Latest news with #GainesvilleIndependentSchoolDistrict
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GISD answers questions about bond
In the midst of scrutiny from the public regarding an upcoming bond election, Gainesville Independent School District hosted an information meeting Monday afternoon to answer any questions the public may have. The bond is for $58,833,798 to renovate the five main GISD schools. These renovations include new classrooms for the elementary and intermediate schools, a new career and technical education wing for the high school, a new roof for the junior high and other general repairs, updates and security measures on all campuses. These updates do not cover everything that officials say need to be done at GISD, but it will help get everything back up to standard. 'We had a facility assessment done about four years ago from a third-party who came in to look at all our instructional space, not the admin building, not athletic facilities, just instructional space where kids work in classes,' said Superintendent DesMontes Stewart. 'Just to bring all of our campuses back up to par, not to add any new classrooms, not to add any innovative learning spaces, just to take what we currently have and bring it back up to par: $300 million. That was four years ago. 'This $58 million helps us get the train back on the tracks and take care of some of the top priorities that are needed here within GISD.' Some of the new safety and security measures are required by Texas legislature. These new additions have become priorities in the wake of the Uvalde shooting in 2022. However, the state has not included new funds to pay for these measures. GISD has been applying for grants to pay for these measures with some successful applications, such as a $220,000 grant for an intruder program and emergency alert messaging system. However, GISD would be competing with larger districts, and officials say that grants can only go so far. 'We're trying to do any and everything possible to secure enough funding to take care of those unfunded mandates, but 1,300 school systems are applying for grants,' said Stewart. 'We're going against the Houstons, the Dallas, the Austins, and that list goes on and on, so you have 1,200 plus school systems that are fighting for this small pot of money. Hopefully, we'll see some additional funding come at the conclusion of this legislative session.' Stewart also explained that while people are paying more in property taxes, the school isn't seeing those funds. 'When property tax values increase and we get more in taxes, the state's contribution goes down,' he said. 'Trust me, I would love for it to stay where it is and continue to grow, but that's not the way it works. When we get more, the state decreases the amount of money that they contribute to the district. In essence, it's a wash: we don't see any new money.' Two of the updates include a new roof for the junior high and new floors for Edison Elementary, both original to the buildings that were built in the 1960's. A meeting attendee asked about why new athletic facilities were prioritized over fixing these in previous years. Stewart explained how much of the reasoning behind keeping these facilities up-to-date was to save on manpower and expenses in the long-run, plus helping give back to the community. 'That turf didn't pay for itself in one year, but that turf is going to pay for itself over time. It's going to reduce the amount of man hours that we've had to put out there on those fields, which now we can divert those man hours somewhere else,' he said. 'From a community standpoint, those fields are utilized by more than just GISD. You've got the college who uses those fields, you have our youth sports that utilize them, both indoor and outdoor, so when you talk about overall the benefit that provides to our community, it's priceless.' Throughout the bond planning process, it has been emphasized by the district that Gainesville Junior High is the oldest building currently in use for classrooms, hence why it needed the most work. At the information meeting, it was brought up that the current high school was built in 2005 because the previous junior high, which was built in 1937, was beyond repair. This led to someone asking why the district wasn't looking at building a new junior high, similar to what happened in 2005. In November 2021, a bond was voted down to build a new junior high for $70 million. As that proposal was denied and construction costs have risen over the past four years where it would take over $80 million now, the devision was made to try to scale back and renovate. 'Keep in mind, we built that high school for $24.5 million [in 2005],' said Stewart. 'Same building, nothing extra, built in 2025, $120 million, almost $100 million more … The overarching theme is, it's not going to get cheaper … We have to have these conversations, but while we have these conversations, construction prices are continuing to climb.' In the discussion with the high school, concerns were also brought up about GISD asking for more money while the district is already in debt. Director of Finance John Hill explained that the debt was intentional. 'It's an investment, like your house, but the difference is, unlike your house being a single-family home, we're traipsing in thousands of kids through these halls,' he explained. 'We refinance three of those bonds … reducing the amount that we're paying for interest and letting that money work for us. It's that old saying, if you're paying a low interest on your house, then you better be investing your money in the stock market because you're going to get a better return … These bonds are at such a low rate for what we're financing, it makes more economical sense to keep them going, paying them, and refinance them when we can for lower rates.' If the bond passes, the district is looking at a three-to-five year timetable to accomplish all the updates. According to Stewart, there will be a six to eight month window of going into deeper planning and prioritizing projects before seeing the change. 'Once we get the results, my plans will include a kind of Bond Oversight Committee similar to this where we sit down and give constant updates about where the projects are,' said Stewart. 