINE ARTS ACADEMY, HAYLEIGH HOOVER.
FROM DELMAS F. MORTON ELEMENTARY, ROCIO SILVA.
FROM UPLIFT MORTON PREPARATORY, ELIANA LUQUE.
[NOISE] FROM THURGOOD MARSHALL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, SAMANTHA CHAVET.
FROM THE SALLYE MOORE CAREER AND COLLEGE PREPARATORY, ABEL GALARZA.
FROM MIKE MOSELEY ELEMENTARY, BRAYDEN SIMON.
FROM THE OCHOA, STEM ACADEMY AT BEN MILAM ELEMENTARY, AVA BUSTAMANTE.
FROM COLIN POWELL ELEMENTARY, LIANA KOSKELAINEN.
[MUSIC] FROM SAM RAYBURN ELEMENTARY STEAM ACADEMY, KIMMIAN PAUL-SEARCY.
FROM SCHOOL FOR THE HIGHLY GIFTED, MICHAEL CHUKWU.
[MUSIC] FROM SEGUIN ELEMENTARY, MADELINE MARTINEZ.
FROM TRAVIS WORLD LANGUAGE ACADEMY, YARETZI HERNANDEZ.
ALSO FROM TRAVIS WORLD LANGUAGE ACADEMY, JOVANNY PREZA.
FROM WHITT FINE ARTS ACADEMY, MIA BANDA.
FROM HOBBES WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY, NELSON GOMEZ.
FROM THE DIGITAL ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY AT ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL, CAMERON MILLER.
FROM FANNIN MIDDLE SCHOOL, DEYANIRA MCALISTER.
FROM JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, CORDIELYNN AARON.
[MUSIC] FROM REAGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAYLOR BARNES.
FROM TRUMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, TRAVION DAVIS.
FROM YOUNG MEN'S LEADERSHIP, ACADEMY KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL, MIGUEL RUEDA.
FROM THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT ARNOLD, JENNIFER GUEVARA.
FROM GRAND PRAIRIE, COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, TOBI IBIDAMITAN.
GRAND PRAIRIE FINE ARTS ACADEMY, KARINA MARTINEZ.
FROM CROSSWINDS ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOL, EBELIN VILLATORO.
FROM DUBISKI CAREER HIGH SCHOOL, CODY NEWTON.
FROM GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL, JOSE LINARES.
FROM GRAND PRAIRIE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, ESMERALDA MORENO ALVARENGA.
FROM SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL, JUSTIN SAMSON, AND FROM SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, TAYLOR RAUSCH.
OUR STUDENTS OF CHARACTER FOR MAY 2021.
>> MS. ELLIS, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES AT HOME WATCHING ON THE LIVE STREAM AND WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE PARENTS AND FAMILIES OF THESE STUDENTS.
WITHOUT THEIR INPUT AND INFLUENCE, THEY WOULDN'T BE THE GREAT KIDS THEY ARE.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BOATMIRE.
>> THIS WILL BRING US TO OPEN FORM FOR AGENDA ITEMS. MR. BOATMIRE DO WE HAVE ANY REQUESTS?
>> THIS WILL MOVE US TO ADOPTING THE AGENDA.
[8. ADOPT AGENDA]
[OVERLAPPING] MR. BROOKS.>> I'M MOVED THAT WE'RE ADOPTING THE AGENDA.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY MR. BROOKS TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS MOVES TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[9. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MR. PRESIDENT, THERE ARE THREE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD APPROVED IS PRESENT.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'LL ENTERTAIN THE MOTION.
>> MR. PRESIDENT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> DO YOU WANT TO SECOND THAT, MR. ESPINOSA?
>> OKAY. GOT A MOTION BY MR. MILES A SECOND BY MR. ESPINOSA.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
THAT MOTION WILL ALSO CARRY 7-0.
THIS WILL MOVE US NOW TO OUR ACTION ITEMS. ACTION ITEM C.
[10.A. Consider Approval of Food Service Management Contract — RFP#20-05]
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT AN A WE PUT THAT THERE AS A PLACEHOLDER HOPING WE WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING FROM TDA.
WE DO NOT, SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THAT TO NEXT MONTH.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO THIS MOVES US NOW TO ACTION ITEM B;
[Items 10.B & 10.C]
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PHASE 1 PART 2, NETWORK UPGRADES.>> MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE BOARD,
[00:40:03]
MS. DIANA DREW IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER.>> DID YOU ACCEPT THE POWER MOTION?
>> MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE ACTION ITEMS B AND C WITH ONE VOTE AS PRESENTED.
>>POWER MOTION BY MR. HALL. DON'T HAVE A SECOND?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I SECOND THAT MOTION.
>> I HAVE THAT POWER MOTION BY MR. HALL, SECOND.
BY MS. CARRILLO. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> THIS WILL BRING US TO ACTION.
ITEM D; CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS.
>> MR. PRESIDENT. THERE'S NO ACTION ON ITEM D OR E.
