PfISD Administration Report
October 17, 2024
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Purpose
- Radical Transparency - unprecedented levels of accessibility to information
- Keeping Trustees and Stakeholders connected with the work of the Administration
- Staying cohesive from the Boardroom to the Classroom
- Keeping us open and learning, together!
- Continuous improvement in all that we do
The new Pflugerville ISD Administration Report is a groundbreaking initiative designed to promote transparency and create an unprecedented level of accessibility to information. This report is strategically aligned with the district's mission and goals, ensuring that every stakeholder is informed about the administrative decisions, board meeting outcomes, and district-wide initiatives that impact the educational environment.
The report aims to align the district's strategic efforts seamlessly across all levels by bridging the gap between the boardroom and the classroom to support student success and community trust. It serves as a comprehensive resource for parents, students, teachers, and community members, reflecting Pflugerville ISD's commitment to open communication and collaborative governance. Through this initiative, the district seeks to support student success and foster a sense of community trust by keeping all parties well-informed and engaged in the educational process.
Academics
Free Tuition for High School Graduates at Austin Community College
This fall, Austin Community College District (ACC) launched a five-year pilot program for Free Tuition for graduating high school students, starting with the class of 2024. The program is making an impact on Pflugerville ISD students. In the program's first semester, more than 335 Pflugerville graduates went straight to ACC, a 25% increase from the previous year. A total of 346 Pflugerville graduates, current and former, attended ACC in the Fall of 2024.
The program does not cover non-residents, international students, course-specific fees, textbooks, or continuing education programs. The ACC taxing district includes Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Elgin ISD, Hays CISD, Leander ISD, Manor ISD, Round Rock ISD, and portions of Pflugerville ISD. Students who reside outside of the ACC taxing districts must pay $201 per credit hour.
Eligible students have three years from the time they graduate high school to complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university. If they continue in one of ACC’s four bachelor’s programs, they have a total of five years. The first-dollar program covers tuition and general fees, so students can apply for additional financial support, such as Pell Grants, financial aid, and scholarships, to help cover other college expenses like housing, child care, textbooks, and more.
Multilingual Programming Update
Pflugerville ISD is required to report important information about its multilingual education programs to the Board of Trustees each year. This includes how well Emergent Bilingual students are progressing in language skills and academics, how many students are enrolled in these programs, and whether the district is meeting state and federal requirements. PfISD also reports on the qualifications of bilingual and ESL teachers, efforts to involve parents and the community, and the professional development provided to staff. The goal is to ensure that Emergent Bilingual Students receive the support they need to succeed in school. You can view our Multilingual Programming Update with this link.
Career and Technical Education Update
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Pflugerville ISD plays a vital role in preparing students for success in both college and career by offering a variety of career pathways aligned with industry standards. This update provides an overview of the current state of CTE in the district, showcasing key achievements and future plans.
Highlights include the successful integration of hands-on learning opportunities, industry certifications, and partnerships with local businesses. Additionally, students have excelled in various competitions, earning recognition at both state and national levels. The district's continued focus on expanding internship opportunities and enhancing program offerings ensures that students are equipped with the skills and experiences needed for a successful transition into the workforce or higher education. You can view our CTE programming update with this link.
Board Agenda Items Under Consideration: Academic
- Consideration and Possible Approval of District and Campus Improvement Plan Performance Objectives
- The Board of Trustees must approve the District and Campus Improvement Performance Objectives each year. These plans are designed to help improve academic achievement for all students and are regularly updated. You can view the district and campus improvement performance objectives with this link. A one-pager of the district improvement plan can be accessed with this link. Staff recommend the approval of this agenda item.
- Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) Memorandum of Understanding
- The Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) is a specialized educational program for students who have been expelled from their regular school due to serious rule violations or legal issues. It provides a structured learning environment where these students can continue their education while receiving extra support and guidance to help them improve their behavior and make positive changes.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) and Pflugerville ISD is an annual agreement that outlines the roles and responsibilities for both parties. It covers the referral process for students to the JJAEP, the provision of educational services while they are enrolled, and the procedures for reintegrating students back into their regular campus. This agreement ensures that students receive continued education while addressing behavioral and legal issues during their placement. You can view the MOU with this link. Staff recommend the approval of this agenda item.
