Crowley ISD Boardroom Rewind
January 26, 2023 - Meeting Highlights
MEETING VIDEO: To watch a recording of this meeting, please click here.
School Board Calls for May 6 Bond Election
With student enrollment climbing and growth expected to continue in Crowley ISD, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a bond election for May 6, 2023.
A diverse planning committee of citizens, community leaders, campus staff, students and parents was formed to study and prioritize the current and future needs of Crowley ISD. The 2023 Bond is based on their recommendation.
This will be the first bond election held in Crowley ISD since 2007.
If approved by voters, the 2023 Bond will fund the construction of new schools, additions renovations at existing schools, safety enhancements at all campuses and more projects listed here. The total cost of the 2023 Bond is projected at $1.17 Billion with no tax rate increase.
The deadline to register to vote is April 6.
For more on the 2023 Bond, visit crowleyisdtx.org/bond23.
Student Enrollment Climbs To Almost 17,000
The current enrollment in Crowley ISD is 16,915 with more applications currently pending for enrollment.
"We are growing — and fast," Cara Hyatt, director of data management systems, told the board in her update.
Hyatt shared data related to grade closures at various elementary campus, resulting in 290 overflows, which means students must attend a different school that has room for them instead of the one they are zoned to attend.
District Recognizes School Board As Heartbeat of CISD
CISD joined school districts across the state in celebrating January as School Board Recognition Month with this year's theme of "Forward, Together."
These public servants attend meetings, read detailed reports, listen to concerns and do the hard work to benefit the students and the community at large. They bring a variety of skills and backgrounds to their task, and they take their responsibilities seriously. And the whole community benefits from their vigilance in providing great schools.
Trustees receive no pay for their dedicated efforts. They not only volunteer their time and effort for our local schools, but they also speak up for our system of public education on a statewide level.
2022-23 Crowley ISD Board of Trustees
Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield, President
Gary Grassia, Vice President
Nedra Robinson, Secretary
Daryl R. Davis, II, Assistant Secretary
June W. Davis, Trustee
Dr. Mia Hall, Trustee
Kelicia Stevenson, Trustee
Check out the video above to hear the many different ways we can say THANK YOU in Crowley ISD.
And listen to community leaders in this video share their appreciation to our school board.
Two School Board Seats On May Ballot
Place 1 is currently held by Nedra Robinson, and Place 2 is currently occupied by Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield.
Board Honors Esports Team for Advancing to State
Trustees recognized the Crowley ISD Esports team that recently advanced to the state level.
Esports is an extracurricular activity that involves competitive video gaming in a team environment as a path for building science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) and social emotional skills while increasing student engagement and opportunities for student inclusion.
There are about 40 students who compete in the Esports club. The team of Jevan Atkins (CHS), Bilal Pearson (NCHS), Xzavier Frye (NCHS) and Marquis Olvera (CH9) advanced to the final four at the Texas Esports League Championship, beating out 54 other teams across the state.
Trustees Celebrate Crowley High Student Artwork
His artwork, seen below, is currently on display in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall through Feb. 4.
CISD Highlights Deer Creek Elementary's "A" Rating
Tate to Lead New Elementary College Prep
Tate has served as assistant principal at the Bill R. Johnson CTE Center since 2015. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Grand Prairie High School. She also has served as a science teacher and science specialist at Mary Harris Intermediate School in CISD.
The new Crowley Elementary College Prep will be designed to generate early exposure for students at the foundational level to develop skills to prepare for college. Funding is made possible through the School Action Fund grant from the Texas Education Agency. Watch for more details in the future, including location and application information.
Also approved at Thursday night's board meeting, Bradley Parker was named the director of digital learning and library services. Parker is currently the coordinator of instructional technology. He has worked in Crowley ISD in various roles since 2002.
Bethany Knighten also was hired as assistant principal at North Crowley Ninth Grade Campus. Knighten is coming from Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Ala., where she has served as principal since 2018. Knighten has five years of administrative experience and 20 years of teaching experience.
District Hires New CHS Football Coach
Lynn, who has worked as a high school football coach for 27 years, most recently served at Cedar Hill High School, where he led the team to a 6A Division 2 UIL state final in 2020. He is a regional director of the Texas High School Football Coaches Association
Lynn also is a three-time finalist of the Tom Landry Award in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and he was named Dave Campbell's Texas Football 6A Coach of the Year in 2020.
"Coach Lynn holds a special place in my heart," said Ray Gates, the North Crowley High School head football coach who worked as an assistant coach with Lynn in Cedar Hill. "He has helped shape the coach that I've become. Crowley pride will be more unified than ever."
Joey McGuire, former Crowley High School head football coach, CHS graduate and current head football coach at Texas Tech University, also worked with Lynn in Cedar Hill.
"Crowley ISD is hiring a coach that changes lives," McGuire said. "He is in coaching for the right reason. It's a calling to him and he will bring a competitive fire with him every day. As a former Crowley Eagle, I am proud that he will be coaching at my alma mater. I am very excited for the students and the city of Crowley. Go Eagles!"
Read more about Lynn.
CISD Mental Health Symposium Set for Saturday
The event is Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bill R. Johnson CTE Center.
The keynote speaker for the event is Trent Shelton, a CISD graduate and motivational speaker. Considered as one of the most groundbreaking motivational speakers of his era, Shelton has touched millions with his words on self-worth, self-love and recognizing your greatness.
Visit crowleyisdtx.org/symposium for more information.
Front row (L-R): Nedra Robinson, board secretary; Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland;
Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield, board president; Gary Grassia, board vice president
Back row (L-R): June W. Davis, board member; Kelicia Stevenson, board member;
Daryl R. Davis II, assistant board secretary; Dr. Mia Hall, board member