1. Georgetown ISD nears approval of district of innovation plan
Georgetown ISD has taken another step toward becoming a district of innovation, or DOI.
On Jan. 8, a special planning committee released the proposed DOI plan for the district. Pending approval from an advisory committee and the GISD board of trustees, the district could become an official DOI as soon as the 2017-18 school year.
The district has chosen seven different exemptions to propose for its students and faculty, including re-evaluating teacher certification requirements. Although teachers in core subject areas, bilingual classes and special education would be required to maintain certification, the exemption would allow the district to hire non-certified teachers in specialty vocations and trades areas.
GISD could also be exempt from a state law that requires students to attend class for 90 percent of the school days in order to earn class credit. If the plan passes, GISD will maintain a minimum attendance percentage for traditional classes while allowing for flexibility in students demonstrating mastery of content through an innovative system at a more flexible pace. This exemption would allow the district to not penalize students who miss class for legitimate school activities as well as explore online and blended coursework options.
Other proposed changes include updates to district improvement plans, clarifying channels of communication concerning student behavior and altering the school start date, which is likely to be a hot-button item during the 85th legislative session that began in early January.
GISD's proposed rule would allow the district to set a start day annually that begins on or after the second Wednesday of August and ends no later than the first week of June.
“We are going to keep going with it until we are told otherwise,” district spokesperson Suzanne Marchman said. “We realize that the school start date is a contentious exemption for some people, and it’s possible that the Legislature will remove that [as an option]. But [the DOI] committee has [created this plan] that they believe is good for Georgetown and they are going to forge ahead, and if the Legislature makes changes then we will deal with that.”
The road to DOI status
Steps toward becoming a DOI began in July when the GISD board of trustees unanimously agreed to pursue a DOI status. The 2015 Texas House of Representatives bill allows school districts to adopt a local innovation plan that outlines more flexible operating models, including some exemptions from state regulations previously offered only to charter schools. Districts with a DOI designation can avoid current requirements, such as class-size ratios, teacher certification and some student discipline provisions.
In September the district appointed a DOI committee composed of parents, teachers and business owners who met twice since being appointed to create a five-year plan for the district.
Marchman said GISD was not interested in some exemptions allowed in the DOI plan.
“[The committee] basically weeded out [changes] they did not want to consider,” Marchman said. “One of those things was class-size ratios, so we took that off the table.”
GISD board President Scott Stribling said he is interested in seeing how these new exemptions can strengthen the district’s education process.
“[The committee’s] commitment and involvement in this process is a real testimony to the strength of our community,” Stribling said. “We are looking forward to seeing the next steps that they take and the possibilities this could mean for our district.”
The proposed plan must remain on the district’s website for 30 days. From there, a public hearing, agreement from the advisory committee and two-thirds approval from the board of trustees at its February meeting would be required before making GISD an official DOI.
2. Downtown West
The creation of the Downtown West project would allow for most city offices to be housed in a central location.[/caption]
What we reported
In September the city of Georgetown staff announced they were moving forward with detailed design work for Downtown West, a project that would consolidate most city offices into a civic center just west of the Square. The decision was made after receiving direction from Georgetown City Council to proceed with a $13 million overall budget for the project at its Aug. 23 workshop session. Funding for the project will come from the sale of existing city buildings, such as City Hall and the visitor’s bureau.
The latest
As of January, the project is undergoing design, City Manager David Morgan said. Downtown West will be located near the Georgetown public library, and Morgan said he believes the new development will re-energize the area and allow for more money to go back on the tax roll.
What’s next
Morgan said the city is planning to begin construction during the second quarter of 2017. The city is hoping the movement of its buildings further west will allow for more commercial development on the Square and bring new business to the area, including new restaurants and office space, Morgan said.
3. Austin Avenue Bridges
A third public meeting concerning the Austin Avenue bridges will be held in the spring.[/caption]
What we reported
Two public meetings were held by the city in 2016 regarding improvements to the Austin Avenue Bridges, which span the North and South San Gabriel rivers, including options to replace or repair the aging bridges. In October, The Georgetown Neighborhood Alliance, a group of downtown residents and business owners, met to discuss its position and is advocating the city remove replacing the bridges as an option.
The latest
The city of Georgetown and the Texas Department of Transportation have slowed down the process to determine how the city will address needed repairs to the bridges. A study was expected to be completed in early 2017; however, additional public involvement has led the state to pursue a heightened environmental analysis. In early October, TxDOT notified the city that the bridges project would not qualify as a categorical exclusion study, which applies to projects that do not have environmental impacts.
What’s next
In January, Morgan said the design process was still ongoing and that another public meeting would take place in the spring. The meeting will outline the options, from maintenance to replacement, for residents. Environmental analysis is also still underway, and Morgan said it is crucial this is completed so the plan can be presented for grant funding in addition to Georgetown and state dollars.
4. Growth and Development Trends
Development and growth trends remain a focus for the city heading into 2017.[/caption]
What we reported
In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau named the city of Georgetown the fastest-growing city in the U.S. of at least 50,000. With the area continuing to experience growth, several development and retail projects are ongoing, including Saddlecreek, a 353-acre project in southeast Georgetown, and Wolf Ranch, a 755-acre community near Hwy. 29. The addition of The Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel and Conference Center in July also helps position Georgetown as a destination for conferences and tourism.
