THE GREEN PAGES WEB DIRECTORY - PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE CARROLL DRAGONS

Posted November 16, 2006

Cross Country Girls Win Gold At State, Boys Take Silver

Lady Dragon Cross Country team members have run their way to a second consecutive Class 5A State championship. The University Interscholastic League state meet was held November 12 in Round Rock. The team won with 68 points. Tara Upshaw was the only Carroll runner finishing in the top 20; she earned the State gold medal. Taylor Stephens, Christina Ferber, Kirsten Brown and Emily Denny placed in the top 49.

The Dragon boys finished in second place after The Woodlands. Four Carroll runners finished in the top 28 - Colby Lowe, C.J. Brown, Chris Moore and Richard Grue. Lowe finished as the individual gold medalist winner and Brown took bronze.

Congratulations Carroll Cross Country teams!

Back to Top

Round One: Dragon Football Playoffs

The Dragon football team will face its first-round playoff opponent tonight (November 16) at Texas Stadium in Irving. The Dragons will take on the Lewisville Fighting Farmers; kick off is 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $9 at the gate. The parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. The Dragons are the home team and fans are encouraged to sit near Gate 3 (close to the visitors' side). The game will be broadcast live on KKGM 1630-AM by Metro Sports Communications. Fans listening inside the stadium should tune to the Dragons "Road Radio" feed to hear the broadcast; the frequency is 88.9-FM.

Back to Top

Carroll Schools, Offices Closed For Thanksgiving Break

All Carroll ISD schools and offices will be closed November 20-24 for Thanksgiving break. Regular office hours and school schedules will resume on Monday, November 27.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back to Top

Carroll District, All Campuses Earn State's Gold Acknowledgments

All 11 Carroll ISD campuses and the district have earned the Texas Education Agency's 2006 Gold Performance Acknowledgments. The district was honored in 11 of 12 categories and each campus also earned multiple awards.

The state's Gold Performance Acknowledgement (GPA) system is used to acknowledge districts and campuses for high academic performance on various indicators, such as commended performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, college admissions tests, attendance rates and Advanced Placement exams. There are 12 different categories in which a GPA can be earned at the district level; Carroll received honors in 11 of those 12 categories.

At the campus level, high schools had as many as 14 different accountability categories. Carroll Senior High managed to earn acknowledgments in 11 of the categories. Click on the link below to access a listing of the categories for which each school was honored.

2006 Campus Gold Performance Acknowledgments

"Our schools continue to receive recognition for student performance at the state level," said Superintendent Dr. David J. Faltys. "We are very proud of the work that our campus leaders and staff are doing to ensure students have every opportunity to be successful. We're celebrating the Gold Acknowledgments along with recent news that six of our eleven campuses were named to the TBEC (Texas Business Education Coalition's) 2006 State Honor Roll."

Beginning in 2007, a label of "Commended" will be appended to the state accountability ratings if the campus or district earns a GPA for at least 50 percent of the TAKS commended performance indicators in which the campus or district is evaluated. Only campuses and districts rated Academically Acceptable or higher will be eligible to receive the "Commended" label.

Carroll principals accepted framed certificates on behalf of their campuses at the November 13 Board of Trustees meeting. The Board also presented the Superintendent with a framed certificate honoring the district for earning the GPA honors.

Carroll ISD Campus Principals were honored at the November 13
Board Meeting for receiving TEA's Gold Performance Acknowledgments

Back to Top

Bond Refinancing Saves CISD Taxpayers More Than First Expected

Carroll ISD Board of Trustees voted at their October 30 meeting to authorize the Superintendent and Board President to refinance district bonds up to $30 million. The original estimation of savings was predicted to be $780,000, but the actual sale resulted in a present value savings of $977,000 (or 4.11%). This figure equates to a long-term savings of more than $1.5 million for local taxpayers.

Steve Perry of RBC Capital Markets, the district's financial advisors, reported several factors that led to the success of the refunding, including having the ability to move quickly because the Carroll School Board approved "parameters" for the financing; market conditions that improved slightly between October 30 and November 9; and so few Texas school districts that took advantage of financing priced that week.

Perry said the market will not be as favorable in another month or so due to the passage of so many school bond elections across the state. He also described Carroll as a "well-known bond issuer."

"Both within Texas and nationally, investors are aware of Carroll ISD's solid reputation," Perry said, adding that the district's rating was upgraded in May by Moody's. This also helped the Carroll ISD secure a more favorable refinancing rate.

Back to Top

Board Agrees To Dr. Pepper Amendment; Vending Prices To Increase

Carroll Trustees unanimously approved an amendment to the district's existing contract with Dr. Pepper Bottling Company of Texas. The amendment allows DPBCT a price break on sponsorship dollars for the remaining two years of the 12-year contract if and only if the payment is received by CISD on or before November 30 in 2006 and 2007.

Dr. Pepper officials approached the district last spring about extending their contract through 2011 to give the soft drink company more time to pay out the rest of its commitment to CISD. They cited a decline in sales over the past several years due to stricter guidelines for carbonated drinks in public schools. At the time of the proposal, Carroll ISD turned down a contract extension, but compromised with the company by lowering their financial commitment for the remaining two years.

The amendment will also mean the first vending machine price increases during the district's 10-year history with the company. Beginning after winter break, soft drinks in CISD vending machines will increase from 50 cents to $1 and bottled water will increase from 75 cents to $1.

School officials said their goal in negotiating with the bottling company was to obtain as much of the original funding under the existing contract as possible. Earlier indications were that the soft drink company was unlikely to be able to make the final $90,000 owed to the district the last three years of the contract. Since negotiations began, the district was paid the first $30,000 installment. Another $20,000 check from DPBCT for the district's general operating fund is expected before the end of this month, with a final $20,000 payment by November 30, 2007.

"The health and well being of our students is a top priority," said Julie Thannum, Director of Communications & Marketing. "Although the changes and restrictions are not necessarily bad, I don't think anyone could have forseen the impact new state and federal guidelines would have on the school districts and the soft drink companies. It is our desire to make the best out of this situation until a time at which we can seek new, short-term soft drink and water contracts for the future."

Back to Top

Trustees Hear High School Scheduling Options

At Monday's meeting, Trustees heard a presentation on high school scheduling options from Superintendent Dr. David Faltys, Carroll High School Principal Rick Westfall and Carroll Senior High School Principal Dr. Daniel Presley. This discussion comes on the heels of preliminary approval by the State Board of Education regarding changes to graduation requirements for the class of 2011 (current eighth graders). The new plan increases the total number of credits to 26 for a graduating student enrolled in the Recommended High School Graduation Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. Currently, Carroll students are required to earn 25 credits for graduation. The Minimum Graduation Program has not changed and still requires 22 credits.

In 2006, nearly 80% of CISD students graduated under the Recommended Plan and more than 15% graduated under the Distinguished Achievement Program. This increase in credits requires school officials to create a plan that will accommodate the scheduling needs of next year's freshman class. Westfall and Presley brought forth six different scheduling options for the Board's consideration. A few of the suggestions included keeping the schedule as is and addressing needs as they arise, moving to a modified A/B block by opening an 8th period class at CHS, moving CHS to a full A/B block with CSHS' schedule remaining as is or transitioning to a true A/B block on both campuses. Costs range from $250,000 to more than $900,000 annually.

CISD Board members did note vote at the November 13 meeting. This was an informational item only; a final decision is expected at a future meeting - following further discussion and research. Final approval of the graduation requirement changes by the State Board of Education is expected later this month.

Back to Top

Unanimous Vote Authorizes District To Increase Insurance Contribution

Trustees voted Monday evening to increase Carroll ISD's contribution to employee health insurance from $256 a month to $290. The vote came on the heels of an Administration recommendation asking the district to help offset a 9.5 percent increase proposed by Cigna for monthly insurance premiums.

Trustees also agreed to increase the district's contribution from $60 to $68 for a 403(b) annuity plan utilized by employees who do not take advantage of the district's health insurance program. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Eaves told Trustees the boost in the district's contribution would cost about $204,000, but the increase could be covered in the district's existing operating budget.

An insurance committee of representatives from each CISD campus and department met last month to discuss the pending insurance increase. The group discussed the district's option of joining the state TRS Health plan, but opted to study the plan further before making the commitment. Under the state plan, school districts are required to remain in the plan once they join.

Eaves said the average health insurance monthly increase for a CISD employee would have been about $32 if the Administration and Board had not recommended increasing the district's contribution. Premiums are expected to be affected by the rate increase in January 2007. Slightly more than 600 of the district's 1,000 employees participate in the Cigna healthcare program.

Employee feedback has been positive since news broke this week of the Board's decision. The increase in the health premium benefit comes following a concerted effort by the CISD Administration and Board to increase teacher and support salaries to stay more competitive in the DFW market. In addition to salary increases, an equity study and adjustments and the insurance contribution, Trustees also reinstated a tuition assistance program for employees working toward their master's or doctorate degrees.

Back to Top

In Other Business, The School Board:

  • Approved a maximum class size waiver for the fall semester for the fourth grade at Carroll Elementary School. One class at the campus has 23 students instead of the state-mandated 22:1 ratio, but will continue to operate without splitting the class and hiring a teacher mid-year if TEA approves the waiver;
  • Heard a report on CISD Accountability Ratings by Dr. Cathy Friar, Executive Director for Special Programs and Assessment;
  • Authorized the Superintendent and/or his designee to negotiate a contract with Population and Survey Analysts to conduct a demographic study/report for Carroll ISD. The Board will consider action on the actual contract at the December 11 meeting;
  • Approved the 2006-2007 District Textbook Committee; and
  • Approved an agreement between CISD and Sabinal to purchase Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA) credits under the state's Chapter 41 school finance plan.

The next CISD Board Meeting is Monday, December 11. This is the only scheduled meeting in December.

Back to Top

2007-2008 Calendar Posted, District Seeking Community Input

The 2007-2008 Proposed School Calendar for Carroll ISD has now been posted to the district's website for the purpose of public review and comment before a December 11 Trustee vote. You can access the calendar link from the Breaking News and/or Calendars links on every CISD webpage: http://www.southlakecarroll.edu. For your convenience, we've provided you with a direct link below.

2007-2008 Proposed School Calendar

As the website explains, parents and staff are encouraged to review the supporting documents before sending CISD your comments on the proposal. The supporting documentation provides a history of the financial implications of the start date, the parameters and restrictions regarding testing dates, semester exams and staff inservice requirements. In addition, the site provides a survey of proposed and approved calendars for area school districts. Carroll's proposed calendar is similar to the one approved by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.

Back to Top

Dragon Athletes Sign With Universities

November 14 was an exciting day for two Carroll Dragon athletes as they signed with universities. Haley Cooper received an equestrian scholarship to Texas A&M University and Chandra Alexander received a soccer scholarship to the University of North Texas. Haley is the daughter of Tom and Nancy Cooper. Chandra is the daughter of Shane and Kathy Alexander; Shane is also CISD's Assistant Golf Coach.

Carroll Dragon athletes Haley Cooper and Chandra
Alexander with their families on signing day November 14

Back to Top

Dragon Swimmers Splash Oklahoma Competition

Carroll Dragon swimmers dominated the Jaguar Invitational Swim Meet at Oklahoma City Community College last week. Thirteen teams were represented, including the top two teams in the entire state of Oklahoma.

Final Scores of the Top Five teams were:

Boys:
Carroll: 439
Edmond Memorial: 320
Jenks: 320
Edmond North: 308
Norman North: 166

Girls:
Carroll: 605
Jenks: 340
Edmond Memorial: 212
Moore: 195
Edmond North: 173

Individual Champions crowned by the Dragons included:

Claire Singley in 200 free @ 1:56.23 and 500 free @ 5:06.88
Wil Singley in 200 free @ 1:42.83 and 500 free @ 5:39.83
Caitlin Baran in 200 IM @ 2:11.69 and 100 breast @ 1:07.46
Jeff Hendricks in 50 free @ 22.24
Lisa Ginder in 100 fly @ 1:00.01 and
Drew Mays in 100 back @ 55.24

Relay Champions for the Dragons included:

Girls' 200 Medley Relay @ 1:54.19 with Rachel Ausdenmoore, Baran, Ginder and Paige Higgins
Boys' 200 Free Relay @ 1:29.76 with Trevor Mays, Hendricks, Joey Yglasias and Singley
Girls' 400 Free Relay @ 3:44.16 with Baran, Ginder, Chelsea Dunlap and Singley
Boys' 400 Free Relay @ 3:18.78 with Tevor Mays, Drew Mays, Hendricks and Singley

Top 8 scoring swims included:

Kerry Wright 3rd in 200 free and 5th in 100 fly
Arrington Hayes 4th in 200 free and 6th in 100 fly
Daniel Cox 5th in 200 free and 3rd in 500 free
Chelsea Dunlap 2nd in 200 IM and 2nd in 100 breast
Erica Anderson 3rd in 200 IM and 4th in 100 back
Vicki Munch 7th in 200 IM and 4th in 100 breast
Kelli Castro 8th in 200 IM and 7th in 100 back
Joey Yglasias 6th in 200 IM and 5th in 100 free
Tyler Liu 7th in 200 IM and 6th in 100 breast
Laura Huning 3rd in 50 free and 2nd in 500 free
Katie Hitchcock 4th in 50 free and 4th in 100 free
Kelly Haitz 5th in 50 free and 7th in 100 breast
Paige Higgins 6th in 50 free and 8th in 100 fly
Trevor Mays 2nd in 50 free and 3rd in 100 free
Andrew Goss 6th in 50 free and 8th in 100 back
Brook Hendricks 5th in 100 free
Taylor Cole 3rd in 500 free
Kaitlin Hermes 7th in 500 free
Sammi Taylor 3rd in 100 back
Michael Pichler 6th in 100 back and
Connor Adams 8th in 100 breast

