Fort Worth ISD trustees approved $56M in spending this September. Here’s what they bought

The Fort Worth ISD school board approved nearly $56 million in new spending during its Sept. 24 meeting.

Among the biggest items trustees approved included more than $43 million for the Maudrie M. Walton Elementary School replacement campus, $3 million for the installment of play clocks at Herman Clark Stadium and Farrington Field, and more than $2 million to complete renovations at South Hills High School. Trustees also approved a $28 million budget amendment.

Here’s what else trustees approved: 

Budget amendment for carry-forward purchase orders

• What is it? Trustees moved $28 million out of the district’s reserve funds, represented by last year’s budget, and allocated it to the district’s 2024-25 general fund budget. FWISD embarked on several major projects during the 2023-24 fiscal year. In order to maintain the planned budget for 2024-25, the district requested $21.9 million for general fund carry-forward purchase orders. Also, this amendment included a request for additional funding totaling $6.2 million for textbooks, roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, contingency for enterprise resource planning and an increase in the payment to the Tarrant Appraisal District. The district’s 2023-24 budget now has a $45.7 million deficit, as trustees carried over funds earmarked in reserves from last year’s budget.
• What’s the cost? $28,076,882
• Who’s the vendor? Not a purchase
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous

Construction services for Maudrie M. Walton Elementary School replacement campus

• What is it? The district’s 2021 bond approved the construction of a replacement campus for southeast Fort Worth’s Maudrie M. Walton Elementary School. District trustees approved entering into a contract for that construction.
• What’s the cost? Not to exceed $43,164,283
• Who’s the vendor? Con-Real, LP
• Where’s the funding coming from? The district’s 2021 bond
• What was the vote? Unanimous

Installation of play clock timers at Herman Clark Stadium and Farrington Field

• What is it? The installation of new video boards was approved by trustees in 2023, but it was discovered the existing play clocks were not compatible with the newly installed video boards. New play clocks and data cable installation are required to ensure the competition sites are equipped with necessary timing equipment for varsity football games. 
• What’s the cost? $3,038,000
• Who’s the vendor? ScoreVision
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Closing out of contract for renovations at South Hills High School

• What is it? The contractor has completed all work for renovations as required per the terms of their contract for the construction of South Hills High School in southwest Fort Worth. A financial reconciliation of the amount paid to date has been performed by the district.
• What’s the cost? $2,067,890.56
• Who’s the vendor? Steele & Freeman/Post L JV
• Where’s the funding coming from? The district’s 2017 bond
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Renaissance Learning/myON services

• What is it? The use of Renaissance Learning/myON allows Fort Worth ISD to monitor independent reading for comprehension, set and track personalized learning goals, increase volume of reading, deepen knowledge through access to additional text in multiple languages, and create cross-curricular reading opportunities in math, social studies and science, according to the district.
• What’s the cost? $1,107,295.13
• Who’s the vendor? Renaissance Learning/myON
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? 6-3, with trustees Kevin Lynch, Anael Luebanos and Michael Ryan against.

Camera equipment to view exterior doors and portables

• What is it? As certain exterior doors within the district must be unlocked multiple times a day to facilitate traffic during passing and lunch periods, additional cameras are needed to help facilitate the active monitoring of these doors.
• What’s the cost? $761,398.79
• Who’s the vendor? Digi Security Systems
• Where’s the funding coming from? Special revenue fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous

Charter bus services

• What is it? Various departments and schools require charter bus services to shuttle students to college visits, athletic events, out-of-town trips and other events that require the transport of students and staff.
• What’s the cost? Estimated $750,000
• Who’s the vendor? Academy Charters LLC; AJL International; Ash Limousine; Avalon Motor Coaches; Continental Touring Solutions; Cowtown Bus Charters; Dan Dipert Coaches; Durham School Services; Echo Transportation; Freedom Charters and Tours; Game Time Transportation; Imperial Charters LLC; Kerrville Bus Company; Premier Transportation Services LLC; Skyway Charters LLC 
• Where’s the funding coming from? Various funding sources
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Entrance into negotiations with contractor to provide services for Workforce Based High School renovations

• What is it? Furniture, fixtures and equipment is necessary for the planned renovation, addition and new school projects from the 2021 bond, according to the district. The selected firm will be required to provide a “turnkey” service to the district by managing the complete process from product planning, product delivery and product inventory on-site.
• What’s the cost? Not to exceed $660,000
• Who’s the vendor? School Specialty
• Where’s the funding coming from? The district’s 2021 bond
• What was the vote? Unanimous

PSAT, NMSQT and SAT tests

• What is it? The renewal of this agreement will allow students from 8th to 11th grade to challenge the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) through June 2025.
• What’s the cost? Not to exceed $627,200
• Who’s the vendor? College Board
• Where’s the funding coming from? Special revenue fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Advanced Placement, or AP, exams for the 2024-25 school year

• What is it? The Advanced Placement (AP) program is a College Board program offered at all traditional high school sites, academies and collegiate programs with AP eligible grade levels, and two middle school sites offering AP World Language programs. Fort Worth ISD offers all 36 of College Board’s AP course offerings, which come with an exam at its conclusion. Qualifying scores of 3, 4 or 5 create eligibility for college credit or advanced college coursework placement.
• What’s the cost? Estimated $619,999
• Who’s the vendor? College Board
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Contract with Dickies Arena for 2024-25 graduation services

• What is it? Fort Worth ISD will hold graduation ceremonies beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025, and concluding on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Dickies Arena for some high school campuses.
• What’s the cost? $490,000
• Who’s the vendor? Multipurpose Arena Fort Worth d/b/a Trail Drive Management Corp
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Cloud credits for district infrastructure and academic support

• What is it? The district uses cloud credit services for its disaster recovery and business continuity to enhance security, improve accessibility and streamline management of user identities.
• What’s the cost? $430,000
• Who’s the vendor? Cloud Unity LLC
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

School security services for the 2024-25 school year for campuses in Benbrook

• What is it? The district and the city of Benbrook are entering into a contract for the services of four police officers participating in the School Security Initiative at Western Hills High School, Benbrook Middle-High School, Benbrook Elementary School and Westpark Elementary School. The district will pay 50% of all personnel costs.
• What’s the cost? $273,636
• Who’s the vendor? City of Benbrook
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Excess workers’ compensation insurance

• What is it? A Workers’ Compensation Excess Insurance policy is written to indemnify a self-insured employer for workers’ compensation claims exceeding a designated dollar amount.
• What’s the cost? $265,000
• Who’s the vendor? Higginbotham
• Where’s the funding coming from? Internal service fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Testing and repairs for district facility backflow preventers

• What is it? Backflow preventers are crucial for safeguarding against health hazards, according to the district. The city of Fort Worth mandates annual testing of all backflow protection assemblies on commercial properties to prevent contamination of drinking water. 
• What’s the cost? Not to exceed $260,000
• Who’s the vendor? Mr. Backflow LLC dba 1-A Fire & Domestic Testing/ 1-A Services
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Necessary replacement of automated external defibrillator devices

• What is it? A recent audit of the district’s defibrillator spreadsheet noted several devices in need of immediate replacement; it is being requested that a budget be allocated for the necessary replacement of AED devices.
• What’s the cost? $259,384
• Who’s the vendor? FCP Enterprises LLC
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Bidirectional amplifier system for Benbrook Middle-High School

• What is it? The Benbrook Middle-High School campus buildings, as constructed, block radio signals in parts of the building. This poses a severe safety threat to responding police officers and firefighters inside the building. The bidirectional amplifier system is the best remedy to this situation, according to the district.
• What’s the cost? $160,940
• Who’s the vendor? Aerowave
• Where’s the funding coming from? Special revenue
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Purchase of online literacy platform ThinkCERCA

• What is it? The online platform ThinkCERCA enhances students’ literacy skills by providing access to high-quality literary and informational texts. Through its selection of contemporary and classic readings, the program aims to engage students in rigorous academic discourse, promote critical thinking and support the development of analytical writing skills. ThinkCERCA offers personalized and blended learning opportunities, according to the district.
• What’s the cost? $156,632.40
• Who’s the vendor? ThinkCERCA
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Purchase of Hudl, a subscription service for coaches and student athletes to review performance

• What is it? The subscription technology platform provides tools for coaches and athletes to review game footage and improve team play. The platform is also used for video sharing. Specifically, varsity football programs are required to video their contests and share the video with district member schools for the purpose of scouting opponents prior to playing in a scheduled contest.
• What’s the cost? $143,600
• Who’s the vendor? Agile Sports Technologies Inc. d/b/a Hudl 
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Fire alarm and elevator monitoring services

• What is it? These services ensure the continuous and reliable operation of safety equipment and facilitate the detection and resolution of any malfunctions or emergencies. These services also ensure the district complies with all national, state and local fire code regulations. 
• What’s the cost? Not to exceed $116,831.10
• Who’s the vendor? Intrepid Security & Protection
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

District Wi-Fi services

• What is it? A network platform that provides wireless connectivity for staff and student mobile devices for all high school classrooms.
• What’s the cost? $105,679.70
• Who’s the vendor? CDW Government Inc.
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Source/reference and streaming media database for students

• What is it? Databases include articles, essays, primary sources, maps, timelines and videos drawn from a range of authoritative sources. The content area databases include African American History, American History, American Indian History, Ancient and Medieval History, Bloom’s Literature, Curriculum Resource Center, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, Health Reference Center, History Research Center, Modern World History, Science Online and World Geography & Culture Online. 
• What’s the cost? $96,192.14
• Who’s the vendor? Infobase Holdings Inc.
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Firewall hardware and software support

• What is it? The district’s firewall monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic access.
• What’s the cost? $80,805.37
• Who’s the vendor? SHI
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Virtual server environment maintenance and license support

• What is it? The district maintains a virtual network server environment for business systems. The support services requested are needed for regular maintenance. 
• What’s the cost? $78,432
• Who’s the vendor? Sequel Data Systems Inc.
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

District-wide training management system

• What is it? Vector Solutions is the district-wide training management system that provides an online platform of self-paced courses for required compliance training for all personnel.
• What’s the cost? $72,983.95
• Who’s the vendor? Scenario Learning LLC d/b/a Vector Solutions
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Rental equipment and services for district-wide convocation event

• What is it? Rented video, audio, lighting, draping and staging equipment was secured to enhance and ensure a high-quality experience for attendees at both convocation program sessions. Set-up and strike crew technicians, camera operators and audio/visual engineers were included in the rental package to support the event.
• What’s the cost? $70,000
• Who’s the vendor? Athans Audio Visual LLC
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? 6-3, with trustees Anael Luebanos, Tobi Jackson and Michael Ryan against.

Emergency cast stone repairs at Charles E. Nash Elementary

• What is it? The cast stone was coming loose from the building due to years of weather damage, posing a potential safety risk to the students and staff at Charles E. Nash Elementary near downtown. Therefore, an emergency affidavit was processed to promptly repair the cast stone.
• What’s the cost? $66,136
• Who’s the vendor? Icon Diversified LLC 
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

University Interscholastic League membership fees

• What is it? The governing body that provides leadership and guidance for Texas public school extracurricular contests has an annual membership fee. The enrollment classification of the participating high school determines the amount of the membership fee. 
• What’s the cost? $63,600
• Who’s the vendor? University Interscholastic League
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Cooperative fees

• What is it? School districts are required to report the amount spent on purchasing cooperative fees on an annual basis. The following fees were paid to agencies in which the district has a contract: Central Texas Purchasing Alliance, annual membership fee, $150; State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program, annual membership fee, $100; BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative, fees related to vehicle/bus purchases, $1,200.
• What’s the cost? $1,450
• Who’s the vendor? Central Texas Purchasing Alliance; State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program; BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative
• Where’s the funding coming from? General fund
• What was the vote? Unanimous; the item was on the consent agenda

Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @MatthewSgroi1.

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