The Board recognized the following Brazosport High School students for their
academic and athletic achievements during the past school year:
State Track Meet
Howard Jackson
Gydeon Gilzow
First Team All-Region Soccer Team
& Academic All-State Soccer Team
Tra Girouard
Academic All-State Soccer Team
Javier DeLaFuente
2001-2002
Proposed Budget Workshop
The Board held a workshop to review and discuss the proposed budget for
2001-2002. Michael Abild, Director of Business Services, informed Board
members that the proposed budget is based on a five-cent tax increase that is
expected to generate approximately $3.4 million of additional revenue for the
upcoming year. The proposed budget includes nearly $3.9 million of budget
reductions; including nearly $1 million in personnel costs associated with a
net reduction/redirection of 26 personnel positions. The proposed reductions,
combined with new tax revenues, would be used to offset budget increases
totaling $7.1 million; including a $4 million increase in State equalization
payments and recommended 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. Mr. Okruhlik thanked
Board members for their direction and announced that a public budget hearing
and formal adoption of the 2002 budget will be scheduled for August.
HIPAA Exemption
The Board renewed its election to be exempt from the requirements of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for the
upcoming year. The action exempts the District from most of the requirements
of HIPAA, with the exception of the Act's requirement to provide departing
employees with certification of prior health insurance coverage.
TAAS Performance Incentive Program
The Board of Trustees approved the Employee Performance Incentive Program
for the 2001-2002 school year. The program grants monetary awards to campuses
and individuals based on student academic performance during the previous
school year. The 2001-2002 proposed budget includes $615,000 for district-wide
performance incentive awards.
2001-2002 Employee Compensation Schedule
Board members approved the teacher compensation schedule for the 2001-2002
contract year. The approved schedule includes a minimum salary increase of
$1,200 for all full-time teachers, and offers a "beginning teacher"
salary of $33,000. The 2001-2002 proposed budget includes approximately $1.55
million to fund these and other salary increases.
Single-Member Redistricting Process
Mr. Okruhlik reviewed the implications of the 2000 Census with Board
members as they relate to the determination of single-members districts in the
District. Mr. Okruhlik informed Board members that the District has engaged
the Waco law firm of Guinn & Morrison to assist in its redistricting
efforts and, in that regard, has been advised to form a citizens advisory
committee and schedule an initial meeting to discuss the redistricting
process. The revised single-member districts will be used to conduct the May
2002 Trustee Elections. Board members agreed to schedule a special meeting to
review the redistricting process on July 24, 2001, at 6:00 p.m.
Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes for the June 5
and June 18 Board meetings, financial statements for May 2001, a
recommendation by the Brazoria County Property Tax Resale Committee to sell
delinquent tax properties held in trust by Brazoria County, a waiver of
penalty and interest charges on a delinquent tax account, and bid awards for
training room supplies, vocational tools, custodial supplies, instructional
supplies, and printer supplies.