District Operations
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 District Operations includes Auxiliary Services, Child Nutrition Services, Fleet Operations, Maintenance & Operations (Custodial Services), Safety & Security and Transportation. Each department within District Operations is committed to providing excellent customer service in addressing the needs of Fort Worth ISD schools and facilities. Safe and secure campuses, student transportation, nutritious meals and clean and attractive buildings and grounds help to provide an optimum environment in which learning can flourish.
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 Auxiliary Services includes warehouse storage of essential designated items such as custodial supplies, staffing for regularly-scheduled deliveries to schools and the removal of surplus items, and coordination of online auctions for the sale of surplus items.
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Child Nutrition Services serves approximately 75,000 meals daily, including breakfast, lunch and after school program snacks. Parents may submit applications for free or reduced-priced meals online. In addition, parents may utilize the mylunchmoney.com website, an online meal payment system, to pre-pay their children's meals and view their purchases. Healthy food choices are offered in coordination with the Texas State Public Schools Nutrition Policy, which regulates nutrients in food items (reducing fat, sugar and salt content). “Kick-Start With Breakfast” is a “Breakfast In the Classroom” program in which 24 elementary schools and one middle school currently participate. Overall comments about the program have been very positive.
Five schools were selected to participate in the Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that provides all children with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options throughout the day. Selected schools receive reimbursement for the cost of making free fresh fruits and vegetables available. The fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided separately from the lunch or breakfast meal in one or more areas of the school during the official school day. |
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Fleet Operations oversees the purchase, current inventory and maintenance of all District vehicles, including buses, delivery trucks, maintenance vehicles, lawn equipment, custodial equipment and assigned cars.
The Fort Worth ISD is the largest hybrid school bus fleet operator in the nation. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy North Texas Council of Governments fully covered the cost difference between regular school buses and hybrid buses for the purchase of 25 diesel/electric hybrid school buses. Two new hybrid special needs wheel chair lift buses were also added to the fleet. The District received funds from the Downwinders at Risk/Sue Pope Fund North Texas Pollution Reduction Program Grant that fully funded the purchase of three new warehouse diesel/electric hybrid box trucks. |
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Maintenance & Operations includes specialized areas such as plumbing, floors, lockers, fire alarms, HVAC central, HVAC rooftop units, carpentry, landscape & metal, paint/glass/graffiti, electric, fences, roofing, playground, energy management, environmental services and custodial services.
Along with the Division of Technology, Maintenance & Operations introduced a new work order system, which was created to enhance timely responses and completion of work orders based on priorities. Clean and well-maintained facilities, efficiency in energy and environmental issues and overall team spirit help to support principals, other administrators and teachers in the daily readiness of campuses. Special projects include painting of interiors and exteriors, re-paving parking lots, installing and repairing equipment and overseeing designated renovations and special assignments. The Campus Beautification Program includes awards and recognition for outstanding building exteriors and grounds. The Energy Management group provides tips to conserve energy District-wide, and the Energy Educator newsletter will be distributed seasonally to remind all employees about cost saving measures. The Go Green Save Green campaign to increase recycling is also overseen by the Energy Management group. |
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 Safety & Security works closely with the Fort Worth and Benbrook Police Departments to ensure a safe and secure environment for students and teachers. Safety and security measures are designed to create and sustain a positive learning environment, as well as to protect property. Training and drills to enhance emergency preparedness are also executed, including staff instruction, evacuation drills and the use of defibrillators.
The Readiness and Emergency Management of Schools (REMS) Grant was awarded to FWISD through the U.S. Department of Education for $580,154 for improving and refining emergency management plans. Grant funds will provide education to parents regarding student and campus safety; numbering of exterior doors with permanent signage; campus visitor ID and sign-in equipment; and development of a parent/student reunification plan, to name a few of the initiatives. The plan includes a full-scale exercise at a school, which will take place during the 2011-12 school year. The grant is also helping with the funding of the security assessment, a state-mandated requirement for the District every three years. |
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Transportation (student bus transportation) utilizes a routing system and field trip software to best serve our students. Over 460 buses run over 1,500 morning and afternoon routes serving approximately 16,600 students. Hybrid buses have the potential to provide up to 30%-40% improved fuel efficiency in standard in-city applications. Other updates include digital video systems in new buses and the installation of the systems in many current buses.
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