The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved a full-day prekindergarten program, reviewed the results of a new special education initiative, approved a construction contract, and discussed refinancing debt.

 

Collaborative teaching initiative shows progress

Special education students placed in general population classrooms during the 2016-17 school years passed the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exam in greater numbers than those who were taught in classrooms consisting only of special education populations, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees learned at its meeting Monday night.

Deena Hill, executive director of special education for FBISD, presented to the board on Monday results of the district’s co-teach program, designed to integrate special education students into general education classes.

 

Full-day pre-K program approved

FBISD will begin offering full-day prekindergarten at three district facilities, after trustees approved a contract with Houston-based BakerRipley, an organization which connects low-income families and individuals to opportunity, according to its website.

FBISD offers half-day prekindergarten classes at 22 campuses in the district. The full-day program will be available at Ridgemont Early Childhood Center, Hunters Glen Elementary and the FBISD education complex.

This full-day program will follow the FBISD curriculum and will aim to provide a stronger foundation and smoother transition for students going into kindergarten, according to meeting documents. Students who turn four before September may enroll.

Bond refinancing plan authorized

The district may be able to save $18 million over the next 10 years after the board authorized Steven Bassett, FBISD chief finance officer, to investigate refinancing bonds that were issued in 2008 and 2009.

Interest rates on those bonds are between 4 and 5 percent, Bassett said, and rates have since dropped.

“Now, we are trying to…pay those bonds off and then enjoy lower interest rates,” Bassett said. “Because our interest rates would go down, then what we owe for that debt would go down — our debt payments would go down.”

Dulles High School field house roof to be replaced

The Board approved a construction services agreement with Jaco Roofing & Construction, Inc. to replace the roof on the Dulles High School field house at a price not to exceed $200,000.

The facilities department found the roof to be in poor condition during annual roof inspections, according to meeting documents. Spokesperson Amanda Bubela said condition of the roof is the result of normal wear and tear.