>> ALL RIGHT. NOW ONTO THE INFORMATION ITEMS. THIS WILL BRING US THE INFORMATION ITEM A; SCHOOL CLIMATE,
[11.A. School Climate Transformation Grant Update]
TRANSFORMATION, GRANT UPDATE. MS. PAT LEWIS.>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT KING, SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
TONIGHT WE'RE EXCITED BRING AN UPDATE.
IN THE SPRING OF 2019 WE PRESENTED TO YOU A GRANT APPLICATION THAT WE WANTED TO SEE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR, SEPTEMBER 2019 WE WERE AWARDED A GRANT.
THIS GRANT WAS TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, AND EXPAND SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE BASED BEHAVIOR FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES BY BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF STAFF.
TONIGHT I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. JOE BECK, WHO IS OUR SCHOOL CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION PROJECT DIRECTOR TO GIVE YOU THAT UPDATE.
>> [NOISE] IT'S ONE OF THOSE NEW HICKEY DONGLE PROBLEMS. [LAUGHTER] I'D ALSO LIKE TO REFLECT REAL QUICK TOO, FOR THE RECORD, MR. HALL HAS HAD TO LEAVE FOR THE EVENING.
GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS, PRESIDENT KING, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES.
MY NAME IS JOE BECK AND I'M THE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION GRANT.
WE WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS GRANT TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT ACROSS OUR DISTRICT.
AS MS. LEWIS MENTIONED IN THE FALL OF 2019, THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARDED THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION GRANT TO DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OF THE FIVE DISTRICTS SELECTED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, GRAND PRAIRIE ISD WAS ONE OF THOSE DISTRICTS TO RECEIVE THIS MULTI MILLION DOLLAR AWARD.
THIS FIVE-YEAR GRANT IS MANAGED BY OUR COUNSELING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE CURRENTLY IN YEAR TWO OF FIVE.
OUR TEAM CONSISTS OF FIVE TOTAL MEMBERS.
ONE CASEWORKER, TWO LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS, A SCHOOL CLIMATE SPECIALIST, AND A PROJECT DIRECTOR.
OUR MISSION: TO REDUCE BARRIERS THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT WHILE EXPANDING OUR SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL CULTURE AND CLIMATE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
OUR EFFORTS TO REDUCE BARRIERS IS TWOFOLD.
THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TEAM HAS PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO CANVAS ADMINISTRATORS, COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND TEACHERS TO REVIEW CURRENT SYSTEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CREATING BARRIERS.
WE THEN COLLABORATE TO REVISE THESE STRUCTURES AND CREATE EQUITABLE,
[00:45:05]
INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.AS IT RELATES TO THE SUPPORT OF THESE RESOURCES, WE WORK TO ENSURE STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED DISCIPLINARY PLACEMENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL AND TIMELY RETURN TO THEIR MAIN CAMPUS.
OUR TEAM THEN PARTNERS WITH CAMPUS COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THESE STUDENTS AND OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A MYRIAD OF SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES.
THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TEAM HAS EXPANDED THE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS BY PARTNERING WITH DIALCARE TO PROVIDE TELEHEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12.
THIS RESOURCE PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH ACCESS TO A LICENSED COUNSELOR OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND ON WEEKENDS.
WITH A VARIETY OF HARDSHIPS THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS CREATED, EXPANDING THE SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR OUR STUDENTS HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR OUR TEAM.
ONE OF THE OVERALL GOALS OF THE GRANT IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, REPORTING AND IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE.
WE CONDUCT SURVEYS TWICE A YEAR, RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS, STAFF, AND PARENTS TO EVALUATE OUR PROGRESS AND TRACK OUR GRANT.
ONE EXAMPLE OF A SCHOOL THAT IS REPORTING AN IMPROVED SCHOOL CLIMATE IS FANNIN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
FANNIN'S CLIMATE TEAM HAS RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED THERE BRAG TAG SYSTEM IN WHICH ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF AFFIRM STUDENTS FOR DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS, HELPING OTHERS IN NEED, WHETHER IT'S APPEAR OR STAFF MEMBER.
BEING KIND OR OTHER ACTS OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR.
STUDENTS THEN COLLECT THESE BRAG TAGS AND CAN REDEEM THEM FOR ITEMS AT THEIR SCHOOL STORE.
FANNIN HAS ALSO BEEN AWARDED AS A NATIONAL SHOWCASE SITE FOR CAPTURING KIDS HEARTS.
FURTHER VALIDATING THE WORK THAT MR. LOPEZ, HIS STAFF AND FANNIN'S CLIMATE TEAM HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
IN CONCLUSION, THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TEAM IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING BARRIERS, EXPANDING SUPPORT, AND IMPROVING THE CULTURE IN OUR SCHOOLS BY ALIGNING OUR WORK WITH DISTRICT GOALS AND GRANT INITIATIVES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS.
