2024 CHISD Annual Report

CEDAR HILL ISD

2024

ANNUAL REPORT Dr. Gerald B. Hudson

Superintendent

Explore More

1

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

1 4 7 10 13

2 5 8 11 14

3 6 9 12 15

1) CHISD Administration 285 Uptown Blvd.

9) W.S. Permenter Middle School 431 W. Parkerville Rd.

2) Highlands Elementary 131 Sims Dr.

10) Dr. Peggy M. Wilson STEM Center/Collegiate Academy & HS 1515 W. Beltline Rd.

3) Lake Ridge Elementary 1020 Lake Ridge Pkwy.

4) High Pointe Elementary 1351 High Pointe Ln. 5) Plummer Elementary 1203 S. Clark Rd. 6) Waterford Oaks Elementary 401 N. Waterford Oaks 7) Collegiate Prep Elementary 975 Pickard Dr.

11) Cedar Hill High School 1 Longhorn Blvd.

12) L. Kim Lewis Auxiliary Services Center 202 E. Beltline Rd. 13) Lacy Enrollment Center 504 E. Beltline Rd. 14) Maddox Teaching & Learning Center 1533 High Pointe Ln.

15) Cedar Hill ISD Warehouse 914 Cedar St. 8) Bessie Coleman Middle School 1208 E. Pleasant Run Rd.

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

2

3

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

STUDENT ETHNIC COMPOSITION NATIVE HAWAIIAN/ 0.27 % PACIFIC ISLANDERS 0.27% AMERICAN INDIAN 0.87% ASIAN 2.82% WHITE 4.03% TWO OR MORE 27.15% HISPANIC 64.8% AFRICAN AMERICAN

85% OF ENROLLED LEARNERS LIVE IN CEDAR HILL

749

Graphic Design Culinary Arts Business Professionals of America - Spirit Box Business Professionals of America/DECA Hillside Store at CHHS

1,169

36%

OF 7-12 GRADERS

PARTICIPATE

IN ATHLETICS

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE

22:1

742

CTE STUDENT ENTERPRISES

STUDENT ATHLETES

OUT-OF-DISTRICT TRANSFERS

13

LANGUAGES REPRESENTED

SCHOLARS RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

249

EMPLOYEES LIVE IN CEDAR HILL

602

STUDENTS

ARE

EMERGING

BILINGUALS

CLASS OF 2023 36 SQUARE MILES IN THE DISTRICT

TOTAL NUMBER OF ROUTES

38

DAILY BUS RIDERS: APPROXIMATELY

1,110

STUDENT POPULATION

6769

GRADUATION RATE

98%

LARGEST

EMPLOYER

IN CEDAR HILL

4

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION 5.4%

CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION 6.7%

Starting Teacher Salary (2023-24)

$57,000

OTHER 12.6%

DISTRICT OPERATIONS 21.1%

23-24 APPROVED BUDGET

Cedar Hill ISD Longhorns made significant yearover-year gains in reading and math across grade levels on the spring 2023 STAAR exam.

3RD GRADE

9 PP 12 PP

INSTRUCTION 54.2%

$69.9M

5TH GRADE

5 PP 12 PP

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING

COLLEGIATE -306 CHHS -298

HYPERLINK TO FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY PAGE

COLLEGES /UNIVERSITIES CALLED BACK SENIORS THESPIANS WHO AUDITIONED 04

8 PP 17 PP

HOW MANY SCHOLARS EARNED COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS?

“A” RATING IN FINANCIAL INTEGRITY TASBO AWARD OF MERIT FOR PURCHASING

35+

8TH GRADE

HOW MANY ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES DO WE OFFER?

14

RED ARMY BAND SCHOLARSHIPS:

$4.5 Million

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

Gayle Sims

Cedar Hill ISD Board President Dear Cedar Hill ISD Community,

As we reflect on the achievements and progress of the past year, I am honored to share the 2024 Annual Report.

Serving as your School Board President has been a privilege, and I am delighted to share the remarkable journey of our district.

This year has been marked by resilience, innovation, and a collective commitment to the success of every student. Our dedicated educators, administrators, parents, and community members have worked hand in hand to create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and inclusivity.

We are very grateful to the citizens of Cedar Hill, who passed the Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) by a 2-to-1 margin. This historic vote will significantly impact the future of our beloved district. We’re able to increase our teacher salaries, boost existing academic programs, and keep our campuses safe and secure.

