TSPR Rockwall ISD - Appendix A

Appendix A
PUBLIC FORUM AND FOCUS GROUP COMMENTS

Public Forum Comments - Part 1

Public Forum Comments - Part 2

FACILITIES USE AND MANAGEMENT

Regarding planning for future athletic programs and facilities, who, specifically, makes decision how monies are delegated? I believe that it is unfair that only the traditional sports are supported.
Facilities planning - poor. Building capacity - completely lacks foresight. Maintenance - needs much better supervision. Custodial services and energy management - these are taken care of at the schools and seem to be fine.
The district is always playing catch-up. This is a growing district, years away from build out, and it is important for the board and administration to stay ahead of the game.
An area where we've done well. We successfully passed last two bond elections, but we don't want to be all show "facilities" with no substance.
Our grounds could use improvement.
Poor control of the air conditioning. The building of the facilities, however, does seem to be well done.
Have seen building used for lots of community meetings. Have not seen district policies to govern.
Custodial staff seems good - have received compliments on how clean.
Great job - custodial services. Energy use - could conserve more energy by monitoring heating/air. Facilities planning - great job. Building capacity - great job building schools with growth of town.
Why does maintenance department continue to buy refurbished parts for old equipment? Wouldn't it be more cost effective to buy a new one instead of two to three refurbished ones?
Appropriate seating for children who do not remain in wheelchairs or who are in walkers.
Why are tennis courts at the high school not used? What is the cost of maintaining them?
Bus area has too many kids to supervise easily.
Facilities planning - why upgrade only certain schools? Certain elementary schools still have portables and other schools receive new classrooms.
It is not a good use of energy to cut off heating and cooling by certain times. Employees should not be penalized by working longer or coming in on weekends by working in the heat of summer or cold of winter.
Our building was not built to hold [grades] K-6. When sixth [grade] was moved down to elementary, it created overcrowding. The maintenance of our building is lacking. We still have leaks that we've had since the building opened.
Maintenance - seems to be good for the most part at our campus. Building capacity - okay/good. Custodial services - good. Energy use - good.
Parking lot very unsafe due to overcrowding in area.
Smart thinking using the architectural plans repeatedly!
The new school buildings are beautiful and were much needed due to the growth of RISD.
We need to be bringing the oldest schools up to par with the newest.
In light of a new high school on the horizon plus numerous other schools in the district, I think the community deserves better information before, during and after construction regarding planning and cost.
Build each building for long-term ease of maintenance and operations. Look for opportunities to increase building usage, including year-round school classes.
Met with teachers for input in new facilities- also community members and homeowners.
Custodial services are great.
Custodial services very good.
Great to have work orders online.
Buildings and grounds kept extremely well - great communication with departments.
It is very convenient to have work orders on line - easily tracked.
Maintenance and custodial are very responsive.
Pleased that district encourages use of good materials in construction of schools to aid in up-keep and life of materials.
District does an awesome job of cleanliness - students respect property.
District paid more than twice the value on tax rolls for high school and middle school sites.
Used same design for several schools - saves dollars.
One bond issue failed due to building of indoor practice field - too much money spent in athletics.
Schools are very well maintained.
Schools are immaculate and bathrooms are always clean.

