October 2001
Board Highlights

Board Highlight Archives

October 2, 2001

Extra Mile Awards

Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, assisted Mr. Okruhlik and the Board of Trustees in recognizing the following individuals and organizations as recipients of “Extra Mile Awards” for October:

WWII Veteran’s High School Diploma

Board members honored longtime Freeport resident and World War II veteran, Wilmer K. Henson, with a special 1943 Freeport High School diploma.  Texas law allows school districts to issue a high school diploma to a WWII veteran who was scheduled to graduate from high school after 1940 and before 1951, and who was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States .  Mr. Henson entered the service in November 1942, where he became a heavily decorated pilot prior to his discharge in 1945.  Superintendent Okruhlik joined Board members and those in attendance in an enthusiastic round of applause for “our own national hero.”

Student Performance (2003 Indicators)

Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, presented Board members with an overview of “Assessment in BISD.”  Mrs. Rinehart discussed the various types and numbers of assessment instruments currently being administered in the District, and noted the many successes the District has enjoyed on statewide assessment tests.  Mrs. Rinehart next presented an “Early Indicator Report” to the Board, showing the percent of students who would have passed the 2001 TEKS-based TAAS if they had been held to a higher standard for the new, more rigorous tests for 2003.  The side-by-side comparison of results indicated that applying the 2003 standards would have reduced the District’s accountability rating to “Recognized” or “Academically Acceptable,” with particular concern in the subject areas of science and social studies.  Mrs. Rinehart concluded her presentation by describing activities already underway in the District to address the more rigorous standards and adjustments that have been made to address the Early Indicator Reports.  Board members applauded the District’s efforts in this regard, and encouraged the Superintendent and his staff to continue looking forward to 2003.

Amendment to the 2001-2002 Budget

The Board approved an amendment to the 2001-2002 expenditure budget, totaling $374,961, to incorporate 2000-2001 purchase orders unpaid as of the District’s fiscal year-end of August 31, 2001 .

Textbook Selection Committee

Board members approved the following staff members to serve on the Official Textbook Selection Committee for 2001-2002: Mr. Okruhlik (Chairperson), Jeanne Baker, Susan Moss, Aida Buchanan, Sheree Speir, Michael Kresbach, Jane Compton, Valerie McKey, Gary Bullion, Suzanne Thibodeaux, Bob Barnes, Sandra McCraray, Libby Broaddus, Jackie Jones, and Anne Reed.

Interlocal Agreement With Brazoria County

The Board of Trustees adopted a resolution allowing Brazoria County to repair and overlay a roadway at Lake Jackson Intermediate School .

Brazosport Special Trip Requests

The Board approved special trip requests for the Brazosport High School Band to perform at the Four Corners Showcase of Music Festival in Durango , Colorado , on May 4, 2002 , and for the Brazosport High School Shipmates to perform at Walt Disney World Resort on March 7-11, 2002 .

Nominations to the Board of Directors of the Brazoria County Appraisal District

The Board nominated the following individuals as candidates for the Board of Directors of the Brazoria County Appraisal District:

Resolution to Obtain a Bank Loan

Board members approved a resolution authorizing the District to secure line of credit of up to $5 million from Texas Gulf Bank. The short-term loan will assist the District in financing its mid-October obligations. Under the terms of a “split-payment agreement,” the District’s large, industrial taxpayers pay one-half of their taxes on October 15, and the other half on May 20 of the following year.  Since the District receives little funding from the State or local sources in advance of the October tax payments being received, short-term financing is required to fund operations through mid-October.

Policy Update

The Board adopted a revision to the Board of Trustees Policies regarding electronic communication and data management, as developed in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Service Division.

Demolition of Former Freeport Intermediate School

Board members discussed demolition activities currently underway at the former Freeport Intermediate School in light of recent community interest in restoring the main building at the former campus.  City of Freeport Mayor, Jim Barnett, addressed the Board regarding the City’s desire to acquire, renovate, and operate the property in connection with the City’s “Main Street Program.”  Mayor Barnett expressed his hopes that the District would suspend its demolition of the main building, thereby allowing the City time to seek funding for the renovation project from grant sources and other fund-raising activities, and to hold public hearings to discuss potential uses for the property.  Board members unanimously agreed to cease demolition of the former school site and authorized Superintendent Okruhlik to enter into negotiations with the City of Freeport concerning a short-term lease of the property.

Master Facility Planning Committee Update

Mr. Okruhlik updated the Board and the audience on the progress of the District’s Master Facility Planning Committee and reported that the Committee’s next meeting is currently scheduled for October 22, at 6:00 p.m. , at the Brazoswood High School Auditorium.  The Committee’s planning activities have been expanded to include a more thorough demographic study and additional discussions of attendance boundaries and class alignments.

Other Actions