A “Board Business Summary” is published on the district website following each regular school board meeting convened by the Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees. School board members hosted a regular board meeting on June 21, 2021. A video recording of the meeting will be available on the district website under Board of Trustees.
One-Time Payment Approved for District Employees
The Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees approved a one-time payment of $2,500 for full-time employees who meet specified criteria. Employees must have been employed in the district as of September 1, 2021, and they must remain employed with Duncanville ISD through the process of the one-time payment. The payment will be distributed in November 2021.
District administration proposed the one-time payment to provide increased compensation for employees to acknowledge their dedication and commitment to the school district taking into account the challenges faced over the past school year. The one-time payment is also intended as a recruitment tool to encourage new employees to join a school district committed to caring for and compensating employees.
For a new teacher to the district starting his or her career in education this year, the one-time payment is the equivalent to a 5.4% increase in pay if that payment was distributed across a full year. The average salary for a current district teacher who has 20 years of teaching experience is $63,139. At that salary, a teacher with 20 years of experience sees a 4.6% pay increase for the year with the one-time payment.
Staff working in Operations see even bigger compensation differences with the one-time payment. For bus drivers and food service employees, the $2,500 one-time payment is the equivalent of a 17% average pay increase for the year. Custodians see a 12% average increase in pay this year with the one-time payment.
Signing Bonuses, Increased Stipends to Address High Demand Staffing Needs
In addition, signing bonuses and increased stipends are currently being offered for high demand staffing needs, such as Bilingual, Science, English I and II, U.S. History, Math, Special Education and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers. Fully certified teachers in these fields will see a signing bonus increase to $7,000 for Bilingual teachers and $2,000 for the other specified positions. To view the full list of teacher incentives, click here. To maintain the integrity of the salary structure and prevent newly hired staff from making the same as current employees, there will also be $100 adjustments for current staff.
District Covers Increase to Healthcare Premiums to Keep Staff Costs the Same
The district will continue to contribute to healthcare premiums for employees and will add a monthly contribution increase of $32. Over the past four years, the board has paid more than $1 million in insurance supplements and has continued to increase the district’s contribution as insurance rates increase.
By making these increases in addition to one-time payments or salary increases each year, board members ensure that employees receive the compensation provided as opposed to it being used to pay for the increased cost to receive medical benefits.
Trustees Approve $153 Million Budget for 2021-2022
The Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2021-2022 school year budget of approximately $153 million during a regular board meeting on June 21, 2021.
The presentation of the budget hearing and approval can be viewed here.
The approved budget continues starting teacher pay at $53,000 and added a $2,500 one-time payment in November for full-time employees. The district also continues the practice of increasing its contribution to healthcare premiums for employees with a monthly contribution increase of $32.
The approved budget will take effect on July 1. The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
Superintendent’s Report
Duncanville ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith began his report with highlights from the Duncanville High School Class of 2021 graduation ceremony. More than 500 graduates will be attending a college or university, 75 graduates earned an associate degree at no cost while in high school and 23 students earned industry-based certification. Dr. Smith commended the Class of 2021 for overcoming so many obstacles this year to earn their high school diploma. Their experience makes them well prepared for anything that may come their way.
The STEAM Academy at Kennemer Middle School has earned the National STEM Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education after completing an extensive process. To be awarded the National STEM Certification, at least five teachers had to complete 38 modules in the areas of ‘Creating an Environment for Learning,’ ‘Building Scientific Understanding,’ and ‘Engaging Students in Science and Engineering Practices.’ The teachers who completed the course work are Amanda Torres, Secondary District Teacher of the Year Eika Johnson, Herbert Moore, Cynthia Johnson, Jouet Daniels, and Charelle Calloway. The national recognition has motivated other STEAM Academy teachers to become certified as well. Five additional teachers are currently on track to complete their certification next spring.
Duncanville ISD partnered with Methodist Health System for a student COVID-19 vaccination clinic in an effort to continue mitigating the spread of the virus. On June 4, 185 students 12 years old and older received the first dose of the vaccine at the Duncanville High School west gym. Those students will return on June 25 to receive the second dose.
Dr. Smith concluded his report with the exciting news that all Duncanville ISD campuses will be unified under one mascot – Panthers. From elementary to high school, the unified campus logo will be the official Panther logo used at the high school. However, a new age-appropriate Panther cub logo is being offered to the elementary campuses as an alternative for our younger students. The positive change comes from community feedback.
Other Items
The board agenda items can be found here.
Approved minutes from the May 17 board meeting
Approved minutes from the June 8 board meeting
Approved financial report for April 2021
Approved budget amendments for April 2021
Approved purchase of Microsoft Services
Approved list of cooperatives and fees
Approved Memorandum of Understanding for Dallas County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
Approved IStation contract renewal
Approved I Achieve 3000 contract renewal
Approved College Board SAT/PSAT school day assessments for 2021-2022
Approved extension of depository contract
Approved Duncanville High School choir attendance at the Winter Park Ski Music Festival
Approved purchase for contracted services
Approved purchase for Skyward
Approved authorization for superintendent to hire contractual personnel until the August board meeting
Discussion of district energy contract
Discussion of COVID-19 safe return and continuity plan for 2021-2022