Voting does make a difference! We’re also glad that the community supported one of the largest Cedar Hill Homecoming Parades in recent history. The amount of community spirit and pride was unsurpassed.

As we celebrate our successes, we also recognize areas with room for improvement. Your feedback and collaboration are invaluable as we strive for excellence in every aspect of education. Together, we can build a future where we have unlocked every Longhorn’s potential.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Cedar Hill ISD family.

Sincerely, Gayle Sims

5

6

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

2023-24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Gayle Sims President

Ramona Ross-Bacon Secretary

Dr. Denise Roache-Davis Vice-President

Robert Riggs Trustee

Carma Morgan Trustee

Cheryl Wesley Trustee

Denishea Williams Trustee

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

Dr. Gerald B. Hudson

Cedar Hill ISD Superintendent of Schools Whether you are a longtime Longhorn or new to our district, we’re excited to share the wide variety of academic and extracurricular programs our district offers.

During my time as the Chief Instructional Officer for Cedar Hill ISD, we have experienced many successes!

There is now a Centralized Enrollment Center named after the Lacy Family, the first African-American family to enroll in our district.

The Maddox Teaching and Learning Center provides space for teachers to grow in their craft.

We opened the “HillTop Academy, a special program, to help at-risk students graduate; more than 30 have earned their high school diploma.

We launched the Dr. Peggy M. Wilson STEM Center in 2021, named to honor a longtime Cedar Hill community leader and one of the leading female scientists of her generation.

Cedar Hill ISD is improving academically. Preliminary STAAR scores show academic gains in elementary, middle, and high school.

The investment in our district cannot be understated, and we are sincerely appreciative of the community. But with our successes come some challenges. The lingering effects on learning due to the COVID pandemic and the steady decline in student enrollment. These are challenges schools across the country are facing and we are no different. Student enrollment is the very lifeblood of our public schools, and solving this complex problem will require a smart and concerted solution.

We have a plan to further improve academics, increase school safety, and provide programs to entice families to choose Cedar Hill ISD! Over the next 3 years, this community can expect: 1. Expansion of our 3-year prekindergarten program across the district.

2. New school choice options; by 2027, all CHISD campuses will have a signature choice program.

3. Continued improvement in academic performance and school safety measures.

4. A smart and concerted effort to increase student enrollment at CHISD campuses.

As we embark on this journey together, let me acknowledge the tremendous dedication and hard work of our Board of Trustees, campus principals, teachers, support staff, parents, and of course students. As we look ahead, let us embrace innovation, resiliency, and lifelong learning as the cornerstones of our commitment to providing a premier education for all children in Cedar Hill.

7

8

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

Saniyah McGrew

Cedar Hill ISD Teen Superintendent Hello! I am proud to serve as the 2023-24 Teen Superintendent for Cedar Hill ISD. My experience as Teen Superintendent has been eye-opening; being able to interact with the scholars of CHISD has been a wonderful opportunity. I have found that when students know that they had a hand in their learning experience, it prompts them to want to learn more.

Overall, in my term as Teen Superintendent, my goal is to ensure that every CHISD scholar knows that their voice makes a difference. I had the chance to talk with scholars at every campus in CHISD to hear their input about having a successful school year.

Without the CHISD faculty that I have interacted with throughout my ten years in this district, I wouldn’t be here today. That is why as I continue my term, I want to continue to uplift our teachers through new ideas. The programs that I have participated in through Cedar Hill ISD have also had a huge impact on my learning. The gifted and talented programs as well as STEM programs have made learning enjoyable for me, and I feel that more CHISD scholars need to experience that.

Through my campus tours, I learned that scholars want to participate in these programs, but just haven’t seen the opportunity arise, so I would love to start bringing more experiences to the attention of all CHISD scholars.

As we look back on the state of Cedar Hill ISD, you should know, students recognize that this is an important moment in our lives.

We understand that our school experience lasts 12 to 14 years, but the results are everlasting.

I encourage you to join us on this journey. We need and want our community with us.

Thank you so much for a beautiful start to an exciting journey, that I cannot wait to continue!

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

9

CEDAR HILL ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with Cedar Hill ISD and the community to support CHISD scholars, teachers, and staff.

More than $1 million in giving back to Cedar Hill ISD scholars, teachers and staff Over $32,000 toward campus and district Teachers of the Year $97,000 to support CHISD Visual, Theatre and Fine Arts More than $44,000 awarded in student scholarships More than $41,000 raised for Waterford Oaks ES playground Funded $630,000 in school, classroom and department grants

Executive Director Denise Root, CEFL

10

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

BOARD OFFICERS

EX-OFFICIO

Alfonso Hernandez President

Chris Malone Executive Director of Technology

Tiffany Ingram Treasurer

Dr. Gerald Hudson CHISD Superintendent

Margaret Thompson Secretary

Tracy Pounders Corporate Agent

Mike Lemmon Vice President of Governance

Tierney Tinnin Chief of Communications and Marketing

Rosemary Ruiz Vice President of Programs

Denishea Williams CHISD Board of Trustees

Debrah North Vice President of Development

Sarah Bardo Council of PTAs President

Neil Bolton Vice President of Community Engagement & Marketing

DIRECTORS

Chalamaine Armstrong Katie Avant Steve Boyer Michelle Carter-Pope Tim Clifford Kenneth Govan Michele Reily Lisa Speaks

LEARN MORE HERE

INTERESTED IN GIVING TO CHEF? chisd.net/

chef/howtogive

11

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

CHISD IS In February 2021, Educate Texas and the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation awarded Cedar Hill ISD with a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant to make STEM education available to every scholar. STEMspired is Cedar Hill ISD’s mindset of systemwide STEM implementation. It derives from the district’s motto of Educate. Empower. Inspire, and means science, technology, engineering, and math education that arises from an external creative impulse.

There are four primary goals of the CHISD STEMspired integration: Redesign Learning: Engage scholars in learning experiences that build the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, technologically rich, and global economy.

Develop Talent: Ensure that teachers and leaders are equipped to provide evidence-based, engaging instructional strategies that increase STEM literacy.

Build Partnerships: Increase equity and access to high-quality STEM education both inside and outside of the classroom environment.

Learn and Adapt: Monitor and evaluate CHISD district-wide STEM education and adjust when necessary by following our board-approved continuous improvement model.

Data from the US Labor Department projects that in 2026, Texas will see an 11.2% increase in the need for electrical engineering careers, and the North Central Texas Region will provide 3% of that growth.

Thanks to the STEMspired grant from Texas Instruments & Educate Texas, Cedar Hill ISD teachers have the skills to prepare our learners for careers of the future.

64

NUMBER OF HOURS OF TEACHER TRAINING IN PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND AVID

301 33

CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATES COMPLETED A CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTENDED THE FALL STEMSPIRED JOB FAIR

442 795 90

INDUSTRY-BASED CERTIFICATION EARNED

BY CHISD STUDENTS STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATES EARNED AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE

12

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

WE’VE GOT STEM DOWN TO A SCIENCE! Family Night Out events feature hands-on activities, vendors, and fun for the entire family! More than 200 families attended the spring 2023 event.

Summer STEM Camps for Elementary and Middle School Learners STEMspired Saturdays provide experiences for middle and high school students as well as CHISD teachers DISTRICT Executive Cabinet Updates Think Tank Work Sessions School Board Workshop Ecosystem Work Sessions STEMspired Saturdays STEMspired Scholars Communications Facelift Engineer Design Process Infusion Logo w/Integration Goals

ACADEMICS

CAMPUS

Engineer Design Process Infusion Lesson Plan Template Walkthrough Forms Staff Development Slides STEMspired Libraries Integration Goals Specificities Classroom Libraries Campus Performance Reviews

KEY PARNTERS The TI Foundation The philanthropic arm of Texas Instruments, which brought ideas and prior learning to the initiative.

Classroom STEMspired Corners Question Starters Engineering Design Process Principal Elevator Speeches STEMspired Campus Plan STEMspired Clubs Career Days Work-Based Learning w/Counselors

Educate Texas A public-private initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, that provides strategic assistance for framing the initiative and technical assistance to support Cedar Hill ISD throughout the life of the grant.

CEDAR HILL ISD SCHOLARS HAVE JOINED DELOITTE ACADEMY!

Deloitte Academy is the high school component of Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE) to fuel greater racial and ethnic diversity in Tax and Accounting and move toward future growth with Deloitte. This mentoring program helps to advance equity by connecting Deloitte professionals with CHISD high school scholars who aspire to attend college but may be unfamiliar with the critical skills and pathways to success.

2023 STEM Teacher of the Year

DAVIE MOORE

Collegiate Prep Elementary School Davie Moore’s second-grade scholars at Collegiate Prep Elementary are 10 to 15 years away from entering the workforce, but she’s preparing them for it right now. Moore is the 2023 Cedar Hill ISD STEM Teacher of the Year.