JJAEPs are funded through a combination of state and local funds. The state provides financial support based on student attendance, and local school districts may contribute additional funding to cover operational costs. The juvenile justice system may also provide resources, ensuring that students have access to the services and support they need while in the program. This collaborative funding approach helps maintain a safe, structured environment that prioritizes both education and rehabilitation for students.
The updates in the 2024-25 MOU mainly revolve around updated rates, leadership changes, and minor rewording or clarifications), while retaining the same core structure and purpose as the previous year's agreement. The daily rate did not change this year; it remains at $406.12 per day. - Consideration and Possible Approval to Submit an Application for a State Waiver to the Texas Education Agency for Remote Homebound Services for Two Students
- The District is asking for approval to submit a waiver application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Remote Homebound services for students who are unable to attend school due to severe medical conditions. This option allows students to continue their education remotely without transferring to a different district during long hospital stays. With the waiver's approval, the district can count these students in attendance for funding purposes, as allowed under TEA guidelines for special education and General Education Homebound (GEH) programs. Staff recommend approval of this agenda item.
- Consideration and Possible Approval for the Connally High School Stars Dance Team to Travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to Attend and Compete at the Nashville Crowd Pleasers National Showcase on March 22-24, 2025
- The Connally High School Stars Dance Team is requesting approval for a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, to compete at the Crowd Pleasers National Showcase from March 22-24, 2025. The team will travel by airline and charter bus, with 22 students and 7 adults confirmed to attend, ensuring a 1:10 adult-to-student ratio. The trip costs between $1,615 and $2,073 per participant, funded through student fundraising activities as well as private payments. Financial assistance and payment plans will be available, and participation is optional. There are no conflicts with state testing.
- Consideration and Possible Approval of Big Rock Educational Services (BRES) to Deliver Training and Coaching for Administrators and Teachers at Dessau Elementary and Westview Middle School
- Big Rock Educational Services (BRES), a Texas Education Agency Vetted Improvement Program (VIP), has supported over 350 schools nationwide in achieving excellence through professional development and metrics-based coaching. BRES will work with Dessau Elementary School and Westview Middle School to enhance instructional quality, academic rigor, and school culture. Their support will focus on implementing a rigorous academic program with High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), developing systems for lesson internalization, and building leadership capacity for positive, engaging classroom environments. This initiative is funded through the Effective Schools Framework Focused Support Grant and Title II, Fiscal Year 2024. Staff recommend approval of this agenda item.
Finance
Special Meeting: Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Rating
Quarterly & Annual Investment Reports
The Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) requires that quarterly and annual investment reports be presented to the school board for approval. The quarterly report covers the period from June 1 to August 31, 2024, while the annual report spans from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.
As of August 31, 2024, Pflugerville ISD’s investment portfolio totaled $471,417,358, with the majority of the investments tied to the general fund, bonds, debt service, food service, and the Public Facilities Corporation (PFC). Due to market conditions favoring liquidity to maximize capture higher yields, 96% of the portfolio is held in bank and investment pool accounts. The portfolio remains highly liquid with a weighted average maturity of just 2 days.
Investments yielded an average return of 5.25% for the year. This contributed to $6,465,499 in interest income for the quarter and $28,825,739 for the fiscal year.
Pflugerville ISD partners with Meeder Public Funds and TCG Advisory Services to maximize investment returns and ensure compliance with government regulations. The administration recommends the Board approve the quarterly and annual investment reports as outlined.
September Financials and Tax Collections General Fund
September marks the start of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. During this month, general fund revenue totaled $21.2 million, representing 7% of the budgeted $289 million. This is a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.
Expenditures for September amounted to $21 million, with year-to-date spending also accounting for 7% of the total budgeted expenditures of $297.5 million. This is consistent with the percentage reported at the same time last year.
Food Service
The Food Service department generated $1.7 million in revenue for September, reaching 12% of its budgeted $14.2 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This increase is largely due to a higher number of meals served per day.
On the expenditure side, the department spent $1.4 million, representing 10% of its total budgeted expenditures of $14.2 million.
Debt Service
Tax Collections
Bond Funds
2008 Bond: The remaining balance is $360.6 thousand, earmarked for technology projects.
2018 Bond: Approximately $16.4 million remains available for general project use. This includes $3.4 million in unspent interest revenue and $860.7 thousand from COVID reimbursements, which have been allocated for technology projects. Additionally, the balance includes $671 thousand remaining from the sale of surplus school buses.