'Also giving financial review … people want to know are we coming in under budget? Are we coming in over budget? … Hopefully I can provide you with the answers so that you can have the clarity to speak competently about what's taking place throughout the bond.' Another question about the planning process involved if the district could use local contractors and businesses. GISD Director of Maintenance and Operations Joe Warren explained that yes, the district can, if the company has the means. 'Because of the magnitude, the amount of money, we are mandated by the state to take it out for a competitive sealed process,' he said. 'We encourage the general contractors to utilize our preferred vendors that we utilize here in town. Unfortunately, sometimes that just doesn't happen because the sheer size of whatever the project may be.' Overall, attendees said it was an informative meeting, with one community member noting what was discussed needs to get out to the public. 'I know a lot of people weren't able to attend this meeting because we are a blue collar community. We are a working class community, so it's a luxury for some of us to be able to attend this meeting tonight on a school night,' said GHS alumnus and local businesswoman Renee Jones. 'I regret my ignorance, but I was not aware that state funding is reduced when we grow as a community. Ultimately, our district is being penalized by the state, and that's something we should take up with our state representatives with regard to the deficiency that they're creating … We have exponential growth coming in the next 36 to 48 months, and it's terrifying because we don't have the infrastructure for it, and it could be very critical to the educational opportunities of our children.' Early voting is April 22-29 with Election Day on May 3. Early voting will be held at the Gainesville Civic Center at 311 S. Weaver St. in Gainesville daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day polling locations vary based on precinct within GISD with Precincts 1, 1C, 2, 3, 4 and 4C at the Gainesville Civic Center, Precincts 6, 7 and 8 voting at Woodbine Baptist Church at 245 CR 211 in Woodbine, Precincts 10 and 11 at the Valley View Community Center at 101 S. Lee Street in Valley View and Precinct 33 voting at St. Peters Church at 431 Ash St. in Lindsay. All polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
CNN
28-02-2025
- CNN
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza suicide: Texas district releases findings from bullying investigation of 11-year-old
A Texas school district has released a summary of its investigation following 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza's death by suicide, but questions remain about the events leading up to her death. The story has made national headlines – amid the nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, after her mother claimed that Jocelynn was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Jocelynn died on February 8 – five days after her mother found her unresponsive at their home in Gainesville, Texas, around 70 miles north of Dallas. Police have not released any details regarding the investigation into her death. Jocelynn reported to her principal on January 30 that a student on her bus made remarks about deportation and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting a group of Hispanic students, the Gainesville Independent School District (GSID) said in a statement released Wednesday, detailing its findings from an investigation. The district's transportation director submitted a referral to the school confirming the student's remarks reported by Jocelynn, noting they 'were directed at a group of Hispanic students and not' to her, the district said. While she 'was not seated with the group,' she 'was close enough to hear the remarks.' The investigation also found 'this was not a one-time occurrence.' 'Following this, JRC appeared to have a positive remainder of the week and attended a birthday party on Saturday. Witness statements from attendees indicated that she was in good spirits and enjoyed the event,' reads the report. The district did not provide additional details about the alleged bullying incident. The district said the student responsible for the remarks was identified, interviewed and disciplined. 'Prior to JRC's hospitalization, no official bullying report had been filed with the school that would have triggered the district's bullying investigation protocols, which include student interviews, parent contact and disciplinary action,' the district's report said. Another concern emerged during student interviews, the district said. 'It was reported by multiple students that JRC told them that she had been inappropriately touched by a family member and wished to keep this a secret to avoid getting them in trouble,' the report states. The district told Child Protective Services about these reports, and the agency is investigating, the district's statement notes. CNN has reached out to CPS. 'Furthermore, it was disclosed that JRC had previously expressed thoughts of selfharm to a cousin, who informed JRC's mother,' the statement added. The district said that this information was never shared with school officials, preventing them from providing resources or intervening. CNN has tried to reach Jocelynn's mother, Marbella Carranza for comment. She responded to the district's report in an interview with local Dallas television station KDFW. 'Nothing about that is true,' she said. Carranza denied the district's finding of an abuse allegation to KDFW. 