Moore planned a campus-wide STEM Night called “Race to Mars” where scholars completed different projects through a NASA-based curriculum.

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

REDESIGN LEARNING: Engage scholars in learning experiences that build the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, technologically rich, and global economy.

13

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

14

HILLTOP ACADEMY/S.T.R.I.V.E SUCCESS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALIZED VIRTUAL EDUCATION In the fall of 2022, CHISD implemented an overage program known as Hilltop Academy. Hilltop is a self-paced computer-based program that allows scholars the ability to earn credits and skills needed to earn a high school diploma.

S.T.R.I.V.E. Academy is a comprehensive program that offers the traditional Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) setting serving students in 1st through 12th grades and also a non-disciplinary Program serving as a drop-out prevention and credit recovery program.

These programs are housed at the JoLynn Maddox Teaching & Learning Center, and Keith Petty serves as campus principal. Seventy scholars are currently enrolled in HillTop and 34 scholars have graduated from the program.

“A Good Fit for me.”

HILLTOP SUCCESS STORY Tania Cooper remembers how bittersweet it was to sit inside the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center For The Performing Arts last June to watch her brother and friends in the Cedar Hill High School Class of 2023 accept their diplomas. Cooper, 18, knew she was scheduled to be on that stage.

Circumstances, however, left it to where she was four credits short of graduation. Cooper enrolled in Cedar Hill ISD’s Hilltop Academy in August and earned her high school diploma on December 12. “The online classes were a good fit for me. I’m grateful for the Hilltop experience to get me back on track.” Cooper plans to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and become a Pediatric Nurse.

GO INSIDE THE HILLTOP ACADEMY

15

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

PAPER!

Cedar Hill ISD students have access to 24/7 academic support through the online tutoring platform “Paper”.

Through Paper, learners can safely and securely chat with an expert tutor or get feedback on written work anytime, anywhere, for free.

DID YOU KNOW? CHISD scholars logged 166,581 session minutes in Paper!

AVID Cedar Hill ISD offers Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective at all middle and high school campuses, and elementary scholars will have access to AVID lessons starting in the 5th grade.

Lessons are geared toward exposing scholars to what is possible after graduation. Class assignments include interactive presentations from business leaders, military personnel, and current college students. AVID scholars also participate in college tours, field trips to local businesses, and complete community service projects.

88 Cedar Hill ISD Class of 2023 seniors flew to New Orleans for a three-day five-university tour.

The trip was sponsored and organized by GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). The scholars visited Dillard, Xavier, Louisiana State University, and Southern University.

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

DEVELOP

TALENT

16

17

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

TEACHER INCENTIVE ALLOTMENT The Teacher Incentive Allotment is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and retaining highly effective teachers in all schools, particularly emphasizing highneeds and rural schools. Cedar Hill ISD participates in this program and has developed a local designation system that measures teacher effectiveness based at a minimum, on both teacher observation and student growth data.

TIA RECOGNIZED TEACHERS: EXEMPLARY: Whitney Jurand Vera Cousin Keshun Williams LaTonya Gaither MASTER: Ana-Alicia Benjamin Terri Harris Sandra Hryekewicz RECOGNIZED: Kimberly Newman Curtis Tracey Juhre Susan Thompson Shandria Russell Sherise Gowdy LaKeisha Jones Barimah Amoo-Asante Tamecia Crump Daija Beecham

LEARN MORE

ABOUT TIA

SCHOOL YEAR

RETENTION

LEAVERS

21/22

73%

119

22/23

68%

135

18

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

Through a partnership with the Flippen Group, Cedar Hill ISD has created the “Grow Your Own” program, which offers aspiring educators the opportunity to lead a classroom while earning a bachelor's degree and teaching certification. Program benefits include: Earn $40,000+ while working in a classroom On-the-job training and experience Cedar Hill ISD pays tuition and program fees Full employment benefits

DANYELL TONEY- CHISD GROW YOUR OWN GRADUATE Danyell Toney had worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Cedar Hill High School for a decade, and in 2023, Toney became one of the first CHISD employees to complete the “Grow Your Own” program. She originally planned to become a nurse but then worked in a daycare where a parent encouraged her to become an educator. She saw an opening to work at Cedar Hill High with the Adult Transition Program for scholars, ages 18 through 21, with Special Needs.

