The Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees meets regularly to publicly address the business of the school district. Due to the current nationwide health pandemic, all district facilities and schools are closed. To continue current health and safety standards, the Board of Trustees hosted their regular board meeting using a video conference call on Monday, June 15, 2020, which can be viewed here. Information shared and decisions made during that meeting include the following:
Board of Trustees Approve Hire of New Principals
At Monday’s board meeting the Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees approved the hire of four new principals.
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Terrence Chase will be the principal at Daniel Intermediate School. Mr. Chase has been with the district for 22 years, starting his educational career as a teacher at Acton Elementary School then Daniel Intermediate School. He then transitioned to counseling at Reed Middle School then Duncanville High School. He was most recently the assistant principal at Brandenburg Intermediate. Mr. Chase has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of School Counseling from Amberton University and Principal Certification from Lamar University. Rahien Williams will be the principal at Summit Education Center. Mr. Williams has been with the district for 14 years and in education for 16 years. He most recently served as an assistant principal at Reed Middle School and was previously an assistant principal at Duncanville High School. Mr. Williams is a graduate of the district’s Principal Leadership Academy and an ambassador for the Inspiring Leadership Academy. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the College of New Rochelle and a Master of Education from Lamar University. |
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Jessica Linwood will be the principal at Acton Elementary School. Ms. Linwood comes from Dallas ISD where she served as an educator for more than 20 years. Her most recent role was as an assistant principal at Ann Richards STEAM Academy. Ms. Linwood has also served as assistant principal and principal at other Dallas ISD campuses. She has taught at the elementary level and has led in different capacities at the elementary, middle and high school campus levels. Ms. Linwood has a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Tanya Jones will serve as an Interim Elementary Principal. Dr. Jones comes from Richardson ISD where she was an instructional coach at Richardson West Arts and Technology Magnet Junior High School. She has also worked in Irving ISD as a teacher and administrator. Dr. Jones has 11 years of K-12 campus administration experience and five years of central administration experience. Dr. Jones has a Bachelor of Arts in English education and a Master of Arts in PK-12 educational administration from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University. |
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Superintendent’s Report
 Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith provided a report to the Board of Trustees beginning with the end-of-school technology returns for the 175 seniors who were loaned laptops during Learning At Home. Summer meals are continuing through July 31. Families are able to pick up meals for the week every Tuesday. So far, more than 7,000 meals have been distributed. Over a 10-week period from mid-March through the end of the school year, more than 33,000 meals were served to children through our Grab-and-Go Program.
Dr. Smith summarized the candlelight vigil on June 8 at Armstrong Park in Duncanville in memory of George Floyd, who has been the catalyst for the various rallies, protests and broader movement for racial equality. Mayor Barry Gordon, Senator Royce West and Representative Yvonne Davis were all in attendance. A soft reopening for the district is planned for July 6. The district is evaluating the resources and data that is being collected from staff to determine what the reopening will look like.
Other Items Approved minutes for the May 11 meeting Approved financial report for the month of April Approved budget amendments Approved list of cooperative and fees Approved cooperative program agreement with the University of Texas at Austin for 2020-2021 Approved purchase of Microsoft services Approved Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program memorandum of understanding Approved board authorization for superintendent to hire during the summer Approved extending resolution for premium pay through July 3, 2020 Approved Edugence data management system Approved Duncanville High School cosmetology lab renovation Approved 2020 Brandera marketing purchases Approved issuance of 2020 series bonds to refund 2013-B bonds Discussion of 2020-2021 budget Discussion of school health advisory council Discussion of social emotional learning Discussion of distance learning update on grading guidelines Discussion of Graduation 2020 Discussion of reopening of schools Published: 6/16/20 |
Dr. Smith ended his report by celebrating the Duncanville High School boys basketball team for being recognized during the UIL Boys Basketball State Tournament Virtual Ceremony. The Panthers, along with other 6A teams that advanced to the state tournament, received a UIL trophy. Due to COVID-19, the tournament was canceled and teams were unable to play. Dr. Smith expressed the district’s support and confidence that the Panthers would have defended their state title.