2022 Bond: The remaining balance across all propositions is $306.9 million. Since the bond sale, the 2022 Bond program has earned $30.5 million in interest revenue.
Approval of Budgeted Purchases over $50,000
In compliance with District policy CH(Local), any single, budgeted purchase of goods or services costing $50,000 or more requires Board approval before a transaction may take place. The following items are presented for consideration:
Purpose: Big Rock Educational Services will provide professional learning and coaching for the administration teams to improve the quality of instruction, data progress monitoring, and culture at Dessau Elementary School and Westview Middle School.
Cost: $160,000
Funding Source: Effective Schools Framework Focused Support Grant and Title II Grant
Vendor: Big Rock Educational Services
Rationale: Big Rock Educational Services (BRES) has worked nationally in over 350 schools to support campus and network leaders in realizing their respective visions for school excellence. They provide professional development and metrics-based implementation coaching for campus-based instructional leadership teams. BRES is a Texas Education Agency Vetted Improvement Program (VIP) that has been approved to help school districts improve schools as part of the Effective Schools Framework Focus Support Grant.
Reimbursable Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Fees to the Texas Education Agency for Proposed New or Higher Designations
Purpose: Designation fees in the amount of $99,500 for the consideration of 199 proposed Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designations are due to TEA. The full amount of these fees are reimbursed to the district in the following year through the Foundation School Program’s (FSP) September Settle-Up.
Cost: $99,500
Funding Source: General Fund
Vendor: TEA Teacher Incentive Allotment / Texas Tech University
Rationale: PfISD submitted the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) data to TEA on September 24, 2024, which included both student growth and T-TESS outcomes for 996 teachers serving in TIA-eligible teaching positions during the 2023-2024 school year. Once data is submitted to TEA, districts must submit a $500 fee per new or higher proposed teacher designation for TEA, in collaboration with Texas Tech University (TTU), to conduct a data validation, verifying that the district’s designation system produced reliable results and that there is consistent, positive association between T-TESS ratings and measures of student growth.
Purpose: HVAC replacement design for three campuses.
Cost: $237,415
Funding Source: 2022 Bond
Vendor: Energy Systems Associates (ESA)
Rationale: Mechanical design fees related to HVAC replacements at Windermere ES, Northwest ES and Provan Opportunity Center.
Demolition Work at Old Calvary Building
Purpose: Demolition work to be completed at the Former Calvary Building.
Cost: $795,860
Funding Source: 2022 Bond
Vendor: Braun and Butler
Rationale: Board consideration related to Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)1 for the demo work needed for the Former Calvary building.
Purpose: Planning and Design work for Connally High School Renovations.
Cost: $400,000 (Not to Exceed)
Funding Source: 2022 Bond
Vendor: DLR Group
Rationale: For the Planning and Design of Connally High School Phase 1 Renovation work.
The administration recommends the Board approve these purchases as outlined.
Community Finance Committee
Pflugerville ISD is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to serve on the 2024-25 Community Finance Committee. This important group will provide the district’s Administration and Board Finance Committee with recommendations to ensure financial sustainability and operational efficiency as we navigate a variety of challenges, including:
Enrollment trends
Legislative investment in public education
Inflation
Recruitment and retention of top educator and staff talent
Expiration of federal pandemic relief funds (ESSER)
The Community Finance Committee will help the district assess and prioritize its current and long-term financial needs, including district growth, evolving educational programs, and operational sustainability. Members will work collaboratively to:
Evaluate Pflugerville ISD’s current financial position and identify fiscally sound funding methods
Develop solutions and recommendations based on community input
Ensure that the district’s financial decisions align with the educational needs of all students and the district’s vision
Provide insights that reflect the values and perceptions of the entire community
Help educate the public on financial issues impacting the district
The committee will meet approximately four times during the Fall semester in the evening. Meetings will offer the opportunity for thoughtful discussions and collaborative problem-solving.
We encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and areas within the district to apply. Our community's collective input is vital to ensuring the success and sustainability of Pflugerville ISD. If you are interested in participating, please complete the application.
