The RCISD School Board held a regularly scheduled meeting last night with a packed agenda of recognitions 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.
1st EVER SPANISH SPELLING BEE WINNERS
Royse City ISD staff coordinated the district’s first ever Spanish Spelling Bee this Spring. Director of Multilingual Services Lacy Packard and Dual Language Coordinator Milly Colón recognized the district’s spelling bee winners who advanced to the Regional Spelling Bee at the Region 10 Education Service Center along with 16 other school districts. Matteo Castaneda of Harry H Herndon Elementary and SolAntunez Lugo from Davis Elementary were recognized for their success and being the first ever winners of this new local initiative.
FINANCE TEAM RECOGNITIONS
Chief Financial Officer Byron Bryant honored many of the Finance Team with recently awarded honors and recognitions related to fiscal responsibility, quality purchasing standards and transparency in overall operations. Mr. Bryant noted the quality of the individuals of the finance team as year after year resulting in these continuous awards. Honors included:
TASBO Purchasing Award of Merit
TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management
ASBO Meritorious BUdget Award
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM RECOGNITIONS
Chief Communications Officer Adi Bryant, Multimedia Coordinator Chris Kingsley and Administrative Assistant Paty Weeks were recognized by the school board for recent success at the Texas School Public Relations Association Conference. The team was awarded a Crystal Commendation for the Bond 2023 awareness campaign in the 2022-2023 school year. Crystal Commendations are one of the highest honors issued by TSPRA. This is the first award of its kind for Bond Campaigns to be issued to Royse City ISD in district history. Additionally, the team earned seven Gold Star Awards and 2 Silver Star Awards for various videos and print projects throughout the school year.
CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT - W.R. FORT ELEMENTARY
Principal Wendy Prater and Assistant Principal Lindy Buchanan shared information about the culture and success at W.R. Fort Elementary. In its 20th year, the campus has a rich history and holds a special place in the hearts of many Royse City families. This year, the campus has focused on Capturing Kids’ Hearts practices. The team noted that if students feel safe, loved and welcomed, their desire to learn increases exponentially. Watch this video to learn more!
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
Total district enrollment reached 9,536 by March 21, 2024 which is up from 9,520 in February of 2024.
BOND 2023 UPDATE
Bond issuance is underway for many large projects in Bond 2023. Plans are in the works for Worthy Fate High School off of FM 552 which is expected to open in August of 2027. Groundwork has begun in the Creekside neighborhood off of Highway 66 and east of Ouida Baley Middle School. The school naming process will take place this summer and the 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
Paula Walker Elementary School in Waterscape is nearing completion. Furniture delivery and campus access is expected within the next two months. 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.
Thank you for your interest in our school board activities and business of Royse City ISD.