Southwest ISD Board Update
July 17, 2023
July 17 Board Meeting Highlights
Presentations
Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability Lisa Bolte gave a presentation on the A-F Academic Accountability rating system. In Fall 2023, Texas will complete the comprehensive update of the A-F Academic Accountability rating system, which assesses the performance of public school systems and individual campuses. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has actively engaged with and gathered input from numerous interested individuals across the state. This feedback has been instrumental in informing the refresh process and ensuring that changes to the accountability ratings system accurately reflect student growth and benefit school systems.
To ensure clarity and understanding, the Curriculum and Instruction staff will present a series of informational items explaining the modifications made to the A-F accountability system. These presentations will help stakeholders grasp the changes and their implications effectively.
Items Approved
Renewal of Dyslexia as an "At-Risk" Identification
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Dyslexia as an "at-risk" local identifier in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Education Code. Previously, Dyslexia was designated as a local "at-risk" identifier in our district due to the state's corrective action plan for special education, which specifically focused on dyslexia services for the Texas Education Agency.
In response to the corrective action plan, there has been a continued emphasis on addressing Dyslexia assessment and services. The Texas Education Agency has provided additional guidance and criteria, highlighting the importance of conducting all Dyslexia assessments under IDEA.
To ensure that Dyslexia assessment and services align with the revised Dyslexia handbook, SWISD Student Support Services and Special Education have collaborated to develop a comprehensive plan.
San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP) 2023-2024 Contract
The Board has approved the contract for the 2023-2024 academic year with the San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP). This program will benefit students from Southwest High School, Southwest Legacy High School, and CAST STEM High School.
As part of the SAEP program, the Road to Success College Access and Success Advisors will actively participate and provide assistance during SWISD and/or school-sponsored events. These events include student orientations, parent activities, and college access events, all of which are aimed at supporting SWISD's college readiness objectives.
Students will receive services that are relevant to their specific grade level, ensuring that they are well-prepared for their academic journey. Additionally, the SAEP Road to Success College Access and Success Advisors will verify the college enrollment of SAEP scholarship recipients by the end of the Fall Semester following their high school graduation.
Communities in Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) 2023-2024 Contract
Trustees approved the contract for the 2023-2024 school year with Communities in Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA). CIS-SA will offer a range of services, including Counseling and/or Supportive Guidance, Education and Academic Enhancement, Parental and Family Involvement, Health and Social Services Referrals, Pre-Employment Skills Training, and Educational, Cultural, and Career Awareness activities.
The CIS-SA program will specifically cater to students who are at risk at Southwest High School, Southwest Legacy High School, and CAST STEM High School. This program aims to provide additional support and guidance to students facing various life difficulties, while also assisting them with post-secondary guidance and college readiness. Rest assured, CIS will have well-trained personnel to deliver these services effectively.
Purchase and Installation of Security Film for Instructional Sites
The Board has approved the recommendation to purchase and install security film from NGS for all District campuses. The estimated cost of this project is $399,950. This decision stems from the unfortunate and ongoing trend of mass shootings across the country. In response, the State has provided grant funding to support school districts in enhancing the physical security of instructional sites. This includes the replacement or upgrade of doors, windows, fencing, communications systems, and other safety measures.
Southwest ISD has been awarded $625,650 as part of the School Safety Standards Formula Grant. Among the proactive measures being recommended for campuses, the installation of blast/shatter resistant security film on intruder-accessible exterior windows is a key focus. After careful evaluation, the gold standard film product suggested for our campuses is the 3M Ultra 800 film, known for its durability and warranty.
Purchase of Online Student Safety Monitoring Software
The Board approved the recommendation to acquire Gaggle, a student online safety management program, for a cost of $77,599. Southwest ISD recognizes the immediate need for an online resource that assists District staff in monitoring student online activity for potential bullying incidents and concerning or harmful content, such as inappropriate images, videos, or documents, that students may post or view. This resource can monitor student online activity on district-issued devices and other devices to access student district technology accounts. Implementing a robust student online safety monitoring platform will significantly benefit the District by detecting early warning signs and enabling appropriate action to protect students from potential self-harm or harm to others. In addition to the student online management and monitoring component, there is a need for a new anonymous reporting tool that can be utilized by students, staff, and community members to report bullying, suspicious behavior, and other potential concerns.
Purchase of Classroom Phones and Service
The Board approved ENA as the selected vendor to implement the change of the VOIP phone service and the addition of phones to all classrooms. This decision stems from the District's commitment to enhancing campus safety. The objective is to ensure that teachers and students have easily accessible and actionable access to 911 services from their classrooms.
Palo Alto College Lease Agreement for CAST STEM High School Site
The Board approved the relocation of CAST STEM High School juniors and seniors to Palo Alto College, effective January 3. The lease agreement between Southwest ISD and Palo Alto College has also been approved.
District staff invested time and effort into researching and planning with Palo Alto College regarding relocating CAST Stem High School to their campus. As part of an ongoing pilot program and to further advance this plan, district staff will relocate juniors and seniors to Palo Alto College in the Spring semester, starting in January 2024. This timeframe allows staff to adequately plan and execute a smooth transition and address any challenges that may arise during the Spring semester. Ultimately, the final plan entails moving the freshman and sophomores in the fall of 2024, completing the entire relocation of CAST STEM High School to Palo Alto College.
Architectural Firms for the 2023 Bond Projects Initial Bond Sale
The Board approved the firms listed below to provide architectural services for the 2023 Bond Projects' initial bond sale. District staff is now prepared to start the architectural programming phase for several of these projects. This decision follows Southwest ISD voters' approval of a $250 million bond on May 6, 2023. The bond aims to facilitate the construction of two new elementary schools, establish a new central administration and professional development center, implement safety upgrades across all campuses, and renovate or expand multiple other campuses district-wide. It is important to note that all selected firms are part of the pre-approved Architectural Services from RFQ 2223-111.
The Board has given their approval for the purchase of the Appetgy "Rooms" add-on. This product will improve the current mobile app by enabling two-way communication between Southwest ISD staff, parents, and students. Additionally, the add-on will streamline two-way communication and become the primary application for all communication within Southwest ISD. Moreover, the service includes the ability to archive conversations securely and grants district-level administrators the option to edit or delete conversations if necessary.
Southwest Independent School District
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: Southwest Independent School District, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd