Crowley ISD Boardroom Rewind
Aug. 17, 2023 - Meeting Highlights
New Student Enrollment Skyrockets for 2023-24
•Elementary enrollment is 7,686
•Secondary enrollment is 8,924
Crowley ISD has enrolled more than 2,200 new students, which is record breaking, and that number continues to climb.
Work already has begun on the leveling process to ensure alignment with state education laws that require a specific student-to-teacher ratio in Pre-K through fourth grades and to minimize seated student movement. The leveling process is expected to be completed by the end of August.
The elementary level is currently at about 84% capacity with some grade levels at certain campuses closed.
Bond Sale To Save $4.5 Million for CISD
Above: Elementary No. 17, which will be located in the Bridges neighborhood west of Richard Allie Middle School, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.
Trustees heard an update on 2023 Bond projects and approved the Construction Managers at Risk for two bond projects.
Leon Fisher, chief financial officer, announced that the recent bond sale for which the board approved certain parameters, including a 5.5% maximum interest rate, achieved a 1% percent cost avoidance that will save the district approximately $4.5 million over the life of the bonds.
"The dream team over delivered," Fisher said referring to the team leading the bond issuance for the $1.04 billion voter-approved 2023 Bond Program to build new school facilities and renovate or expand existing buildings. Read more about the team.
The Aug. 3 bond sale was for $450 million. Read more about the parameters in the Bond Order.
PROJECTS
•New Crowley High School
-Located on same site as existing Crowley High School
•Elementary No. 17
-Located in Bridges neighborhood across from Richard J. Allie Middle School
-Prototype of June W. Davis Elementary School
•Security fencing
-Encloses playgrounds at all elementary campuses
Current Project Underway (2007 Bond):
•Elementary No. 16
-Karis neighborhood off of Industrial Boulevard in Crowley
CMAR APPROVAL
The board also approved Steele & Freeman as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the construction of Elementary School No. 17 and for the construction of the Crowley High School replacement project.
Reasons for the CMAR method include:
•Transfers the risk of project cost overruns to the contractor from the school district. CMAR presents a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).
• CMAR is engaged much earlier in the design process and acts as a consultant in the design phase reviewing architectural drawings. CMAR can assist in value engineering (more cost-effective solutions)
Above: Construction on Elementary No. 16 is underway in the Karis neighborhood in Crowley. This school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.
New Principals To Lead Meadowcreek, Summer Creek
Cato currently serves as the principal of Meadowcreek Elementary.
He previously worked as an assistant principal at David L. Walker Elementary. Prior to that he worked in various roles in Fort Worth ISD.
Yumesha Mosley was named the new principal of Meadowcreek Elementary.
Mosley currently serves as an assistant principal in Palestine ISD where she has served since 2021.
She also has worked in Marshall and Tyler ISDs in various roles.
In other personnel items, DeKisha Browning will serve as the new assistant principal of Sidney H. Poynter Elementary School. Browning comes to Crowley ISD from Trinity Basin Preparatory where she is resident principal. She also has worked in Kennedale and Fort Worth ISDs in various roles.
WATCH: An Amazing First Day in Crowley ISD!
Front row (L-R): Nedra Robinson, board secretary; Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland;
Dr. La Tonya Woodson-Mayfield, board president; Gary Grassia, board first vice president
Back row (L-R): June W. Davis, board member; Kelicia Stevenson, board member;
Daryl R. Davis II, board member; Dr. Mia Hall, second vice president
MEETING VIDEO: To watch a recording of this meeting, please click here.