BOARD RECAP -- September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023
The Prosper Independent School District Board of Trustees met for a regular Board Meeting on August 28, 2023.
Prosper protests against Texas Education Agency citing lack of transparency
District joins 56 other school districts in litigation
The Prosper ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to join 56 other school districts (so far) in litigation against the Texas Education Agency (TEA), challenging the lack of transparency in the A–F Accountability System's criteria and preventing the TEA from issuing ratings for the 2022–2023 school year based on undisclosed measures, methods, and procedures.
"We want to make sure what we are doing is fair and equitable to every one of our kids and every one of our staff members. We've fulfilled our promises to parents by delivering a high-quality education for their children. Our goal is for the accountability system to accurately capture the remarkable progress our students have made. However, the upcoming system changes are expected to paint a different, less accurate picture that doesn't reflect the substantial growth observed across all district campuses." Superintendent of Schools Dr. Holly Ferguson said.
The Texas Education Agency has made significant changes to the accountability ratings system, which will affect all school districts and campuses in the state. The 2022–2023 school year ratings, expected to be issued in Fall 2023, will be based on different rules, making it impossible to directly compare them to previous years. TEA did not inform Texas school districts about these changes before the 2022–2023 school year, nor have they fully explained the rules and methodologies used to calculate district and campus ratings.
The District has been negatively impacted by the lack of advance notice regarding the TEA's criteria and methods for the 2022–2023 school year. This lack of information has made it challenging for the District to meet state standards and allocate resources effectively.
As a response, the Board of Trustees authorized the District administration to join the lawsuit against the TEA as an intervener to challenge the TEA's failure to provide advance notice of accountability measures in violation of state law.
FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the A–F Accountability System is a statewide rating system established by the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”) that evaluates the academic performance of Texas public schools and assigns letter grades A–F to districts and campuses;
WHEREAS, the TEA has substantially changed the accountability ratings system in a manner that will impact every school district and campus in the state, meaning that the ratings expected to be issued in Fall 2023 for the 2022–2023 school year will be based on a different set of rules than previous A–F ratings, and making it impossible to compare the ratings issued by the TEA in 2022 and 2023 side by side;
WHEREAS, in violation of state law, the TEA did not provide the Prosper Independent School District (the “District”) information regarding the changes to the A–F Accountability System prior to the start of the 2022–2023 school year and, indeed, still has not provided a full explanation of the rules and methodologies that are being used to determine district and campus ratings;
WHEREAS, the Prosper Independent School District’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) understands that certain school districts throughout the state have filed a lawsuit against the TEA to challenge the lack of transparency in the criteria used as part of the A–F Accountability System and to prohibit the TEA from issuing performance ratings for the 2022–2023 school year that are based on measures, methods, and procedures that were not provided to school districts prior to the start of the 2022–2023 school year, in violation of state law; and,
WHEREAS, the District has been harmed by the lack of advance notice of the criteria and methods the TEA is applying as part of the A–F Accountability System for the 2022–2023 school year because the District does not know the expectations set by the State of Texas for schools districts and has been unable to adjust to the TEA’s new accountability measures and allocate District resources in a manner required to meet state standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board authorizes the District administration to join the litigation against the TEA as an intervener to challenge the TEA’s failure to provide the District advance notice of the accountability performance measures, methods, and procedures that are being applied as part of the A–F Accountability System for the 2022–2023 school year before the start of that school year, in violation of state law. The Board authorizes the District administration to engage legal counsel to represent the District in the lawsuit against the TEA.
Adopted by the vote of the majority of members of the Board of Trustees of the Prosper Independent School District present and voting at an open meeting of the Board on the 18th day of September 2023, at which a quorum was present.
CELEBRATIONS
⭐ Visual art program is in the top 1% of districts across the state
Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) District of Distinction
The District of Distinction is an annual recognition program to honor school districts that are leading the way in the visual arts.
Over 1,200 districts in the state were eligible to apply, and just 69 districts will receive this outstanding honor.
Prosper ISD is one of only 13 districts to have earned this distinction for 4 consecutive years, indicating our visual art program is in the top 1% of districts across the state.
This is a K-12 distinction, so all art teachers and students contribute to earning this recognition every year.
HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) State and International Competition
HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. Students achieved in the following categories:
State Medical Reading: 2nd place.
International Medical Reading: 9th place
Arjun Kamesh
National Service Project Recognition of Merit
Texas State HOSA Competition
The service project involves a nationally identified partner whom HOSA chapters can choose to support through volunteer service and fundraising.