ASSET AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Health insurance for district employees is a tremendous asset for attracting quality employees. The district policy on this should continue.
The school board is putting us into way, way too much debt too fast. They are not spending our bond money frugally or carefully.
Bond package that went to the construction of the all-weather sports facility at the high school was hidden from voters; [RISD] never disclosed this shameful waste of money.
Health insurance doesn't cover much.
Could we know what our bond rating is?
Very bad health insurance. The dental plan is worthless.
When someone is hurt on the job, why is workers' compensation explained to them instead of having to call Austin and be treated like you shouldn't use the system?
Health insurance was not explained this year.
I am so glad [RISD] provides me with health insurance. Thank you.
How can we be one of the richest or highest taxed districts in the area and be poor? Where is our money being invested? Who is ultimately responsible for investments and proper use of funds?
Thanks for the health insurance.
Health insurance is good. RISD does a great job of staying competitive in this area.
Current health care coverage appears very costly because RISD pays full single employee rates.
They pay for employee's insurance, unlike most other districts.
I think it is such a positive aspect for RISD to have health insurance 100 percent coverage absolutely free.
Health insurance - wonderful! 403(b) - wonderful! Staff on campuses should be compensated for extra duty, volunteer [work].
Passing rate of last bond issue was 2 to 1.
Received an upgrade in bond rating from one of the bonding companies.
Only one person attended budget and tax rate hearing.
Refinanced the 1993 issue of bonds which will save the district $700,000.
Bond election was an indicator of community support for the schools - hasn't always been there.
Refinancing of bonds an excellent move to save dollars.
Two bond issues failed- never had a fund balance because district was trying to keep tax rate low so bond issue would pass therefore the district fell way behind.
Need to better educate about tax rates - amazed at the different opinions in group.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

I would like to see the district focus their time, money and concerns on the needs of the local students and community. It is very unfortunate when our time and dollars are being spent on meeting the demands of state and federal mandates with the constant threat of having funding withdrawn when, or if, we are not compliant.
There is too much administrative cost.
From a parent perspective, all of our schools do not seem to be created equal. It seems that the "squeaky wheel", or parents with time and money are vocal and get their schools the money. I'm fine with the higher taxes if I could feel that my child was getting his fair share.
I think all sports, male and female, should be given the same amount of emphasis and money. Some sports are obviously set apart as more important than others.
I am very concerned about our school taxes. Some of us would like to retire here, but as things are going now, retired teachers will not be able to afford to stay in this district.
[The] budget should show variance from state averages, and explanations should be provided by department chiefs to the board.
Shift funds from sports programs that exclude those with physical or mental differences. Include or provide equal alternatives.
Although I'm sure the financial reporting and internal audits are per legal requirements, I feel these are items that are being kept from public scrutiny. We have the highest tax rate allowed and our schools' computer systems aren't usually online until months after school starts. New schools open without basic supplies and without working cafeterias. The district does not provide many things that they should have the money for, i.e., books in the library, computers (that work the first day of school). Instead of budgeting for athletic drug testing, budget for academic supplies.
Do we get financing for ADA? We changed attendance collection time from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Did the school board even approve this? We lose ADA, don't we, with every student arriving at 8:31 or later. Trying to promote positive behavior from parents is a noble goal, but was this a sound financial decision?
RISD doesn't spend money wisely. They cut costs at the budgeting stage only to spend more later on. They also focus on the wrong things.
HELP! How do we get out of this mess? Being capped on the M&O rate will academically kill this district. We finally have a progressive board and administration that wants to improve academics, yet our hands are tied, and the increase in new homes won't fund improvement - if we were lucky it would only fund the status quo. When you look at the results we've achieved academically given the low student/dollars ratio, it's amazing.
The school taxes are too high for the education the kids are getting.
[I] question recent events whereby the vending machine procedure changed. It was each school shared in the profits, and the principals were given the money for use. The superintendent changed it to one central system. It appears this may prove to be a method of less money for student use.
I'm on the inside. I know a little more than the average parent about the campus budget. Communication with employees needs to improve, especially those handling the actual campus budget. The business manager has been a great asset. She is working diligently to improve this area.
I want my tax dollars to stay in my district to educate my kids. There are enough financial shenanigans to watch out for without giving the district another excuse for poor financial management.
There is no internal audit function - the district is open to fraud, waste and abuse. Currently, there is not a permanent, qualified business manager - the district does not have a CPA or MBA. Board operates in a vacuum.
Bond issues: hidden items in the bond not fully disclosed to the public. The district does not explain the need to increase the property tax rate.
Budgets for libraries are very slim and none for some schools. Things look good outside, but get in to the age of books and how much staff is used to staff libraries.
Last May during a DEIC meeting, I asked the question: What is our bond rating? Due to the fact we have nothing in reserve. The question was never answered. In fact, the assistant superintendent dismissed the total meeting.
Tax rate and resulting tax revenue are among the highest in the state per student, yet instructional dollars spent per student are in the lower one-half in the state. We must understand where spending is not in line. How does RISD compare against established benchmarks? We moved here from Clear Creek ISD, and the emphasis on education and academic support for the students is far less evident in this district.
Budgeting/fiscal operations: Why do we start school when no funds are available until September 1?
Each school varies greatly as to what is purchased for the departments at different schools. I can't get testing materials or forms because there "just isn't any money."
RISD Web site boasts how frugal the district is, but we have one of the highest tax bases in the area. Where are these funds going?
Budget: Times are tough. There are a few salaries at central office that can be dispersed into teaching position to help out. Student ratios go down, and it could help the campuses that have more challenging clientele.
Taxes are too high for what we get! Less central office, more money on students.
Is improving - should have a positive fund balance for close of 2001-02.
District spends more money on athletics than instruction.
Libraries do not meet state standard.
All teachers said that libraries were fine.
District gives a notebook with all the codes- per pupil allotment and can make special requests.
Budget process starts early and we receive per pupil allotment -can make special requests.
We never see where the dollars are spent - especially bond dollars.
Where are Coke contract dollars going?
Fund balance was used to take care of asbestos problem at Dobbs several years ago.