'I don't know why they committed, like, why he said that, because I talk with my daughter about that, always. I ask. Nobody can touch your body. Nobody,' Carranza said. Carranza said she hired a lawyer and will wait to respond to the district. CNN has contacted the Gainesville Independent School District and Jocelynn's family for comment on the district's report. The district says it launched an internal investigation into bullying on February 6, after students reported concerns involving Jocelynn and her brother the day before, after the girl's family informed them, she had been hospitalized. According to the school district, in an earlier meeting with a school counselor in October, Jocelynn 'did not report any bullying,' the report said, although since October she attended seven sessions of 'social-emotional learning' led by a district counselor. She was selected for this group, according to the report, based on the 'Youth Needs Screener,' an 'evidence-based self-reporting assessment used to evaluate students' social-emotional needs.' Carranza previously told CNN that her daughter was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Carranza claimed in an interview with CNN affiliate KUVN that her daughter's school was aware of the alleged bullying but did not tell her and she only learned her daughter had been receiving counseling at school when investigators told her. 'They said it had been due to bullying, but I never knew anything about it,' she said. The district's report acknowledged the mother's assertion she was unaware her daughter's work with the school counselor, but said it had 'a signed permission slip authorizing her involvement.' According to Carranza, a student taunted Jocelynn, claiming her family would be deported and she would be left behind. Carranza has told CNN that her daughter was born in the US. 'We don't know if she made the decision in fear of being alone … Or if she had been told to do it, so that she would not be left alone,' Carranza told CNN shortly after her daughter's funeral. 'These are unanswered questions that I still have, why, why did she do it.' The case has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about the school's handling of the situation and the broader issue of bullying tied to immigration under Donald Trump's presidency. CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas, Ed Lavandera and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Texas Girl, 11, Was Subjected To Bullying, Other Possible Abuse Before Suicide, School Says
An investigation into an 11-year-old Texas girl's death by suicide earlier this month has confirmed that the child was impacted by a recent bullying incident, school officials said Wednesday while releasing additional disturbing new claims cited to interviews with fellow students. In a heart-wrenching story that made national news, Jocelynn Rojo Carranza died on Feb. 8 from self-inflicted injuries in Dallas after she was bullied at school over her Hispanic heritage and taunted that her family would be deported, according to her mother. Marbella Carranza, speaking with Univision, said her daughter had been seeing a school counselor several times a week about the bullying but said the school never told her about Jocelynn's sessions until after her death. In a summary of findings released after an internal investigation, the Gainesville Independent School District disputed Carranza's claim that she wasn't made aware of her daughter's counseling sessions. The district also alleged, based on interviews with other students, that Jocelynn may have battled personal issues at home, including being 'inappropriately touched' by a family member. Carranza, speaking to NBC DFW after the district released its findings, said 'nothing about that is true.' 'I talk with my daughter about that, always. I ask. Nobody can touch your body. Nobody,' said Carranza. The Gainesville Police Department said in a statement Wednesday that its investigation into Jocelynn's death remains ongoing and that anyone with information is encouraged to reach out. 'We understand the community's desire for answers,' said Chief Kevin Phillips. 'However, to maintain the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to release further details at this time. We assure the public that every aspect of this case is being carefully examined.' According to a timeline presented by the Gainesville Independent School District, Jocelynn had been seeing a school counselor on and off since October, sessions the district says her mother had signed off on. The sessions weren't about bullying and instead were about her home life and emotional 'coping strategies,' according to the school district. It wasn't until Jan. 30 that Jocelynn reported bullying to her school's principal, the district said. Her report immediately followed her class collectively discussing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has increasingly been in the news and has drummed up fear within migrant communities over its mass deportations of undocumented immigrations. Jocelynn said another student on her school bus had made remarks about ICE and deportation to a group of Hispanic students. An investigation concluded that a student had indeed made such remarks, though not directly to Jocelynn, who was reportedly seated within earshot of those being targeted on the bus, the district said. The incident 'was not a one-time occurrence,' and the student responsible was identified, interviewed and disciplined on Friday, Jan. 31, in accordance with the GISD Student Code of Conduct, the district said. The following Monday, Feb. 3, Jocelynn was rushed to a hospital after being found suffering an undisclosed injury at home. The district said it launched an internal investigation three days later after hearing claims from other students that Jocelynn and her brother had been bullied. Further interviews with students revealed additional disturbing claims, including that Jocelynn had told her classmates that she had been 'inappropriately touched' by a family member 'and wished to keep this a secret to avoid getting them in trouble,' the district said. The district said it reported the abuse claims to Child Protective Services 'given the presence of four other school-aged children in the home.' Other students coming forward also said Jocelynn had expressed thoughts of self-harm to a cousin and that the cousin had informed Jocelynn's mother. The district said it wasn't told about the threats of self-harm at the time, 'preventing the district from providing necessary resources and intervention.' As for the counseling sessions, the district said that Jocelynn had requested a one-on-one meeting with the school's counselor on Oct. 16, during which she expressed concerns about getting into trouble at home and her siblings calling her names. She reportedly didn't report any bullying at this time. About a week later, she started participating in a social-emotional learning group being led by a counselor, attending these sessions twice in October, twice in November, and three times in January, the district said. 