WWW.BRISD.NET BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PREPARING FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY IN NORTHEAST COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS
BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRI AT A GLANCE BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WHAT: A K-12 District in one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. WHERE: Blue Ridge, Texas WEBSITE: www.brisd.net PREPARING FOR GROWTH AND O IN NORTHEAST COLLIN COUNTY, TEX 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
CT Ensuring students have the skills needed to succeed in future academic pursuits and in the new economy Located in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States, Blue Ridge Independent School District is preparing for the future. Guided by the phrase, “Raise the Ridge,” this thriving district works to support students in every way, creating an environment of engagement and success. Superintendent Dr. Darrell Floyd shares, “Around here, we use the motto ‘Raise the Ridge,’ and we use that quite frequently, whether it be academics or extracurricular activities, athletics or fine arts or any other avenue we are going down the pathway towards. We feel like that sets the bar high for all of our students and our employees.” OPPORTUNITY XAS 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
GROWTH AND PREPARATION Blue Ridge ISD encourages community involvement in the decisions that will help prepare for upcoming growth in the district. Before putting a $60 million bond package on the ballot, parents, teachers, administrators, grandparents, and community stakeholders were invited to help shape the proposal. “Our community is a key part of where we are headed, and that’s the reason we included them early on, about a year in advance of our school bond election that passed this past May at 69% approval rating,” reports Dr. Floyd. “A big reason for that passage rate was the fact that we included a number of key stakeholders early on in the planning process.” Chief Financial Officer Amanda Ray says the district is planning ahead, especially as the area continues to transform. “We have six developments with over 5000 houses that are going to be coming to us, spread out over the next five to 10 years. Some have already started,” she details. With this in mind, Blue Ridge ISD is expecting enrollment to nearly double over the next decade, from 1,050 students to more than 2,000. Fortunately, the 2025 bond will provide for those needs. “The main part of it is a new intermediate campus, for grades three, four and five, and that will open in August of 2027,” Ray reports. Other projects include new buses, roof and HVAC replacements, a renovated gym, welding booths, a third animal barn, expanded parking, new sound and lighting, and upgraded middle school locker rooms. A BALANCED APPROACH TO LEARNING When it comes to technology, Chief Academic Officer Ashley Helms says, “We view it as a partner in our classroom for high quality instruction. It can’t be a replacement for teachers or for the amazing face to face work and conversations that our students have in academic conversations. But we do feel like technology needs to be integrated in a way that gives kids the skills that they need for right now and for what’s right for their future.” Blue Ridge ISD is a one to one district, providing every student from pre-K through grade 12 with an iPad or a Chromebook. “We have a lot of opportunities for students to utilize technology in various ways, from Google Classroom and Class Dojo to different products and programs that they access on a regular basis,” adds Helms.“We also look at the creation end of it, and how they are utilizing technology to be creative.” 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
market your robot through the competition.” Future readiness is another priority at Blue Ridge ISD, with career based technology programs beginning in middle school. As a rural district, agriculture is at the forefront of these efforts. “I think maybe in the past we did not recognize how much technology is embedded into the The district has also invested in a fully outfitted robotics lab, where students start at the basics, and are able to move up to the competition level. She recounts,“They are looking at how to apply the learning from their other classrooms, from math and science, and even language arts, because there is a considerable amount of writing involved in log books and being able to describe your robot and 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
18694-26PB Learn the skills and knowledge you need to make a difference in the lives of others. Fulfill Your Educational Goals at Collin College! Collin College produces workforce experts, educators, technicians, and leaders in HVAC, welding, engineering, automotive, construction, and more. Students receive hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment at an affordable price. • Career centers • Affordable tuition • Transferable programs • Continuing education • Associate degrees • Bachelor’s degrees Visit a campus near you to learn more about: Apply Now! www.collin.edu/admissions 18694-26PB Learn the skills and knowledge you need to make a difference in the lives of others. Launch Your Healthcare Career at Collin College! Experience hands-on training in state-of-theart facilities — all at an affordable tuition. Apply and start your journey today! Learn more at www.collin.edu/department/hses. Collin College has a range of health science programs that will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rewarding healthcare career. Whether you’re pursuing a certification, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree, we have something for you! 18919-25PB • Central Sterile Processing • Nursing • Physical Therapist Assistant • Pharmacy Technician • Respiratory Care • Surgical Technology • and more Health science programs:
