Crowley ISD Boardroom Rewind

MEETING VIDEO: To watch a recording of this meeting, please click here.

Trustees honored the life-saving actions of Crowley High School staff. Pictured above are Misty VanCampen, director of health services; parent Monique Long; sophomore Kamathi Long; athletic trainer Tatum Jones and coaches Thomas Bonds and Chrystal Thomas.

The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees recognized the efforts of Crowley High School staff members who sprang into action when a student athlete collapsed at a basketball game.

During a Junior Varsity boys' basketball game, sophomore Kamathi Long collapsed while coming off the court. He was unresponsive and not breathing. EMS was called, CPR was initiated and the AED retrieved and applied to the student.

A shock was delivered and compressions and rescue breaths resumed until the athlete became responsive and began to breathe on his own.

EMS arrived and Long was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center where he was admitted to the Cardiovascular ICU and underwent cardiac surgery a few days alter.

"Due to the swift actions of our staff at CHS, Kamathi is alive and with us tonight and will be enjoying the holidays with his family," Misty VanCampen, CISD health services director, said. "We appreciate our staff and are so grateful they were prepared and knew just what to do."

Certificates were presented to:

•Tatum Jones, athletic trainer

•Coach Thomas Bonds

•Coach Chrystal Thomas

Long and his mother, Monique Long, were on hand at the board meeting to express their appreciation. Monique Long told the board their family just moved to Crowley ISD six months ago.

"I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart," she said of the life-saving efforts.

Sarah Thieroff from Cook Children's Medical Center told trustees that the story could have ended differently without the Project ADAM program in Crowley ISD that helps staff be prepared for just such a scenario.

"This is why we do what we do," Thieroff said. "I'm so incredibly proud of you. You did what you needed to do, you were proactive, and you saved a life."

Thieroff said CISD recently became one of only 21 school districts in the state of Texas for the entire district to be recognized as Heart Safe. The Heart Safe designation means that wherever you go in the district, there is at least one AED and a team trained to use it and perform high-quality CPR.

CISD also presented VanCampen with a certificate for her efforts to bring innovative health care initiatives into the district.

Project ADAM (Automated defibrillators in Adam's memory) takes its name from Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old Wisconsin student who collapsed and died while playing basketball in 1999.

To learn more about Project ADAM, visit this Cook Children's web resource.

The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees approved the issuance of a proclamation in memory of Dr. Sidney H. Poynter, who passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the age of 85.

Poynter was the first superintendent of Crowley ISD, serving in that role for 40 years from 1963 to 2003.

The proclamation announces that Crowley ISD will observe a Day of Leadership and Service in memory of Poynter every year on the Tuesday after Labor Day.

"While we mourn this profound loss, our hearts are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for Dr. Poynter’s visionary leadership and countless contributions to help make Crowley ISD what it is today ...," according to the proclamation. "We thank God for the privilege of knowing and sharing the life of this dear educator and administrator, and we extend our sincere sympathies to his loving family."

Poynter joined the Crowley ISD family in 1959 as a teacher and basketball coach. He was named superintendent in 1963, and he faithfully led the district in that role for four decades. When he retired in 2003, he was the longest-serving superintendent in the same school district in the state of Texas.

As a celebration of Dr. Poynter’s dedication to Crowley ISD, the Board of Trustees proudly named Sidney H. Poynter Elementary School in his honor in 2005.

Read the full proclamation, and watch this video to hear Dr. Poynter share his memories of leading a rural district with one school building into a fast-growing school system.

Representatives from the Church Women United of Tarrant County Ecumenical Committee presented Superintendent Dr. Michael McFarland with their Human Rights Award for 2022.

The Human Rights Award is presented to individuals who consistently demonstrate a high regard for the dignity of others and a leader in the community who has advocated for education, health and economic justice.

The Oakmont Elementary School family was highlighted for earning an "A" rating and three distinction on the 2022 STAAR results. Watch the video below to learn more about Oakmont Elementary's success.

The North Crowley High School Panther Football Team was recognized for its fall season accomplishments and playoff run.

Head Coach Ray Gates thanked everyone for their support and said he was excited about what was ahead for the team.

Trustee Daryl R. Davis II praised Gates for his sacrifices and work leading the team, and he encouraged players in attendance, telling them that the highlight of his 8-year-old son's week while they were playing was to high five the Panthers.

"My son is mesmerized by you all, and to him, you are giants," Davis said.

Accomplishments highlights include:

•12-1 Regional Semifinalist
•1st Outright District Championship
•Most consecutive game won in a row 12
•1st time in school history beating Arlington High (Previously 0-11 now 1-11)
•1st time in school history beating Euless Trinity

Offensive Accomplishments:
•Most points scored in school history 526
•Most points per game 40.4
•Most passing yards in a season 2301
•Most rushing yards in a season 3653
•Most total yards in a season 5957
•Most rushing TDs in a season 45
•Most passing TDs in a season 28
•Most passing yards 2217 Chris Jimmerson
•Most receiving TDs 17 Ka'Morreun Pimpton
•Most receptions 57 Ka'Morreun Pimpton
•Most receiving yards 917 Ka'Morreun Pimpton
•Most rushing yards 1707 Dejuan Lacy
•Most rushing TDs 21 Cornelius Warren

•North Crowley had 13 1st Team All District selections
•North Crowley was also selected Coaching Staff of the Year

On Jan. 25, North Crowley football staff members will host a 2023 Unsigned Senior Showcase to give high school seniors across the state of Texas an opportunity to be recruited by college coaches. Currently, 76 seniors and 18 colleges are set to attend.