Arjun Kamesh
Parker Wendling
Ryan Vanvliet
Georgia McCaughan
Sofia Sardo
Ulyana Shugayeva
Ananya Subramanian
Katy Bergh
Harini Kovvuri
Sadhana Sriram
Samyukta Saravanan
Kenza Kouchtaf
Ronan Nambiar
Reynolds HOSA Advisor
Nicole Derby-Moore
Barbara James Service Award Gold Level
Miriam Kassem
Barbara James Service Award Silver Level
Emilie Perrin
PHS HOSA Advisor
Kelli Factor
Cultural Diversity and Disparities: 4th place
Kyla Harrison
Medical Math: 3rd place
Manasa Nekkanti
Organizational Leadership Recognition
Alleah Lovelle Oro
HOSA Happenings Electronic Newsletter Recognition
Bindu Upadrashta
HOSA International Leadership Conference
Kyla Harrison
Alleah Lovelle Oro
Also selected to represent the state of Texas as a voting delegate and to participate in the leadership academy.Bindu Upadrashta
RHHS HOSA Advisor
Lori Lewis
Principals are learners, too
This year, three principals are continuing to show students that they, too, are forever learners by joining fellow campus leaders from across the state to bring best practices back to the classrooms and campuses in Prosper ISD.
Thompson Executive Leadership Institute Principal Academy
This academy provides an advanced leadership development program that focuses on what it takes to move a campus forward under new guidelines and changing expectations. Admission is competitive and targets a class size of 25. Rucker Elementary Principal Marisol Balderas is the Prosper ISD representative.
N2 Learning Principal’s Institute
The Principal’s Institute is a year-long professional development series that provides a unique opportunity for principals to understand why transformation of public education is necessary, and develop the knowledge and skills required to lead and build the capacity to sustain transformation over time. Spradley Elementary Principal Dr. LaShawn Hodge and Light Farms Elementary Principal Haley Stelly are attending for Prosper ISD.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. The administration will provide a report on current student enrollment
B. The administration will provide a report on Bond 2019 construction projects
C. The administration will provide a report on safety and security upgrades
D. The administration will provide a report on the curriculum framework
E. The administration will provide a report on the Quarterly Financial/Investment/Tax Report for August 2023
Visit www.prosperisdbond.net for more Bond 2023 information
F. The administration will provide a report on the 2023 Bond Election
Prosper ISD has grown by 105% in the past 5 years
Prop A is new schools, modernization, expansion and safety
Reynolds MS expanded
Rucker ES rebuilt
Safety, security, land and buses
ACTION ITEMS
The Board approved the following items:
- 9.A. A resolution authorizing the District to join litigation against the Texas Education Agency challenging the lack of transparency in the calculation of school district accountability ratings
- 9.B. Members of School Health Advisory Council
- 9.C. Pogue Construction as Construction Manager at Risk contract for Elementary #20 (Opening August 2025)
- 9.D. Property lease for additional office space
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of prior meeting(s)
- 8.28.23 (Regular Meeting)
PUBLIC COMMENT
- There were no public comments.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
CLOSED MEETING ITEMS
- The Board approved hiring contract personnel as presented.
IMPORTANT DATES
October 2, 2023 - Lilyana Dedication at 6:00 pm
October 3, 2023 - Dan Christie Dedication at 6:00 pm
October 5 & 6, 2023 - Professional Learning/Student Holiday
October 9, 2023 - School Holiday
October 10, 2023 - Last day to register to vote
October 10, 2023 - Brenda Calhoun Early Childhood Dedication at 6:00 pm
October 16, 2023 - Regular School Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
October 23, 2023 - First day of early voting
November 3, 2023 - Last day of early voting
November 7, 2023 - Election Day
VIDEOS OF BOARD MEETINGS
- Videos of Board meetings are posted within 7 days of the Board meeting.
- Board Meetings are also streamed live.
- Live Stream/Video Archive
PROCESS FOR SPEAKING AT BOARD MEETINGS
The Prosper ISD Board of Trustees welcomes public comment at Board meetings. In order to provide an efficient process at the Board meetings, we ask that individuals complete the Public Comment Form and submit it no later than noon on the day of the meeting. The Notice of Meeting/Agenda is posted 72 hours in advance of the Board meeting.
Prosper ISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools
From left: Board Member Tommy Van Wolfe, Board Member Jim Bridges, Board President Bill Beavers, Board Vice President Dena Dixon, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Holly Ferguson, Board Member Garrett Linker, Board Member Kelly Cavender, and Board Secretary Jorden Dial.
Visit the Board of Trustees website
Best Public Schools in Texas
Prosper ISD has an established 66-year history that is grounded in the humble roots of a farming community, now soaring to the fastest growing school district in the State of Texas, due in no small part to the pursuit of excellence in the arts, academics and athletics. Our students are routinely recognized on the local, state and national level for outstanding achievements, and our teachers are highly qualified experts who bring out the best in every student.
About Prosper ISDProsper ISD is a school district located north of Dallas in Collin and Denton Counties. The district spans approximately 58 square miles and serves more than 28,000 students in 17 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools and one early childhood school.
Email: communications@prosper-isd.net
Location: 605 East 7th Street, Prosper, TX, USA
Phone: 469-219-2000