Growth and academic collaborations are at the forefront of Collin College’s vision as it continues to partner with businesses, universities, and area ISDs to meet the needs of its flourishing communities. Along with the iCollin Virtual Campus, this dynamic higher education institution boasts 10 campuses and centers in seven North Texas cities. With the lowest in-district tuition in the state, Collin College prides itself in offering accessible high-quality education close to home. Collin’s vibrant dual credit partnerships with area ISDs, like Blue Ridge, provide an opportunity for students to earn associate degrees prior to their high school graduations. In addition to offering more than 200 degrees, certificates, and pathways in a wide range of disciplines, Collin College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Operations Management, and a new Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development. WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE Recently, the college launched two initiatives with educational partners. The Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Collin College gives students interested in engineering the chance to simultaneously enroll at Collin College and Texas A&M University, allowing students to save up to $40,000 in tuition, fees, room, and board before transitioning to Texas A&M University. Another money-saving opportunity is the Collin College Academic Alliance, a partnership with Texas State University and The University of Texas at Dallas. Students can enroll at Collin College, choose from one of the distinguished universities, and go on to earn associate degrees while seamlessly earning bachelor’s degrees. GROWTH BRINGS OPPORTUNITY Much of the college’s growth and new projects reflect discussions with local ISDs, municipalities, and the business community about ways to better serve a fast-growing population with changing workforce needs. Opening in 2027, a new 120,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art health sciences center in Frisco will address allied health and nursing shortages and provide additional space and greater access to established programs including nursing and diagnostic sonography. In addition to the innovative Technical Campus which houses a variety of workforce programs, the college is building a career and technology education (CTE) building in Wylie, which will offer learning spaces for Welding, HVAC, and Veterinary Technology as well as other future programs. Established in 1985, Collin College is honored to be a pillar in the community, aiming to provide tools and knowledge beyond the classroom. Visit www.collin.edu.
campus, and then in the spring, they will be pushing out to facilities that we’ve partnered with to get their clinical hours,” Helms explains.“We’re really excited about that, and we plan to expand that every year as students complete their certification.” Collin College also provides other advanced opportunities, as Dr. Floyd highlights, “We had students this past year who graduated with their associates degree before they graduated with their high school diploma. So that was pretty neat.” PARTNERSHIPS AND LOCAL COLLABORATIONS Blue Ridge ISD values the support and engagement of its community, recognizing that many “learning beyond the classroom” opportunities are made possible through strong local partnerships. Helms describes, “In setting up our lab, we reached out to every skilled nursing facility in a 20 mile radius. We received letters of support from all of the businesses in our area saying that they’re very excited that we agricultural space,” Helms acknowledges. “But we see our teachers utilizing more and more advanced technologies, through welding, animal tracking, livestock production, all of these things. We’re really trying to integrate the skills from all of the core areas as our students move through a significant and expansive certification process at the high school.” PARTNERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY In collaboration with Collin College, the district is opening doors for students to pursue careers in healthcare. “We’re very excited about our medical pathways this year,” underscores Helms. “We have a partnership with Collin College, which is our regional partner for higher education, and we have two really significant opportunities.” One of those is EMT certification, an option being offered for the first time this year. The district is also one of the first in the area to open a certified nursing assistant skills lab. “Our students will be having their lab hours and their classroom hours on 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE ABOVE ALL When Blue Ridge Independent School District trustees approved their recent bond this spring, including critical high school roof replacement, they demonstrated the forward-thinking leadership that Coryell Roofing & Construction has championed across Texas and five surrounding states for over a decade. As 2024 Commercial Contractor of the Year by Roofing Contractor Magazine, Coryell stands as the premier partner for educational institutions navigating quality, durability, and fiscal responsibility. Founded in 2011 by CEO Chris Coryell and CFO Theresa Coryell, with President Ken Wells leading operations, the Oklahoma City-based firm made a strategic pivot to focus exclusively on commercial roofing, particularly educational facilities throughout “Hail Alley.” Across