'The sessions, consisting of five female students, focused on coping strategies for managing distressing emotions. Topics included reframing thoughts, relaxation techniques, focused breathing, and separating emotions from rational thoughts,' according to the district. The district said it has a signed permission slip from Jocelynn's mother authorizing her daughter's involvement in the counseling. In her interview with NBC DFW, Carranza said she has demanded to see the document. The district said it refrained from speaking out publicly while Jocelynn was hospitalized and in the immediate days after her death in compliance with her family's wishes. 'During this time, false statements circulated on social media regarding the district's silence. Now that the district investigation is complete, GISD is sharing the findings,' it said. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Judge Blocks Trump Immigration Policy Allowing Arrests In Churches For Some Religious Groups Texas Girl, 11, Takes Own Life After Bullying Over Immigration Status, Mom Says Kristi Noem Asks IRS Agents To Help With Trump's Immigration Crackdown
CNN
27-02-2025
- CNN
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza suicide: Texas district releases findings from bullying investigation of 11-year-old
A Texas school district has released a summary of its investigation following 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza's death by suicide, but questions remain about the events leading up to her death. The story has made national headlines – amid the nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, after her mother claimed that Jocelynn was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Jocelynn died on February 8 – five days after her mother found her unresponsive at their home in Gainesville, Texas, around 70 miles north of Dallas. Police have not released any details regarding the investigation into her death. Jocelynn reported to her principal on January 30 that a student on her bus made remarks about deportation and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting a group of Hispanic students, the Gainesville Independent School District (GSID) said in a statement released Wednesday, detailing its findings from an investigation. The district's transportation director submitted a referral to the school confirming the student's remarks reported by Jocelynn, noting they 'were directed at a group of Hispanic students and not' to her, the district said. While she 'was not seated with the group,' she 'was close enough to hear the remarks.' The investigation also found 'this was not a one-time occurrence.' 'Following this, JRC appeared to have a positive remainder of the week and attended a birthday party on Saturday. Witness statements from attendees indicated that she was in good spirits and enjoyed the event,' reads the report. The district did not provide additional details about the alleged bullying incident. The district said the student responsible for the remarks was identified, interviewed and disciplined. 'Prior to JRC's hospitalization, no official bullying report had been filed with the school that would have triggered the district's bullying investigation protocols, which include student interviews, parent contact and disciplinary action,' the district's report said. Another concern emerged during student interviews, the district said. 'It was reported by multiple students that JRC told them that she had been inappropriately touched by a family member and wished to keep this a secret to avoid getting them in trouble,' the report states. The district told Child Protective Services about these reports, and the agency is investigating, the district's statement notes. CNN has reached out to CPS. 'Furthermore, it was disclosed that JRC had previously expressed thoughts of selfharm to a cousin, who informed JRC's mother,' the statement added. The district said that this information was never shared with school officials, preventing them from providing resources or intervening. CNN has tried to reach Jocelynn's mother, Marbella Carranza for comment. She responded to the district's report in an interview with local Dallas television station KDFW. 'Nothing about that is true,' she said. Carranza denied the district's finding of an abuse allegation to KDFW. 'I don't know why they committed, like, why he said that, because I talk with my daughter about that, always. I ask. Nobody can touch your body. Nobody,' Carranza said. Carranza said she hired a lawyer and will wait to respond to the district. CNN has contacted the Gainesville Independent School District and Jocelynn's family for comment on the district's report. The district says it launched an internal investigation into bullying on February 6, after students reported concerns involving Jocelynn and her brother the day before, after the girl's family informed them, she had been hospitalized. According to the school district, in an earlier meeting with a school counselor in October, Jocelynn 'did not report any bullying,' the report said, although since October she attended seven sessions of 'social-emotional learning' led by a district counselor. She was selected for this group, according to the report, based on the 'Youth Needs Screener,' an 'evidence-based self-reporting assessment used to evaluate students' social-emotional needs.' Carranza previously told CNN that her daughter was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Carranza claimed in an interview with CNN affiliate KUVN that her daughter's school was aware of the alleged bullying but did not tell her and she only learned her daughter had been receiving counseling at school when investigators told her. 'They said it had been due to bullying, but I never knew anything about it,' she said. The district's report acknowledged the mother's assertion she was unaware her daughter's work with the school counselor, but said it had 'a signed permission slip authorizing her involvement.' According to Carranza, a student taunted Jocelynn, claiming her family would be deported and she would be left behind. Carranza has told CNN that her daughter was born in the US. 'We don't know if she made the decision in fear of being alone … Or if she had been told to do it, so that she would not be left alone,' Carranza told CNN shortly after her daughter's funeral. 'These are unanswered questions that I still have, why, why did she do it.' The case has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about the school's handling of the situation and the broader issue of bullying tied to immigration under Donald Trump's presidency. CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas, Ed Lavandera and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
