CHISD Superintendent says Academic Excellence Up, Tax Rate Down Over 4 Years

CHISD HIGH TECH STATE OF DISTRICT ADDRESS

The Texas Education Agency ratings for Cedar Hill schools have increased since the 2006-2007 school year. Then CHISD had 2 exemplary schools, 3 recognized schools, 7 acceptable schools and one unacceptable school. Now CHISD has 3 exemplary schools, 7 recognized schools and 4 acceptable schools.

CHISD has 418 more students and the budget has grown by $3.4 million dollars, but Mr. Williams demonstrated that the school district had been a good steward of the taxpayer's money. "I bet you didn't realize that your tax rate had dropped 34 cents from $1.74 to $1.40 during the past 4 years," Williams said. He had the audience make use of the calculator to figure out that Cedar Hill taxpayers are paying $4.74 cents an hour to educate each student. "You can't get good daycare for that price or even a sandwich at a restaurant," Mr. Williams explained.

The chamber members then got to experience first hand some of the technology that is being used in Cedar Hill classrooms. Members at each table worked collaboratively in teams to answer questions electronically using a SMART board student response system. Brian Ward, Instructional Coordinator for English Language Arts stood at a SMART board and could tell instantly which tables had the right answers. "This type of classroom experience allows students to work together like you would in an office and learn problem solving skills," said Mr. Ward.

Mr. Williams explained that the district was doing more than acquiring technology to develop 21st century students in Cedar Hill. He described a strings program throughout the elementary schools that was expanding to the upper grades and would be developed into a full-fledged high school orchestra in a few years. Mr. Williams also touted the robotics program and said a mandarin Chinese program would soon be started at Bessie Coleman as the district continued its goal of providing a world-class education. Now that the yearlong strategic plan has been completed by a group of educators and community members, the district has a road map of other actions that can be taken to reach that goal.

"We are running out of space in our elementary schools and there is a waiting list for the Collegiate High School so we will have to talk about the necessity of a bond election and a tax rate increase to continue educating our students for the 21st century."

Cedar Hill ISD by the numbers:

2006-2007 2009-2010
TEA Ratings 2 Exemplary schools 3 Exemplary schools
3 Recognized 7 Recognized
7 Acceptable 4 Acceptable
1 Unacceptable

Collegiate High School wasn't in existence in 2006 and has an Exemplary rating.

AYP federal rating Missed AYP Met AYP

Budget $52.9 million $56.3 million
Fund Balance $14.9 million $15.3 million
Tax Rate $1.74 $1.40
Bond Rating A- AA-