The Dragon swimmers and divers will compete next at the North Tisca Invitational this November 17-18 at Loos Natatorium in Dallas.

Back to Top

Change Of Date For Variety Show

The date of the 23rd Annual Variety Show has changed. Please note, the new date will be February 23-24. Auditions will be held February 6-7. Rehearsals for the show will be February 21-22.

Back to Top

Miss America 2006 Visits Middle Schools

Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving's (MADD) North Texas Affiliate and Carroll ISD November 15 in a joint effort to teach students at Carroll Middle School and Dawson Middle School about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking. This marked Jennifer's first student assemblies in the Dallas/Fort area; she shared her platform with CISD seventh and eighth graders - Building Intolerance to Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking - and her personal story of losing a friend in an alcohol-related wreck.

Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry speaks to Dawson Middle
students at a November 15 assembly

Back to Top

CSHS Student Council Members Receive Grant For Campaign

Carroll Senior High School Student Council members were recently awarded a $500 grant by Allstate Insurance to begin the Keep The Drive Campaign. Keep The Drive is a student-run program that helps raise awareness of car accidents due to carelessness and unsafe driving habits. This campaign works with Allstate to help implement projects that will demonstrate the consequences of careless driving. The CSHS Student Council will begin the program in January. The grant money will be used to reward students who exhibit good driving habits and who have a clean driving record.

CSHS Junior Senators Matt Swinton, Kristen Barone, Hilary
Brugger, Kayli Burnett and Alison Mrasek are shown with
Allstate Representative Benny Carlidge

Back to Top

Save The Date: Winter Choir Concerts

Mark your calendars for upcoming Carroll Senior High School choir concerts. The Show Choir's Black Box Concerts are December 11-12. There will be two showings - 6:30 and 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned good or donation to be given to the Grace food bank.

The annual Winter Concert featuring all five choirs is Tuesday, December 12. Preludes begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the large choir performances at 7 p.m. in the CSHS auditorium, 1501 W. Southlake Boulevard.

Carroll choir members perform at their fall concert held last month at Carroll Senior High School

Back to Top

Varsity Girls' Golf Finish In First Place

The Varsity Green girls' golf team played in the Ennis Varsity Girls' Golf Tournament last week. The Lady Dragons finished in first place with a 329 team total. Individually, the girls took command of the tournament with a second, third, fourth and fifth place finish in the medalist standing. Below are their scores:

Jenna Payette: 80 - tied 2nd place & 3rd place
Taylor Slagle: 80 - tied 2nd place & 3rd place
Samantha Long: 84 - 4th place
Elizabeth Stone: 85 - 5th place
Alexa Park: 90

Back to Top

Choir Members Advance To Area Competition

Three Carroll Senior High School Dragon choir members earned advancement during last week's Region competition. Congratulations to Preston Lee, Heather Neeley and Katie Smith. They will compete January 6 in the Area Competition. Chris Hutchison directs the CSHS choir.

Back to Top

Join Carroll Dragons In Jingle Bell Run

Don't forget to support Carroll Medical Academy students in the 2006 Jingle Bell Run in Fort Worth. Funds raised support the Arthritis Foundation, Texas Chapter. Visit the link below to find out how you can be a part of this cause.

Carroll Medical Academy - Jingle Bell Run

Back to Top

CMS Volleyball Team Earns Zone Championship Title

For the second consecutive year, the Carroll Middle School 8th grade volleyball team has captured the Zone Championship title. With a perfect season last year, and just one loss this year, the players have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the area. Winning the District Championship as seventh graders was an incredible title to claim, but a challenge to repeat. The girls lost their third and final match of the District playoffs 13-15. Congratulations on a great season!