School district confirms bullying occurred after investigation following Texas girl's death by suicide
A Texas school district has released a summary of its investigation following 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza's death by suicide, but questions remain about the events leading up to her death. The story has made national headlines – amid the nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, after her mother claimed that Jocelynn was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Jocelynn died on February 8 – five days after her mother found her unresponsive at their home in Gainesville, Texas, around 70 miles north of Dallas. Police have not released any details regarding the investigation into her death. Jocelynn reported to her principal on January 30 that a student on her bus made remarks about deportation and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting a group of Hispanic students, the Gainesville Independent School District (GSID) said in a statement released Wednesday, detailing its findings from an investigation. The district's transportation director submitted a referral to the school confirming the student's remarks reported by Jocelynn, noting they 'were directed at a group of Hispanic students and not' to her, the district said. While she 'was not seated with the group,' she 'was close enough to hear the remarks.' The investigation also found 'this was not a one-time occurrence.' 'Following this, JRC appeared to have a positive remainder of the week and attended a birthday party on Saturday. Witness statements from attendees indicated that she was in good spirits and enjoyed the event,' reads the report. The district did not provide additional details about the alleged bullying incident. The district said the student responsible for the remarks was identified, interviewed and disciplined. 'Prior to JRC's hospitalization, no official bullying report had been filed with the school that would have triggered the district's bullying investigation protocols, which include student interviews, parent contact and disciplinary action,' the district's report said. Another concern emerged during student interviews, the district said. 'It was reported by multiple students that JRC told them that she had been inappropriately touched by a family member and wished to keep this a secret to avoid getting them in trouble,' the report states. The district told Child Protective Services about these reports, and the agency is investigating, the district's statement notes. CNN has reached out to CPS. 'Furthermore, it was disclosed that JRC had previously expressed thoughts of selfharm to a cousin, who informed JRC's mother,' the statement added. The district said that this information was never shared with school officials, preventing them from providing resources or intervening. CNN has tried to reach Jocelynn's mother, Marbella Carranza for comment. She responded to the district's report in an interview with local Dallas television station KDFW. 'Nothing about that is true,' she said. Carranza denied the district's finding of an abuse allegation to KDFW. 'I don't know why they committed, like, why he said that, because I talk with my daughter about that, always. I ask. Nobody can touch your body. Nobody,' Carranza said. Carranza said she hired a lawyer and will wait to respond to the district. CNN has contacted the Gainesville Independent School District and Jocelynn's family for comment on the district's report. The district says it launched an internal investigation into bullying on February 6, after students reported concerns involving Jocelynn and her brother the day before, after the girl's family informed them, she had been hospitalized. According to the school district, in an earlier meeting with a school counselor in October, Jocelynn 'did not report any bullying,' the report said, although since October she attended seven sessions of 'social-emotional learning' led by a district counselor. She was selected for this group, according to the report, based on the 'Youth Needs Screener,' an 'evidence-based self-reporting assessment used to evaluate students' social-emotional needs.' Carranza previously told CNN that her daughter was bullied and taunted at school over her family's immigration status. Carranza claimed in an interview with CNN affiliate KUVN that her daughter's school was aware of the alleged bullying but did not tell her and she only learned her daughter had been receiving counseling at school when investigators told her. 'They said it had been due to bullying, but I never knew anything about it,' she said. The district's report acknowledged the mother's assertion she was unaware her daughter's work with the school counselor, but said it had 'a signed permission slip authorizing her involvement.' According to Carranza, a student taunted Jocelynn, claiming her family would be deported and she would be left behind. Carranza has told CNN that her daughter was born in the US. 'We don't know if she made the decision in fear of being alone … Or if she had been told to do it, so that she would not be left alone,' Carranza told CNN shortly after her daughter's funeral. 'These are unanswered questions that I still have, why, why did she do it.' The case has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about the school's handling of the situation and the broader issue of bullying tied to immigration under Donald Trump's presidency. CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas, Ed Lavandera and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