their service area, school districts consistently choose Coryell’s severe weather-resistant systems for their proven durability and performance, with installations regularly withstanding major hail events with zero damage. What sets Coryell apart is their groundbreaking partnership with FM Approvals, the first roofing contractor to collaborate with this premier testing organization to establish comprehensive standards for school roof systems.This mission-driven approach extends beyond installation to advocacy, with leadership traveling to state legislatures promoting better roofing standards. Their quality-overlowest-bid philosophy resonates with forward-thinking districts like Blue Ridge Independent School District, where championship-level protection matters more than the cheapest option. Specializing in severe weather-resistant roofing systems for educational institutions across six states. Founded in 2011 by Chris and Theresa Coryell, the company pioneered industry-leading partnerships with FM Approvals, delivering mission-driven excellence over lowest-bid mentality nationwide. www.CoryellRoofing.com Blue Ridge ISD trustees approved a critical high school roof replacement, showcasing Coryell Roofing's leadership in commercial roofing, particularly for educational facilities. The company has been chosen for their durability and performance. Coryell's partnership with FM Approvals, the first roofing contractor to establish comprehensive standards for school roof systems, sets them apart and resonates with forward-thinking districts like Blue Ridge ISD. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE ABOVE ALL
are starting this program to create a pipeline for them.” Students also benefit from partnerships in technology and engineering. Funded by a robotics grant, the district works with Tech Titan to bring valuable STEM activities and mentorship programs to learners.“We have some really exciting things lined up for our students to do some work based learning at some major organizations throughout the metroplex,” expands Helms. Additionally, engineers from Texas Instruments are scheduled to connect virtually with learners.“They will give some really specific talks to our students as they go throughout their learning this year, and then also some learning opportunities where they will go to different plants and agencies to see the work in action,” she relays. HOLISTIC SUPPORT The mental health and well-being of all students and staff is a priority for Blue Ridge ISD. “We have to be cognizant of trying to create an atmosphere where people like to come to work every day and create a positive climate and positive morale in our campuses and in our district,” portrays Dr. Floyd. “Our counselors are involved in that social emotional aspect, but also our administrators and our teachers are keeping an eye on students and looking out for key traits that might be triggers that need to be addressed.” A new police department is also being established this year, bringing another layer of security and support in the district. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 BLUE RIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Collin College www.collin.edu Serving more than 60,000 students annually, Collin College offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including baccalaureate degrees in Nursing, Cybersecurity, Construction Management, Clinical Operations Management, and Software Development. A partner to business, government, and industry, the college provides customized training and workforce development. n Coryell Roofing & Construction, Inc. www.coryellroofing.com Coryell Roofing & Construction is the 2024 Commercial Contractor of the Year specializing in severe weather-resistant roofing systems for educational institutions across six states. Founded in 2011 by Chris and Theresa Coryell, the company pioneered industry-leading partnerships with FM Approvals, delivering mission-driven excellence over lowest-bid mentality nationwide. LOOKING AHEAD On a more personal note, Dr. Floyd emphasizes the value of learning new skills and continuing to grow and evolve. He stresses, “Lifelong learning is important for everybody, regardless of whether they’re in education or not, and that’s what we try to instill in our students and our employees as well.” For Ray one of the best parts of her work is ensuring that students have access to a well rounded school experience.“Being a small district, I think sometimes we get a bad rap, that we don’t get the same opportunities that big schools do,” she asserts. “So, being able to provide those opportunities for our students, no matter where they live, is so rewarding.” Helms says her satisfaction comes from the students, teachers, and principals she works alongside. “We have such an amazing team that truly works together to celebrate small wins, to work for the good of our kids every single day, with kids at heart, and making sure our students have every single opportunity that they need to be successful today and long term. We’re having a blast.” Moving forward, Blue Ridge ISD is preparing for growth with a clear focus on the future. The district is committed to completing the new intermediate campus while also applauding the efforts and progress taking place across every school. “We all know that positive things are happening, and people come to work every day, doing great work and doing their very best for students,” Dr. Floyd imparts. “We are raising expectations, and we are raising student outcomes and successes. As we say around here, we are Raising the Ridge.” 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
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