January 2001
Board Highlights

Board Highlight Archives

Extra Mile Award

Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, assisted Mr. Okruhlik in recognizing the following recipients of the "Extra Mile Award:

Mr. Okruhlik also presented Board members with a special Extra Mile Award in recognition of Texas School Board Recognition Month. In presenting the awards, Mr. Okruhlik stated that, "Board members are ordinary people, who do an extraordinary job." 

Mr. Okruhlik was assisted by Charlene Burgner, Director of Instruction, with a presentation entitled, "What Does a Board Member Do?" featuring third-grade art work and responses. The Extra Mile Award is presented monthly to those employees, students, volunteers, and community members who are helping to take the District "Beyond Exemplary."

"Raising the Academic Bar" 

Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, presented Board members with an explanation of "What does 'Exemplary and Beyond' mean in student performance?" The presentation included an explanation of the "Exemplary" accountability rating and the Texas Learning Index (TLI), as well as how student performance is impacted by curriculum. Mrs. Rinehart also reviewed TAAS requirements and the District's TAAS experience for the previous three years, and looked ahead to possible implications for the 2001 TAAS.

Selection of Architectural Services Firm

 Board members voted to engage the architectural services firm of PBK Architects, Inc. (PBK) to serve as the District's architects in connection with developing a district-wide master facilities plan and other associated architectural services. In making the recommendation, Mr. Okruhlik noted that PBK is a "full-service" architectural services firm, with nearly twenty-five years of experience serving Texas Gulf Coast schools, that can proactively involve district personnel and local community members through the entire process of district-wide master planning, bond promotion, facilities design and development, and construction.

2001-2002 School Calendar

The Board of Trustees approved the official school calendar for the 2001-2002 school year. The calendar had been developed in cooperation with the District Education Improvement Council (DEIC), which is comprised of teachers from each campus, parents, business representatives, administrators, and other community members. A copy of the official calendar has been included with this month's Highlights.

Exclusive Soft Drink Vending Contract

 Board members approved awarding an exclusive beverage vending contract to the Pepsi Bottling Company. Under the terms of the proposal offered by Pepsi, the District will receive "annual sponsorship payments" totaling $1 million over the next ten years in addition to an enhanced schedule of commissions for products sold. The District's legal counsel, Bracewell & Patterson, LLC, assisted the District in soliciting and negotiating the proposals. In addition to the Pepsi Bottling Company, the Board also considered proposals from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, and The Quaker Oats Company (Gatorade).

Chapter 41 School Funding Lawsuit

 Board members resolved to join other "Chapter 41" member districts of the Texas School Coalition (the Coalition) in supporting litigation aimed at improving the funding of Texas public schools. The Coalition represents some eighty-five "wealthy" school districts in Texas who have collectively paid more that $3 billion in equalization payments since the advent of the "Robin Hood" plan. The action will establish Brazosport Independent School District as a party to the Coalition's proposed challenge to the State's current system of financing public education.

Teacher Scholarship/Loan Program

Board members approved a cooperative teacher scholarship/loan program for Brazosport and Brazoswood High School students wishing to enter the education field. Mr. Okruhlik explained that the program strives to address the growing teacher shortage in Texas and the nation by developing "home grown" talent interested in working with students and teaching in the Brazosport School District. The program is the culmination of months of planning and is a cooperative effort of the District, Brazosport College, Sam Houston State University, and business and community members.

Replacement for the Student Management System 

Board members approved a recommendation to replace the existing student management system (TIES) with Chancery Software (Win School) through an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Region IV Education Service Center. Mr. Okruhlik noted that the current system has been a source of constant problems for staff since its installation approximately two years ago, and that the District is still experiencing great difficulties with the program. The Chancery Software product offers the District a proven tool to manage and improve the quality of education, and is currently installed in over 340 districts in Texas and over 14,000 sites in the United States and Canada.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the financial statements for November 2000, and a recommendation by the Brazoria County Properties Tax Resale Committee to sell delinquent tax properties held in trust by Brazoria County.