Forney, Texas – The Forney Independent School District's Board of Trustees extended Superintendent Michael Holland's contract after an executive session at their monthly meeting on January 13, 2014.
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Was the decision an easy decision for the board? “Absolutely!” said Board President Keith Bell in an interview with inForney.com. Superintendent Holland joined Forney ISD at one of the darkest times in the district's history since its inception in 1897.
In 2011, the district became aware of an overfunding by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) of approximately $13.6 million – based on overinflated attendance numbers. Although overfunding isn't uncommon in the school business, the district spent that money based on false financial statements instead of making “settle up” payments with the TEA at the end of each year.
Not only were they overfunded, but Texas lawmakers reduced school funding by $5 billion in 2011 – further crippling the district. Lawmakers restored state education funding in 2013, but only partially.
Top administrators at the time left the district with its new found troubles and didn't look back. Holland, a retired Magnolia ISD superintendent, was enjoying his retirement in south Texas when he stumbled across the open position and became interested.
“I think Mike saw it as a challenge,” said Bell about Holland's interest in the job which would re-locate his family nearly four hours north to Forney, Texas.
Two years later, under Holland's leadership, the district reported a $1.2 million fund balance – its first positive fund balance since 2010. The district also received a clean audit opinion and an improved rating from Standard and Poor's from a BBB+ to an A-.
“A leader is a dealer in hope,” said Bell, quoting one of his favorite quotes. “What Mike did was came in here and gave this whole community and his staff, hope. Mike's a leader. Mike's a dealer in hope.”
In 2011, the district became aware of an overfunding by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) of approximately $13.6 million – based on overinflated attendance numbers. Although overfunding isn't uncommon in the school business, the district spent that money based on false financial statements instead of making “settle up” payments with the TEA at the end of each year.
Not only were they overfunded, but Texas lawmakers reduced school funding by $5 billion in 2011 – further crippling the district. Lawmakers restored state education funding in 2013, but only partially.
Top administrators at the time left the district with its new found troubles and didn't look back. Holland, a retired Magnolia ISD superintendent, was enjoying his retirement in south Texas when he stumbled across the open position and became interested.
“I think Mike saw it as a challenge,” said Bell about Holland's interest in the job which would re-locate his family nearly four hours north to Forney, Texas.
Two years later, under Holland's leadership, the district reported a $1.2 million fund balance – its first positive fund balance since 2010. The district also received a clean audit opinion and an improved rating from Standard and Poor's from a BBB+ to an A-.
“A leader is a dealer in hope,” said Bell, quoting one of his favorite quotes. “What Mike did was came in here and gave this whole community and his staff, hope. Mike's a leader. Mike's a dealer in hope.”