School Nutrition Highlights
Meal Participation
Meals have increased by an average of 300 per day compared to the same time last year, with daily meal counts now exceeding 24,400 as of the end of September. This includes universal free breakfast at all campuses, meals at the district’s seven Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, lunch service, and universal free after-school snacks and suppers at qualifying campuses.
Pflugerville ISD’s breakfast programs are thriving, with notable growth at Windermere Elementary, where the popular Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program has received positive feedback from both parents and teachers for its service and staff engagement. Another key initiative is the Second Chance Breakfast program, a USDA-supported offering that provides breakfast for students arriving after the bell as they head to class. While many campuses are participating, special recognition goes to Ruth Barron Elementary for fully embracing this initiative, serving more than 70 students per day through this method.
Equipment Enhancements
The district’s cafeteria table replacement plan is well underway. More than twenty PfISD campuses are receiving new cafeteria tables as part of the PfISD Food Service capital expenditure plan. PfISD Food Services is coordinating closely with the Purchasing Department, Custodial teams, and campus staff to ensure a smooth transition. Given the scale of the project, new tables are anticipated to be in place by Thanksgiving 2024.
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications and Socio-economic Forms
The district is utilizing multiple methods to engage households in completing a Free and reduced lunch application; while also working closely with campuses to identify needs and areas for improvement. Why should families complete an application:
- Nutritional Benefits
- Improved Dietary Intake: Children who participate in school meal programs are less likely to experience nutrient inadequacies. They tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and milk compared to those who do not participate.
- Health Outcomes: Access to free or reduced-price meals is linked to lower rates of obesity and better overall health among children. Research indicates that participation in these programs can reduce obesity rates by at least 17% and poor health by 29%.
- Economic Impact
- Food Security: Completing these applications helps reduce food insecurity. Studies show that receiving free or reduced-price lunches can decrease household food insecurity by approximately 3.8%. This is particularly important during summer months when children may not have access to nutritious meals.
- Financial Relief: For families struggling financially, these programs alleviate the burden of meal costs. This can lead to significant savings over time, allowing families to allocate their resources to other essential needs.
- Educational Advantages
- Enhanced Academic Performance: Research has demonstrated that students who receive nutritious meals perform better academically, exhibit improved behavior, and have better attendance rates. A study found that schools offering universal free meals saw improvements in math performance among students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Reduction in Stigma: Applying for free or reduced lunches can help normalize access to nutritious meals, reducing the stigma often associated with receiving assistance. This encourages more students to participate in meal programs without fear of judgment.
- Funding for Schools
- Resource Allocation: Applications help schools secure federal funding based on the number of eligible students. This funding is vital for maintaining and improving school meal programs, ensuring that all students have access to healthy food options.
Completing free and reduced lunch applications is not just a bureaucratic task; it plays a vital role in enhancing children's health, academic success, and overall well-being while providing essential support to families in need.
Human Resources
National Principal Month
As we celebrate National Principal Month this October, we want to take a moment to recognize and deeply thank each of you for the outstanding leadership you provide to our campuses. Your dedication, vision, and heart are the driving forces behind the success of our students, staff, and school communities.
Being a principal is not just a title; it’s a role that requires immense responsibility and leadership. You are the cornerstone of your campus, shaping the culture, setting high expectations, and fostering an environment where students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. Your leadership directly impacts student achievement, staff morale, and the overall well-being of the school community.
We know the sacrifices you make to ensure your schools thrive. The late nights, missed personal moments, and constant balancing of responsibilities are a testament to your passion and commitment. Your ability to lead with grace, even in the face of challenges, is truly remarkable. You make a difference every day—whether it’s by mentoring a teacher, supporting a struggling student, or building partnerships with families—and that impact will be felt for years to come.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to Pflugerville ISD. Your work touches lives in profound ways, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and passionate leaders guiding our schools. This month, and every month, we celebrate and honor the vital role you play in our district's success.
Thank you, Principals, for your dedication and service to Pflugerville ISD!
Consideration and Possible Approval of 2024-2025 T-TESS Appraisers
Since the 2016-2017 school year, Pflugerville ISD has utilized the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) to appraise teachers. Annually, Board policy DNA (Legal) states that T-TESS appraisers must be annually approved by the Board of Trustees. Educational Service Center Region XIII and other service centers throughout the state provide training for our campus administrators. Administrators must complete the T-TESS appraisal training and Advance Educational Leadership (AEL) to be considered trained to appraise teachers. Starting in September and continuing throughout the fall as administrators complete their training, PfISD Human Resources will provide a monthly list of administrators recently eligible to appraise teachers for PfISD Trustees to consider.
