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1996-11-25 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 25,1996 COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY HALL 5:30 P.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Councilmembers 1 Bob Phelps Bill Moses Calla Davis Ron Pyle Charlie Bird Berry Grubbs The following members of the City Administration were present: City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Secretary Communication Director Recording Secretary Richard L. Escalante Linda Tidwell-Groomer John Burke John Boyle Cindee Peters Donna Huerta Suzanne Reynolds Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of November 25,1996 to order at 5:30 P.M. The meeting was recorded. 1. DISCUSS ISSUES RELATED TO THE CARROLLTON/FARMERS BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDANCE ZONE AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY. Mayor Phelps stated the Council met in Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss issues related to the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District attendance zone, but no action was taken. Mayor Phelps explained that the Executive Session was continued until the close of the regular meeting. Mayor Phelps explained the meeting was called for public discussion about the findings of the consultant, IDRA, concerning the attendance zones for high schools. Mayor Phelps stated although there is an upward trend in test scores in the school district, he is personally worried that if the attendance Volume 73, page 37 zones proposed are adopted, the situation will only get worse. Mayor Phelps explained he wants open dialogue with the school district to continue. Mayor Phelps welcomed School Board Member Michael Morgan to the meeting and thanked him for taking time out to attend. Mayor Phelps stated the last few days, the communication between City officials and school officials has been very good and some had even participated in a retreat sponsored by the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Phelps opened the floor for discussion from the audience. Mr. James Paul Walden, 3334 Rolling Knoll, asked a question about how much the school district spends per student. Mr. Walden stated he believed it was $4,500 per student per year. Mr. Walden proposed the magnet school and open enrollment concept be considered as in the Garland Independent School District. Mr. Walden stated although the Garland High School is primarily lower income, officials have made the school an academy, one of very few in the state, to attract high quality students. Mr. Walden also added the Garland School District allows students to choose which of the six high schools they wish to attend. Mr. Walden added the most important issue is educating our kids, not the numbers. Mr. Walden stated special education classes cost money. Mr. Walden stated many people are choosing private schools. Mr. Walden stated the north Carrollton high school will happen, it's just a matter of time, whether we like it or not. Mr. Walden stated if we continue to make bad decisions, the situation will only worsen. Mr. Walden challenged the City Council and the School Board to put an end to the problem. Mrs. Nancy Fromme, 14444 Valley Hi, stated although her two daughters are now 29 and 31, she remembers going through these same issues years ago. Mrs. Fromme stated she is concerned about the issue because of what affect it could have on her property values. Mrs. Fromme stated she wrote a speech for PTA in 1974 and the issues were the same. Mrs. Fromme stated the people in the southern part of the district had to fight for the academic crumbs left over from the northern part of the district. Mayor Phelps stated "perception" has caused the problem and realtors pass that perception on to home buyers. Mayor Phelps felt if you say it long enough, you start to believe it. Mr. Dave Blair, 3324 Gatwick Place, stated he wanted to commend the City Council for taking their position on this issue and maintaining a relationship Volume 73, page 38 with the school district, especially concerning the high schools. Mr. Blair stated even though this issue is governed by another body, the City and Council need to be concerned. Mr. Blair stated this is not a new issue, it goes back to last year. Mr. Blair stated the problem today is where and how to divide the attendance zones. Mr. Blair stated it would be foolish to abandon any of the current sites. Mr. Blair stated the study points out that (1) a Global Technology Academy School for R.L. Turner would be very good, it would resolve some of the boundary line issues; (2) the west high school built prior to the north high school would also help dramatically. Mr. Blair stated this would resolve some of the problems in Las Colinas. Mr. Blair stated the study points out students have a lower level of educational achievement when they are economically disadvantaged. Mr. Blair urged the Council to take action to the end and as a last resort, pursue a lawsuit. Mr. Jim Barrett, 3411 Gatwick, thanked the City Council for spending so much time on this issue. Mr. Barrett stated he is concerned about the north high school being constructed. Mr. Barrett stated if the north high school is constructed it complicates the situation for residents of Farmers Branch. Mr. Barrett stated he would like to know what is being spent for teachers in the southern section of the district as opposed to the salaries of teachers in the northern section of the district. Mr. Barrett stated if the plan is approved, classes such as English as a Second Language (ESL) would be offered in the southern section as opposed to gifted and talented classes in the northern section of the district. Mr. Barrett stated the north high school is a mistake and the west high school should be constructed first. Mr. Barrett stated the district began public discussion on this issue last year. Mr. Barrett stated they were told their comments would be taken into consideration; however, there was not much room for discussion. Mrs. Pat Edminston, 14125 Tanglewood, stated she is a graduate of Carrollton High School and has lived in Farmers Branch for a long time. Ms. Edminston stated her husband is a former school board member and felt the ball is in the school district's court. Mrs. Edminston stated she is irritated the school district gave her only three minutes to speak on this issue after paying school taxes for many years. Mrs. Edminston asked City Attorney John Boyle if the state or federal government mandates the number of minorities attending one school. Volume 73, page 39 City Attorney Boyle stated no. Mr. Michael Morgan, School Board Member, 3308 Gatwick Place, stated he appreciates the opportunity to speak. Mr. Morgan stated this problem is not just a Farmers Branch problem. Mr. Morgan stated with apartments and low income housing found in all areas of the district, the entire school district will experience what R. L. Turner is experiencing