PURCHASING

The district did not use the competitive bid process in the building of some new schools and is not using it in some areas of the new high school.
Books and workbooks are purchased, but don't make it to the classroom.
Students are asked to purchase class supplies and receive an extra grade and are therefore penalized if they don't spend money for school supplies. This process gives teachers "multiple years" worth of supplies but each year they ask students to buy more. Where's all this stuff going?
Schools should have all textbooks when the school year begins.
Supplemental books need to be evenly distributed between classrooms.
Sadly understaffed at central office, but they do a great job getting it done! Purchasing through internal warehouse needs updated system to account or bill. Hard on campus level to balance purchases in books.
I believe great improvements can be made here. It is sad that teachers start school without supplies and have to reach into own pockets for classroom needs.
Allow students to buy a set of textbooks for home use to eliminate the pain of carting heavy books back and forth to school.
Make technology purchases (that is advantage of bulk purchase rates) of software and hardware available to students.
I know that an architect's blueprinting is rolled into a design and construction bid. Separate it out and you will save at least 30 percent on reproduction cost.
Our library does not have funds to purchase Spanish books for our bilingual children. Is this fair?
Construction contracts should be separate from design. Bidding should include complete drawing set with a requirement for firm, fixed price.
Problems here that need improving.
Not bidding everything that should be.
November 7th and still no Bilingual textbooks in some bilingual classes.
No additional reading and math books in Spanish and English.
Is there a certain amount of dollars that bilingual teachers should get to purchase materials for bilingual students?
One of the new campuses received books, the other did not.
Not enough texts for a month - had to share.
Bilingual books still not here.
One new school received all textbooks (Principal had them delivered to her home)- other did not - other campuses had trouble with textbook arrival.
7th Grade Spanish books arrived two weeks ago - seven weeks late.
AP at High School lacking textbooks.
No large print books or books on tape for visually impaired.

