Noon Message From Dr. Hudson

As partners in the journey to educate, empower and inspire Cedar Hill ISD children, your involvement and support play a vital role in shaping the experiences and opportunities we provide for your scholar.

In today's weekly message, I want to take a moment to emphasize the significance of your engagement and express my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing commitment to your child's education.

Your involvement in your child's school experience is like the foundation upon which their academic and personal growth are built. Just as a strong foundation ensures the stability of a structure, your active participation ensures the foundation of your child's learning is solid and strong.

Your support at home reinforces the lessons they learn in the classroom, creating a seamless connection between school and home that enriches their understanding and knowledge.

When you engage in your child's education, you show them that their learning matters, that their achievements are celebrated, and that their challenges are met with support. Your presence at school events, parent-teacher conferences, and extracurricular activities communicates a powerful message: that you are invested in their success, and that together, we form a united team dedicated to their growth.

By actively participating in school activities, you become a part of the larger Cedar Hill ISD family, connecting with other parents, educators, and staff members who share your dedication to providing the best possible educational experience for our students.

Furthermore, your involvement allows you to better understand your child's strengths, interests, and areas where they might need additional support. This insight enables you to provide targeted encouragement and guidance, helping them navigate the complexities of their academic journey with confidence and resilience.

This week, CHISD campuses will hold their annual Meet the Teacher nights, and I hope each of you will make plans to attend. Your dedication enriches our community, strengthens our partnership, and ultimately shapes the futures of the young minds we care so much about.

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating your children, and thank you for being such valued members of the Cedar Hill ISD family.

Dr. Gerald B. Hudson

Superintendent

On August 21, 2023 the Cedar Hill Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to place a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the November 7, 2023 ballot. The VATRE would generate approximately $6.8 million annually to Cedar Hill ISD and fund 3 district priorities: Safe & Secure Classrooms, Recruit & Retain Quality Staff and Protect Financial Stability.

House Bill 3 is a new state law that takes effect on September 1. The law requires districts to provide an armed security officer at each school – but the new law did not come with enough financial assistance to pay for implementation. If approved by voters, the VATRE would supply the $623,200 needed to hire additional officers and ensure CHISD is compliant with the new school safety legislation.

Currently, Cedar Hill ISD has the lowest starting teacher salary in the Best Southwest, at just $57,000. The district has spent the last 5 years tracking teacher retention and resignations. Data shows that 53% of CHISD teachers will leave the district within 2 years, and the number one reason they leave the district is due to Pay or Promotion.

Cedar Hill ISD’s teacher turnover rate is 28% compared to the state average of 13%.

If approved by voters, CHISD will use $2.2 million to provide a mid-year stipend to be given to staff in January 2024. Proposed stipends and raises include:

• $2,500 stipend with benefits for all teachers ($1.18M)

• $1,000 stipend with benefits for all staff ($1.05M)

Cedar Hill ISD works diligently to be a good fiscal steward of taxpayers’ dollars. The district has combed through the budget and made $1.21 million in cuts in staff reductions and identifying positions and programs that could be funded through grants or federal funds.

The state has not added adequate new money to public schools despite rising costs due to inflation. Without additional funding, it will be even more challenging for CHISD to provide competitive compensation to CHISD teachers and staff. With the passage of the VATRE, CHISD will have the resources to sustain previous salary increases from 2022-2023 as a result of inflation:

• 3% raise for all teachers (2023-24 budget)

• 1% raise for all CHISD staff (2023-24 budget)

• 5% raise for all CHISD staff (2022-23 budget, previously supplemented from now-exhausted federal grant funds)

Results for STAAR/EOC have been released by the Texas Education Agency and are available on the Texas Education Agency Parent Portal. You can use the parent portal to review your child's scores.

The steps to access the scores are:

1. Access https://www.texasassessment.gov/index.html.

2. The access code would be on previous STAAR/EOC reports if you have one, if not, you can find the access code by contacting the campus at [ENTER EMAIL OR PHONE #].
   

3. You should then see all the STAAR/EOC results for your child.

If you have questions, please email your scholar's name, lunch number, grade, and date of birth to heath.koenig@chisd.net for assistance.