August 2001 Board Highlights

August 14, 2001

Extra Mile Award
The Superintendent and members of the Board recognized Brazosport Facts reporter, Yvonne Mintz, as a recipient of the "Extra Mile Award" for August. In addition to being recognized by the District, Ms. Mintz also received special recognition from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) by being named to the TASB Media Honor Roll for her "fair and balanced reporting of news about public schools." Yvonne is one of about 400 reporters across the state to be honored by local school districts. Her name will appear in the August/September issue of TASB's Texas Lone Star.

Public Hearing on Redistricting
The Board held a public hearing on redistricting the Brazosport Independent School District. Professor Michael Morrison, with the Waco law firm of Guinn & Morrison explained to the Board and audience that the District is one of approximately 150 Texas school districts that elect all or some of their trustees from single-member districts. By law, the District is required to complete the redistricting process after the 2000 Census data has been published, and in advance of the May 2002 trustee elections. Professor Morrison explained that the redistricting process is subject to provisions of the U. S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act, and that the Department of Justice must preclear any redistricting plan before it may be implemented. After hearing public comment, Professor Morrison stated that the maps and data sheets would remain on display at the Administration Building Board Room, and invited any interested members of the public to contact him or the Superintendent with questions or concerns regarding the redistricting process.

Public Hearing and Adoption of the 2002 Budget
After holding a required public hearing to discuss the 2001-2002 proposed budget and tax rate, the Board voted to adopt an expenditure budget for the upcoming school year totaling nearly $94 million. The adopted budget is funded by a proposed five-cent tax increase and nearly $3.9 million of budget reductions. The increase in taxes and budget reductions will be used to offset budget increases totaling $7.1 million; including a $4 million increase in State equalization payments and salary and benefit increases for teachers and other personnel totaling $1.9 million. Proposed funding for the District's Technology Plan and for district-wide refurbishing projects has been suspended, pending identification of alternative funding options and the completion of the District's master plan for facilities.

Purchase of Attendance Credits From the State
The Board approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits with the State for the 2001-2002 school year, and authorized the Superintendent to submit a "letter of intent" to the Commissioner of Education describing actions underway in the District to reduce its property wealth per student to the State equalized level. The District currently expects to pay approximately $11.7 million for wealth equalization during the upcoming school year.

Adoption of TASB Stipend Study Recommendation
Board members approved a recommendation from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to implement modifications to the District's 2001-2002 schedule of stipends paid for extra duties. The recommendation was based on a TASB study comparing amounts paid by the District with other districts in the surrounding market area and examining the rationale and effectiveness of current practices. The study revealed 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." The approved recommendation assigns a total value to each extra duty based on market value, and requires that stipends be reviewed annually as part of the budget process. Mr. Okruhlik stated that no employee would suffer a reduction in overall compensation as a result of implementing the recommended plan.

Waiver of Tuition Fee for Nonresident Students
Board members approved waiving tuition fees for non-resident transfer students for the 2001-2002 school year, to the extent space is available. The action is designed to increase the District's enrollment and weighted average daily attendance (WADA), thereby reducing the District's calculated wealth per student and associated wealth equalization payments. Current law only allows the district to include non-resident students who are not charged tuition in its calculation of WADA and associated "Robin Hood" payments.

BISD Master Plan For Facilities
Superintendent, Rudy Okruhlik, reviewed plans for developing a "Master Plan For Facilities" with Board members and presented a tentative timeline for its completion. Mr. Okruhlik introduced Roy Montalbano, with PBK Architects, Inc., who will assist the District in developing the Master Plan, and reviewed the various committees and sub-committees expected to be involved in the Plan's development. Board members indicated their satisfaction with the Superintendent's plan and timeline, and expressed their support for moving forward with the Plan's development.

Approval of Agreement for Juvenile Justice
Alternative Education Program Trustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding and Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. The agreement between the County of Brazoria, the Brazoria County Juvenile Justice Board, and the eight school districts in Brazoria County will facilitate operations of the "boot camp" program for the 2001-2002 school year.

Buccaneer Belles Spring Break Trip
Board members approved allowing the Brazoswood High School Buccaneer Bells to accept an invitation to perform at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The trip and associated performance is scheduled to coincide with "spring break" in March 2002. Members of the Buccaneer Belles dance team will raise the required funds for the trip.

Approval of Teacher Appraisal Calendar and Teacher Appraisers for 2001-2002
The Board approved the teacher appraisal calendar for the 2001-2002 school year, as required by the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS), and identified administrative staff members who have completed formal training for certification as appraisers. The PDAS requires each school district to annually establish a calendar that designates appraisal periods, and further requires each designated appraiser to receive uniform appraiser training.

Interlocal Agreement With the City of Lake Jackson
The Board of Trustees approved an extension and modification of an interlocal agreement between the Brazosport Independent School District and the City of Lake Jackson to allow recreational use of School District and City property. The extension allows the City to continue leasing District property located directly south of the Grady B. Rasco Middle School for another ten years in exchange for allowing the School District to use the newly constructed Lake Jackson Civic Center for weekday administrative meetings and training sessions. The agreement also allows seasonal use of District recreational facilities by the City, at no charge, as requested by the City Manager.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes for the July 12 and July 24, 2001, Board meetings, financial statements for June 2001, and a contract for telephone maintenance and repair to Valline Communications, Inc.