Monthly Archives: April 2021

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Board Approves Pay Raise for 2021–22

In support of all BISD staff and the exemplary work done during the 2020–21 school year, BISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Tuesday, April 27, to award an average pay raise of 3.3 percent to all teachers and a 3 percent raise at midpoint for all other staff. (This raise represents more than $5.27 million.) For teachers working 187 days, this is an annual increase of $2,000. The starting salary for a first-year teacher with no experience is $57,000. 

In addition to the raise, the Board reviewed data from the Texas Association of School Boards that identified various employee groups in BISD’s pay structure that need additional salary adjustments to move them closer to the DFW market levels. These groups will be notified of any additional salary adjustments in the months ahead. (The adjustments for these various groups equal more than $1.96 million and bring these groups closer to market levels.)  

“The Board recognizes the tremendous sacrifice and pressure our staff have been under since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Board President Jack McCarty said. “These raises are our way of saying ‘Thank you’ for your service to the families of BISD.” 

Staff will be notified once individual salaries are posted in MUNIS Employee Self Service. 


> View 2021–22 Teacher Hiring Schedule

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BISD Board Announces Lone Finalist for Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Gayle Stinson

At a special called Board meeting on Tuesday, April 27, the BISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection of Dr. Gayle Stinson as the lone finalist for the superintendent of schools. She will replace Dr. Darrell G. Brown who is retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

Dr. Stinson has served as the Lake Dallas ISD (LDISD) superintendent since 2007. During her tenure, she has steered the district to focus on providing high-level educational opportunities and extracurricular activities while maintaining a small-school community atmosphere.

Prior to joining Lake Dallas ISD as superintendent, Dr. Stinson served as superintendent for Atlanta ISD and assistant superintendent for Texarkana ISD. Notably, she is also a former Lake Dallas ISD teacher and coach, having spent multiple years earlier in her career at the district. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, her master’s degree from the Texas A&M system, and her doctoral degree from Lamar University.

Dr. Stinson began her career in education in 1992 and has served at nearly every level in the profession. She started her career as a teacher and coach before moving into administration, where she has served as an assistant principal, principal of all levels K-12, and assistant superintendent.

Under her leadership, Lake Dallas ISD and its schools have undergone several advancements and earned many accolades. Highlights of the district under her tenure include:

  • Revitalizing Schools: Through the community support of bond elections, Lake Dallas ISD has replaced two aging campuses and modernized its remaining campuses to ensure students have access to high-quality educational environments.
  • 1:1 Technology: Every child in Lake Dallas ISD has access to a Chromebook, providing students with the resources needed to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world both in their day-to-day lives and in their professional careers upon graduation.
  • Leadership Academies: By implementing the “Leader in Me” program at all three district elementary schools, children began their academic journeys in Lake Dallas ISD, focusing on leadership skills and working well with others. 
  • Fire Academy: In 2015, the district partnered with the Lake Cities Fire Department and North Central Texas College to open the Lake Dallas High School Fire Academy, providing students with an educational path into a first-responder career at a fire department or EMT organization.
  • University Partnerships: Lake Dallas ISD partnered with the University of North Texas to accept the top 20% of Falcon junior class members and Texas Woman’s University to accept the top 25% of Falcon junior class members.

Throughout her career, Dr. Stinson has earned several top professional honors. In 2003, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals named her Principal of the Year. In 2011, Dr. Stinson earned the honor of Region XI Superintendent of the Year, an award given to the top school district leader in an area encompassing more than 75 school districts. She went on to be named one of just five State Finalists for the Texas Superintendent of the Year award. She has also been recognized by her alma maters, earning the Outstanding Young Texas Ex from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007 and the 2013-14 Outstanding Doctoral Student from Lamar University following the completion of her doctorate in 2013.

Serving her local and state communities has remained a priority for Dr. Stinson throughout her time at Lake Dallas ISD, representing the best interests of public schools and the community. At the statewide level, she currently serves as president of the Texas Association of Suburban/Mid-Urban Schools and is the president-elect of the Texas Association of Mid-Sized Schools. She is a past president of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the top organization for superintendents and education administrators in the state. At the local level, Dr. Stinson serves on the board of DATCU and is an active member of the Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce, which named her its Citizen of the Year in 2018.

Her feedback has been sought by state leaders, as she serves on the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Cabinet and the Governor’s Superintendent Advisory Committee. Advocating for the interests of students and educators on these bodies as well as through other avenues is her overriding passion.

