Board meeting Recap  - July 2024

The RCISD School Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 15 with a packed agenda of hires and action items. We aim to keep you informed and up-to-date on board activities with these brief recaps. As always, complete minutes from each meeting are publicly posted upon their approval each month for your reference.

HELPFUL BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Rochelle Williams joins RCISD from Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD where she served as an HR Coordinator and Employee Relations. She was the lead recruiter for EMS ISD and served as the face of the district at various job fairs and recruitment events. She demonstrates a dynamic ability to identify and attract talent for campuses and departments. Mrs. Williams’ heart for helping staff find the right place within the organization shines through her work. 

DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT
We welcome Amy Sikes from Caddo Mills ISD where she has served as the District Testing Coordinator and Instructional Systems Specialist. She’s an experienced educator who has worked with students in the classroom from kindergarten through twelfth grade prior to moving to the central office. She replaces Kathy Milton who took a greater role at the Region 10 ESC. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
We welcome Leslie Flisowski to RCISD as the new Executive Director of Special Education. Mrs. Filsowski began her career in Covington, Kentucky as a Self Contained Special Education Teacher in 1997. In her almost 30 years of experience, she has been a teacher, diagnostician, and special education director. In Texas, she has worked in Midland, Waco, Fort Bend, Lewisville, and Rockwall ISD. 

MISS MAY VERNON ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL 
Dave Christensen has been selected as the next principal for Miss May Vernon Elementary! Coming over from Ruth Cherry Elementary as an assistant principal, he brings leadership experience, knowledge of instruction and a commitment to relationships. The MMV team is eager to welcome him to their campus family and he has great plans for getting on board throughout the rest of the month.

SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE
Chairperson & Parent Volunteer Shelby Huckaby and Secretary & RCHS Student Lily Medlin provided an update on the activities of the SHAC. The SHAC meets 4-5 times annually to make recommendations to the school board that speak to the whole school, whole community and whole child. They provide input about staff and student health related issues. 

BOND 2023 UPDATE
Bond issuance is underway for many large projects in Bond 2023. Groundwork has begun at Worthy Fate High School off of FM 552 which is expected to open in August of 2027. Similarly, dirt work can be seen in the Creekside neighborhood off of Highway 66 and east of Ouida Baley Middle School. The district’s 8th elementary campus will open in August of 2025. Plans are also underway for David & Shirley Magness Middle School on FM 35 just south of Royse City High School. That campus will open in August of 2026. 

BOND 2021 UPDATE
As the district’s longest standing elementary, Davis Elementary is receiving a much needed upgrade. New flooring paint and front entry reconfiguration are underway. Paula Walker Elementary School in Waterscape is nearing completion. Furniture delivery is ongoing. The school will open for students in the 2024-2025 school year. The construction of Royse City ISD Event Center (adjacent to RCISD Stadium) is also underway and will eventually be home to community events, school board meetings and district-wide professional development training. The Event Center is slated for completion in September of 2024. A school expansion project at Ouida Baley Middle School is nearing completion to accommodate a growing community. Land purchases continue for future school sites and district facilities.