THE GPISD COUNSELING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SCHOOL CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION TEAM.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT WE PULL ITEM B FOR PRESENTATION ON LATER DATE.
>> OKAY. SO WE'LL PULL INFORMATION ITEM B.
SO THIS WILL MOVE US TO INFORMATION ITEM C;
[11.C. Justice, Equity and Inclusion (JEI) Committee Survey Results]
JUSTICE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE SURVEY RESULTS.>> GOOD EVENING, MS. ELLIS, PRESIDENT KING, AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
I'M TINA MOORE, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCED ACADEMICS AND HAVE THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF LEADING THE JUSTICE EQUITY AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE, AND AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE EACH OF THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT THIS EVENING AND THERE ARE SOME WATCHING TO STAND.
[APPLAUSE] THESE ARE GREAT LEADERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT AND I AM HONORED THAT I GET TO GET INTO GOOD TROUBLE AND DO THE NECESSARY WORK WITH EACH OF THEM.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BOLD AS LEADERS OF THIS DISTRICT IN HELPING US MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
[00:50:01]
I WOULD LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT.THE MISSION OF THE GRAND PRAIRIE ISD JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE IS TO RECOGNIZE INSTITUTIONAL INEQUITIES BY IDENTIFYING RACIAL, GENDER, RELIGIOUS, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, CLASS, AND DISABILITY DISPARITIES THAT EXIST WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO ELIMINATE STRUCTURES AND PRACTICES THAT AFFECT THE SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS BY ESTABLISHING JUST, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE POLICIES THAT AFFIRM, RESPECT, AND VALUE THE DIVERSITY OF ALL GPISD STAKEHOLDERS.
WHAT WE'VE COME TO LEARN IN OUR JOURNEY OF LEARNING THIS YEAR AS A TASK FORCE IS THAT DIVERSITY IS BEING INVITED TO THE PARTY, INCLUSION IS BEING ASKED TO DANCE, AND BELONGING IS ASKING WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC YOU'D LIKE TO LISTEN TO AND ACTUALLY PLAYING IT.
[NOISE] OUR FIRST MISSION WAS TO CREATE AN EQUITY SURVEY.
THIS SURVEY WAS DEVISED BY HANOVER RESEARCH AS RESEARCH SOLUTIONS.
JUST TO BUILD CREDIBILITY, HANOVER RESEARCH SOLUTIONS FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES.
WE'VE PARTNERED WITH HANOVER AND THEY CREATED A SURVEY.
BUT I'D LIKE TO ALSO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THAT HANOVER'S PARTNERSHIP WITH GRAND PRAIRIE SPANS OVER 10 YEARS, ASSISTING WITH DISTRICT TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS, SUCH AS OUR SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS OF CHOICE, OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, AND ALSO OUR CENTRAL OFFICE STRUCTURE, AND RECENTLY THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION WORK THAT SUPPORTS THE BOARD'S RACIAL EQUITY RESOLUTION.
THAT SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED MARCH 1ST THROUGH MARCH 19TH.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE DR. STEGER TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS.
>> [NOISE] HI, GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT KING, MS. ELLIS, TRUSTEES AS MS. GREAT MENTIONED, PERCENTAGES ARE MY THING SO I GET TO GET UP AND TALK ABOUT THEM.
BUT IN THE SURVEY, THERE WERE SOME AREAS THAT WE WERE SPECIFICALLY ASKING QUESTIONS TO GET PERCEPTIONS FROM OUR STUDENTS, FROM OUR STAFF, AND FROM OUR PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THERE WERE SEVEN AREAS WHERE WE WERE TRYING TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION.
THOSE AREAS INCLUDED THE TEACHING AND INSTRUCTION, THE STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, OUR GRADING, OUR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, DISCIPLINE AND SAFETY, STAFF PERCEPTIONS, AND ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH WITH OUR PARENTS AND WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAD A TOTAL OF 2,678 RESPONSES.
OF THOSE RESPONSES, 36 PERCENT CAME FROM OUR PARENTS, 38 PERCENT CAME FROM STAFF, AND 26 PERCENT CAME FROM OUR STUDENTS.
THEN LOOKING THESE DOUGHNUT GRAPHS, THE FIRST ONE BREAKS DOWN WHAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT, WHO RESPONDED.
THEN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RESPONSES BY OUR RACE AND ETHNICITY GROUPS, 25 PERCENT OF THOSE RESPONSES CAME FROM STUDENTS, STAFF, OR PARENTS THAT WERE WHITE, 62 PERCENT CAME FROM NON-WHITE OR MULTI-RACIAL, AND THEN 13 PERCENT CHOSE NOT TO GIVE US THAT INFORMATION.
THEN AS FAR AS THE GENDER IDENTITY, 57 PERCENT OF THE RESPONSES CAME FROM FEMALES AND 29 PERCENT CAME FROM MALES.
