December 2001
Board Highlights

Board Highlight Archives

December 4, 2001

Extra Mile Awards

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

Public Hearing on AEIS Report for 2000-2001

The Board held a public hearing to review the 2000-2001 Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) report.  Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, reviewed the origin and history of the AEIS with Board members and the audience, and recounted previous Board presentations involving AEIS data.  Mrs. Rinehart introduced her presentation as, “Going Beyond TAAS with the AEIS,” and identified Texas Education Agency “Additional Acknowledgement Indicators” and “Advanced Indicators” available to assess the District’s progress in moving “beyond exemplary.”  Each of the advanced indicators were reviewed with Board members, as well as the District’s current status with respect to each indicator and possible solutions for meeting the academic and administrative challenges presented by each indicator.  Mrs. Rinehart stated that examining and evaluating the advanced indicators would assist in pushing our students toward excellence.  Board members enthusiastically received the new data and congratulated Mrs. Rinehart and the District for making advanced indicators a priority.

Curriculum and Staff Development Update

Jane Hill, Coordinator of Curriculum and Staff Development, introduced members of the District’s Instructional Facilitator Team, and presented Board members with a curriculum and staff development update.  Ms. Hill reviewed the many curriculum and staff development projects currently underway in the District, with particular emphasis on the “scope and sequence” project.  Ms. Hill identified the major phases and associated activities of the project, beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, and extending through 2002-2003.  The presentation was concluded with an overview of upcoming staff development activities; including a “mini-conference,” consisting of over 100 workshop offerings, scheduled for January 3, 2002, and scope and sequence feedback sessions scheduled for January 4.  Board members thanked Ms. Hill and the Instructional Team for their hard work and commitment to curriculum and staff development improvements.

2000-2001 District Financial Audit Report

The Board of Trustees reviewed and accepted the 2000-2001 annual audit report, as prepared by the certified public accounting firm of Kennemer, Masters, Koester & Wallace, LLC.  Tom Masters, CPA, discussed the results of the annual examination with the Board, and commended the District for its overall financial operations and improving financial position.

Program of Studies and Local Policy Update

Board members unanimously approved a recommended Program of Studies and associated course offerings and local policy updates.  Charlene Burgner, Director of Instruction, presented Board members with a multi-topic presentation, explaining the importance of the Program of Studies in ensuring quality curriculum and staff development offerings for all students and staff.  The approved Program of Studies affects grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12, and includes newly developed course offerings for math, science, reading, and social studies.  Mrs. Burgner also explained the need for several local policy updates to the Board of Trustees Policies to support the recommended Program of Studies and new course offerings.  The proposed policy changes would assist in the District’s administration of correspondence, distance, and on-line learning courses, as well as the dual credit program.  Additional local policy changes would affect grading and progress reports, graduation requirements, and the use of copyrighted materials.  Board members expressed their pleasure with the Program of Studies and congratulated Mrs. Burgner and her staff for their hard work and preparation for the more rigorous academic requirements of the future.

John Magee Performance Center

Board members unanimously voted to name the Brazosport High School Auditorium in honor of long-time choral director, John Magee.  The John Magee Choir Reunion Committee, representing more than 10,000 students of Mr. Magee’s, had recommended the action.  In approving the recommendation, Board members shared recollections of their own experiences with Mr. Magee and testimonials to his outstanding work in choral direction.

Board of Trustee Operating Procedures

Mr. Okruhlik reviewed a revised draft of Board of Trustee Operating Procedures with Board members and announced that the Procedures would be presented to the Board for approval at a later meeting.

School Finance Update

Mr. Okruhlik reported that Board members, Vickie Kirby, Mazie Mack, and Louis Walker, joined Director of Business Services, Michael Abild, and himself, in attending the Joint Select Committee on Public School Finance hearing, recently held in Galveston .  Mr. Okruhlik reported that the testimony was quite lengthy, with only eight people presenting testimony from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Consistent with similar hearings held across the State, no “silver bullet” solutions were offered, with most testimony focusing on concerns and shortcomings of the existing school funding formulas.

Campus Environmental Air Quality Results

Mr. Okruhlik reviewed the results from recent air quality tests conducted at Lanier Middle School with Board members.  Mr. Okruhlik reported that the tests all indicate that mold and mildew spore counts at that campus do not currently present a danger to staff or students, and that the District has developed a short-term response to ensure existing mold at the campus is contained until full remediation activities can be completed this summer.  Mr. Okruhlik also stated that the District would continue to monitor the air quality at that campus, as well as several other facilities across the District.

Other Actions