Vacancy List
The district is continuing to make gains in our campus hiring. Since the start of school, PfISD has reduced our teacher vacancies to approximately 17 and our educational associate vacancies to 22. This number of vacant positions at this time of the year is approximately half the amount of vacancies in the past few school years. Here is a chart of beginning school year vacancies for the last two school years:
Front Porch
District Baby Shower
Annual Insurance Open Enrollment
PfISD’s annual benefits open enrollment will take place from October 1st to October 25th. During this period, we encourage all employees to carefully review the important changes that have been made to our medical, dental, FSA, and HSA plans for the 2025 plan year.
Teacher Certification Support Sessions
PfISD HR is hosting a certification support session for our certification-deficient staff and/or Teacher Facilitators. These are optional, come and go support sessions for any teaching staff who are working toward their certification requirements. Even more exciting is that our representatives from both iTeach and Texas Teachers of Tomorrow will be present to provide direct support.
Operations
Security Projects
The key replacement project is now working through Phase 2 which involves installation of the key box inventory system. All electrical and network outlets have been installed and key box installations will begin the week of October 21.
The installation of impact-resistant safety film on doors and windows is still set to conclude in the spring of 2025. Installation is complete at 14 sites, with an additional 5 sites expected to be complete by the end of October.
Phase 3 of the district-wide compartmentalization project is currently underway at one of our high schools. We are still hopeful for a December 2024 substantial completion target. We are in the beginning stages of reviewing additional campus security upgrades, which will be the focus of Phase 4. These are campuses that were not included in the original upgrades due to the fact that these sites already have a significant level of security but need minor adjustments.
As part of the 2022 Bond, the district-wide access controls (badges) project will add a number of badge access control readers to many doors across the district. The project is scheduled to go out to bid prior to the end of the 2024 fall semester.
2022 Bond Projects
New Construction
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is currently awaiting permitting approval from the City of Austin and Travis County. We will likely stay in this holding pattern for several more months and hope to break ground on the campus in 2025.
WHS Weight Room
The Weiss High School Weight Room will break ground soon. The project’s kick-off meeting was conducted on October 8 and bi-weekly meetings will commence immediately.
Teacher Housing
The latest survey results for the Teacher Housing initiative have been received. Initial review of the survey results indicates an increased need for housing from our teaching staff as compared to the 2023 survey. We have also received some new renderings from Page Architects and will continue to provide feedback regarding the design.
We are still working on the proposed site across from the Pfield while we review additional sites owned by the district as alternatives. Our next steps include providing the City of Pflugerville with proposed changes to zoning requirements and asking the City to adjust limits to their zone requirements. We will ask the City to consider increasing the number of units per acre allowed and for a reduction in the minimum number of one-bedroom units required for a complex.
Our goal is to provide the Board with additional information in the coming weeks as we finalize survey results.
Playgrounds
The Phase 3 playground upgrades have moved along incredibly well. The project is currently 30-45 days ahead of schedule. We are awaiting a new update from our vendor with an updated project completion date.
Parking Lot Repairs
In the coming weeks and months, a few of campuses will receive coating and finishing services in parking lots. This work will be conducted on weekends. These campuses include:
Dessau Elementary
Delco Elementary
Dessau Middle School
Our tentative timeline has these upgrades completed by Thanksgiving Break.
Renovations
The new generator for the Police Department has been delivered, however, given the extensive requirements for installation, we are waiting for a long-term break for installation to ensure minimal disruption to daily operations.
Construction documents for the “Administration Auxiliary Building” (Old Albertsons) are at 95%. Demolition permitting has been approved by the City of Pflugerville. A request for approval for the demolition package will be submitted to the Board for approval at the October board meeting. Full demolition is expected to begin in early November and take approximately 60-90 days. We do hope to have renovation permits approved in the coming months in order to allow for construction in early 2025.
We continue to finalize plans for the full renovation and hope to have final GMP to the board for approval at the November board meeting.
