There were a lot of smiles at the June 4, 2012 Forney ISD School Board meeting. It was a night to celebrate the swearing in of new school board members Mike White and Heath Carroll and to recognize some of the districts outstanding athletes. The board also voted on who their President, Vice President and Secretary would be for the 2012-2013 school year.
There were a lot of smiles at the June 4, 2012 Forney ISD School Board meeting. It was a night to celebrate the swearing in of new school board members Mike White and Heath Carroll and to recognize some of the districts outstanding athletes. The board also voted on who their President, Vice President and Secretary would be for the 2012-2013 school year.
Just last month, Mike White and Heath Carroll were elected as new FISD School Board members, replacing Bruce Benedict and Charles Treadway. Benedict was at the meeting to receive a plaque for his previous service and thanks from the board and the large audience at the meeting. Superintendent Michael Holland gave White and Carroll certificates and stood with them as they repeated their oath of office during their swearing in ceremony. Mike White later told inForney.com, “It was a great night. What an honor to be chosen by the community as one of the leaders of our district, and to be sworn in to serve the district in the same building I went to school. It felt like a homecoming. I can't wait to help the district with the challenges that lie ahead.” White and Carroll were not shy about asking questions and seeking clarification on discussions during the board meeting.
The board took nominations for President, VP, and Secretary, though it seemed to be pre-determined who would be elected to the positions. Keith Bell was nominated by David Walker to be President of the board and was approved unanimously. Bell said, “I appreciate your confidence...I'll do it to the best of my ability.” Walker then nominated John Taylor for VP, and Taylor was approved by each board member. Board member Greg Pharrish nominated David Walker to be the FISD Board Secretary and Walker was approved unanimously as well.
The board recognized some of FISD's outstanding student athletes during the meeting. FHS student Kiana Hawn earned two silver medals in the U.I.L. State Track competition and NFHS student Hunter Hartley earned a bronze medal at the state level. Hawn was also selected to the All-State Team in Track and Field. Forney High School's Jasmin Chavez and Laura Brown were recognized for being selected to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Academic Team in Track and Field. The impressive Forney High School softball team were given certificates for once again qualifying for the State Softball Tournament. The girls fell to Montgomery in the semi-finals, however all but three of the young ladies will be back on next year's team to make a run for the state title once again.
Forney ISD recently announced a slight change to next year's school hours. Elementary schools will start at 7:30 a.m. and get out at 3:05 p.m. Middle schools will start at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. The two high schools will start at 8:10 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. The school board approved an increase in price for school lunches for the 2012-2013 school year. Lunch prices will increase by 10 cents, bringing elementary school lunches to $2.15 at full price and $2.45 for the secondary schools.
The final item discussed by the board was a change to the way FISD school bus drivers and bus monitors are paid. They had been paid a specific amount for each route they had, but the board voted to pay the drivers and monitors an hourly rate, with a minimum of one hour paid per route. Transportation Director Rick Geer explained to the board that it will actually save the district a small amount of money, but it should be a fair way to reward drivers who have been with the district for years. He did not disclose what the hourly pay amounts would be.
