Board Meeting Updates

Please read for a summary of the November 3 Special Board Meeting.

Recognitions

The Board opened the evening by recognizing Carroll Senior High School as the November Campus of the Month for outstanding achievement and leadership. Principal Shatina Lewis accepted the honor on behalf of her campus. 

“In Carroll ISD, excellence isn’t just something we strive for,” said Principal Lewis. “It’s who we are. It’s a tradition built over time by our students, teachers, coaches, fine arts directors, and our community.” 

She went on to list the tremendous accomplishments already seen at CSHS this year, including impressive numbers of Commended Scholars National Merit Semifinalists, as well as outstanding performances across all programs, from athletics, to academics, to fine arts. 

“These achievements are more than trophies or titles,” said Lewis. “They’re reminders that in Carroll ISD, excellence is not an event; it’s a culture, a legacy, and a dragon tradition that continues to ignite the fire within every student who walks through the doors.”

Students gave outstanding presentations from:

• Carroll Medical Academy
• AP Capstone Program
• SPED Ace Program
• CSHS Student Rodeo

The Board also celebrated Carroll Senior High School’s Dragon Super Substitute of the Month, Gloria Gomez, applauding continued excellence in classroom support and student connection.

President's Report

Board President Cam Bryan reminded the community that Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, which includes both the Board of Trustees Place 3 race and Proposition A, the Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). If approved, Proposition A would generate approximately $4 million annually for Carroll ISD, with every dollar staying in the District to support students and staff, none of which would be subject to state recapture.

President Bryan commended Dr. Glenn and the Board of Trustees for hosting 21 town halls over the past 45 days, ensuring families and residents across the community were well-informed about the VATRE and its potential impact. He expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the meetings, asked questions, and helped share accurate information.

He also celebrated several outstanding student accomplishments. The Carroll Cross Country team earned the State Championship, the 11th title in the past 14 years, with senior Caden Leonard capturing an individual State title. He congratulated the Dragon Football team on an undefeated 10-0 season and their District Championship, and encouraged the community to come out in full Dragon spirit for the playoffs. The Lady Dragon Volleyball team was recognized for earning the Bi-District Championship, and the Dragon Band was commended for advancing to the UIL Area Finals for a record fifth consecutive year.

President Bryan concluded by thanking teachers, staff, families, and the entire Dragon community for their continued dedication and support, emphasizing that together we keep the Dragon Tradition strong.

Informational Presentation

Energy Management Coordinator Christopher Olsen presented the District’s annual Energy Management Report. Since changes were implemented beginning 17 months ago, the District has realized approximately $715,000 in energy savings. Some of those changes included:

• Parking lot repairs and building lighting at CSHS Fine Arts, WGE, CMS, JES, CHS, and RES
• Lighting upgrades at the CSHS Competition Gym and the administration building gym
• Repair of a major domestic water leak near DMS
• Tracking energy costs and usage
• Monitoring all HVAC systems throughout the District daily

Mr. Olsen outlined CISD’s continued efforts to conserve energy, modernize infrastructure, and pursue cost-saving initiatives across campuses. The report emphasized system upgrades, usage monitoring, facility optimization strategies, and changes to trash and recycling practices to ensure efficient operations while maintaining comfort and safety for students and staff.

Discussion / Board Action

• The Board voted to approve a Resolution authorizing the nomination of Mr. Mike Alfred to serve as Director of the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors.
• Trustees approved a resolution declaring approximately 14.78 acres at 2400 North Carroll Avenue (Old Dragon Stadium) as surplus District property, authorizing the District to proceed with the sale process.
• Following that approval, the Board approved an Intent to Sell and Right of First Refusal Agreement with the City of Southlake for that property and authorized the Board President to execute related documents. Read the full statement here.
• Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution establishing “Protect The Tradition” as the official district slogan, affirming Carroll ISD’s continued commitment to excellence, unity, and pride across the Dragon community.
• The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Carroll ISD and 1956 Pizza to formalize a community partnership. This non-exclusive agreement provides an alternative food service option at Carroll Senior High School while establishing an additional revenue source for the District.
• Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Gina Peddy presented updates to the 2026-2027 Academic Planning Guide and Grading Guidelines, including new high school course offerings designed to expand student opportunities. Trustees approved the updated guide and related proposals.
  • New offerings include Advanced Journalism courses and AP Business courses to include Personal Finance, Cybersecurity, and Aviation.

Thank you for following our Board meetings. You may view supporting links below.

• President's Report [VIDEO]
• President's Report [TEXT]
• November 3, 2025 School Board Special Workshop Meeting [FULL VIDEO]

Below, you'll find an important recap from the October 20 meeting.