LOOKING AT THE BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE PERCEPTIONS THAT CAME BACK, MOST OF OUR RESPONDENTS AGREE THAT GPISD SCHOOLS DO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
HOWEVER, FEWER OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE IN AGREEMENT THE SUPPORT EXTENDS TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT GENDER IDENTITIES OR EXPRESSIONS.
THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT ULTIMATELY WHAT IS BEING ASKED, WHAT THE RESPONDENTS WERE ASKING OF US AS A DISTRICT, IS THEY WANT US TO PRIORITIZE ENSURING A WELCOMING AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE RESPONSES AND THE PERCEPTIONS THAT CAME BACK, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THOSE INTO THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
THE FIRST CATEGORY IS ACADEMICS AND INSTRUCTION.
THE KEY FINDINGS WERE MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS FEEL THAT GPISD DOES HAVE A POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT.
THE CLASSROOM LESSONS TYPICALLY DO NOT FOCUS ON EQUITY-RELATED TOPICS.
[00:55:03]
TEACHERS ARE NOT PERCEIVED TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS EQUITY-RELATED TOPICS IN THE CLASSROOM.STUDENTS SEE DIVERSITY IN THEIR TEACHERS, BUT THEY DO FEEL THAT WE HAVE AREAS TO IMPROVE AND RETAINING THE DIVERSE STAFF THAT WE HAVE.
THE SECOND CATEGORY, THE RESPONSES WERE STUDENT SUPPORT AND SAFETY.
THERE ARE PERCEPTIONS THAT WE DO HAVE EQUAL ACCESS, BUT RESOURCES MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
RESPONDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO AGREE THAT STUDENTS ARE CARED ABOUT AND RESPECTED AND TREATED FAIRLY BY STAFF MORE SO THAN OTHER STUDENTS WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT.
THEN UNDER THE CATEGORY OF OUR STAFF AND OUR FAMILIES, STAFF ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERCEIVE THE SCHOOL AS TREATING STAFF FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WITH RESPECT MORE SO THAN THE DISTRICT.
STAFF RESPONSES ALSO SUGGEST THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD FOCUS ON PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERED AROUND EQUITABLE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THEN OUR PARENTS AND OUR STAFF EXPRESSED POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND I KNOW OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN VERY PROACTIVE AND FOCUSED ON CREATING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR FAMILIES.
>> THANK YOU, DR. STEGER. I APPRECIATE THAT.
THEN OUR RECOMMENDATIONS OF HANOVER RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, AND BY THE WAY, YOU-ALL HAVE A YELLOW FOLDER AND THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE INFOGRAPHIC THAT WAS PROVIDED FROM THE SURVEY.
HANOVER RESEARCH [NOISE] RECOMMENDS THAT WE PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO EMPOWER TEACHERS TO ADDRESS EQUITY ISSUES IN THEIR CLASSROOM.
FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EQUITY MINDSET AMONG STUDENTS.
ENSURE THAT STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS FROM ALL GENDER IDENTITIES FEEL SUPPORTED BY THEIR SCHOOLS AND THE DISTRICT.
ADDRESS PERCEIVED DISPARITIES IN RESOURCES AND DIVERSITY WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION THAT DRIVES THE WORK THAT WE WILL DO IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND ONWARD BECAUSE WE'RE WANTING TO CREATE SYSTEMS OF CHANGE.
WE WANT TO KNOW AND WE HAVE THE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES AND PURPOSE.
THEY ARE TIED TO OUR LEADERSHIP DEFINITION.
WE MUST ALIGN THOSE WITH OUR PRACTICES AND THAT MEANS [NOISE] ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THOSE SUB-COMMITTEES WILL BE LED BY OUR MEMBERS OF THE JEI TASK FORCE AND THEN WE WILL ASK FOR MEMBERSHIP FOR THOSE WHO'D LIKE TO JOIN THE SUB-COMMITTEES.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WILL BE ONE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, COMMUNICATION AND RESEARCH, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, POLICY AND PROCEDURES.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE OFFICER HODGES, ONE OF OUR MEMBERS TO TALK ABOUT THIS NEXT GOAL OF OURS.
>> THANK YOU, MS. MOORE. GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS, PRESIDENT KING, AND THE TRUSTEES.
I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.
HANOVER CONSULTED US BASICALLY TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS.
JUST A LITTLE EXPLANATION, AS YOU SEE THE INEQUALITY IS UNEQUAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES, AS YOU SEE ONE SIDE DOES NOT RECEIVE.
EQUALITY IS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED TOOLS AND ACCESS.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE POLICIES, BUT WE STILL HAVE A DISPARITY IN REACHING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
EQUITY IS WHEN WE FINALLY CUSTOMIZE TOOLS TO REACH ALL STUDENTS.
THEN JUSTICE IS DEFENDING AND CREATING THE SYSTEM THAT IS GOING TO PROTECT EQUITY TO BE SUSTAINABLE FOR OUR SAKE ALL OUR STUDENTS FOR A LONG TIME.