FOOD SERVICE

Another bright spot for the district.
Food is decent, quality is good. There are too many sweets offered. Too many choices for elementary school.
They amaze me! Overall great job. Central nutrition office needs to communicate changes to campuses and parents, i.e., not selling foods with sugar percentage.
Food is nasty and lines take way too long.
Food quality is poor and the costs are very high.
The food at the elementary level is terrible: cold, burned, not enough, etc.
Lots of carbohydrates - not healthy, just fattening. They need to balance out the food groups, but I also know that our students will not eat anything healthy.
[Need] healthy food choices - more like home cooking and less like fast food.
Charge more! Raise taxes if need be.
Take candy and colas out of lower grades. Teach children at school about the value of real food.
I feel we are getting a great deal for our money with our school lunches.
Some children aren't getting adequate time to eat due to cafeteria workers.
Junk food should not be provided as an option for children to purchase. Only nutritious foods should be provided!
The amount and size of servings has gone to nearly nothing. After years of eating in school café, the quality of food has caused nearly all teachers to refuse to eat in café.
Better food! Fruits, vegetables, more nutrition, less fat.
Runs smoothly. Manager and workers very polite and helpful to adults and students.
Manager and workers at my campus are great. Seems well organized. Helpful.
No food to be delivered by parents.
I believe in limiting snack selection and purchase. I'm glad that is being done more currently than in the past. Nice to see healthy alternatives, also!
Leave snacks out of the elementary schools.
Would like more variety. Service is great as is the facility.
With four lunch periods at the high school, by last lunch period the food is dry or cold.
Many students eat in café- a good deal for the price.
All the teachers eat in the café- that says something.
When child has no money, child does not get to eat.
Why are they serving pizza for breakfast?
High school - kept leftover pizza from day before for breakfast- when employee questioned practice, employee was terminated.

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY

The IT staff at the district level does not always seem knowledgeable or qualified.
I am concerned that there is not enough utilization of available technology.
We still do not have software for our computer lab. We will not get any software because there is no money. We also do not have our computers working in our classrooms.
Help! Not only are we understaffed, but total procedural set up needs an overhaul. We are extremely behind in technology or the use of it.
Old technology, out of date teaching materials. Very behind the times.
Why does the district continue to buy updates that are not compatible to classroom computers?
Classroom computers were down almost nine weeks and no one would repair [them].
Seem to be way behind. Purchased a ton of equipment and it sat in classrooms - not functional for a least one whole semester.
RISD has not demonstrated any type of strategic plan to justify the money spent or to know if they are on track with meeting the technology needs of the district.
Our existing technology is inadequate in both the instructional and administrative areas. If a PC has problems in a teacher's classroom, the district does not have adequate resources to get the problems fixed. The IT staff is not properly trained and is truly an embarrassment.
All of last year our computer lab was not working.
Technology is behind for students with disabilities. The computers were not delivered when school started.
New technology is added before teachers learn how to use the old.
We have multiple labs, techs and resources for technology, but no support on campuses for problems. Techs are supposed to be equipped and knowledgeable.
Make sure every campus has updated working technology. May need to increase technology staff to keep technology current.
Hardware needs to be repaired and installed in a more timely manner.
Computers do not work. Technology department must be understaffed or not staffed correctly. Slow response.
