MFISD earns high marks in finance

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District earned high marks from both the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) and from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability ratings for 2016-2017.

This and the district’s campus improvement plans were also discussed at the Sept. 18 school board regular meeting, highlighting what they’re doing to help students become better learners.

District, campus improvement plans

Wes Cunningham, PhD, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and the various campus principles presented their campus improvement plans for this year.

For 2017-2018, MFISD has 4,142 students (an increase in 1.89 percent) with its type of families described as “lower to middle class.”

Half of the students (50.19 percent) are white, while 44.75 percent are Hispanic. The student numbers also include 2.40 percent who are Black/African American and 1.56 percent who are “Multi-Racial.”

Nearly 52 percent of the students are male, while 48.2 percent are female.

Just over 66 percent of students are in low socioeconomic status.

Of the staff, 86.2 percent is white while 12.5 percent are Hispanic. Female teachers comprise 79.4 percent, while males are 20.6 percent.

Susan Cox, principal at Spicewood Elementary School, said while they have a lot of work to do, she feels they are headed in the right direction.

“We are determined that every child will succeed,” she said. “We’re building leaders on our campus. Students will come in and lead or morning meetings. They’re learning public speaking skills. We’re also building leaders on our campus.”

Roger Barr, principal of Marble Falls Middle School, described himself as “very competitive” and said he was displeased when getting scores back. He and his staff met to discuss solutions.

“We need to focus on culture, academics (particularly, math and social studies), and literacy,” he said.

He said their catch phrase for this year is “Keep it REAL.” R stands or Relationships, E stands for Excellence, A stands for Attitude and L stands for Literacy.

Damon Adams of Marble Falls High School described his teachers as “actively seeking opportunities to get better.”

Allen closed the session by heaping praise on his district principals.

“To hear the energy and passion, I wouldn’t trade these principals for those I’ve worked for in any other district, bar none,” Allen said. ‘They’re doing a lot good work.

Marble Falls ISD accountability ratings

Kay Kizziar, filling in for recently-departed Marble Falls Iindependent School Disrict (MFISD) Executive Director of Finance Lisa LeMon, reported that in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability summary for 2016-2017, the school district “met standard.”

“All Marble Falls ISD campuses met the standard, as well as our district,” Kizziar said.

Marble Falls High School earned distinctions in six areas: academic achievement in English Language Arts/reading, mathematics, science and social studies, top 25 percent closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness.

Colt Elementary School earned distinctions in academic achievement in English as a Second Language (ELA)/reading, mathematics and science, top 25 percent student progress and postsecondary readiness.

Marble Falls Elementary School earned distinctions in academic achievement in ELA/reading and mathematics while Spicewood Elementary’s achievement was in top 25 percent closing performance gaps.

FIRST ratings

Marble Falls ISD also earned a “superior” rating in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for 2016-2017.

Marble Falls’ district score was 100 (the passing score is 60).

Among the 15 different indicators the state looks at include audits and governance issues, debt, fund balance, financial solvency and administrative costs.

“We couldn’t gain another point if we tried,” said Dr. Chris Allen, Marble Falls ISD superintendent. “The business office manages our funds effective, efficiently and with a high degree of transparency.”

Last year, the district scored a 90 and picked up 10 points due to a more accurate Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) reporting of the fiscal year.

Maintenance project

Jeff Gasaway, assistant superintendent of operations, briefed the trustees on the first phase of a maintenance project at the district’s transportation fueling station, where they will build a new facility.

Gasaway said the station would be moved to the corner of Colt Circle and Indian Trail.

The first stage focuses on the station, Included in the stage are two above-ground tanks (each can hold 12,000 gallons of fuel), removal of old tanks, installing pump dispensers, canopy with lighting, cement and additional electrical work.

Cost of the first phase is estimated to be $610,048 and would come out of the fund balance and would require an amendment to the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget.

Allen will negotiate and execute the contract and will work towards getting a reduced price, officials said.

Gasaway said the total project would cost around $1.5 million project.

“The sooner we can move everything to the same side of the building, the better off we’ll be, in terms of operational efficiency,” said Allen, noting that the mechanics and buses are at one location and the fuel tanks are at a different location.

Once the second phase is completed, everything will be at the same location. Phrase two will be presented with additional comments in October, with approval in November or December.

School buses purchase

The trustees approved a $409,510 purchase from Longhorn Bus Sales of four buses: two will be for 77-passenger buses and two for 54-passenger school buses.

This purchase will come out of the general fund and will help the district stay on track with its bus replacement schedule. Comparatively shopped with another vendor on the Texas Buy Board, the cost is a savings of approximately $20,000 the district had allocated $430,000 for the purchase.