ONE OF THE REASONS HANOVER WANTED US TO TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
BECAUSE AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE HAVE ANXIETY BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE SOMETHING.
WHAT THAT COMES FROM IS OUR PERSPECTIVE THAT RESOURCES ARE LIKE A PIE, SO A BIGGER SIZE FOR YOU MEANS LESS FOR ME AND MORE FOR ME MEANS LESS FOR YOU, BUT ACTUALLY THAT'S NOT TRUE.
WHEN WE GET RID OF THE ISMS, RACISM, SEXISM, ELITISM, NOW WE'RE ABLE TO BRING MORE GIFTS TO THE TABLE, MORE INNOVATION TO THE TABLE, WHICH MEANS MORE PIE AND RESOURCES FOR EVERYBODY.
FOR YOU SEE WHEN WE HAVE EQUITY FOR ALL TEACHERS, ALL STUDENTS, AND ALL STAFF, THAT JUST MEANS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE TO OFFER OUR COMMUNITIES.
[01:00:01]
THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS, MORE POLICE OFFICERS, MORE NURSES, MORE DOCTORS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.THE REASON WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT WHEN WE ALLOW EVERYONE TO COME TO THE TABLE, THESE VERY COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE SWORN TO HELP, OUR FATHERS AND MOTHERS, THESE BENEFITS ARE GOING TO HELP THEM OUT.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK TINA MOORE FOR HER HARD WORK.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE FOR BEING INCREDIBLY FUN TO WORK WITH, BUT ALSO A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE TALENT THAT WE HAVE IN THIS DISTRICT.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO THANK LINDA ELLIS, AARON KING, AND THE STAFF FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE.
[NOISE] BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T CHALLENGING THEN IT WOULD ALREADY BE DONE.
BUT THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT AFTER WE TAKE ON THIS CHALLENGE, THE GREAT REWARD IS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE FOR EVERYBODY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] [APPLAUSE] SO IN GRAND PRAIRIE ISD, WE MUST TELL OUR OWN STORY OF BUILDING EQUITY FOR ALL GPISD STAKEHOLDERS.
IT STARTED WITH YOUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLUTION, YOUR BRAVERY TO LAUNCH AN EQUITABLE IDEA OF WHAT THAT SHOULD LOOK LIKE IN GRAND PRAIRIE ISD.
THEN THE TASK FORCE CAME FROM THAT, AND WE WILL WORK HARD TO CREATE THAT SYSTEM OF CHANGE.
WE WANT THAT EQUITY FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.
>> WHO SELECTED HANOVER RESEARCH? [OVERLAPPING].
>> HANOVER IS A RESEARCH COMPANY THAT WE HAVE USED FOR COMMON RESOURCE THAT WE'VE USED FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES INCLUDING RESEARCHING OUR SCHOOLS OF CHOICE AND PROGRAMS OF CHOICE.
ALSO, THE VIRTUAL SCHOOLS THAT WE'VE BEEN PLANNING IN WORKING TOWARD, IN MISLEAD THAT I'M AWARE OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE USE THEM WHEN WE WERE GETTING READY TO OPEN UP YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
THAT DID THE RESEARCH FOR US ON SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOLS, THE BEST WAY TO OPEN THOSE SCHOOLS.
THEY ALSO RESEARCH ON STARTING IN OUR THREE-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM AND THE CURRICULUM AND HOW WE TRAIN THE TEACHERS.
WE AVERAGE ABOUT SIX RESEARCH PROJECTS A YEAR WITH THEM, AND THE PROJECTS COME FROM OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT, FROM THE TEAM, THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF FUTURE PROJECTS THAT WE WANT TO CHECK INTO.
THEY DO THE MOST OF THE RESEARCH, THEY DO RESEARCH FOR SCHOOLS AROUND THE NATION, OR THEY CAN TAKE IT WITH SCHOOLS IN TEXAS.
>> THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY THIS RESEARCH, WASN'T IT? NO COST THE DISTRICT [OVERLAPPING]?
>> THERE AN ANNUAL COST THAT WE PAY? YES.
>> BUT NOT FOR THIS PARTICULAR RESEARCH?
THEY DID A SURVEY FOR US, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH SURVEY, BUT THEY HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT EVALUATION PROJECTS.
WE'VE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT DOING PROGRAM EVALUATIONS WHERE WE LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND GIVE US FEEDBACK ON WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT'S NOT WORKING, WHAT CHANGES WE NEED TO MAKE.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE HAVING AN IN-HOUSE RESEARCHER, AND IT TAKES TIME FOR THEY HAVE ALL TRAINED STAFF THAT CAN DO THAT TYPE OF WORK.
>> THAT DOES THIS PARTICULAR RESEARCH.
THE REASON I ASKED THAT QUESTION IS BECAUSE THE PRESENTATION IS NICE AND EVERYTHING, BUT THERE'S STILL SOME BIG EQUITY PROBLEMS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.