Recognitions
The Board began the evening by celebrating outstanding Dragon accomplishments:

• National Merit Semifinalists - The Board recognized 32 Carroll Senior High School students, who have been named National Merit Semifinalists.
• Campuses of the Month - Durham Intermediate School (Principal Whitney Wheeler) and Eubanks Intermediate School (Principal Katie Schuttler) were honored for their collaborative excellence and dedication to student success.
• #InspireExcellence Teachers of the Month - We celebrated our October Inspire Excellence award recipients: Johnson Elementary School 3rd grade teacher Katie Hannan and Carroll Senior High School math teacher Michael Flores.
• #InspireExcellence Employee of the Month - We also recognized our Inspire Excellence Employee of the month, Walnut Grove librarian Michele Capello.
• Dragon Super Substitute of the Month - Our Dragon Super Substitute honorees were Angie Hodges from Eubanks Intermediate School and Allyson Davis from Durham Intermediate School.
• Carroll Elementary School Principal Stacy Wagnon - Recognized for her leadership as Carroll Elementary was named “Best Elementary School in Texas.”
• Carroll Business Academy Student Career Leap Team - As part of the CBA Entrepreneur 1 class, students created an innovative app using VR technology to help peers explore career paths. Their idea won top honors at Pitch Fest, earning a $3,000 grant from the Carroll Business Academy Boosters, which was presented by Executive Director Julie Morrow.

President's Report

Board President Cam Bryan reminded the community that early voting is now underway ahead of Election Day on November 4, which includes the Board of Trustees Place 3 race and Proposition A, the Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). If passed, Prop A would generate about $4 million annually to support teachers and staff, without increasing the overall tax rate, as the Board has already adopted a rate nearly four cents lower than last year’s and below the No New Revenue rate. He also highlighted the $2,000 employee stipend contingent on Prop A’s passage and upcoming pay schedule adjustments aimed at bringing all staff to at least 95% of market value. 

President Bryan invited the community to attend the final two VATRE Town Halls on October 21 and the State of the District presentation on October 22, provided updates on BRAC Tiger Team II discussions, and commended the Southlake Young Men’s Service League Class of 2027 for more than 2,500 service hours.

Superintendent's Report

Dr. Jeremy Glenn shared October highlights, including a special congratulations to Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Riley Dodge on his 100th career win, a testament not only to his leadership but also to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaching staff. Dr. Glenn also celebrated successful tennis and water polo seasons, noting how proud we are of how they continue to represent CISD across the state.

Finally, he thanked our community for attending VATRE town halls, whose participation, questions, and thoughtful engagement help make our District stronger. Dr. Glenn also encouraged our community to attend the upcoming State of the District event - a significant opportunity to hear directly from our administration and Board of Trustees about where we’re at as a district, where we’re headed, and the key initiatives that will shape our future. He expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees, whose continued transparency and accessibility reflect a genuine desire to keep our community informed and engaged.

Informational Presentations

Child Nutrition Services Donation Account
Director Dana Dodge provided an update on donations supporting student meal programs. Anyone wanting to donate to the “Angel Fund” account for students facing hardship and in need of school meals is encouraged to fill out this form or email Dana Dodge.

TEA School Security Audit

Assistant Superintendent of Administration Brian Nickel presented an update on Carroll ISD’s recent TEA District Vulnerability Assessment. This assessment included a review of CISD’s documentation of policies and procedures, as well as a comprehensive, on-site review of District facilities, emergency practices, and campus documentation. The review focused on both physical security and operational preparedness. 

The District received initial positive feedback highlighting:

• Strong leadership commitment to safety
• Well-trained staff
• Effective communication systems
• Visible security presence and a strong partnership with the Southlake Police Department
• Several systems operating above state standards

President Bryan commended campus principals, assistant principals, and security and facilities teams for their diligence and teamwork, noting that Carroll ISD has successfully passed the last three years of TEA security audits for all elementary, intermediate, and middle school campuses. He offered special thanks to Principals Lewis and Holladay for their proactive efforts to strengthen safety measures at Carroll Senior High School and Carroll High School ahead of their upcoming audits.

Human Resources Report

Executive Director of Human Resources Melanie Kibodeaux shared the department’s annual staffing report, highlighting recruitment and retention initiatives. Dr. Glenn and President Bryan discussed the nature of reduced department sizes relative to the size of the District due to budget challenges, but commended Ms. Kibodeux’s leadership and experience in the HR department.

