The Board of Trustees recognized the following individuals and organizations as recipients of “Extra Mile Awards” for June: 

  Student Recognitions

The Board recognized students for academic and athletic achievements during the past school year, as follows: 

Brazosport Lady Exporters Softball Team

The Lady Exporters captured their first District 24-AAAA Softball Championship in school history, with a 10-0 record, and won the Bi-District and Area Playoff Championships.  The Lady “Ships” also finished their season as Regional Quarterfinalists, and set a school record with a season record of 23-9.  The Lady Exporters are lead by their Head Coach, Billy Hicks, who was been named 24-AAAA Coach of the Year.

Brazoswood Lady Bucs Softball Team

The Lady Bucs won their sixth straight District 24-AAAAA Championship, and were crowned Region 3 Area Champs and Regional Quarterfinalists.  The Lady Bucs finished another outstanding season, with a 25-9 record, under the capable leadership of 1999-2000 National Coach of the Year, Shelly Bollin.

TASB Stipend Pay Study

Cindy Clegg, representing the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), presented Board members with a review of the District’s stipend pay for extra duties.  Ms. Clegg informed Board members that the study was designed to compare amounts paid by the District with other districts in the surrounding market area and to examine the rationale and effectiveness of current methods.  Ms. Clegg reported that TASB’s study found that the District uses a combination of stipends and extra days for compensating employees for extra duties, and that the District’s stipends are generally low when compared to the “market.”  Ms. Clegg recommended the District change its stipend plan to assign a total value to each assignment based on market value, and presented three implementation options for the Board’s consideration.  Ms. Clegg also emphasized the importance of reviewing and adjusting stipends on a more frequent basis.  Mr. Okruhlik thanked Ms. Clegg for her study and stated that the three options would be reviewed for possible inclusion in the District’s 2002 budget. 

Preliminary 2001 TAAS Results

Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, presented the District’s preliminary results on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) for the 2000-2001 school year.  Mrs. Rinehart reported that preliminary results indicate that nearly all campuses will receive an “Exemplary” rating for 2001, and that the District will, once again, receive an “Exemplary” rating overall.  Mrs. Rinehart cautioned that results are preliminary, and are still subject to mobility adjustments.  Board members expressed pleasure with the TAAS results, and congratulated teachers, principals, and staff for their hard work and their commitment to the success of all students. 

2001-2002 Student Code of Conduct

The Board approved revisions to the Student Code of Conduct, as presented by Superintendent Okruhlik.  The revisions, which are effective for the 2001-2002 school year, are the result of input from educators, parents, and community members. 

2001-2002 Budget Workshop

The Board held a workshop to review and discuss the preliminary budget for the 2001-2002 school year. Superintendent Okruhlik informed Board members that increasing state equalization (“Robin Hood”) payments, combined with stagnant enrollment growth and an uncertain State funding picture, have presented the District with a significant budget challenge for the upcoming year. Michael Abild, Director of Business Services, reported that the preliminary budget includes a three-cent tax rate increase that will generate approximately $2.3 million of additional revenue for the upcoming year. Mr. Abild also informed Board members that the Superintendent and Management Team worked collaboratively to identify nearly $4.3 million of budget reductions for inclusion in the preliminary budget, including a net reduction/redirection of 40 personnel positions totaling $1.25 million. The reductions, combined with new tax revenues, would be used to offset a $3.7 million increase in State equalization payments for the upcoming year, bringing the District’s total equalization payments to nearly $11.6 million for 2002.  The additional funding would also be used to fund a recommended teacher salary increase of $1,000, with a corresponding average 2.5% increase in wages for other employee categories, as well as budget increases for enhanced health insurance contributions and a campus social studies re-equipping initiative. Budgets for the Long-Range Technology Plan and district-wide refurbishing projects have been suspended, pending completion of the District’s master plan for facilities, which is currently underway.  Mr. Okruhlik thanked Board members for their participation and direction and tentatively scheduled the Board’s next budget workshop for July 12.  A public budget hearing and formal adoption of the 2002 budget is expected in early August. 

Other Actions

In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes for the May 8 and May 29 Board meetings, financial statements for April 2001, a contract with Texas Gulf Bank to serve as the District's depository for the next biennium, approval of 2000-2001 campus performance data for submission to the Texas Education Agency’s Accountability Division by the Alternative Placement Center, and bid awards for athletic supplies and equipment (basketball and soccer).