The latest
Development continues at The Summit at Rivery Park, Georgetown’s first high-end, mixed-use development. The 32-acre space located near The Sheraton will feature businesses such as Woops Bakeshop and The Woodhouse Spa.
What’s next
In addition to more businesses being announced at The Summit at Rivery Park in 2017, Morgan indicated the city is working to develop additional retail projects along I-35.
5. Williams Drive Study
What we reported
A weeklong planning and design meeting was held by the city of Georgetown and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in November. The process, known as a charrette, was open to the public and was a part of the nine-month comprehensive study of the Williams Drive corridor that began in summer 2016.
The latest
The city hopes to begin drafting concept plans and recommending projects at the end of the study that will provide short- and long-term goals to enhance safety, mobility and connectivity along the roadway. The study is set to wrap up in mid-2017 and will be presented to the city and CAMPO for adoption.
What’s next
The city is currently in the middle of the study and finished with the charrette process. The city will go through a technical review over the next few months and will complete the study shortly after. Multiple short and long-term plans will be presented that will improve traffic and safety, according to Morgan.
6. Georgetown ISD bond
Two newand one newly-renovated Georgetown ISDcampus will be open by 2019.[/caption]
What we reported
In November 2015, voters approved a $160.6 million bond for Georgetown ISD that aimed to prepare for growth within the district, pay for new campuses, and update safety and security.
The latest
Construction continues on the new campuses of Wagner Middle School and Purl Elementary School, which combines Williams Elementary and Purl Elementary. They will open for the 2017-18 school year. Renovations to Tippit Middle School will be completed 2019, GISD spokesperson Suzanne Marchman said.
What’s next
In January, other bond-funded renovations at Georgetown High School began that include updates to the career and technical education wing and the fine arts wing.
7. Affordable Housing
What we reported
In February, City Council approved three affordable housing developments in the Georgetown area that were seeking housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The awarded projects proposed along Williams Drive include Kaia Pointe, Live Oak Apartments and Merritt Heritage. As a result, City Council also directed the city’s housing advisory board to pursue revising the city’s tax credit housing approval process. In September the council approved updating the process to include setting application deadlines, holding public meetings and considering future land-use plans.
The latest
In December, Morgan said updates are being made to the city’s 2030 plan to include a focus on affordable housing. The city is also working to create incentives for developers offering affordable housing in the area.
What’s next
As of January, Georgetown Housing Coordinator Jennifer Bills said the Kaia Pointe, Merritt Heritage and Live Oak developments were all under review by the city planning department but had not yet received final approval.
8. Fixed-route bus system
What we reported
The city's fixed-route bus system will launch after two years of planning in August 2017, Morgan said. The new system includes four different bus routes that will connect at a transit center near the Georgetown Public Library on Eighth Street as well as a complementary paratransit service for individuals with disabilities. The system was approved as part of the city's transit development plan and adopted by City Council on Sept. 13.
The latest
In December, Morgan said the city was working to further develop the four routes. In addition to city and Capital Metro funding, the Georgetown Health Foundation has agreed to pay $200,000 a year for three years to fund the bus system's operational costs.
What’s next
In January, Georgetown Transportation Analyst Nat Waggoner said staffers hope to begin reviewing efforts to develop a voucher program utilizing transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, to complement the system. A transit working group, composed of the GHF, Faith in Action Georgetown, The Caring Place, CARTs and Capital Metro, has been formed to assist in the delivery of the bus system and paratransit service as well as assess potential gaps not directly addressed by either service.
9. Retail Study
The city is currently targeting around 40 potential retailers that would fit into the Georgetown area.[/caption]
What we reported
In April, City Council approved a $71,000 contract with Dallas-based Catalyst Commercial to complete a Retail Strategy and Recruitment Plan for the Georgetown area. The study, which was completed in November, included a market assessment and property analysis as well as potential tenant identification. The study also helped to develop a merchandising plan as well as define the city’s primary trade area.
The latest
Businesses targeted in the study, such as Noble Sandwich Co. and Cedar Park-based restaurant Blue Corn Harvest, have announced locations in the Georgetown area and will be open in 2017.
What’s next
The city is currently working to match the demographics of the Georgetown area to retailers that are looking to grow and expand. The city is doing direct marketing and recruitment to around 40 retailers that would fit with the results from the study and are not already in competing markets, Morgan said.
10. Solar energy coming to Georgetown
Construction on the 150-megawatt solar farm in West Texas is expected to begin later this year.[/caption]
What we reported
In November, Georgetown City Council approved a new agreement that authorized NRG Energy Inc. to purchase and take over a 150-megawatt solar-generated power project. The city had expected the solar farm, located in Pecos County, to be operational by the end of 2016 and begin providing power in early 2017; however, the company working on the project—SunEdison—filed for bankruptcy last April. The farm is now expected to be online in July 2018 and will allow the city to become 100 percent renewable, according to Mayor Dale Ross.
The latest
If the population continues to grow like it currently is in the area, Georgetown General Manager of Utilities Jim Briggs said the city would have to find a way to bring in additional energy sources, including looking into battery storage as an option.
What’s next
NRG spokesperson Erik Linden said the agreement will be the company’s first utility-scale solar project in Texas. In early January, Linden said construction was not yet underway for the solar farm in West Texas, but that it is expected to begin later this year.
