Extra Credit

Fort Worth schools expects a $74 million boost in state funding thanks to Texas legislative action

More pre-kindergarten classes, reading and math programs and campus security improvements could be coming to the Fort Worth school district, courtesy of a $74 million boost in state funding over the next two years.

The state budget approved Monday by the Texas Legislature includes $3.4 billion in new education funding over the next biennium, reversing many of the cuts made by lawmakers two years ago.

Of that, Fort Worth schools would get $29 million more next year and $45 million more in 2014-15, Deputy Superintendent Hank Johnson said in a budget workshop on Tuesday. In the second fiscal year, the district must pay $5.3 million more to the Teacher Retirement System. Here's Fort Worth ISD's budget website.

Judy Needham, school board president said Wednesday: "I am thrilled we are getting back some of the millions that the legislature took away. The majority will go directly into the classrooms to help our kids learn. We can offer more pre-K classes, hire more teachers to have smaller class sizes, buy new books and technology and install new security systems for school offices and numerous other important things to enhance learning. And we an offer teachers pay raises."

Steven Poole, executive director for the Fort Worth-based United Educators Association, also weighed in: "I am encouraged that we may receive additional funding from state. With the additional funds, it's my hope that more funds can be directed to the classrooms and more support given to our struggling schools. It looks like the school board and superintendent is on track to do that."

Read more in today's Star-Telegram.

Jessamy Brown

 

United Educators Association endorses Fort Worth ISD board incumbents for re-election

The Fort Worth-based United Educators Association employee group is endorsing the re-election bids of two Fort Worth school district trustees, a news release said.

The group, which represents more than 6,000 Fort Worth school district employees, is endorsing incumbents Carlos Vasquez in the school board's district 1 and Juan Rangel in district 9.

"Juan Rangel and Dr. Carlos Vasquez have proven themselves as champions for our students and our teachers," Steven Poole, UEAs executive director, said in the release. "As a current teacher, Dr. Carlos Vasquez understands the needs of our students. Juan Rangel's experience on the school board is important to help us focus on the continued improvement of our schools."

Vasquez, a teacher, has two challengers: Camille Rodriguez, a podiatrist and Jacinto A. Ramos Jr., a juvenile probation officer.

Rangel, a marketing/management consultant, is also in a three way race. Ashley E. Paz, an event planner and Melody Palacios, who gave her occupation as a housewife, are also running for the seat.

The group's executive board reviewed the candidates' qualifications, voting records and other factors, the release said.

Jessamy Brown

 

Fort Worth schools leaders to get orientation on new student records system

Fort Worth schools officials have created "Focus Leadership Teams" at each campus to help with the transition to a new student information system.

Schools trustees agreed to go forward with a new system to replace the current Connects system. The aim is to have the new system by Florida-based Focus School Software in place by the fall for the 2013-2014 school year, according to a news release on the school district's website. The teams are scheduled to attend an orientation session and an online webinar in February.

Schools officials agreed to change vendors after a series of problems with the Connects student data software system that produced inaccurate transcripts, incomplete grade reports and incorrect attendance records.

The Connects system, by Tyler Technologies, was launched in 2010 and reports soon after began emerging of problems including inaccurate student schedules and disappearing grades.

The Focus system was chosen after "district stakeholders and end-users spent several months interviewing, visiting and evaluating products submitted by top vendors," the release said. The school district also worked with the Center for Educational Leadership and Technology on the project.

Jessamy Brown

Like budgeting? Apply for Arlington ISD's Financial Futures Committee

If your own home and business affairs just don't satisfy your number-crunching appetite, there could be a spot for you with the Arlington schools' Financial Futures Committee.

The committee's role is to review the district's 2013-14 budget and make recommendations to the school board on how to save money and run the schools more efficiently.

FFC members must be free to attend the scheduled meetings on Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and 26, March 5 and 26 and April 2, all Tuesdays. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center, 1111 W. Arbrook Blvd.

Initial deadline is Jan. 11, but applications will be taken until all appointments have been made.

Applications are online here.

_ Shirley Jinkins

Whistleblower lawsuit against Fort Worth schools will move forward

A whistleblower lawsuit against the Fort Worth school district filed by a former assistant principal will move forward after a judge overruled the school district's motion to dismiss the case.

