FISD considers bonds, portable buildings

May 26, 2022 Forney ISD Board recognized students, considered bond sales, leasing Modular buildings, selling some land.
During its regular May 26, 2022 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met to recognize students, consider bond sales, leasing Modular buildings, selling some land.

• Held a 50-minute executive session re:
  • Deliberation Regarding the Ratification of Employment of Professional Contract Personnel, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code ?551.074, Personnel Matters
    
  • Consultation with Attorney, Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code ?551.071
    
  • Deliberation regarding Potential Purchase and Acquisition of Real Property, Kaufman County, Texas, pursuant to Tex. Gov?t Code Section 551.072

• Issued certificates of election to newly elected board members
  
• Administered oath of office to newly elected board members
      Reelected members Becky Dobbs and Chad Johnson were sworn in. 
  
• Reorganization of board of trustees -
  • Elected Greg Pharris as President
  • Elected Chad Johnson as Vice President
  • Elected Becky Dobbs as Secretary

      Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent, accepted the motion and the votes.
  

• North Forney High Student Council
      Dr. Judy Webber, Chief Learning Officer, said NFHS Student Council received awards from Tx Assoc. of Student Councils:
  • Outstanding Student Council distinction
  • Pride and Patriotism distinction
  • Drugs and Alcohol Safety and Health Issues distinction
  • Environment distinction
  • Community Service distinction
  • Sweepstakes Award, the highest award.

      Student Michell Guthua was elected president of the TASC District 3. 
      The council also received National Gold Council of Excellence for 2022, the highest national award.
  

• Swim Team
      Mr. Neal Weaver, Athletic Director, assisted by coaches Jason Thompson and Cassie Thompson, recognized, for the third time this spring, members of the swim team as Academic All-State.  Member Mia Clorizio was Named National Intercollegiate Swim Coaches Association Academic All-American. 
      Both the boys team and the girls team from Forney High School have been named National Intercollegiate Swim Coaches Association Gold Level National Scholar Team.
  
• Held a short recess.
  
• Monthly Financial Report
      Mr. John Chase, Chief Financial Officer, said general fund revenue at 80% vs 79% last year, expenses at 81% vs 77% last year (4% was funding the Aquatic Training Center).  Food service income 95%, got some federal income for free lunches (143,000 lunches), vs 52% last year; expenses at 72% vs 69% last year, will be spending surplus funds to buy equipment.  Debt service unchanged at 100%.  Cash is 280 mln, much is 165 mln bonds sold in Feb, being used to fund projects, concrete and steel. 
      Mr. Regan asked if the federal meal grant will continue next year; Mr. Chase said they will not be able to provide free lunches to everyone next year, will provide information on pricing in June.
  
• Master Planning Report
      Ms. Kim Morisak, Chief Operating Officer, introduced Mr. Jeff Fisher who said have some projects starting, some finishing.  Johnson is close to punch list stage.  Willet in same shape, slightly further along on exterior.  The OC site work being completed, paving underway, some walls going up around arena.  Elem #10 grading starting.  Paving at FHS grading is starting, with expansions to College (741).  There is about 1 mln left for contingencies, expect similar for Elem #10. 
      Ms. Morisak said Johnson teachers have had a tour through the new Johnson.  The OC is huge.  There are air conditioners being repaired at Claybon, track work at Brown, painting and logo worked being done at City Bank stadium.  Summer projects also include paint and carpet and Henderson and Blackburn.
      Finishing the 2019 bond, including the NFHS and FHS 9th grade center, Elem #10, and transportation center at NFHS, plus Rhea expansion.  The 2022 bond will be used for Middle #4, Warren MS replacement, Elem #11, and land.  She showed renderings of the 9th grade buildings at FHS and NFHS, which will be equitable but different in design, Rhea expansion from 900 to 1200 students plus gym and storm shelter.
      Ms. Morisak introduced Kate Dunfee from Huckabee, who said 2022 bonds will fund two middle schools with same design, one adjacent to Henderson with a long drive to offload traffic from 1641, a new practice field.  The other will be behind Warren, where the transportation facility was (which will now be at NFHS), and the storm shelter will be for this new Warren and the future intermediate #4.  Traffic will be along the property edge to pull it off Bois d'Arc.
      Dr. Terry said these new schools should open in 2024, and will need them.
  