Kibodeaux outlined the following key staffing highlights:

• The District employs 1,085 total employees
• Background checking for all employees (DPS & FBI “gold standard” systems)
• Average teacher salary is $68,125
• The number of contract employees has been reduced from 35 two years ago to now just one (a significant labor cost savings)
• The District averaged over 58 applications per week during peak hiring season
• The District is using no classroom waivers, which would increase the student to teacher ratio
• Positive feedback on the new, more streamlined onboarding process for new employees

Facilities Initiative: "Take Pride in Our Facilities"

Executive Director of Communications Jeff Brady presented the District’s new Campus Beautification Plan, outlining a phased approach to enhancing the exterior appearance of our campuses - beginning with elementary schools. The initiative includes a detailed timeline and partnership framework that will engage campus and student organizations, community members, and local sponsors and partners in collaborative improvement projects. The effort will culminate in a districtwide “CISD Serves” Day this spring, celebrating community pride and collective service. Additional details will be shared in the coming months.

2026-27 Academic Planning Guide and Grading Guidelines

Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Gina Peddy presented the Academic Planning Guide and outlined proposed updates, including new course offerings to expand student learning opportunities.

These initiatives included:

• Removal of zero attendance classes
• Streamlining of math class offerings
• Increase of AP class offerings
• Consolidation of appropriate courses
• Addition of Journalism courses for more advanced training in a popular field
• Recommendation for addition of AP CTE courses
• Addition of an aviation program
• Changes to Economics courses per TEA requirement

Fall 2025 Acquisition of Instructional Materials

Peddy also detailed plans for new instructional and library resources to support classroom instruction as presented by Gina Peddy.

Discussion / Board Action

The Board approved the 2025-2026 District and Campus Improvement Plans.

Consent Agenda Approvals

Finally, the Board approved generous donations from the following organizations:

• Johnson Elementary School PTO, $58,140
• Dawson Middle School PTSO, $16,993
• AP Boosters Club, $5,613
• Southlake Association for Gift and Talented Booster Club, $19,357
• Carroll High School PTO, $16,651

Thank you for following our Board meetings. Please see important supporting links for the October 20 Regular Board Meeting below.

• President's Report [VIDEO]
• President's Report [TEXT]
• August 18, 2025 Regular Board Meeting [FULL VIDEO]

Below, you'll find an important recap from the September 22 meeting.

Recognitions

The Board began the evening by celebrating several outstanding Dragons:

• Campus of the Month: Carroll Elementary School, Principal Stacy Wagnon
• Inspire Excellence Teachers of the Month: Tammy Koh (Walnut Grove Elementary School) & Monica Young (Durham Intermediate School)
• Inspire Excellence Employee of the Month: Saba Rauf (Financial Services)
• Dragon Super Substitute of the Month: Taylor Luther

President's Report

Board President Cam Bryan announced that Carroll ISD has received a donation of Ten Commandments displays from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. These posters, provided in compliance with Senate Bill 10, will be placed in every classroom across the district. He also reminded the community about the upcoming November 4 Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), encouraging parents and citizens to attend one of several School Finance Town Halls to learn more about the financial future of Carroll ISD. In addition, President Bryan highlighted the first meeting of the BRAC Tiger Team II, which is charged with analyzing strategies for Carroll ISD’s five-year budget reduction plan.

Superintendent's Report

Dr. Jeremy Glenn commended Dragons across academics, athletics, and fine arts. He celebrated Carroll ISD’s recent “A” accountability rating from TEA, with all campuses earning an “A” designation, and recognized 32 National Merit Semifinalists. In athletics, he praised the Dragon football team’s top state ranking, as well as volleyball, water polo, and cross country programs competing at championship levels. He also recognized fine arts achievements, including the Dragon Band’s debut of new uniforms and the Carroll Senior High production of Mamma Mia!

Informational Presentation

Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Gina Peddy presented the 2025–2026 District and Campus Improvement Plans, outlining goals and strategies to support student success across all campuses.

Discussion / Board Action

• Executive Director of Human Resources Melanie Kibodeaux presented a recommendation to provide employee retention stipends, contingent on the successful passage of the Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) on November 4. The Board voted yes unanimously to approve this recommendation. Please take a moment to read the full press release about this approval.
• Assistant Superintendent for Administration Brian Nickel presented recommendations for local policy updates related to recently-passed legislation during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. The Board also voted unanimously to approve of these policy changes, which ensure compliance with Texas law.
• Trustees also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Texas Woman’s University for the Distinguished High School Partnership and Dual Credit opportunities.

Consent Agenda Approvals

Finally, the Board approved generous donations from the Carroll Athletic Booster Club, Carroll Middle School PTSO, and Emerald Belles Booster Club.

Thank you for staying up to date with our Board meetings! Please check below for additional resources from the September 22, 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

• President's Report [VIDEO]
• President's Report [TEXT]
• September 22, 2025 Regular Board Meeting [FULL VIDEO]
• View The VATRE Town Hall Schedule Here

President's Report

Board President Cam Bryan opened the meeting with a statement addressing the murder of Charlie Kirk, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, as well as recent school violence in Colorado and Minnesota. He emphasized that these tragedies are a reminder of the Board’s responsibility to ensure Carroll ISD classrooms remain safe environments for learning and growth. President Bryan stressed that protecting students is not about politics, but about courage and leadership, and that the Board will continue to defend students boldly and consistently while strengthening safety measures in partnership with parents and local law enforcement.