I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND HAVING THOSE COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR STAFF.
THERE IS A BIG EQUITY PROBLEM WITHIN THE CHOICE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
I THINK IT'S BEST THAT WE START ADDRESSING IT, AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN IN THE NEAR FUTURE FORESEE AND ANOTHER RESEARCH COMPANY THAT CAN PROBABLY COME IN AND DO THIS AND SPECIALIZES IN EQUITY AND INCLUSION DIAGNOSTICS.
>> I FIRST WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING MRS.
[01:05:01]
MOORE AND THE JUSTICE EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE, WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MRS. MOORE WAS GOING TO SPEARHEAD THE WORK OF THIS TASK FORCE, AS SHE INSPIRED ME, AS MY EDUCATOR, I KNEW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO INSPIRE THIS WORK.I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYONE BETTER.
I WANT TO THANK THE TASK FORCE.
MRS. MOORE, THE WORK IS JUST BEGINNING.
>> IT IS JUST BEGINNING, WE ARE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE.
WE'RE COMMITTED UP HERE TO FIND ANY EXAMPLE OF INEQUITY WITHIN OUR SYSTEM TO IMPROVE OUR OVERALL STUDENT EXPERIENCE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE WORK THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE.
>> ALL RIGHT. THAT'LL MOVE US TO INFORMATION ITEM D,
[11.D. Review of Board Agenda Calendar]
REVIEW OF THE BOARD AGENDA CALENDAR. MS. ELLIS.>> MR. PRESIDENT, I WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO MAY 29TH, BUT THAT'S A BIG DAY.
THAT'S WHEN WE WILL HAVE OUR HIGH-SCHOOLS GRADUATE.
WE WILL BEGIN THE MORNING AT 8:00 A.M. WITH YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OR A GRAND PRAIRIE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, GRAND PRAIRIE FINE ARTS ACADEMY AND CROSSWINDS.
THERE'LL BE GRADUATING AT 8:00, FOLLOWED BY SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL AT 12:00, GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL AT 4:00 P.M. AND NABISCO CAREER HIGH SCHOOL FINISH OFF THE DAY AT 08:00 PM.
ALL OF THESE WILL BE HAPPENING AT GLOBE LIFE FIELD ON MAY THE 29.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GRADUATION.
>> TAKE YOUR SEATS. THAT BRINGS US TO AN OPEN FORUM FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS. I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY OF THOSE ANYMORE, MR. [INAUDIBLE]?
>> SUB ZERO, THIS WILL NOW BRING US TO COMMENTS FROM INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS,
[13. COMMENTS FROM INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS]
AND I'LL START FROM ON MY LEFT, MS. GLORIA.>> I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DISTRICT TEACHERS AT THE YEAR TO OUR STUDENTS AND CHARACTER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION ON JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSIVENESS.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, ON BEHALF OF US IN CINCO DE MAYO COMMITTEE, THAT IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THIS YEAR WE DIDN'T HAVE THE USUAL CELEBRATION THAT WE HAVE, WE WERE ABLE BECAUSE OF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HELPED US, SO MANY SPONSORS THAT HELPED US.
WE WILL BE AWARDING 12 $1000-SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRAND PRAIRIE ISD STUDENTS [APPLAUSE] AND EIGHT $500.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE SPONSORS AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE ON THIS BOARD THAT HAVE HELPED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. GLORIA. MS. LILES.
>> I DO WANT TO ECHO MISS CARLO'S COMMENTS ON CONGRATULATING ALL THOSE THAT WERE RECOGNIZED TONIGHT WITH A LOT OF WOMEN SOCIETY.
I THANK EVERY GPISD EMPLOYEE FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE THIS YEAR.
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS HERE.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE GPISD PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, GUARDIANS, WHO STOOD READY TO HELP TEACHERS TO BA TEACHER THIS YEAR.
AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY FINISHES STRONG.
I THINK WE HAD FIVE OR SIX DAYS LEFT, AND SO GO ENJOY THAT BREAK BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME WE SEE YOU, WE'LL BE ON BREAK AND NEW MORE THAT DESERVE IT.
>> THANKS, MS. LILES. MR. ESPINOSA.
>> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE TONIGHT THAT RECEIVED THE AWARDS.
I WANT TO THANK THE TEACHERS, YOUR WORK IS VERY APPRECIATED.
EVERYONE THAT WORKS FOR GPISD IS DONE IN THE SYSTEM, I WANT TO PERSONALLY APOLOGIZE TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT FELT OFFENDED ABOUT THE SYNC WITH MY OWN MARK.
I JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THIS EQUITY.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET SOME CULTURAL DIVERSITY TO OUR TEACHERS AND TRAINING.
WE ARE REALLY WORKING HARD OVER HERE.
