Matt Broussard
Joseph Salinas
Jason Simpson
Kellen Hood
Rachel Crook
Ashley Skinner
Julie Salinas
Recognition of Students
Board members recognized the following Brazosport High School students for academic and athletic achievements during the past school year:
Outstanding Art Students - Mauricio Vasquez, Award-Tyler Gibson
1st Team 4A All State Place Kicker for 1999 - Michael Swansey
1999-2000 Brazosport High School Swimming and Diving Team Participants
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Matt Broussard |
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Joseph Salinas |
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Jason Simpson |
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Kellen Hood |
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Rachel Crook |
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Ashley Skinner |
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Julie Salinas |
The Board recognized Freeport Intermediate School and Brazoswood High School as recipients of the Texas Successful Schools Award for 1998-99. The recipient schools will each receive cash awards from the Texas Education Agency based on their levels of sustained success and their improvements in achieving educational goals.
O. A. Fleming “Walk Through”
Prior to convening the regular order of business, the Board of Trustees conducted a “walk through” of the new O. A. Fleming Elementary School, which is nearing completion in Freeport. Board members indicated their pleasure with the overall quality of the construction, and congratulated Construction LTD and others involved with the project for a beautiful new school.
Audience
Mary Beth Blankenship, a teacher at Brazoswood High School, addressed the Board regarding salaries and benefits. Ms. Blankenship identified health insurance coverage as a major concern among employees, and asked the Board to support a resolution calling for state-funded health insurance for school district employees.
Dr. J. B. Berryhill, Director of Special Education, presented the Board with the results of the latest External Customer Survey (ECS) for graduates. Dr. Berryhill explained that the ECS began with the graduating class of 1995, and surveys graduates eighteen months, three years, and five years after graduation. Dr. Berryhill stated that the survey indicates a high overall level of satisfaction with public education offered by the District. Over 80% of students responding from the Class of 1999 agree that school taught them to think and solve problems effectively.
Dr. Berryhill also presented the Board with the results of the latest Internal Customer Survey (ICS). Dr. Berryhill explained that the ICS has been administered since the 1992-93 school year, and is an important tool for identifying areas for improvement. For 2000, the survey was modified to obtain responses from a random sample of employees. Dr. Berryhill reported that the overall survey rating of “6.0” is the highest since the ICS process was initiated. The survey indicated improvement in all areas, except for “Benefits,” which continued its downward trend. Board members commended Dr. Berryhill and the District for conducting the latest survey, and emphasized the importance of the data in the District’s decision making process.
Anna Brodie, Director of Elementary Education, was assisted by Kathy Ward, a kindergarten teacher at Gladys Polk Elementary, and Robert Rasberry, Assistant Principal at T. W. Ogg Elementary, with a presentation regarding the introduction of full-day kindergarten in Brazosport. Mrs. Brodie provided background information concerning the District’s existing kindergarten programs, and explained to Board members that a district-wide expansion of kindergarten from half-day to full-day would assist the District in its efforts to concentrate on early learning related to student academic performance, growth, and development. Mrs. Brodie also stated that funding for the program could be obtained through a resulting reduction in the District’s required State equalization payments. Board members thanked Mrs. Brodie and her committee for their presentation and their commitment to early learning in BISD.
Board members approved a process for conducting an on-line community survey, utilizing the District’s Internet capabilities. In presenting an outline of the pilot program, Dr. Berryhill stated that the survey would be viewed as an additional effort to accumulate data for continuous improvement of the educational system in the community.
The Board adopted a revision to the Board of Trustees Policies, updating the District’s travel reimbursement rates to reflect the allowable travel reimbursement schedule for State employees. The revised reimbursement rates are:
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Mileage |
$0.28 per mile |
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Meals |
Actual, not to exceed $25 per day |
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Lodging |
Actual, not to exceed $70 per day |
The Board approved the sale of delinquent tax property held in trust by Brazoria County, and authorized the Board President to execute the necessary documents in connection with the sale.
The Board adopted a resolution to allow the District’s Child Nutrition Program to participate in the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Purchasing Cooperative. The HCDE Cooperative will allow the District to purchase non-food items utilizing the Cooperative’s bulk purchase prices.
The Board of Trustees approved awarding contracts for roof renovations at Lake Jackson Intermediate and Hopper Field and for choir and orchestra attire.
The Board accepted the financial statements for February 2000, as presented by the Director of Business Services.
The Board voted to accept, with regrets, the retirement of Olivea Suazo, as Associate Principal for the Brazoswood Ninth-Grade Center, and appointed Grace Walkes to serve as her successor for the 2000-2001 school year.
