April 12 Northwest ISD Board Notes |
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The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees met Monday, April 12, during a regularly-scheduled meeting. This is a recap of the major actions and reports from the meeting. To see every item discussed or voted on, click here.
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Northwest ISD to open middle school athletic fields for public use |
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Tim McClure, assistant superintendent for facilities, shared with trustees the district’s plans to open middle school athletic fields for public use.
District leaders put together the plan following community feedback, McClure said. Middle school tennis courts are currently open to the public, so opening the track and fields at NISD middle schools made the most sense, he told trustees.
Leaders also felt that middle school fields would provide the easiest access to community members as campuses are spread out across the district.
The track and field facilities will be available for use outside of school hours during daylight. No lights will be turned on to minimize costs. Northwest ISD usage will take priority over community use. No animals, motorized vehicles, bicycles or skateboards will be allowed.
Signs will be posted at each facility outlining the community use guidelines.
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Diana Foster named principal of Special Programs Center |
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Diana Foster, an assistant principal at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller ISD, was named principal of the Special Programs Center. Foster will officially begin her new role this summer.
“Mrs. Foster’s experience is ideal for this role, and we look forward to welcoming her to the Northwest ISD family,” said Superintendent Ryder Warren. “She is a strong leader and accomplished teacher with a heart for her students. Her experiences and passion for education will serve our community and students well.”
Foster, an educator and leader with 16 years of experience in the local area, will replace Principal Susan Moore, who is retiring this spring after 18 years in Northwest ISD and 32 years in education. Foster spent 13 years as an instructor and leader at the Keller Learning Center, a school very similar to NISD’s Special Programs Center.
The Special Programs Center (SPC) recently moved from its location along Highway 114 in Justin to the former Haslet Elementary School building in Haslet. The new SPC space has been renovated with funds from the 2017 bond, and additional renovations continue for that facility.
Foster earned a Master of Education in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin. She is married with two children.
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Facility naming committee recommends Legacy Learning Center as new name of former Haslet Elementary |
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Lesley Weaver, executive director of communications, shared the recommendation to rename the building located at 501 Schoolhouse Road to Legacy Learning Center.
She said that of the 49 nominations received, 18 unique names were submitted and 12 names met the naming criteria. The committee also considered approximately 125 additional names that were previously submitted.
The building currently houses the Special Programs Center. Renovations, which were funded by taxpayers in the 2017 bond, continue in other parts of the building, which will become a professional development center and home to the Horizons/RISE programs.
The name Legacy Learning Center would allow the district to honor staff and educators by designating a location in the building for individuals who may not rise to the level of having a campus named after them, but have contributed to the “legacy” of Northwest ISD.
Suggestions included creating a Legacy Wall of plaques or photographs or naming rooms in the professional development center to honor teachers and community members who have helped to create a legacy for NISD.
Trustees will consider renaming the facility, located at 501 Schoolhouse Road in Haslet, at their April 26 meeting.
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Reports, discussions addressed by board |
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District leadership presented the following to the board as a report or discussion item:
- 2021-2022 Remote Learning report.
- 2021 legislative update.
- COVID-19 update.
To view all reports or discussion presentations from board meetings, click here.
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In other action, the board |
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- Approved election agreements with Tarrant, Wise and Denton counties.
- Approved a clinical affiliation agreement with Abilene Christian University for the occupational therapy program.
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Trustees recognized Jennifer Shobe, nurse at Kay Granger Elementary, who performed life-saving efforts to save a student. |
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Trustees recognized Kristy Butler, a teacher from Medlin Middle School, who was a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. |
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The board recognized Cedric Younger (pictured with Tim McClure, assistant superintendent for facilities, and Jim Sadler, executive director of facilities) who received the Going the Extra Mile! Award. |
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Trustees recognized Hailee Fojtasek, community engagement and marketing specialist in the NISD communications department, and Alyssa Edstrom, community relations specialist for the Northwest ISD Education Foundation, for their combined five award wins from the Texas School Public Relations Association Star Awards.
Separately, they received two recognitions each for various work they have completed throughout the year, and together they were a crystal commendation finalist for their iNvest2Serve initiative.
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The board also recognized CyLynn Braswell, executive director of college career readiness and innovation, for being named the administrator of the year by the Career and Technical Association of Texas. |
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Trustees recognized Cara Carter, executive director of technology, for being named the technology administrator of the year from the Texas Computer Education Association. Sean Jones, system engineer, was also recognized for being one of three finalists in the state for the Technical Support Person of the Year award from TCEA. |
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Trustees also recognized the Byron Nelson High School Symphony Orchestra for their selection to perform at the 75th annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. The honor was given to only three high school full orchestras this year, and they are the first group from Northwest ISD to perform at the conference. |
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Northwest Independent School District
Phone: 817-215-0000 • Fax: 817-215-0170
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