THE LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AND DEVELOPMENT (LEAD) FELLOWSHIP Cedar Hill ISD’s L.E.A.D. program helps increase the number of ready leaders available to fill principal vacancies when they arise. L.E.A.D. is designed to be flexible to meet the individual needs of CHISD assistant principals and ensure district leaders prepare them to become high-performing campus leaders L.E.A.D. gives CHISD an accountability tool and system that develops leaders and fosters a culture to retain qualified assistant principals.

L.E.A.D. identifies current CHISD leaders who are motivated and aspire to grow their personal and professional skills to prepare them for campus leadership roles in the District.

"The leadership experience my admin team has gained from the LEAD program has had a positive impact on our goal-setting and communication.

I am excited about our leader's future."

LEE JOFFRE, CHHS Principal

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

BUILD PARTNERSHIPS

19

20

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

SCARLET SENIORS

Launched in 2021, the Scarlet Seniors of CHISD is a group of Cedar Hill residents over the age of 55, who meet with the district staff and connect with campuses monthly. Scarlet Seniors enjoy free entry to home football games, fine arts performances, and meet & greet with the Superintendent and District Leadership. There are currently 39 Scarlet Seniors.

DONATE TO

CHip IN TODAY! This special fund is used to support CHISD families who need assistance paying for meals for their scholars, or covering fees associated with 1:1 devices. The CHip In Fund provides shortterm assistance to families in need by covering negative lunch and technology balances. The CHip In Fund consists of donations and does not take the place of applying for free or reducedprice meals. Since its inception, the fund has helped more than 1,346 scholars.

Donations may be made by individuals, groups, or businesses. The CHip In Fund is maintained by the CHISD Business Services Department and is distributed on a case-by-case basis.

21

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

LONGHORN FUTURES COMMITTEE The Longhorn Futures Committee (LFC) is made up of a thorough cross-section of the CHISD community, which includes: Parents and non-parents Young adults and senior citizens CHISD staff CHISD scholars Cedar Hill business owners Cedar Hill community and civic leaders Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees and administration convened the LFC to evaluate, assess, prioritize, and report their findings on future capital project needs for the CHISD. This committee brought recommendations for a November 2022 & and May 2023 bond election.

READY TO JOIN

ALL-PRO DADS & PTA? VISIT: CEDARHILLDADS.ORG/ SIGN-UP-AND-APPAREL

LEARN MORE ABOUT PTA!

Cedar Hill ISD has opportunities for parents, guardians, grandparents, etc. to stay actively involved in their students' activities at school. The Council of PTAs and Cedar Hill All Pro Dads are two great ways to stay engaged.

ALL PRO DADS

Each CHISD campus has an All-Pro Dads chapter with its own unique identity that reflects the interests and needs of the school.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

Cedar Hill ISD has 11 local PTAs, Our PTAs run volunteer programs for the classrooms and hold special events that build the community and improve parent communication.

HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS Cedar Hill ISD has partnered with several local and national mental health providers to support all Longhorn staff, students, and families. These partnerships provide counseling services in some instances free of charge to those in need.

The district partners with Goodside Health, to bring healthcare services to students at Highlands Elementary, Bessie Coleman Middle School, and Collegiate Academy Middle School. Goodside Health providers can assess, diagnose, and treat the most common pediatric conditions – all from the convenience of the school campus.

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

LEARN

& ADAPT

22

23

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

SCHOOL CHOICE IN CEDAR HILL ISD In Cedar Hill ISD, parents and scholars have the opportunity to choose the educational pathway that is the best fit for them. Each fall, CHISD opens its "Choose Your Seat", school choice application window. Choose Your Seat allows students and families to take advantage of specific academic programs that will educate, empower, and inspire!

Explore More

Collegiate Prep Elementary

High Pointe Elementary

Collegiate Academy & High School

Lake Ridge Elementary

Early College Academy at Cedar Hill High School

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Cedar Hill ISD will expand its choice programs to every campus.

Highlands Elementary School World Languages Academy (2026-27) Plummer Elementary School STEM - Biomedical (2025-26) Waterford Oaks Elementary School STEM - Technology (2025-26) Permenter Middle School STEM - Biomedical (2026-27) Bessie Coleman Middle School Fine Arts (2026-27) Prek for 3-year-olds Expansion Starting in the 2024-25 school year, Cedar Hill ISD will expand 3-year prekindergarten options to additional elementary campuses.

Cedar Hill ISD 2024 Annual Report

STAY CONNECTED @cedarhillisd Sign Up for Community Alerts!

chisd.net