• Public Comment - none
  
• Approved as one consent item:
  • Budget Amendment - documents show this includes 2k for supplies at Griffin, 954 for travel expenses, 5.2k for computers for counseling office
    
  • Contract for Security Guards - documents show the cost of 479k.
    
  • Amendment to 2022-2023 Student Code of Conduct - "as presented in closed session."
    
  • Title 1 Designation and Personnel for the 2022-23 School Year - documents state campuses with over 40% low SES students are Crosby, Blackburn, Rhodes, Smith, Jackson, Brown, and NFHS.  Federal funds will provide an extra 300k, which will cover 7 FTE's.  Criswell and Griffin were not included due to the planned move of pre-K students.

• Approved rescinding the remaining authorized, but unissued bonds under the order passed on November 8, 2021
      Mr. Chase stated in Nov. a parameter order for 280 mln was approved for the OC and other projects.  So far, 165.5 mln has been issued. Now that the May bond was passed, to start construction on the projects presented in the master plan, they want to rescind that order and approve a new parameter order for 290.9 mln, 193.3 mln from the Nov. 2019 bond and 97.6 mln from the May 2022 bond.  This order would grant him or Superintendent the authority to execute the sale, if the true interest is less than 6%.  It would also authorize refinancing callable debt, right now 9.3 mln if can save 3%.
      Dr. Terry recommended rescinding as presented.
  
• Approved authorizing the issuance by the Forney Independent School District of its unlimited tax school building and/or refunding bonds in one or more series (as designated by purpose and series); levying a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax for the payment of one or more series of bonds; prescribing the form, terms, conditions, and resolving other matters incident and related to the issuance, sale, and delivery of one or more series of bonds, including the approval and distribution of one or more official statements pertaining thereto; authorizing the execution of one or more paying agent/registrar agreements, and purchase contracts each pertaining to a series of bonds; complying with the letter of representations on file with the depository trust company; delegating the authority to certain members of the board of trustees and district staff to approve and execute certain documents relating to the sale of each series of bonds; and providing an effective date.
      Mr. Chase recommended they approve this as he previously outlined.
      At this point Pres. Pharris asked Mr. Johnson to restate the previous motion, and it was again approved.
      Dr. Terry said this was an exciting time with all the building going on, this was just approving them to look for a sale in the future, and that the FISD "will not have a tax rate increase from this bond sale this year."
  
• Approved granting authority to the superintendent for the lease of modular buildings
      Ms. Morisak said they are building as fast as possible, but kids are coming fast, so they need to lease some campus makers to be sure they have space for students.  This would authorize Dr. Terry to lease them, up to 1.1 mln.
      Dr. Terry said he would appreciate approval of this flexibility to make sure can manage seats for kids.
  
• Approved a resolution regarding sale of approximately 1.366 acres real property at 12755 FM1641, Forney, Kaufman County, Texas 75126, in the Absalom Hyer Survey, Abstract no. 203, to the State of Texas, acting by and through the Texas Department of Transportation (the "state"), contingent on approval of a Forney ISD counteroffer.
      The motion was approximately: to approve the motion as presented, and to authorize the Superintendent to obtain an appraisal, submit a counteroffer, and negotiate an agreement with the state as discussed in executive session, and contingent on the state's counteroffer, the board agrees to sell the property property to the state at a price which is equal to or greater than the fair market value as determined by the appraisal obtained by the district, and that the board authorizes the president of the board to execute Deed of possession and use agreement and other documents necessary to affect conveyance of the property.
  
• Approved ratification of employment of professional contract personnel as discussed in closed session
  
• Dr. Terry said they had time to make it to the FHS baseball playoffs, and the June 27 meeting will be a budget meeting.
  
• Monday, May 30 Holiday/Memorial Day
  Monday, June 27 Monthly Board Meeting
  Monday, July 4 Holiday/Independence Day
  Tuesday, August 2 Convocation
  Monday, August 8 Monthly Board Meeting
  Thursday, August 11 First Day of School
  
• Adjourned at 1951