Connally High School
Connally High School will soon celebrate 30 years of existence. As we approach this milestone, we are committed to planning a modernization of CHS. As noted by staff and students, the campus is in high need of a number of upgrades to surface items (tile, paint, etc.) and updates to administrative and instructional spaces (labs, offices, cafeteria, library, athletics, and fine arts).
A committee of staff from Operations, Athletics, Fine Arts, and CHS recently interviewed Bond-approved architects for this project. DLR was unanimously selected to aid the district in achieving a vision for modernized CHS. While the 2022 Bond does not have enough funding for a large-scale modernization project, staff and DLR will begin working through a process that involves teachers, students, parents, and community members to provide a new vision for CHS. Our goal is to provide a 21st-century environment which will require several phases to realize. We plan on beginning some type of renovation for the campus-based on feedback from our visioning committee.
We will present the Board with an item for consideration and possible approval to select DLR and its negotiated fee structure so we can begin building a plan and vision for Connally High School.
Weiss High School Parking
In recent months, the Operations team has received feedback from students from Weiss High School regarding the student parking lot. Concerns heard focus on the amount of time it takes to exit the parking lot after school. We conducted an initial review by taking aerial drone footage to track after-school departures and noted extended times for students to leave the campus through a bottleneck in the road from the student parking area. We will begin site reviews with a civil engineer to propose changes in the near future.
Technology
The Technology department is also preparing for summer 2025 projects as it concludes a few leftover projects from summer 2024.
The high school projector replacement project is in the final punch list phase. The team is also beginning to deploy the new lithium-ion powered UPS battery backups to all campus MDF and IDF rooms.
The new lithium-ion UPS represents a departure from older lead acid battery units. The new lithium-ion systems are approximately 50% lighter and could have a lifespan of over twice as long as traditional systems. We hope to have this project completed by the end of the 2024 fall semester.
Summer 2025 Bond Projects
The Operations team is revising the 2025 summer bond projects. Our team has identified four critical categories for projects and has begun to pare down projects as necessary:
Safety/Security
Bi-Directional Antenna System (Grant Funded)
Access Control (Badges) Additions (Bond 2022)
Intrusion Detection (Bond 2022)
Phase 4 Campus Security Upgrades
Windermere Elementary (Major)
Northwest Elementary (Major)
Provan Opportunity Center (Major)
Wieland Elementary (Major)
Kelly Lane Middle School (Major)
Westview Middle School (Minor - Completion from 2024)
PHS (Minor - Control System Consolidation)
Former Calvary
Highland Park Elementary
Rowe Lane Elementary
Dessau Middle School
Park Crest Middle School
Pflugerville Middle School
Connally High School: Renovations for Connally High School are expected to take place over multiple years across several phases.
Projector replacements for Elementary Campuses and Weiss High
Computer Replacements
New District Data Center (Old Albertsons)
Athletic area fiber installation (Press Boxes for CHS and PHS)
Communications
TxEdCon 2024
TxEDCON 2024, the premier annual conference for Texas school board members and administrators, was held from September 27-29 in San Antonio at the Henry B. González Convention Center. This event is a collaborative effort between the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to provide a transformative experience for education leaders across the state.
Why We Attend- As leaders in Pflugerville ISD, attending TxEDCON allows us to:
Stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in education
Network with peers from across Texas
Gain valuable tools for effective advocacy and governance
Purpose and Benefits- TxEDCON serves multiple purposes that directly benefit our district:
Professional Development: The conference offers relevant, practical programming designed to improve governance and leadership in Texas public schools. This includes breakout sessions, in-depth seminars, and general sessions featuring prominent speakers.
Networking Opportunities: TxEDCON is the largest gathering of Texas public education decision-makers, providing an unparalleled opportunity to connect with colleagues facing similar challenges and share innovative solutions.
Resource Discovery: The conference features an extensive exhibit hall showcasing the latest products and services for education. This allows us to explore potential solutions that could enhance our district's operations and student outcomes.
Policy Insights: Attendees have the chance to hear from state officials and other leaders, gaining crucial insights into educational policies and developments that may impact our district.
By participating in TxEDCON, Pflugerville ISD's leadership team brings back valuable knowledge, strategies, and connections that will ultimately contribute to providing the best possible education for our students. The conference's focus on strengthening governance and leadership skills directly translates to improved decision-making and more effective management of our district's resources.
