FBISD calls for VATRE for November |
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The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees at its Monday night meeting approved a resolution calling for a November tax rate election that would provide competitive wages for the district’s teachers.
The tax rate election, known as a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election or VATRE, will take place on November 7, 2023. Funds provided by the district’s successful bond election in May, by law, cannot be used to pay teachers or other staff such as bus drivers, librarians, nurses and counselors.
An approved VATRE would have a $0 impact on property taxes for those with over 65 or disability exemptions unless they have made new improvements to their residence such as an addition or pool.
Click the image above to watch a video message from Dr. Whitbeck.
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FBISD Board set priorities for funds generated by a successful tax rate election
The November 7 election, known as a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election or VATRE, will provide $35 million for the district to afford competitive wages for FBISD teachers.
By law, funds provided by the district’s successful bond election in May cannot be used to pay teachers or other staff salaries, such as bus drivers, librarians, nurses and counselors.
Priorities set by the board to improve pay for all staff in the district are:
- $2,500 teacher raises and a differentiated teacher step scale to reward and retain teachers with raises as high as $7,000 for teachers with 25 years of experience or more
- increase police officer pay by $5,742 to compete with other agencies
- $2,500 raises for librarians, nurses and counselors
- increase bus driver and teacher aide pay by $1.50 an hour
- increase auxiliary staff and non-classroom paraprofessionals’ pay by $1 an hour
- 3% midpoint pay increases for principals, district directors and business professionals
- add armed, uniformed security at all elementary schools to fulfill a statewide legislative mandate signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott
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Fort Bend ISD celebrates the 40th anniversary of the opening of Clements High School
District leaders, former staff and alumni celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of Fort Bend ISD’s Clements High School.
The district’s third high school opened in 1983 and was named after Texas Governor William P. Clements.
Plans are currently underway to rebuild the 40-year-old campus, which has major structural issues. The rebuild was approved by voters in the 2023 bond election held earlier this year.
The new campus will be located on the site of the current campus. The Clements rebuild will be executed in phases, while the current campus remains occupied.
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Burlington marks new store opening with surprise $5,000 donation to FBISD's Rosa Parks Elementary
Burlington Stores marked the opening of its new location in Missouri City today with a surprise $5,000 donation to Fort Bend ISD’s Rosa Parks Elementary School.
The donation was given in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, a non-profit organization that supports teachers and students.
The $5,000 will be used by Rosa Parks’ teachers for classroom supplies and materials available through AdoptAClassroom’s online marketplace that features 30 office supply and school vendors.
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Fort Bend ISD's Shared Dreams program celebrates 35 years of fulfilling students' needs
Fort Bend ISD’s Shared Dreams program is celebrating 35 years of fulfilling the needs of students and their families across the district that require assistance with clothing, food, shoes, school supplies and toiletries.
What is Shared Dreams?
Shared Dreams was created in 1988 to provide basic everyday items to Fort Bend ISD students – provisions that help remove barriers and enable children and their families to have a less stressful school experience.
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September 13 - Mental Health is for Everyone (Parent Webinar)
As we work to normalize and identify emotional challenges across cultures the district is focusing on support through campus-based services to address those needs and challenges.
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Fort Bend ISD’s Whole Child Health Initiative is committed to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of all students in the district. Students are best equipped and inspired to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine when these needs and skills are met and developed. FBISD offers a variety of health services and supports for students, staff and their families.
Whole Child Health Initiative will continue its monthly webinar series this school year, now offering resources to both parents and students. Each seminar will focus on a different area of health, and all are aligned to the district’s mission to support the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of students in FBISD. Visit the Whole Child Health Initiative online to find out more, and to access the previous webinars.
The hour-long seminars will be virtual and no registration is needed to participate. All seminars will begin at 6 p.m.
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District to hold September 19 hiring event
Registration is open for Fort Bend ISD’s September 19 hiring event as the district continues to recruit qualified candidates to lead and support instruction.
“Touchdown for Top Talent” will be held from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the James Reese Career and Technical Center (12300 University Blvd, Sugar Land, 77479).
During this event, Fort Bend ISD will specifically seek:
- Instructional Aides
- Instructional Apprentices
- Certified Teachers
- Librarians and Nurses
- Extended Learning, Facilities, Transportation and Child Nutrition staff
Hiring managers from various campuses and departments will be present to meet with candidates, and interviews may occur on site.
Candidates are encouraged to view job openings and apply for positions of interest prior to attending the September 19 hiring event.
While this event is targeted at specific positions, Fort Bend ISD offers career opportunities in many different job areas. Visit www.fortbendisd.com/careers to learn more.
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Families are invited to fall festival and carnival, designed for children with special needs
Clements High School's National Honor Society and The Arc of Fort Bend will host its fall festival and carnival on September 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is designed specially for children with special needs. The free event is open to the public. The event will include games and prizes, as well as a resource fair for parents.
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FBISD Small Business Enterprise Program to host next virtual focus group on September 27
Fort Bend ISD’s Small Business Enterprise Program (SBEP) will host its next virtual vendor focus group on Wednesday, September 27, beginning at 2 p.m.
This event is open to all small businesses and vendors interested in doing business with the district.
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Become a mentor and make an impact in the upcoming school year!
Community members are invited to apply to mentor students during the 2023-24 school year. Mentors meet with their assigned student once a week for 30 minutes, to read and provide much-needed support, either face-to-face or virtually.
Contact FBISD's Department of Collaborative Communities at collaborativecommunities@fortbendisd.com or (281) 634-1109 for more information.
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FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS: SchooLinks has replaced Naviance
SchooLinks is the district's new college readiness platform, designed to help students discover their interests and strength, explore colleges and careers, order transcripts, find and apply for scholarships, and request letters of recommendations.
All high school students must complete their onboarding by August 31. The steps for completion are listed below.
- Login to SchooLinks: Log into FBISD 1Link, then Clever, then search for SchooLinks.
- Click "Let's Go" on the Onboarding screen and complete "Find Your Path."
- View your results.
- Be sure to set up a phone number for text message alerts.
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Pre-K slots still available, free to many families
Fort Bend ISD’s highly rated pre-K program has slots available for immediate enrollment at 10 of its campuses. Many parents may qualify to enroll their child for free.
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Income-eligible families may receive $30 off monthly internet bills, $100 off laptop purchases
The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program is currently providing income-eligible families with $30 discounts on their monthly internet bills and a one-time $100 discount on the price of laptops and tablets.
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Application for free and reduced-price school meals for 2023-24 school year now open
As a reminder, the application for free and reduced-priced meals for the 2023-24 school year is now open.
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FBISD Board of Trustees Upcoming Meetings |
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The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees will host an upcoming meeting on:
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September 11 - Agenda Review Workshop, 6 p.m.
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September 14 - Special Called Meeting: Teambuilding, 5 p.m.
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September 18 - Regular Business Meeting, 6 p.m.
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Fort Bend Education Foundation Announcements |
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