Officials Study New Bond Issue

By Jessamy Brown, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

Mar. 12–Many Carroll educators want school district officials to ask voters a second time for bond funds for computers and other instructional technology, a district survey showed.

Administrators conducted the survey after the Feb. 3 failure of a $19.5 million bond proposal for instructional technology needs. In response, 254 Carroll educators agreed that the district should create a new bond package. Only 18 employees disagreed.

The educators were also asked which pieces of technology they were least likely to use. Items deemed least necessary were digital cameras, digital scanners and interactive writing devices. The employees said they were more likely to use student computers, printers and teacher laptops.

Carroll officials are also conducting community meetings to find out why the proposition was defeated, and the district is accepting comments by e-mail.

The employees listed several reasons that voters rejected the bond proposal, including the belief that some items were not necessary, a lack of understanding about outdated computers, concern about taxes and a vocal campaign by an opposition group.

Superintendent’s degree

Carroll Superintendent David J. Faltys is officially going from “mister” to “doctor,” but many people have started using his new title already.

Faltys, who started work Jan. 3 after a four-month search for a district leader, has finished the requirements for a doctoral degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University in College Station, Carroll officials announced.

Faltys has filed to be a spring 2006 graduate, said Donald Carter, university registrar. Commencement is May 12.

Faltys, 42, performed most of the coursework for the education degree while serving as superintendent at Navasota schools, including a dissertation on school bond elections. He is working with Carroll officials to set goals, identify needs and collect community comments after the Feb. 3 defeat of a $19.5 million bond proposal, officials said. Voters did approve a $24.5 million proposition for building additions and renovations, long-term maintenance projects and security needs.

Event is slated for May 20

Parent University, a series of classes taught by Carroll administrators and teachers, has been rescheduled for May 20.

The event was postponed from Feb. 18 so that Carroll educators could attend the funeral of a retired colleague. The spring sessions are scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon at Dawson Middle School, 400 S. Kimball Ave., Southlake.

Topics for the session will be posted on the district’s Web site.

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Jessamy Brown covers Carroll schools. (817) 685-3876 jessamybrown@star-telegram.com

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