Back to Top

Dragon Forensics Take Second At Hockaday

Members of the Dragon forensic team competed at The Hockaday School November 10-11 and earned second place sweepstakes. Below is a list of the individual winner results:

Student Congress Finals
Kevin Chiu - 4th place
Philip Butler - 6th place
David Ramirez - 10th place
Connor Huff - 12th place

Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Jesse Beck - 2nd place top speaker and Top 16
Dillon Huff - Top 16
Cameron Beck - 5th in Novice Division
Cathy Creighton - 9th in Novice Division

Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking
Patrick Humes - 5th place
Dillon Huff - 6th place

U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking
Ryan Bennett - 1st place
Philip Butler - 6th place

Poetry
Kevin Comartin - 3rd place

Prose
Kevin Comartin - 6th place

Duet
Kevin Comartin and Rachel Kane - 3rd place

The team is currently competing in Chicago at a large national tournament. Good luck Dragons!

2006-2007 Carroll Dragon Forensic Team

Back to Top

Middle School Band Members In Harmony At All-Region

Congratulations to the following Carroll Middle School band students who made the All-Region Band: Maggie McNaughton, Emily Peebles, Becca Vorel, Laura Spitler, Britton Wallace, Jeff Miltenberger (alternate) and Kathleen Bautista (alternate). Over 1,400 middle school band students from several area school districts auditioned. Congratulations CMS band members!

Congratulations also to the following Dawson Middle School students who earned a spot in the Region 24 Honor Bands: Wind Symphony Members: Christine Boissevain (11th Chair Flute), Taylor White (6th Chair Trumpet), Stephaine Arce-Penedo (7th Chair Trombone) and Brice Thomas (1st Chair Tuba). Honors Band Members: Hannah Dotson (2nd Chair Flute), Kelsey Boes (5th Chair Flute), Sabrina Shao (8th Chair Flute), Elena Penedo (9th Chair Flute), Holly Rosenberg (12th Chair Flute), Jeff Cohen (8th Chair Trumpet), Andrew Harvell (1st Chair Trombone) and Kevin Staley (5th Chair Tuba). Symphonic Band Members: J. D. Schmid (2nd Chair Bari Sax), Pete Thayer (8th Chair Trumpet), Austin Miller (8th Chair Trombone) and Kim Panther (6th Chair Tuba). Concert Band Members: Niki Sorgel (6th Chair Flute), Shelby Brown (7th Chair Flute), Sarah Dotson (15th Chair Clarinet), Danny Rockey (3rd Chair Bass Clarinet), Tyler Dickey (4th Chair Trumpet), Marie Jansen (1st Chair French Horn), Stefan Benedetti (6th Chair Trombone) and Keaton Maddox (2nd Chair Tuba).

Back to Top

Carroll Students Celebrate Veterans' Day 2006

Last week, students across Carroll ISD participated in a variety of patriotic activities in honor of Veterans' Day. Below are photos of activities at Durham Elementary School and Eubanks Intermediate School.

Festivities took place November 10 at Durham Elementary School and Eubanks Intermediate School

Back to Top

Dragon Celebrations

Congratulations to Nancy Mackey (Durham Elementary) on her November 11 marriage to Carlos Parra. The couple wed at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller.

Also, congratulations to Donna Hosea (Superintendent's Office) on her recent marriage to Tommy Faifer. The couple wed in Las Vegas.

Back to Top

Baby Dragon Correction

Congratulations to Jodi Prolizo (CHS) on the recent birth of her son Salvator Vincent. The baby's name was incorrectly printed in last week's newsletter. Dad is calling him "Sonny."

Back to Top

With Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Stacy Carey (Durham Intermediate) following the recent death of her father, David Smith. Services are planned for November 19 in Waco. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital.

Our sympathy is also extended to Michelle Godfrey (Dawson Middle) after the death of her sister.

Back to Top

Posted To Our Website...

Back to Top

COMMUNITY NEWS

Register Now For Spring Lacrosse

Registration is open for 9th-12th grade boys and girls who are interested in playing during the Spring Lacrosse season.

For more information, visit www.southlakelacrosse.org. For girls, contact Marney Cooney at mbc7@verizon.net. For boys, contact Darla Barnes at barnes8384@verizon.net. Come join the "fastest game on two feet." Registrations must be received by Friday, December 1.

Southlake Library News

Check out the latest news from the City of Southlake Library. Click the link below to view the November newsletter.

City of Southlake - November Newsletter

Gallery Event To Take Place At Historic Haltom Theater

The Birdville Historical Society, the Haltom City Community Arts Committee and ARTSNET announce a gallery event at the historic Haltom Theater December 8-9. Click the link below for details.

Community Gallery Event Flier

Back to Top

 
  Copyright © 2006
Carroll Independent School District
Email the Webmaster: jthannum@cisdmail.com