The case, involving former Arlington Heights High School assistant principal Joe Palazzolo, is expected to go to trial in the spring in the 271st District Court in Decatur, said Jason C.N. Smith, a Fort Worth attorney representing Palazzolo.

Palazzolo filed suit against the school district in July, saying he was improperly demoted and then fired after reporting falsification of student attendance records and misuse of booster club funds by officials.

In a Dec. 5 news release, Smith summed up the case this way:

Palazzolo "reported in the spring of 2011 that school officials were altering student attendance records, misusing booster club funds, using inappropriate comments in front of students, and discriminating against minority students in applying discipline. Shortly after the reports, FWISD transferred Palazzolo to a lower paying position. Soon after that, FWISD recomended termination of Palazzolo.

"(Former) TEA Commissioner Robert Scott reversed Palazzolo's termination, concluding that FWISD had improperly paid the hearing examiner who heard Palazzolo's case over three times the amount allowed.  FWISD then purportedly terminated Palazzolo in February 14, 2012 in a questionable action."

Palazzolo is pursuing two lawsuits against the school district, one involving the job transfer and another involving the termination. Both are expected to be heard at the same time before Judge John H. Fostel, Smith said.

Jessamy Brown

Fort Worth schools trustee to rappel 20 stories down Chesapeake Plaza Building

Tobi Jackson is in training.

To prepare for a Sept. 15 event in which the Fort Worth schools trustee plans to rappel 20 stories down the Chesapeake Plaza Building, Jackson is working out every day, with some training at Eastern Hills High School's fitness center.

"I'm doing two-a-days. I'm repelling and I'm doing weight lifting," she said in an interview. "I'm on a little diet."

Her effort is all to raise money for the Eastern Hills Fire Science Academy (Jackson's personal fundraising page is here. The entry fee was covered by a sponsor, she said). Fire science majors at the campus can learn how to control and investigate fires and perform rescues. The program, open to all Fort Worth students, is run in partnership with Tarrant County College Northwest and Fort Worth Fire Department, the school district says. (right: Fire science student Ty Sims. Courtesy Tobi Jackson)

The event is part of Downtown Fort Worth Inc.'s Over the Edge in Downtown Fort Worth program.It starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 15 at 100 Energy Way.

Jessamy Brown

 

Fort Worth administrator Sylvia Reyna leaving school district

Fort Worth schools Chief of Administration Sylvia Reyna has resigned from her position after two years on the district's top leadership team.

A news report said that she is taking a post at Dallas schools as chief of school leadership, supervising assistant superintendents and executive directors.

The Dallas school district indicated that new Dallas superintendent Mike Miles is still in hiring mode for top jobs.

"Mr. Miles is continuing to interview candidates for various administrative positions within the district. A full announcement of various top level positions that have been filled will be made in the near future," spokeswoman Libby Daniels said in an email.

Reyna did not return a follow up phone call from the Star-Telegram about her job.

In a brief interview this morning with the Star-Telegram, Reyna said she is leaving to “pursue other opportunities” but declined to elaborate.

Reyna said she submitted her letter of resignation and is taking vacation time until her contract runs out at the end of June.

"I definitely have enjoyed my employment with Fort Worth," she said. "The individuals in the organization are absolutely wonderful. I see only a bright future for Fort Worth."

In March, Reyna interviewed for an open position as interim superintendent in San Antonio. The school district had approached her about the job.

She spent 31 years there as a teacher and administrator.

Reyna came to Fort Worth from the Edgewood school district, also in San Antonio, in 2010. She has said she aspires to become a schools superintendent but did not apply for the job when Melody Johnson resigned in 2011.

Jessamy Brown

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/22/4051563/top-administrator-leaves-fort.html#storylink=cpy

 

Fort Worth schools releases 2012 student engagement survey

Fort Worth schools officials released the results of a 2012 survey of elementary and secondary students late Friday.

I'm still going through the document, but you can check it out for yourself here.

The school district got responses from students in grades 4 and 5 and  6 to 11.

Some findings as reported in a news release:

• About one third of elementary students reported boredom with school
• 44 percent of elementary students say they know a student who has been bullied
• More than 30 percent of students said a majority of students feel it is okay to cheat or make racist or sexist remarks
• Verbal bullying is dropped nearly 20 percent and physical bullying remains unchanged. Internet bullying is up almost 30 percent from the previous year.

Jessamy Brown