Dr. Stinson is married to Trent Stinson, and they have three children, all of whom attend LDISD schools.

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A Message from the Board of Trustees President

Message from the Board President

Dear BISD staff and community,

Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees would like to say thank you to the community and staff for their input and assistance in helping determine the profile of the next superintendent of BISD. Because of your thoughtful input, the Board was able to locate an individual who best reflects Birdville ISD.

On February 25, trustees hired Thompson & Horton LLP to assist in the search for a new superintendent. We knew the importance of having someone to lead the search who had a thorough understanding of our community. David Thompson and Dr. Mike Moses were the team selected, and they were instrumental in bringing the Board some of the best superintendent candidates from across the state and nation. I commend them for a job very well done.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my fellow board members. They have sacrificed a tremendous amount of personal time to make certain this was a successful superintendent search. Trustees do not receive any compensation for their work, and thus their extra efforts come at a great personal sacrifice. I am proud of the way they worked together to bring us to the point of unanimously selecting an individual we believe best meets the current and future needs of BISD. 

Dr. Gayle Stinson brings with her a tremendous knowledge and track record on education. Under her leadership, students and districts have been very successful. We believe, therefore, that she is the leader we need to move BISD forward in the days and years ahead.

I hope Dr. Stinson will begin full time in BISD on July 1. Beginning June 1, however, she will spend 1–2 days a week in the District. Until the transition is complete, the District remains in the capable hands of Dr. Darrell Brown and his team. The Board appreciates all they have done to continue smooth operations in BISD.

I am confident that Birdville ISD will take positive steps under the direction of Dr. Stinson as we continue the core business of obtaining the highest levels of student achievement.

Thank you for your support and encouragement during this time of transition. 

Sincerely,
Jack McCarty
President
Board of Trustees

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BISD Announces Smith Elementary Principal

Amanda Holman

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointment of Amanda Holman as principal of David E. Smith Elementary. She is replacing Jennifer Martin who was named BISD principal at Watauga Elementary on Thursday, April 8.  

Holman has been assistant principal of David E. Smith Elementary since August 2018. Prior to joining Smith Elementary, she was an elementary math academic coach for BISD from 2017–18, and a math interventionist at Walker Creek and North Ridge elementary schools from 2014–17. Holman was a fifth- and third-grade teacher at Walker Creek and Hardeman elementary schools respectively from 2010–14.  

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Woman’s University. 

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BISD Announces Director of Business and Finance

Steven Franks

Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Steven Franks as director of business and finance. He is replacing Sharay Boynton who is retiring at the end of the school year. 

Franks has been director of business operations with Irving ISD since 2017. He was director of accounting with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD from 2011–2017 and director of finance with HEB ISD from 2008–2011. 

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TWC Issues Guidance on Responding to Unemployment Letters

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is cautioning Texans about the dangers of identity theft and the importance of quickly responding to unemployment benefit letters.  BISD has had many currently employed staff members in this situation.  In most cases, our employee may receive the letter before the District does. 

Read Guidance Letter from TWC

Read TWC Warns about Identity Theft

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Resignation Deadline

TO: All Contract Personnel

FROM: Paige Curry Director of Human Resources

DATE: April 1, 2021

SUBJECT: Resignation Deadline

As a reminder to you, the last date for resignation for contract personnel is “not later than the 45thday before the first day of instruction of the following school year.” The first day of instruction for 2021 – 2022 is August 18, 2021; therefore, the last day for all contract personnel to resign is July 4, 2021.

Following are the citations in the Texas Education Code that refer to resignations: Sec. 21.105 (a) states: “A teacher employed under a probationary contract for the following school year may relinquish the position and leave the employment of the district at the end of the school year without penalty by filing with the board of trustees or its designee a written resignation not later than the 45th day before the first day of instruction of the following school year. A written resignation mailed by prepaid certified or registered mail to the president of the board of trustees or the board’s designee at the post office address of the district is considered filed at the time of mailing.” Sec. 21.160 (a) concerns continuing contract teachers and reads the same except for “A teacher employed under a continuing contract may…” Sec. 21.210 (a) is the section on term contract employees and again, it is essentially the same except for the insertion of term contract.

If you are resigning, please deliver your letter of resignation to the Human Resources Office or send it to Human Resources at 6125 E. Belknap Street, Haltom City, Texas 76117-4296.