Carroll ISD is asking for public input into the 2010-2011 budgeting process. The district has posted information about its ongoing Expenditure Reduction Plan on a special webpage. The link is available from the district's main page or by visiting http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/er.aspx.
After watching the PowerPoint Presentation to learn more about CISD's current financial situation, a link to an online survey is available. Employees at each of the district's campuses and departments have been taking part in informational budget meetings to hear about the state of school finances and to brainstorm and prioritize ideas for reducing expenditures and increasing revenues. This process is for the district's operating budget and not for the debt service (bond project) budget.
The public survey asks for ideas, and participants can submit questions about the 2010-2011 budget, too. Please take time to learn more about CISD's general operating budget and send us your ideas. The survey will remain open throughout the month of February.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
District Announces School Day April 12
Carroll school officials have made the decision to have school on Monday, April 12. This was originally designated as a possible day off as a bad weather day on the 2009-2010 calendar. The district so far this winter has used just one bad weather day. That means students and staff will now attend school on Monday, April 12.
There is another bad weather day assigned to Friday, April 9. To date, the district has not had to use this second day. For now, it remains a student holiday/staff development day.
The district will post a decision later about the A/B calendar for high school students on April 12. As the date gets closer, we can make that determination. It wouldn't make sense to do so now, because inclement weather could still occur and affect that second bad weather day. Then, we would have to adjust everything all over again.
For now, Dragons should expect to be in school on Monday, April 12. An announcement about how this affects the A/B secondary schedule will be made later this spring.
There is another bad weather day assigned to Friday, April 9. To date, the district has not had to use this second day. For now, it remains a student holiday/staff development day.
The district will post a decision later about the A/B calendar for high school students on April 12. As the date gets closer, we can make that determination. It wouldn't make sense to do so now, because inclement weather could still occur and affect that second bad weather day. Then, we would have to adjust everything all over again.
For now, Dragons should expect to be in school on Monday, April 12. An announcement about how this affects the A/B secondary schedule will be made later this spring.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Submit Your Calendar Input
Carroll School Board members are hoping staff, students and parents will chime in with input on the proposed 2010-2011 school calendar. The Board postponed a decision on the calendar to collect feedback on the idea of having semester tests before winter break. We hear from year to year that parents and students don't like having exams hanging over their heads during the winter break. Ever since the start of the school year was pushed back in August, CISD has ended the semester in mid January. For parents, this means that students have two weeks off, then they come back for a few days only to have reviews, half days, exams and a couple days off for Martin Luther King day and the teachers' end of the semester work day.
So. . .Trustees said, "what about considering Highland Park's calendar?" The Scots only take three days at Thanksgiving break and then they are able to have their semester exams before winter break. They then don't have to mess with exams hanging over their heads during break or intermittent early release days in January. The only catch is unbalanced semesters, which can have an impact on single semester classes. For instance, if there is a advanced government class that is two weeks shorter in the fall than in the spring, students who take it in the spring are able to cover substantial more material before taking the AP exam. This is apparently something that Highland Park lives with in order to have exams before break.
However. . . that doesn't have to be the case. Dr. Lowell Strike began taking an out-of-the-box look at the existing calendar. Knowing that Dragon families and especially staff REALLY enjoy their five days off for Winter Break (something Highland Park has never done and therefore didn't have to take away from their students/staff), Dr. Strike started looking at the possibility of enjoying the best of both worlds. He discovered that you can still have semester exams before winter break but not really end the semester until AFTER winter break. This means that students don't have tests hanging over them during the two-week break, but the single semester classes aren't unbalanced either. Staff and students can still enjoy the full five days at Thanksgiving break AND the greatest advantage of all is that instructors can review tests, identify concepts the students may not have mastered and come back in January to review major objectives and concepts before the semester ends. This ensures that the students truly grasp all material before ending the semester and later taking their AP exams in April/May.
Sounds like an innovative calendar option that leaves Thanksgiving break alone, but addresses the parent concerns expressed about semester exams. Still, we may not have realized all the advantages and disadvantages and we need to hear more from you!
Therefore, three calendars have been put online. The first is the original calendar that mirrors this year's calendar. The second is the calendar developed by Dr. Strike and the third is a calendar similar to Highland Park's calendar. Be sure to register your input by emailing brownd@cisdmail.com before the Board's February 1 meeting!
So. . .Trustees said, "what about considering Highland Park's calendar?" The Scots only take three days at Thanksgiving break and then they are able to have their semester exams before winter break. They then don't have to mess with exams hanging over their heads during break or intermittent early release days in January. The only catch is unbalanced semesters, which can have an impact on single semester classes. For instance, if there is a advanced government class that is two weeks shorter in the fall than in the spring, students who take it in the spring are able to cover substantial more material before taking the AP exam. This is apparently something that Highland Park lives with in order to have exams before break.
However. . . that doesn't have to be the case. Dr. Lowell Strike began taking an out-of-the-box look at the existing calendar. Knowing that Dragon families and especially staff REALLY enjoy their five days off for Winter Break (something Highland Park has never done and therefore didn't have to take away from their students/staff), Dr. Strike started looking at the possibility of enjoying the best of both worlds. He discovered that you can still have semester exams before winter break but not really end the semester until AFTER winter break. This means that students don't have tests hanging over them during the two-week break, but the single semester classes aren't unbalanced either. Staff and students can still enjoy the full five days at Thanksgiving break AND the greatest advantage of all is that instructors can review tests, identify concepts the students may not have mastered and come back in January to review major objectives and concepts before the semester ends. This ensures that the students truly grasp all material before ending the semester and later taking their AP exams in April/May.
