"Extra Mile Award"

Mr. Okruhlik introduced the “Extra Mile Award,” in recognition of those employees, students, volunteers, and community members who are helping to take the District “Beyond Exemplary.”  The Board was assisted by Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, in recognized the following award recipients:

Title VII Program

Sylvia Castro, Special Programs Specialist, presented a report on the Title VII Grant Educator Preparation Program (Title VII), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  The Program seeks to expand and enhance existing bilingual/ESL instructional programs for LEP students and to recruit and prepare additional certified bilingual/ESL teachers.  In addition to benefiting students and parents, Ms. Castro explained that the Program benefits mentor teachers, trainers and interns, and the entire district and community.

"Campus Reviews"

Charlene Burgner, Director of Instruction, presented a report on “campus reviews” currently underway in the District.  Ms. Burgner explained that campus reviews assist the District in gathering data and in identifying where a campus is going and how the Instructional Support Team can support them in getting there.  There are currently twenty campus reviews scheduled between September and November of this year.  Each review lasts between two to three hours, and is attended by the Superintendent, Instructional Support Team members, and the campus Principal.

Audience

Brazosport Federation of Teachers' President, Jolene Renfro, addressed the Board regarding a “laundry list” of twenty teacher concerns gathered during the fall of 2000.  After addressing each concern, Ms. Renfro thanked the Board for their kind attention to the list and for the nice things they do for teachers in the District.

Textbook Selection Committee

Board members approved the following staff members to serve on the Official Textbook Selection Committee for 2000-2001: Mr. Okruhlik (Chairperson), Faithe Koser, Dr. Delma Banuelos, Jackie Brewer, Ron White, Sheryl Buscanyi, Debra Barrera, Kay Raun, Susan Brown, Judie Woolam, Martha MacDonald, Bonnie Rice, Cecila Selman, Julia Ward, and Lois Davis. 

Resolution Authorizing Special Warranty Deed

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Board President to execute a special warranty deed to transfer the District’s interests in forty Velasco Townsite lots to the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Freeport.  The action will facilitate the Urban Renewal Agency’s efforts to make the property available for development and bring the property back on the District’s tax roll.  A similar action had previously been taken by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court in August.

Resolution to Obtain a Bank Loan

Board members approved a resolution authorizing the Board President to negotiate with Texas Gulf Bank for a line of credit loan of up to $5 million. The short-term loan will assist the District in financing its mid-October obligations. Michael Abild, Director of Business Services, explained that the District’s large, industrial taxpayers pay one-half of their taxes on October 15, and the other half on May 20 of the following year.  Since the District receives little funding from the State or local sources in advance of the October “split payment” being received, short-term financing is required to fund operations for, approximately, a ten-day period in mid-October.

Alternative Education Center Sites

Mr. Okruhlik invited Board members to select a day to tour and discuss possible permanent sites for the District’s Alternative Education Center. The Alternative Education Center is currently housed in Clute, adjacent to the Weiner’s Department Store.  Mr. Okruhlik stated that, in addition to the Center’s current location, there are currently three other sites being considered.  Board members agreed on holding a special workshop to tour the sites on Monday, October 9, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Amendment to the 2000-2001 Budget

The Board approved an amendment to the 2000-2001 expenditure budget, totaling $428,695, to incorporate 1999-2000 purchase orders unpaid as of the District’s fiscal year end of August 31, 2000.

Acceptance of Financial Statements

The Board accepted the financial statements for August 2000, as presented by Michael Abild, Director of Business Services.

Approval to Award Bid Contracts

The Board of Trustees approved awarding contracts for athletic supplies and equipment (track), band and orchestra equipment, and five new school buses.