The North Crowley High School Mighty Panther Band was recognized for its fall accomplishments:

At the CISD/US Bands competition held at the new CISD Multi-Purpose Stadium, the band earned second place in Class 4, advancing to finals.

The band also earned second place in Class 4 at the USBands Saginaw competition, as well as advancing to finals at the Sound of Springtown Marching Showcase and Birdville ISD Marching Invitational.

The percussion section also had success placing third at the Springtown Drumline Competition.

The NCHS Mighty Panther Band earned a “Superior" First Division rating at the UIL Region 30 marching competition, advancing to the Area B marching contest where they placed the highest in the school’s history since the formation of UIL Region 30.

The NCHS Mighty Panther Band was represented by:
•Drum Majors: Zachary Taylor, Mary Claire Nelson, and Kamiya Johnson
•Captains: Mya Scott (woodwinds), Isaiah Thomas (brass) and Sofia Ramos (color guard)
•Section Leaders: Mya Velazquez, Jorge Oceguera and Jaylen Hogan

In the spring, the various ensembles within the Mighty Panther Band will continue to compete throughout the year. Other events include UIL Solo and Ensemble, UIL Concert and Sightreading, various Jazz competitions, as well as the Indoor Drumline and Winter Guard competing in the NTCA circuit.

The North Crowley Wind Ensemble is also scheduled to participate in the “American Classics – Big Dallas” concert band festival hosted at the world-renowned Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, as well as the “National Wind Band Honors: Mark of Excellence” contest hosted by national organization, “The Foundation for Music Education."

Bradley Parker, instructional technology coordinator, is the December 2022 Heartbeat Team Award winner.

The award recognizes employees who display heart as they go above and beyond their job description, inspiring other employees through their extraordinary work ethic. Heartbeat team members are nominated only by other district employees.

Watch to learn more about why Parker is the heartbeat of Crowley ISD.

The CISD Mental Health Symposium and Resource Fair will be Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Bill R. Johnson CTE Center.

The symposium will educate Crowley ISD students, educators and community members on the topic of various mental health illnesses, along with information on mental health resources.

Highlights of the symposium include:

•Welcome by Superintendent Dr. Michael McFarland

•Keynote Speaker: Trent Shelton, North Crowley High graduate and motivational speaker

•"Voice of the Students" panel

•Breakout sessions from both mental health and the faith-based communities

•Resource tables and giveaways

Crowley ISD is looking to return to its pre-pandemic, in-class Chromebook cart structure at the middle schools while still allowing for device checkout in libraries.

Currently, middle school students take home devices, but less than 75 percent of students bring devices daily. A middle school campus leadership survey indicated a strong preference for a return to in-class 1:1 devices.

The proposed change, which will cost approximately $700,000, will go to the board for a vote in January.

Under the proposal:

•Over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, middle schools will transition to having one Chromebook cart for every two core teachers, as well as devices available for checkout at the middle school libraries.

•In the 22-23 school year, the purchase will provide Chromebook carts for middle schools while students will continue to take home devices.

•In the 23-24 school year, all middle school devices will remain on campus with devices available for checkout from campus libraries.

The change will help with online STAAR and benchmark testing, the use of adaptive software programs to close achievement gaps as well as the availability of use for daily instruction.

For more information, view the presentation.

Trustees approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $31,956,869 for the construction of its 16th elementary school.

The construction project is scheduled for 14 months.

The latest elementary school is expected to open in the fall of 2024 with room for 400 students as part of Phase 1 and an additional 250 students as part of Phase 2 in the future.

The building, in the new Karis neighborhood off of Industrial Boulevard, will be home to the Crowley Montessori Academy.

Trustees discussed setting priorities ahead of the next Texas legislative session that begins in January.

The Legislative Priorities Committee met on Dec. 6 to discuss possible legislative priorities and the CISD legislative approach during the convening of the upcoming 88th Texas Legislative Session.

The committee reviewed the district's previous legislative priorities, the current priorities of two urban school districts in Texas and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) legislative priorities.

The CISD committee is currently monitoring and tracking bills, regarding Texas school districts, slated to be introduced to the Texas House and Senate Education committees.

The CISD committee is exploring the possibility of a Crowley ISD Day at the Capitol during the convening of the 88th State Legislative Session. The purpose of the day would be to show support for bills being voted on that align with the district's legislative priorities.

Trustees approved the creation of mutual aid agreements with several faith-based organizations to relocate large numbers of students in case of an emergency.

Churches include:

•Abundant Life Community Church
•Fort Worth Presbyterian Church
•The Fountains Fellowship Church
•Great Commission Baptist Church
•Turning Point Church

The intent of these agreements is to more efficiently facilitate and coordinate responses to emergency conditions/situations.

"To be prepared like this in advance is a really good thing," Trustee June W. Davis said. "Thank you so much for being forward thinking."

Leon Fisher, executive director of finance said the district is appreciative to have these agreements.

"This list has been expanding," Fisher said. "I anticipate many more will want to become part of this effort."

Trustees approved hiring two new staff members for Bess Race Elementary and North Crowley High School.

•Lori Acrea, currently an elementary assistant principal in Graham ISD, will be the new assistant principal at Bess Race Elementary School. Acrea has 18 years of teaching experience and one year of administrative experience.

•Nicole Pryor, currently an assistant principal at North Crowley Ninth Grade, will serve as an associate principal at North Crowley High School. Pryor has 10 years of teaching experience and four years of administrative experience.

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

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