IT'S JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE TO MOCK CELEBRATIONS AND STUFF AND ALSO EDUCATE YOURSELF WITH THOSE A LOT OF DIVERSE.
THERE'S A LOT OF ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS, THERE'S PEOPLE COME FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT.
NOT EVERYONE CELEBRATES A SINGLE MIL WANT TO THANK GLORIA CARRILLO, I THINK THE LONGEST THAT CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION HAS BEEN RIGHT HERE IN GRAND PRAIRIE IN THE DFW,
[01:10:01]
I THINK, HOW STRONG HAVE YOU BEEN GOING GLORIA CARRILLO?>> THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN OUR 3-4TH YEAR, YES.
>> I DO HAVE TO SAY, DAVID, THAT THIS GROUP HAS RAISED RIGHT AT $346,000 OF SCHOLARSHIP MONEY FOR GRANT GRADE STUDENTS.
>> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE GLORIA AND EVERYONE THAT HAS, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATED IN HER EFFORTS TO GIVES STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS.
AGAIN, PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE HISTORY BEHIND [FOREIGN], AND BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO CELEBRATE, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEHIND ALL OF IT, AND SO ON.
WE'RE ALMOST [NOISE] DONE HERE.
LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE UPSET THAT THEIR KID COULDN'T GRADUATE, BUT WE MADE IT HAPPEN.
SO WE'RE HERE AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL OUR GRADUATIONS.
EMPLOYEES, PLEASE BE SAFE IN THIS SUMMER.
THIS IS OUR LAST BOARD MEETING BEFORE THE SUMMER.
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER BUT PLEASE BE SAFE, AND LET'S GET VACCINATED.
THAT'S IT. I THINK I WILL END THERE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ESPINOSA. MR. PARRA.
>> I WANT TO START OFF THIS EVENING BY FIRST THANKING OUR TEACHERS.
YOU ARE JUST MERE DAYS AWAY FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE YEAR 1 IN EDUCATION ALL OVER AGAIN.
THE LESSONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED, THE CHALLENGES, THE LESSONS THAT HAVE BEEN LEARNED THIS YEAR ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU THAT MUCH STRONGER, AS A TEACHER AND AS A PERSON MOVING FORWARD.
I WAS GLAD TO SEE SO MUCH CELEBRATION THIS PAST WEEK FOR TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR NURSES ON NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE WEEK.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR NURSES WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN WORKING OVERTIME WITH EVERYTHING, ALL THE WAVES OF PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT OF CAMPUSES AND PUTTING THEMSELVES DIRECTLY ON THE FOREFRONT OF THIS PANDEMIC.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR CTE AWARD WINNERS.
THIS PAST WEEK WE WERE RECOGNIZED IN DRIVE-THROUGH STYLE.
EVERYTHING THIS PANDEMIC HAS THROWN AS A DISTRICT WE'VE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER AND ADAPT AND OVERCOME.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE CLASS OF 2021.
THE NEXT BOARD MEETING THAT WE HAVE, YOU WILL BE AN OFFICIAL ALUMNUS OF GPISD.
YOU ARE THE SENIOR CLASS THAT REALLY NAVIGATED HEAD ON THIS PANDEMIC.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SACRIFICES, YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR DEDICATION DO NOT GO UNNOTICED.
TO THE CLASS OF 2021, I WISH YOU THE ABSOLUTE BEST ON ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOU FROM THE SIDELINES AND BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT YOU IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.
THEN I JUST WANT TO GIVE ONE LAST SHOUTOUT TO MS. LACKEY FROM JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHO WAS ONE OF MY FIRST TEACHERS EVER WHEN I MOVED TO GRAND PRAIRIE IN 2003, SHE ACCEPTED ME EVEN AS A YANKEE FAN FROM NEW YORK.
SHE PROVIDED A SAFE SPACE WITHIN THAT CLASSROOM AND MADE ME FEEL ACCEPTED.
SHE TRULY INSPIRED ME AS A STUDENT, AND THIS YEAR SHE'S CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO EDUCATION.
TO MS. LACKEY, IF YOU'RE LISTENING I CELEBRATE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO STUDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME AND CHANGING MY LIFE AND COUNTLESS LIVES THAT YOU HAVE INSPIRED AS WELL SO THANK YOU. EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PARRA. MR. BROOKS.
>> LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, THE 1ST OF MARCH.
I BELIEVE IT WAS. WE HAD TO EXTEND SPRING BREAK, WOULDN'T IT?
>> WE EXTENDED SPRING BREAK FOR A WEEK OR TWO.
TWO WEEKS, I BELIEVE. WE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, TWO WE'LL BE BACK, EVERYTHING WILL BE NORMAL.
LAST YEAR WAS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OF THIS PANDEMIC.
THIS SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEEN THE WHOLE SCHOOL YEAR.
[01:15:04]
I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU, YOU'RE NOT YET OUT OF THE PARK.YOU NOT YET OUT OF THE PARK, EVERY EMPLOYEE IN THIS DISTRICT.
