The
Board recognized the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Freeport
Intermediate School for being designated as a national “School to Watch”
by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. The National Forum brings together program sponsors,
educators, researchers, state and local representatives, and national leaders
to share resources and work together to solve problems and initiate action. Campuses are selected based on their academic excellence,
their ability to respond to the needs of young adolescents, and their ability
to provide a socially equitable environment for all students.
Freeport Intermediate School is one of only four campuses in America
selected for recognition by the National Forum.
Board
members also recognized Freeport Intermediate School for being selected as a
Texas Mentor School. The Texas
Mentor School Network is a statewide initiative to support campus-based school
improvement, and serves as a vehicle for linking campus professionals as they
collaborate to identify and implement research-based educational practices
that improve student achievement. Freeport
Intermediate teachers will be given the opportunity to receive staff
development, materials, and training that is specifically designed for mentor
school principals and faculties, and will provide input used to develop
policies and best practices for Texas schools.
Amanda
Ramirez, a student at Freeport Intermediate School, was also recognized by the
Board and her principal, Clara Sale, for winning “Best of Show” among
Brazosport Intermediate Schools in connection with the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo’s art competition. Amanda’s
entry, entitled “Rodeo Spirit,” earned her a scholarship to the Glassel
School of Art for one week this summer, and will be exhibited in area
competition at the Astro Arena.
Cindy
Harrison shared the results of a survey of elementary school teachers with
Board members. The survey
disclosed two major areas of concern among teachers relating to uncompensated
extra duties and inadequate travel reimbursement rates.
Ms. Harrison encouraged the Board to take steps to address these two
areas of concern.
Melvin
Blair, Director of Secondary Education and Technology, presented a technology
update and evaluation to the Board, highlighting the following goals relating
to the District’s long-range plan for technology:
|
Goal
2: |
Provide
high-quality internal and external connectivity. |
|
Goal
3: |
Provide
all learners with current and appropriate technological resources and
support. |
|
Goal
5: |
Improve
the productivity and efficiency of all school operations |
Mr.
Blair told Board members that significant progress toward implementing the
district’s technology plan has been made in the areas of technological
infrastructure, connectivity, and hardware and software selection and
maintenance, and that the 2000-2001 implementation plan will focus resources
on obtaining student computer workstations.
Board members thanked Mr. Blair and his staff for the update and for
their hard work and commitment to improved student learning through
technology.
The
Board approved elementary and secondary summer school programs for 2000, as
presented by Anna Brodie, Director of Elementary Education, and Melvin Blair,
Director of Secondary Education and Technology. Approved elementary summer school programs include Safety
Town, Extended-Year Services, Sum-Fun, Summer Limited English Proficiency,
Title I Enrichment, and Migrant Education.
Middle
and intermediate school summer programs will offer students the opportunity to
improve and maintain math, reading, and writing skills, and will be held on
each campus June 5 through June 29. High
school summer sessions will be offered at Brazosport High School on June 5
through June 29 (Session I), and July 3 through July 27 Session II).
TAAS Remediation will be held June 12 through July 7 at Brazosport High
School, and the secondary ESL/Summer Reading Program will be offered June 5
through July 14, at Brazosport High School, Clute Intermediate School, and
Lanier Middle School.
The
Board approved the year-round education calendar for the 2000-2001 school
year, as recommended by campus principals offering year-round education.
The
Board approved the selection of new state-adopted textbooks, as recommended by
the Textbook Selection Committee. The
Committee was appointed by the Board to do an in-depth study of all books on
the state-approved list and to recommend textbooks for use in the District.
The
Board approved an interlocal agreement with Brazoria County to resurface the
walking path at A.P. Beutel Elementary School and to repair the roadway
leading to Wilson Field at Brazoswood High School.
Dr.
Anderson informed Board members that the Region IV Education Service Center
Board of Directors will take action at their April meeting to declare the
following unopposed candidates elected as members of the Center’s Board:
|
Place
5, Harris Co. |
Dr.
Gerald Cobb |
|
Place
6, Chambers/Liberty Co. |
Mr.
Joe Leonard |
|
Place
7, Galveston Co. |
Ms.
Margie Ferguson |
Board
members voted to contract with Mr. David Thompson and Dr. Mike Moses to assist
with the upcoming superintendent search.
Board President, Ron Miles, made the recommendation based on interviews
of candidates by an ad-hoc committee consisting of Board members and staff.
Mr. Thompson is a former Associate Executive Director of the Texas
Association of School Boards and general counsel for the Texas Education
Agency. Dr. Mike Moses most
recently served as Texas Commissioner of Education from 1995-1997.
Mr. Miles stated that Mr. Thompson and Dr. Moses will bring a unique
combination of educational and legal knowledge to the search process.
The
Board of Trustees officially appointed Election Judges and Alternate Election
Judges for each of the precincts participating in the upcoming Trustee
Election on May 6, 2000.
The
Board voted to establish an out-of-district tuition fee for the 2000-2001
school year of $5,000 per student.
The Board of Trustees approved awarding contracts for two pick-up trucks for the Maintenance Department, and for asbestos removal and disposal at Brazosport High School, O.M. Roberts Elementary School, and Lanier Middle School.
The Board accepted the financial statements for January 2000, as presented by the Director of Business Services.