Strategic Planning
PfISD opened the application process for the Task Force, inviting a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, community members, students, staff, and business leaders. However, we encountered some challenges in obtaining a representative mix of applicants from certain demographic areas and school feeder patterns, specifically within the Weiss High School feeder pattern. Additionally, we had not received any student applications from Grades 7-12, which is a key component of ensuring student voices are part of this process.
To address these challenges, we extended the application deadline through Friday, Oct. 11. This extension will give us more time to reach underrepresented groups and encourage broader participation, particularly among students. We’ve been actively communicating this need to our principals, staff, parents, and community members to help fill the remaining gaps.
We are still reviewing applications and have not made any final selections for the Task Force. Once we have had the opportunity to assess the updated pool of applicants, we anticipate announcing the selected members next week.
Additionally, we worked closely with our meeting facilitator and confirmed the final schedule of Task Force meetings, which will run from October 24, 2024, to January 21, 2025. The meeting dates are as follows:
October 24, 2024
November 5, 2024
November 12, 2024
December 4, 2024
December 16, 2024
January 8, 2025
January 14, 2025
January 21, 2025
All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m., and while we aim to conclude by 8:00 p.m., some meetings may be extended depending on the agenda and discussions.
We’ve communicated these updated meeting dates to all applicants and provided the opportunity for those unable to attend the new dates to withdraw from consideration. This step has helped clarify expectations and ensured that we will have full engagement from those selected.
We will continue to focus on securing a diverse and representative Task Force and will update you again after final selections are made next week.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement as we move forward with this important work for the future of PfISD.
Safe Storage of Guns
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The district shared the information below with parents in the Oct. 3 issue of the Pfamily Pflyer:
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
Failed to secure the firearm
Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.
Safety Video
Last week, we released a video featuring Superintendent Dr. Quintin Shepherd and PfISD Police Chief, Patrick Petherbridge outlining the measures the district has implemented to ensure the safety of our students and staff. The video highlights our ongoing security initiatives and provides clear steps on how parents and students can support us in maintaining a safe environment across our campuses.
We invite all parents, staff, and students to watch this important video about school safety measures in PfISD. The video highlights the steps we're taking to ensure a safe environment for our students, staff, and visitors.
It's crucial for parents to speak with their students about the importance of anonymous reporting through our "See or Hear Something, Say Something" initiative, empowering them to report any concerns through our Anonymous Alerts system.
Additionally, the video addresses how serious the consequences will be for making threats against a school, even if intended as a joke. Threats are taken very seriously, and there will be strict disciplinary and legal actions for anyone involved in such behavior. Keeping our schools safe is a shared responsibility.
We have been actively sharing this video through our communication channels and will continue to promote it to ensure it reaches as many stakeholders as possible. You may view the video here: https://youtu.be/JfkepKVXadg
Legislative Priorities
Pflugerville ISD's 2024-2025 Legislative Priorities focus on addressing several key areas to enhance the district’s operations, funding, and overall student success.
In terms of funding, the district advocates for an increase in the basic allotment by $250 per student to help counteract inflation and rising educational costs. This increase would help alleviate the district’s current $7 million budget deficit. Additionally, PfISD is calling for a shift from attendance-based to enrollment-based funding, which would more accurately reflect the needs of districts and could generate an additional $16 million for the district. To further support early childhood education, the district is pushing for full funding of full-time Pre-K programs and the inclusion of Pre-K in the Early Education Allotment.
In the realm of academics, PfISD is urging the state to fully fund special education services to close a $15 million gap in their budget, noting that current funding has not kept pace with the growing demands for these services. The district also calls for the elimination of summative ratings in school evaluations, advocating instead for a greater emphasis on career readiness indicators that align with workforce education. PfISD believes that college and career readiness should play a more significant role in assessing school and district performance.
On the topic of charter schools, the district believes that any expansion of charter schools should require local voter approval. PfISD also advocates for equalizing the funding between charter schools and public schools to ensure a level playing field. Furthermore, the district encourages the legislature to support innovative public school choice models, such as magnet programs, rather than diverting public funds to private institutions.
When it comes to safety and security, PfISD is calling for an increase in the state safety allotment to fully fund mandated safety measures, including the requirement for armed officers at every campus. The district stresses the importance of ensuring that school safety improvements are financially supported without placing undue burden on the school budget.