THOSE BABIES ARE ALL, AND WHEN I SAY BABIES I MEAN PRE-K TO SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL, ARE YOUR PASSION AND IT SHOWS EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIVES.
EACH GOT A LITTLE SOMETHING ON TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK, AND IT WASN'T NEAR ENOUGH BUT, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL BUILT STRONG UP HERE THAT YOU DESERVED AND DESERVE MORE BUT THAT'S YOU DESERVED IT.
THERE'S A CARTOON I SAW WORKS THAT TEACHING IS THE ONLY PROFESSION WHERE YOU STEAL STUFF FROM HOME AND TAKE IT TO WORK [LAUGHTER], YOU CAN LAUGH, AND IT IS.
I NEED TO THANK, NOT JUST Y'ALL BUT I NEED TO THANK YOUR LOVED ONES AT HOME FOR ALLOWING YOU TO BE HERE AND TO DO THAT EXTRA MILE THAT YOU DO EVERY YEAR.
I'M TALKING FROM PRINCIPALS, SUPERINTENDENTS, DIRECTORS, BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS, EVERYBODY.
A LADY SAID A WHILE AGO, IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND IT SURELY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE.
WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST VILLAGES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
YOU ARE THE REASON WHY GPISD IS SO HIGH ON THE LIST OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
YOU'RE THE REASON WHY THAT THESE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALWAYS COME IN OVER HERE TO TRY TO STEAL OUR EMPLOYEES.
YOU'RE THE REASON WHY THAT ANYBODY THAT SAYS YOU'RE FROM GPISD, THEY RAISE THE EYEBROW.
IT IS NOW THOUGH, YOU'VE DONE PHENOMENAL JOB.
I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THE ONE THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF THE YEAR THAT WE'RE ALL ON THE HOME STRETCH NOW.
DR. SIMPSON ALWAYS USED TO SAY IT'S EASY TO BE A TEACHER IN SEPTEMBER.
THEY'RE DOING SO EASY IN MAY, BUT YOU'RE ON THE HOME STRETCH, AND THANK YOU.
THEN MS. ELLIS. THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS AMAZING TEAM THAT YOU HAVE HERE IN YOUR CABINET, BUT HERE ON EVERY CAMPUS IN GPISD.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, MR. BROOKS. MS. ELLIS.
>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THERE'S SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT MS. MELODY BRADLEY.
MS. MELODY BRADLEY AND I WORKED TOGETHER AT MOORE ELEMENTARY AND SHE MADE ME A BETTER PRINCIPLE OF A BETTER PERSON.
SHE CHALLENGED ME ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS.
[LAUGHTER] I APPRECIATE THAT. IT ALWAYS MADE ME BETTER.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT MS. BRADLEY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK YOU'RE DOING ON THE JUSTICE EQUITY AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE.
SHE WAS THE ONE PERSON I SAID THIS PERSON HAS GOT TO BE ON THIS TASK FORCE, AND SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU MS. MOORE FOR ALLOWING THAT.
THINKING ABOUT THAT HIRING WELL MAKES EVERYTHING GO WELL AND SO I'M VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TWO PEOPLE JOINING OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
MR. JOE FALCON HAS JOINED US AS CHIEF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OFFICER.
[APPLAUSE] AT THE END OF THE DAIS DOWN HERE IS DR. MELISSA KATE ALMOST IN OUR TEAM.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM. DR. MELISSA KATE, WHO'S SERVING AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU, MS. ELLIS. I KNOW WE'VE TAKEN UP MOST OF YOUR TIME IN THAT, SO I'LL BE VERY BRIEF IN MY COUPLE OF COMMENTS HERE.
FIRST OFF, AGAIN AS ALWAYS, AND ON BEHALF OF THIS BOARD, ALL OF OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF, AND PERSONNEL WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.
THERE'S NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON ON THIS BOARD THAT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN YOU AND YOUR CAPABILITIES TO LEAD OUR CHILDREN AND OUR DISTRICT, AND WE ARE VERY MUCH GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MR. ESPINOSA AND MR. BROOKS ON THEIR RE-ELECTIONS.
LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING SERVING WITH YOU.
THEN LASTLY, ONE OF OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS HERE ON STAFF MEMBERS HAS ONE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WAS IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND WAS STRUCK BY SOME BULLETS THIS AFTERNOON SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU KEEP THAT OFFICER IN
[01:20:03]
YOUR PRAYERS AND JUST PRAY FOR THAT FAMILY THAT EVERYTHING COMES OUT, RIGHT.THE OFFICERS HAVE A LOT ON THE LINE, TO GET OUT THERE AND PUT THEIR LIFE AND THEIR FAMILIES OUT THERE TO PROTECT ALL OF US SO CERTAINLY BACK THE BLUE AND JUST WOULD ASK FOR SOME PRAYERS TO THAT FAMILY.
WE ARE GPISD AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. [NOISE].
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.