today. Mr. Morgan stated demographics are changing rapidly throughout and even those in Las Colinas would surprise most people. Mr. Morgan stated typically more is spent on lower income kids. Mr. Morgan stated with the exception of the Park Cities, all school districts are concerned with lower income students. Mr. Morgan stated we all support education. Mr. Morgan stated as for the study, "perceptions" bothered him the most. Mr. Morgan explained the focus groups showed that perception is something people think is important. Mr. Morgan attested the school district does a better job than other communities in promoting the schools. Mr. Morgan stated the accusations that someone has not done their job, or has done a bad job must stop. Mr. Morgan stated the entire study has a negative approach to solutions and the school district, and the School Board has examined many of the options addressed by this study. Mr. Morgan stated the insinuation that the School Board has not considered many options is wrong. Mr. Morgan stated as for the study's insinuation that minority involvement was absent, IDRA was obviously not at the public hearings. Mr. Morgan stated minorities were present and did speak up. Mr. Morgan stated there has been explosive growth in the school district and possibly 4,000 new students could enroll in the district in the next 3-4 years, which is equivalent to a new elementary school every year. Mr. Morgan stated there is an on-going effort to deal with growth. Mr. Morgan stated busing would worsen the problem. Mr. Morgan stated the study did accurately show that this school district has made significant gains in educating the at risk population while still raising the standards for everyone. Mr. Morgan stated the district can provide technology classes. Mr. Morgan stated those who took the tour of R. L. Turner last month saw low income and minority students using computers. Mrs. Carol Dingman, 13223 Glad Acres, asked Mr. Morgan if the school board has looked at the magnet school idea for R. L. Turner. Volume 73, page 40 Mr. Morgan stated it has been discussed but no decisions have been made. Mr. Morgan stated it is a viable alternative, but at this time it is only a consideration. Mr. Brian Harding, 14466 Tanglewood, asked if there is any chance the school board will consider building the west high school now even though the north high school construction has begun. Mr. Morgan replied that it is not likely. Mr. John Tepper, School Board Member, 1400 Harmony, Carrollton, introduced himself and said he was available for questions. Mrs. Dingman stated again she was surprised and pleased this meeting was called to gather comments, however, the small representation of the community concerned her. Mrs. Dingman stated there should be a partnership between the City of Farmers Branch and the City of Carrollton and an outreach into the community to get minorities involved. Mrs. Edminston stated she would like to see an anonymous teacher-wide survey of perception done, so that teachers could participate without fear of losing their jobs. Mr. Morgan stated teacher input has been a vital part of the process and Mr. Tepper has offered to hold meetings outlining the process the district went through to determine the locations of the high schools. Councilman Pyle thanked school board members Mr. Morgan and Mr. Tepper, for attending the meeting and apologized to them for putting them on the "hot seat." Councilman Pyle stated this was not the intention of the meeting and the citizens who spoke made some good points. Councilman Pyle stated the study pointed out some very positive trends made by the school district, but at the same time brought forward some negative trends and numbers that surprised everyone. Councilman Pyle stated there were only 11 interested citizens here tonight and we all need to make our opinions known by letters or phone calls. Councilman Pyle stated the school board made the best decision based on their data, but there is new data now. Councilwoman Davis also thanked school board members Mr. Morgan and Mr. Tepper for attending. Councilwoman Davis asked to have more dialogue _between the School Board and the City Council and have more community involvement before decisions are made. Councilwoman Davis stressed the City does not want the issue to get into litigation. Councilwoman Davis stated the ultimate goal is to get the best education for Volume 73, page 41 kids. Mr. Morgan stated in late spring the School Board began the process of gathering input to make those decisions and the City of Farmers Branch did not get involved until late summer. Mr. Morgan stated on January 19th the School Board plans to consider recommendations and on December 5th there is a study session to discuss the matter. Mr. Morgan stated School Board member Mr. Tepper will host a meeting to address the decision making process. Mr. Morgan stated they are not locked in, but deadlines must be set. Mayor Phelps stated more people would have been notified about this meeting, but the school district's deadline of November 22 for the study results did not permit that. Mr. Tepper stated dialogue is necessary, but there are over 21,000 students, of which 7,000 or will be high students when the new school opens. Mr. Tepper stated that the estimated number of future high school students is 1,800 students over capacity for high school space at this time. Mr. Morgan stated there could be flexibility on the boundaries, but not on the physical limitations. Mr. Morgan stated at the community meetings the school district held, less than 1 /2 percent of the parents attended. Mr. Morgan agrees that more citizen participation is needed. MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE 4:30 P.M. SPECIAL STUDY SESSION. MAYOR PHELPS RECESSED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:35 P.M. FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN RECONVENED INTO GENERAL SESSION. THE DISCUSSION BEGAN AT 4:35 P.M., WAS RECESSED AT 5:35 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 7:10 P.M. AND CONCLUDED AT 7:45 P.M.. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. E.1 a DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 1. DISCUSS POTENTIAL LITIGATION RELATED TO THE CARROLLTON- FARMERS BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDANCE ZONE ISSUE. Volume 73, page 42 City Attorney John Boyle and Attorney James Deatherage gave extensive information to the City Council concerning potential litigation with the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. E.2 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Phelps reported that City Attorney John Boyle and Attorney James Deatherage gave information concerning the school attendance zone issue. F.1 ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilman Pyle, a second by Councilwoman Davis, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of November 25, 1996 at 7:45 p.m. Mayor t' J 4 ~t City Secretary Volume 73, page 43