Computers - fix them! Technology department is very understaffed. It takes very long to get hardware and software issues resolved. Web site is great!
Not enough trained specialists to deal with problems. It takes forever for anything to be resolved.
Needs a great deal of improvement. Changing the network during the school year rather than during the summer when no classes are going on did not make sense. Our technology person on campus should be given more freedom to get things going for our school.
Why can't the lab tech be given more responsibility on their campus to help out?
We live in a technology world. Our computer facilities are very substandard. The networking and maintenance are constant problems. There are not enough high level classes.
Computer technology staff must be incompetent since as of November, computers are not up in all schools. Email not up. System not ready for grades at new schools.
The district is growing and needs to make technology a top priority.
We are heading in a great direction. The Internet and email is so much faster and smoother. Our computer tech is wonderful and helpful. It is great to have two computers in my classroom this year in second grade.
Technology is bringing us up to speed with fiber optics, better servers, etc. They need more staff, but are doing the best they can for what they have.
It would be nice if all schools had access to computer labs.
Technology is not going away. We need more computers in the classroom, in the labs, and we need to have all students have more time on the computers.
Trying to get help with computers - have to go outside the district for employees and use parents to come in and trouble shoot as well as help with programs that were chosen by the district.
No equality between the elementary schools on computer technology. Extreme frustration on the computer tech's part because something is always not working and there is not a quick fi3 Holds up the learning for students.
Need to look at proper way to finance.
Instruction and MIS need attention.
TIF grants are $1 million plus.
Department is very understaffed.
Doesn't work, but they are working on it.
Computer labs have been down for weeks.
E-mail does not work at times.
Printer in one classroom works - next classroom does not - not enough printers.
Technology needs to be improved.
Need after school technology training.
Older schools need upgrading - especially instructional side- need to get ahead of the game rather than play catch up.
Total system not working.
Turn around help is slow- computer labs out of commission from weeks to months.
Technology staff- understaffed.
Some campuses have TV in each classroom, while others have to share between all teachers in grade level.
Technology will be good when it gets there.
As predictable as the Texas weather.
1st graders are required to type in 28 characters for login.
If not computer literate- no trouble shooters.
Have had Math Renaissance for two years, can't get it loaded.
Haven't had printing capability in a month.
Technology plan is well developed - district can't meet timelines.
Entire school does not work - other schools have intermittent problems.
No keyboarding program at some schools.
Outdated equipment and no availability of printers.
Early emphasis of technology started at elementary - then not followed through.
Poor communication from district to campus- Career Tech purchased Office 2000 texts- paid for in June and now told computers will have Office XP - most machines at high school not equipped to support Office XP.
Staff is not knowledgeable enough.
District says it is going to spend dollars then we never see it.
Information not automated - when information is requested, must be manually compiled.
E-mail does not work - can't reach teachers.
Some employees do not know how to use e-mail, therefore do not answer - must train staff in how to use.
Web site is lacking to stay in touch with teachers - no real webmaster.
Some schools give morning announcement via TV, while other schools must share one TV per grade level.
E-mail addresses are not valid - causes a problem with communication.

