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 May 15, 2023. A video recording of the meeting will be available on the district website under the Board of Trustees.
Administer Oath of Office to Elected Trustees
The oath of office was administered to the newly reelected Trustee, Dr. LaSonja Ivory, Place 4.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Smith begins his monthly report with a legislative update, sharing that the legislative session is nearing the end. The district continues to advocate for its priorities. The district has partnered with Raise Your Hand Texas. On May 1st, two teachers, Myronda Mays (last year’s teacher of the year) and Jessica Ford (a former teacher of the year and current teacher specialist), Dr. Karin Holacka, and Raise Your Hand Texas visited the capitol where they visited with Representative Sherman, Senator West, and the Legislative Aide for Representative Davis. Sherman. To date only two education bills had been signed by the Governor: SB 838 requires panic alerts in every classroom by the 2025-2026 school year and SB 1008 allows a parent 90 days to show residency instead of 10 days. Dr. Smith also shared that the introduction of a substitute bill for SB 8 has been introduced focused on school vouchers and additional state assessments. Dr. Smith has provided written testimony and senior leadership has emailed the legislature.
Dr. Smith acknowledged the selection of district teachers of the year, Raven Hill from Bilhartz Elementary and Midiam Espinosa from Duncanville High School at the Employee Appreciation celebration. Also celebrated that night were our "Spirit of a Champion" honorees, our retirees, each campus teacher of the year, and our employee service awards.
Dr. Smith congratulated the Duncanville High School Girls Track Team on their first Girls Conference 6A #UILState Track & Field Team Championship!
Dr. Smith announced the upcoming 5th annual Duncanville Reads event would feature ten authors. The event is a partnership between the district’s librarians, the Duncanville Rotary, Lions Club, the Duncanville ISD Education Foundation, and local individuals. A book distribution event featuring titles from the featured authors was also held. This event puts books into the hands of our students. Students throughout the district will have the opportunity to meet and engage with students around the writing and illustrative processes.
Dr. Marc Smith shared that Coach Sharon Smith’s legacy of 31 years of service to Duncanville ISD will be recognized at the upcoming naming of Reed Middle School’s Muldrew Gymnasium court in her honor on Wednesday, May 24th at 2 pm.
Dr. Smith also announced the upcoming Duncanville ISD Night at Globe Life Field on June 7. DHS Head Football Coach Reginald Samples will throw the first pitch and DHS A Cappella Choir will sing the National Anthem.
Donations
The district received the following supply donations:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Upsilon Lambda Omega Chapter donated five trees to be planted to the Panther Pantry (No value assigned)
Holy Spirit Catholic Church donated canned meat, pasta, and soup to the Panther Pantry ($350)
Megan Reynolds donated men’s and women’s clothing to the Panther Pantry ($500)
Tom and Sherry Kennedy donated food and snacks to the Panther Pantry ($300)
Trusted World donated clothing and baby items to the Panther Pantry ($2,871)
WinCo Foods donated grocery bags to the Panther Pantry (No value assigned)
Recognitions
Inspiring Leadership Academy
Dr. Winnifred Goodman and Dr. Sam Nix recognized the 2023 participants of Inspiring Leadership Academy and the five individuals who served as Ambassadors who provided additional support as the participants matriculated through the academy.
Other Items
The board agenda items can be found here.
Reorganization Of the Board - Election of Officers (President, Vice President, and Secretary)
Nominations for the office of President: Phil McNeely
Nominations for the office of Vice President: Dr. LaSonja Ivory
Nominations for the office of Secretary: Carla Fahey
President: Phil McNeely
Vice President: Dr. LaSonja Ivory
Secretary: Carla Fahey
Approved appointment of the Chief Financial Officer
Approved appointment of Director of Student Services
Approved minutes from the April 2023 board meeting
Approved financial report for April 2023
Approved The Holdsworth Center Partnership Memorandum of Understanding and Contract Exceeding $50,000
Approved the Nomination of Trustee Janet Veracruz as a Candidate for The TASB Board of Directors, Region 10, Position D
Approved MOU Participating with Local Government and Dallas County to Participate in Dallas County Juvenile Case Management System
Approved Curriculum Materials Recommended by The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) For Instruction Relating to Human Sexuality
Approved Purchase Over $50,000 - Dallas College Dual Credit Textbooks
Approved 2023 - 2025 Interlocal Agreement - Duncanville ISD and Shorty's Custom Paint
Approved Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) And Duncanville ISD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Trustee Cassandra Phillips who for six years served the students, parents, staff, and Duncanville ISD community with commitment, passion, and dedication.
Discussed Budget Update 2023-2024 Budget
Discussed Facility Assessment Update
Discussed Strategic Plan Update: Priority 2 - Students, Families, and Community Connections
Discussed First Reading of Local Policy Exhibit Name Change - DIA (EXHIBIT), FB (EXHIBIT), FFC (EXHIBIT), AND FFH (EXHIBIT)