Sounds like an innovative calendar option that leaves Thanksgiving break alone, but addresses the parent concerns expressed about semester exams. Still, we may not have realized all the advantages and disadvantages and we need to hear more from you!
Therefore, three calendars have been put online. The first is the original calendar that mirrors this year's calendar. The second is the calendar developed by Dr. Strike and the third is a calendar similar to Highland Park's calendar. Be sure to register your input by emailing brownd@cisdmail.com before the Board's February 1 meeting!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Old Union Evacuated Briefly Today
Administrators were presenting the district's Expenditure Reduction (ER) budgeting process to the parents at Carroll Elementary today when an emergency call came in that a gas main at an intersection construction site near Old Union Elementary resulted in the brief evacuation of that campus.
The students and staff were moved to a nearby alternative location until the line could be capped. Workers quickly resolved the issue and minimized the risk to anyone in the area, but Old Union's Principal Dr. Mary Johnston said it was a good opportunity for everyone to complete a drill and walk through their emergency response plan for evacuations. The entire event lasted only about 30 minutes and no one was injured or in substantial danger.
Parents of Old Union students were notified of the incident via email after school. Dr. Johnston said she was pleased with the professional and efficient response by the Old Union staff and students. Special thanks to the City of Southlake responders who helped alleviate potential risks to OUES.
The students and staff were moved to a nearby alternative location until the line could be capped. Workers quickly resolved the issue and minimized the risk to anyone in the area, but Old Union's Principal Dr. Mary Johnston said it was a good opportunity for everyone to complete a drill and walk through their emergency response plan for evacuations. The entire event lasted only about 30 minutes and no one was injured or in substantial danger.
Parents of Old Union students were notified of the incident via email after school. Dr. Johnston said she was pleased with the professional and efficient response by the Old Union staff and students. Special thanks to the City of Southlake responders who helped alleviate potential risks to OUES.
Top Board Action From Monday
Trustees extended the employment contract of Superintendent David J. Faltys for an additional two years - through 2014. They did not take action on the superintendent's salary at this time, but commended Dr. Faltys for his leadership, communication skills and for the integrity and example he models for others in his position leading Carroll ISD.
The Board postponed a final decision on the 2010-2011 School Calendar in order to collect more information and input on the possibility of ending the first semester before winter break. The Board will consider the additional information and feedback at the February 1 meeting.
The Board accepted the 2008-2009 financial audit.
Trustees tasked the Administration to bring back a proposed contract and/or leasing option for a digital, video scoreboard at Dragon Stadium, without committing district funds or binding the district to a decision in any way. Athletic Director Kevin Ozee will work with the Communications & Marketing Department to provide additional information on potential marketing revenues from a digital scoreboard at the Feb. 1 meeting. Again, Trustees reiterated they do not plan to utilize district funds for the purchase of a new scoreboard, but they would not rule out leasing as an option or utilizing a third party company to assume the debt risk while working with CISD to obtain marketing revenues to pay for the new scoreboard.
The Board postponed a final decision on the 2010-2011 School Calendar in order to collect more information and input on the possibility of ending the first semester before winter break. The Board will consider the additional information and feedback at the February 1 meeting.
The Board accepted the 2008-2009 financial audit.
Trustees tasked the Administration to bring back a proposed contract and/or leasing option for a digital, video scoreboard at Dragon Stadium, without committing district funds or binding the district to a decision in any way. Athletic Director Kevin Ozee will work with the Communications & Marketing Department to provide additional information on potential marketing revenues from a digital scoreboard at the Feb. 1 meeting. Again, Trustees reiterated they do not plan to utilize district funds for the purchase of a new scoreboard, but they would not rule out leasing as an option or utilizing a third party company to assume the debt risk while working with CISD to obtain marketing revenues to pay for the new scoreboard.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Former Dragons Shine
Carroll fans cannot lose while watching tonight's BCS Championship game between Texas and Alabama. There are former Dragon athletes on both teams! Once a Dragon, always a Dragon. You can read about these and other successful Carroll ISD graduates by visiting the district's alumni website, launched last fall. Register for our graduate directory, sign up for the CISD newsletter and stay connected with former classmates and friends at http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/alumni/
Good luck tonight Dragons!
Good luck tonight Dragons!
Why close school today?
The decision to delay or close schools is always a difficult one. This morning was especially difficult because three districts on our border called school off and yet others near CISD either delayed or had school. The process started early this morning with our transportation and maintenance folks (some as early as 4 a.m.) and continued as our administrators and communications staff worked diligently to inform the staff/public. Ultimately, a decision was made to delay shortly after 6 a.m. and then later to close shortly before 9 a.m.
Weather forecasts showed no new precipitation, but temperatures were expected to remain below freezing. Sidewalks and side streets still contained ice during the early morning hours, and our employees who have to drive in from other communities began calling in for substitutes because of road conditions or closures involving their own children. Carroll ISD made the decision based on the information available at the time and with safety as a top priority.
Kudos to our many employees who were doing their jobs and doing them well so that Dragons could be safe. Enjoy the day inside, staying warm.
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