Following the President’s remarks, Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn outlined several of the robust steps the district has already taken to enhance safety across campuses, reinforcing the District’s proactive approach to student protection.

President Bryan also reminded the community about the November 4 Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). He encouraged parents and community members to attend one or more of the upcoming School Finance Town Hall meetings, where district leaders will provide facts, answer questions, and offer opportunities for open dialogue about what the VATRE means for students, programs, and staff.

Presentations to the Board

• Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) Board of Directors: No nominations were made for CISD’s allotted votes on the TAD Board of Directors. President Bryan invited nominees to address the CISD Board at the September 22 Regular Board Meeting, with trustees scheduled to cast their votes at a future meeting.
• Curriculum & Instruction Department Report: Executive Director Gina Peddy presented a report highlighting the department’s current work and upcoming initiatives supporting classroom instruction and student learning.
• Employee Retention Stipend & Salary Schedules: Executive Director of Human Resources Melanie Kibodeaux provided an update on retention stipends and district salary schedules, outlining how CISD is working to remain competitive in teacher and staff compensation. 
• Local Policy Updates: Assistant Superintendent of Administration Brian Nickel presented updates to multiple local policies. Trustees received the information for review; no action was taken.

Board Approvals

The Board unanimously approved three important items:

• Methodist Health System-Carroll ISD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): This agreement will allow Carroll Medical Academy students to participate in clinical rotations at Methodist Health System facilities, strengthening real-world learning opportunities for students pursuing health science careers.
• 2025-2026 Employee Handbook: Updates were approved for district staff policies and procedures, as presented by the Human Resources Department.
• 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook: Trustees approved updates to student expectations, policies, and procedures for the 2025-26 school year, as presented by Administration.

Looking Ahead

Please take a few minutes to review resources from the Board Special Workshop so you can stay informed:

• President's Report [VIDEO]
• President's Report [TEXT]
• August 18, 2025 Regular Board Meeting [FULL VIDEO]
• View The VATRE Town Hall Schedule Here

President's Report

Board President Cam Bryan provided an update on the district’s financial planning efforts, including:

• The Board’s consideration of calling a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) for November 4, 2025. This funding measure was recommended by the BRAC Tiger Team to help address the District’s projected budget deficit while preserving CISD programs, staff compensation, and student services.
• Announcement on the formation of a second BRAC Tiger Team to begin meeting this fall to prioritize next steps in implementing the District’s five-year financial plan.
• The Board once again adopted a tax rate lower than last year’s and below the no-new-revenue rate for the second consecutive year, continuing a five-year trend of significantly lowering the district’s tax rate.
• Reminder about the special election to fill the Place 3 Trustee seat (expiring May 2026). Candidates who filed by the August 18 deadline are Mandy Reece and Scott Martindale.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn shared that Carroll ISD has had a strong, successful start to the new school year. He also reported that the District’s new cell phone policy has been implemented smoothly, and noted that through budget planning and reduction efforts, every program across the District has sustained cuts in order to balance resources. He noted efforts are underway to ease some of the concerns within the Speech and Debate program.

Recognitions

The Board recognized HOSA State Leadership Conference 1st Place Winner in Sports Medicine, Nethra Tummalapalli, presented by Alli Loften. Nethra was awarded for her work in Heath Sciences.

Presentations to the Board

• A Public Hearing was held to discuss and adopt the 2025-26 Proposed Tax Rate. 

• A Public Hearing was also held to present the results of the District’s Efficiency Audit. Audit highlights, along with the complete audit can be found here.

• Updates were provided on the 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, and Draft Employee Handbook.

Board Approvals

• The Board approved the proposed 2025-26 tax rate of $0.9294, a total rate that is more than 3-cents lower than the 2024-25 rate.
• The Board voted unanimously to call a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election, to be held on November 4, 2025.
• The Board approved an order directing the defeasance of approximately $10 million, resulting in a balanced I&S budget and continuing to pay debt at an expedited rate.
• The Board approved the sale of surplus property.
• Finally, the Board approved donations from the Dragon Baseball Booster Club for the purpose of travel for the baseball team, the Dragon Cheer Booster Club for Dragon Cheer coaches, and the North Texas Nadadores Parent Club in order to fund the purchase of a new scoreboard at the Elise Cerami Aquatics center.

Looking Ahead

Please take a few minutes to review resources from this month's Regular Board Meeting so you can stay informed:

• President's Report [VIDEO]
• President's Report [TEXT]
• August 18, 2025 Regular Board Meeting [FULL VIDEO]
• Carroll ISD VATRE Announcement [TEXT]