TRANSPORTATION

Why are part-time drivers allowed to work over 40 hours and get overtime when regular drivers' hours are being cut?
Transportation dispatchers do not have to have a commercial drivers license or be familiar with bus routes or Rockwall County.
Should be building schools where kids can walk to school. Way too much busing.
Students should have seat belts.
Drivers seem to be very friendly and careful drivers.
Changed bus routes, but did not inform parents or students.
The buses are always breaking down.
The bus drivers do not "write up" students who misbehave, therefore the school is unaware of fighting, cussing, etc. on the bus.
Why do school buses stop at every house and/or street? Wouldn't it be more cost effective to stop about every five corners and let students walk to the bus?
Better than last year.
Doing good.
Time schedule of pick-ups/drop-offs is inconsistent.
Our bus drivers are very polite and helpful to us and our students. Transportation on field trips is awesome. The drivers always have maps and directions to where we are going!
The transportation, maintenance and scheduling seems fine.
Not enough qualified drivers. Many scheduling problems. Drivers do not know the directions before the trips.
The transportation department cannot tell you what bus a child is on or if a child should be on the bus.
I am a teacher and have had many students complain about the bus drivers and the lack of order on the bus.
More buses to serve school, not second run of buses.
I think all bus drivers need an aide to ride along. A bus driver can't pay attention to the road, the children, etc. all at the same time. It's not only the special needs children who need aides.
Bus discipline is a problem.
Transporting all students.
Aging fleet.
Purchased buses last two years.
At Jones Elementary, one bus transports all the Hispanic children to their neighborhood and another bus transports Anglo children to the same area.
My street is zoned for Dobbs, but rest of families on my street go to Williams.
If less than 15 students for field trip, can't get a bus- no longer using vans so teacher is transporting in personal auto.
District provides late busses for after school sessions for at-risk and for extracurricular practice.
Career/Tech budget charged to transport students to site for daily class.
Buses on time.
Bus drivers teach safety on campus.
Has been a challenge without a director.
Department is very safety conscious.
No overcrowding on buses.
Middle school counselors would like to see buses arrive earlier for tutoring.
Transportation does a lot of training for safety.
Buses overcrowded.
Two mechanics - fleet has doubled and still two mechanics.
Need professional help in routing - some busses have 72 riders, others 12.
We purchase used buses that other districts feel are outdated.
[It took] six weeks to get bus schedule straightened out.
Late every day.
Broken buses.
Three accidents at bus stop because bus does not wait for students.
Head Start students on bus with much older students.
Bus driver can see children running to catch bus and doesn't wait for them.
Bus came 30 minutes later than the printed schedule.
Given several schedules with different times.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Student discipline policies at the local level are adequate. Some state-mandated policies are ridiculous. Safety and security programs are taken serious and practiced adequately.
Rigid and arbitrary enforcement of certain policies, specifically cell phones.
As an employee, I feel under trained for emergencies. I've seen administrator responses that I feel were too relaxed.
Very poor. Very difficult to get in touch with the administration. The school board also doesn't take threats seriously.
The check system in some of the elementary schools is ridiculous. A child can receive checks or marks for minor infractions and still be under the unsatisfactory mark at the end of a grading period.
What discipline?
Policies are upheld and discipline is used fairly. Campus security (number of doors) is la4
How can a parent make the school hold up to the written policy stated in the handbook and what recourse do they have to follow to see that students not return to that particular class or school?
Even the brand new schools don't have "in your face" front offices. Every office is off to the side, and the less scrupulous would go right past it.
Truancy Officer (assistant principal) needs more help.
Alternative education - need to look at districts with success in this area. Our system has too many holes.
Our custodian checks and locks every door every day. We carry walkie-talkies to recess and bus duty. We practice fire drills, tornado drills and lock down drills. Our students feel safe. We feel safe as teachers. Visitors check in and wear badges.
The students and other individuals are very safe at the schools. I feel that the discipline policies are fair and effective. I do wish that each class had a crisis chart. Right now they are only in the workrooms.
Relations with police - good. Discipline policies are clear, but executed differently campus to campus. Safety coordinator on each campus. Crisis charts sent out recently to update campuses.
There is a need at the high school for a person to deal with after dance issues.
Policies are great. Many are not carried out. It is sad to see that some schools have lock downs and fire drills and other procedures, but do not practice them.
Relations with law enforcement seem excellent. I only see it from elementary level but DARE program is appreciated.
Not all student discipline policies are enforced or they are not enforced equally.
Teachers need to follow the same discipline policies! Local law enforcement (SROs) need to help monitor schools, work halls. Be seen!
I would like to see the district issue the same procedure for check-in/check-out for everyone.
We are still saying we have no drug problem! We do not enforce discipline rules that are set up - clothes, earrings, etc.
Not sure discipline is administered fairly.
Character Education districtwide - good.
Bus drivers teach safety on campus.
Effective discipline management plan and administered fairly.
Training at campuses good.
Drills for strangers on campus.
Custodians lock all but one door as soon as bell rings.
One of first districts to have harnesses for Head Start children.
Very attuned to parents.
New schools have all electronic doors.
Safety drills include law enforcement.
Look at bus discipline.
Safety is superb- when I came on campus, security was there immediately.
Why only drug testing for sports?
RISD has a hot-line for anonymously reporting drug use.
Need a program to address bullying and violence.
Not allowed to go to G/T class was used as a discipline technique for a G/T student.
Check on diversity in alternative school.
RESPECT program at high school is excellent.
If district has zero tolerance, how does that align with drug testing positive being referred for counseling?
Due to Bilingual program being on limited number of elementary campuses- parents felt that discipline was a problem in middle school because bilingual students did not know the students from other schools.