Board Highlights
March 2001
March 6, 2001
"Extra Mile Award"
The following individuals and organizations were recognized by the Board of Trustees as recipients of the "Extra Mile Award" for March:
 | Dow Chemical Co. - Community Supporter (Nominated by Sandy Antill) |
| Harriet Cutshall - Retired BISD Employee (Nominated by Delma Banuelos) |
| Pat Forrest - Community Volunteer (Nominated by Cindy Deska) |
| Blanca Gomez - Parent Volunteer (Nominated by Delma Banuelos) |
| Barbara Moore - Counselor (Nominated by Cindy Deska) |
| Mayla Santos - Parent Volunteer (Nominated by Cindy Deska) |
| Thomas Villarreal - Brazoswood Student (Nominated by Glen Campbell) |
In assisting the Board with the awards, Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, explained that Extra Mile Awards are presented monthly to employees, students, volunteers, and community leaders who contribute their time and energy to leading the District "Beyond Exemplary."
Recognition Awards
The Board recognized the following campuses as recipients of the Successful Migrant Education Award:
| Lanier Middle School - Exceptional |
| Clute Middle School - Exceptional |
| Freeport Intermediate - Excelling |
| Brazosport High School - Excelling |
| Rasco Middle School - Acknowledged |
| T. W. Ogg Elementary - Acknowledged |
The Board honored Rodolfo Garza, Pedro Cardenas, and Erlinda Cardenas with a Certificate of Commendation from the Texas Migrant Education Council for All State Team Identification and Recruitment for the 8th straight year.
The following campuses were recognized for Outstanding Academic Performance at a Title I School:
| Madge Griffith Elementary - Distinguished |
| S. F. Austin Elementary - Distinguished |
| T. W. Ogg Elementary - Distinguished |
| Velasco Elementary - Distinguished |
| Polk Elementary - Commended |
"Exemplary and Beyond" Indicators
Charlene Burgner, Director of Instruction, presented Board members with recommendations from the Exemplary and Beyond Task Force. Mrs. Burgner explained that the goal of the Task Force was to quantify the BISD vision of "Exemplary and Beyond." Recommendations from the Task Force included:
- Raise the academic bar
- Establish a new student performance goal of "proficiency" on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS)
- Require all system components to define "Exemplary" status by fall of 2001, and reach "Exemplary" status by fall of 2002
- Create a District-Wide Accountability System Task Force, beginning fall of 2001, to monitor, evaluate, and report accountability system indicators
- Use Texas Quality Award and Malcolm Baldrige Award feedback reports in strategic planning efforts to strengthen organizational performance in addressing key student and stakeholder needs
Board members commended the Task Force for their efforts, and voted to approve the recommendations.
"Project Teach" Manager
Board members approved a recommendation to contract with the Brazoria County Community Foundation to serve as an independent, third-party custodian and administrator of the Project Teach Program. The Program is a cooperative effort of the District, Brazosport Community College, and Sam Houston State University, that seeks to provide scholarships to Brazosport and Brazoswood High School students wishing to enter the education field and return to work in the District upon graduation.
Election of Region IV ESC Board of Directors
Board members cast their votes for candidates to fill vacancies for Place 1 and Place 2 on the Region IV Education Service Center Board of Directors. 2002 Budget Workshop Board members held a budget workshop to develop budget parameters and contingencies for use in developing the 2001-2002 budget. Michael Abild, Director of Business Services, reviewed the budget process with Board members and the major variables affecting development of the budget.
The Board identified the following budget parameters for 2001-02:
| Grant an employee salary increase |
| Maintain existing tax rate |
| Continue performance incentives |
| Explore strategies to increase enrollment/attendance |
| Continue funding the Dual/Concurrent Program |
| Increase employee attendance rates/reduce substitutes |
| Develop the 2001-2002 expenditure budget within revenue parameters, less cost of equalization |
| Continue funding refurbishing efforts by considering alternative funding sources |
| Provide appropriate funding for staff development programs |
| Continue funding the Long-Range Technology Plan by considering alternative funding sources |
| Continue to develop a cost-saving incentive program |
| Review existing programs for possible continuation, modification, or elimination |
| Explore cost-saving opportunities to fund salary and other cost increases |
| Conduct a District-wide staffing analysis |
| Investigate other available options to reach equalization level |
| Avoid increases in any new or ongoing contracts for contracted services |
| Consider employing a "grant writer" |
| Provide funding for Project Teach |
| Investigate savings from electrical deregulation |
| Purchase school buses |
The Board also identified the following contingencies to be deployed in the event of a revenue shortfall:
| Allow the Superintendent discretion in specifying contingencies |
| Employ the Management Team to develop a priority list of budget contingencies |
Contingencies to be deployed in the event of a revenue excess included:
| Dedicate excess funds to fund balance to offset future expenditures |
| Accelerate funding for the Long-Range Technology Plan |
| Accelerate refurbishing efforts |
Mr. Okruhlik reviewed the results of the workshop with Board members, and thanked them for their participation and direction in developing the 2002 budget.
Elementary and Secondary Summer School
The Board approved elementary and secondary summer school programs for 2001. Approved elementary summer school programs include: Elementary Summer School, Accelerated Reading Program, Summer Limited English Proficiency Program, Migrant Education, Title I Enrichment, and Safety Town. Middle and intermediate school summer programs will be held on each campus June 4 through June 28, and will offer students opportunities to improve and maintain math, reading, and writing skills. High school summer sessions will be offered at Brazoswood High School on June 4 through June 28 (Session I), and July 2 through July 26 (Session II). TAAS Remediation will be held June 11 through July 6 at Brazoswood High School, and the secondary ESL/Summer Reading Program will be offered June 4 through July 13, at Brazosport High School, Clute Intermediate School, and Lanier Middle School. The Special Education Extended School Year Program will be held June 11 through June 28 (First Session), and July 16 through July 26 (Second Session).
Demolition of Vacated Freeport Intermediate School
Board members voted to approve a plan developed by the District's architects, PBK Architects, Inc., to demolish portions of the former Freeport Intermediate School campus. In approving the plan, Board members noted that the vacated buildings represent a potential health and safety hazard for the Freeport community. The planned demolition will likely take place this summer.
Textbook Selection Committee Recommendations
The Board approved the selection of new state-adopted textbooks, as recommended by the Official Textbook Selection Committee. The Committee was appointed by the Board to review and make recommendations for textbooks to be used in the District.
Appointment of Election Officials
The Board of Trustees officially appointed election officials to serve each of the precincts participating in the upcoming Trustee Election on May 5, 2001.
Non-Resident Transfer Student Fee
The Board voted to establish the out-of-district tuition fee for the 2001-2002 school year as $5,000 per student.
Director of Athletics
Board members voted to name Fred Bolton, Head Football Coach at Brazosport High School, as the District's new Director of Athletics.
Other Actions
The Board approved the financial statements for January 2001, official minutes for the February 2001 Board meeting, contracts for athletic supplies and equipment (football, volleyball, and cross country), the sale of three used school buses, an amendment to the 2000-2001 Professional Development Appraisal System list, and a recommendation by the Brazoria County Properties Tax Resale Committee to sell delinquent tax properties held in trust by Brazoria County.