In the area of human resources, PfISD seeks to remove state-imposed barriers that hinder the hiring of retired teachers and prospective educators. They propose eliminating costly exams and unnecessary requirements that dissuade individuals from entering the teaching profession. Additionally, the district advocates for more flexibility in teacher certifications, particularly in high-demand areas like special education, bilingual education, and Pre-K.
On the operational side, the district seeks to maintain its ability to have direct representation before the Texas Legislature and opposes any legislation that would limit this access. PfISD also calls for the development of a state-issued school bus-only driving permit to address the shortage of school bus drivers, which has been a persistent issue affecting student transportation.
In summary, Pflugerville ISD’s legislative priorities center on securing adequate funding, supporting academic and career readiness, ensuring safety in schools, addressing teacher shortages, and maintaining operational flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the district and its students. Click here for a full list of Legislative Priorities.
Marketing Efforts
During September, the Communications Department launched several marketing initiatives aimed at increasing community engagement, enhancing brand awareness, and supporting recruitment efforts within Pflugerville ISD. The focus of these efforts was to attract families from neighboring districts, as well as potential educators from charter schools, other districts, and recent graduates.
Email Marketing: An email campaign was sent on September 18, targeting over 21,000 recipients across Austin, Manor, Round Rock, and Hutto, in addition to the Pflugerville area. The campaign achieved an impressive open rate of 44.7% (9,423 opens), well above the industry average for educational campaigns. The content highlighted campus updates, achievements, and recruitment opportunities. Notable click-through areas included the campus directory (75 total clicks), enrollment page (19 clicks), and social media channels. The campaign saw strong engagement from out-of-district families, particularly those with elementary-aged children who may be interested in transferring to PfISD. This suggests opportunities to capitalize on families looking for convenience or a better educational fit for their children.
Social Media Marketing: PfISD also utilized targeted social media ads on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. These ads reached 13,128 individuals, generating 48 total clicks. The primary target audience for these ads was University of Texas students and local community members. The ads were designed to support both community engagement and teacher recruitment. The majority of interactions (79.9%) came from individuals in the 25-34 age group, with males accounting for 66.4% of total clicks.
Teacher Recruitment: In addition to email and social media ads, the department further promoted teacher recruitment through various channels, including distributing promotional materials (SWAG) and leveraging both email and social media to reach potential candidates.
Key Insights:
The 35-44 age group was the most engaged demographic in the email campaign, while the 25-34 age group interacted most with social media ads, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to different age groups across platforms.
The high level of engagement from out-of-district families signals potential for increased enrollment from neighboring areas.
Social media ads demonstrated a strong reach within a short time frame, particularly among UT students and younger adults in the area.
These marketing efforts reflect PfISD's commitment to expanding its reach within the broader community and fostering a stronger connection with both families and potential educators.
Leadership PfISD
On Tuesday, October 8, we kicked off the Leadership Pflugerville ISD program at Bohls Middle School. This initiative provides district stakeholders, representing various areas of our 95-square-mile district, with a unique opportunity to engage in a series of monthly interactive learning experiences. These sessions will take place from October through May, meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The first session saw 21 out of the 26 class members in attendance. Participants were welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Quintin Shepherd, who provided an overview of the district’s mission and key objectives. They also learned about the Communications and Human Resources departments, gaining insight into their roles in supporting the district. The session concluded with a tour of Bohls Middle School, highlighting its facilities, followed by a special performance by the Bohls Middle School Choir.
The Leadership Pflugerville ISD program is designed to offer participants a comprehensive understanding of district operations, finance, curriculum, and other critical areas of interest. We look forward to the continued engagement and learning opportunities in the upcoming months.
Website Relaunch
The Communications Department has been collaborating with Finalsite to migrate our district's website to a new platform due to the discontinuation of the current one. This transition has been in progress since the Summer, and we are on track for the official launch on Thursday, October 17.
The redesign focuses heavily on enhancing the customer experience, with improvements aimed at making information more accessible and user-friendly for our community. This includes streamlining navigation, optimizing the site for mobile devices, and ensuring that content is easily accessible to all users. We have prioritized inclusivity and accessibility as core elements in the new design.
Our team has been working diligently to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruptions. We are confident that the new website will serve as an improved resource for our students, parents, staff, and community members.