August 2002 Board HighlightsAugust 5, 2002 Extra Mile AwardsThe Board of Trustees recognized the following organizations as recipients of "Extra Mile Awards" for August:
Team Leadership CampBrazosport College staff members, Dr. John Ray, Connie Zettle, and Tonya Heard, presented Board members with a video entitled, "Survivor: The Summer Experience," featuring Clute Intermediate School Teacher, Laurie Pessara, and her Team Leadership Camp students. Team Leadership Camp, which is a collaboration between the District, Brazosport College, and the WorkSource Center, provides BISD students, and students from other surrounding districts, with an opportunity to complete requirements in math, reading, science, and social studies through real world applications and experiences. Dr. Ray and his staff explained that Team Leadership Camp was set up as an academic summer school program for both 7th and 8th graders and as an afternoon work program for 8th graders. Non-traditional classroom experiences, meeting all the State curriculum requirements, were held each morning for 6 weeks. In the afternoon, 8th graders reported to jobs at various local businesses. BISD staff involved in the summer program included: Darlene Brantley, Freeport Board members joined Mr. Okruhlik in thanking Brazosport College and everyone involved for the success of the program, and identified Team Leadership Camp as another example of the many partnerships the District is privileged to have with Brazosport College. Project TEACHVicki Kirby, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Brazoria County, provided Board members with an overview of the Foundation's involvement with the District's Project TEACH program as its designated third-party administrator. Project TEACH is a collaborative program, involving the District, Brazosport College, and Sam Houston State University, that provides scholarships to Brazosport and Brazoswood High School graduates interested in becoming teachers and returning to teach in the Brazosport Independent School District. Mrs. Kirby explained that, when fully implemented, Project TEACH will require an annual commitment from the District of $32,500. In lieu of annually dedicating budgeted funds, Mrs. Kirby proposed the District utilize approximately one-half of the "Pepsi sponsorship payments" to create a permanent endowment in support of the program. Board members expressed satisfaction with the program and with Mrs. Kirby's proposal and asked that formal action be considered at a future meeting. Public Hearing and Adoption of 2002-2003 BudgetAfter holding a required public hearing to discuss the 2002-2003 proposed budget and tax rate, Board members voted to adopt budgets for the upcoming school year totaling $96.3 million. The 2002-2003 budget includes approximately $3.5 million of budget increases, consisting primarily of recommended wage and benefit increases for teachers and other personnel totaling approximately $2.8 million. Funding for the 2002-2003 budget comes from enhanced tax revenues associated with a $180 million increase in 2002 property values and from $1.1 million of budget reductions, primarily from reduced State equalization payments and electrical utility savings. The 2002-2003 budget also includes funding for State equalization ("Robin Hood") payments of over $11.2 million. Funding for new technology initiatives and for district-wide refurbishing projects has been suspended, pending consideration of the District's "Primary Bond" referendum by voters in September. Amendment of
Designated Polling Site
Board members voted to
designate First Baptist Church, in Surfside, as the District's official polling
site for Brazoria County Voting Precinct 38 (Single Member Trustee District 7).
The Surfside Volunteer Fire Department had previously been used for the May 4
election, after local election officials learned that First Baptist Church would
not be available as a polling site on that date. Approval of Agreement for Juvenile Justice Alternative Education ProgramTrustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding and Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. The agreement between the County of Brazoria, the Brazoria County Juvenile Justice Board, and the eight school districts in Brazoria County will facilitate operations of the "boot camp" program for the 2002-2003 school year. Approval of Teacher Appraisal Calendar and Teacher Appraiser for 2002-2003The Board approved the teacher appraisal calendar for the 2002-2003 school year, as required by the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS), and identified administrative staff members who have completed formal training for certification as appraisers. The PDAS requires each school district to annually establish a calendar that designates appraisal periods and requires each designated appraiser to receive uniform appraiser training. Approval of Local Policy UpdateThe Board of Trustees approved local policy changes related to performance appraisals, credit by exam and correspondence courses, special programs, dual credit and distance learning credit, grade reporting, class rank, retention/promotion, and student conduct. The policy changes were requested in advance of the District Effectiveness and Compliance Review (DEC) as a means of ensuring that local policies are up-to-date and consistent with changing local and legal priorities, resources, and conditions. The adopted changes will be forwarded to the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Division (TASB) for further legal review prior to posting. Purchase of Attendance Credits from the StateThe Board approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits with the State for the 2002-2003 school year and authorized the Superintendent to submit a "letter of intent" to the Commissioner of Education describing actions underway in the District to reduce its property wealth per student to the State equalized level. The District currently expects to pay in excess of $11.2 million for wealth equalization during the upcoming school year. Construction UpdateRon Bailey and Van Franks, with
PBK Architects, Inc., provided Board members with an update on the various
construction activities underway throughout the District. Mr. Bailey reported
that contractors have generally done a "terrific job," and that most
projects are now expected to be completed by the beginning of school. Some
projects were originally scheduled for completion as late as December. Mr.
Bailey stated that the quality of the work has been "outstanding," and
complemented Elite Construction Group for their work and District staff for
their patience and cooperation. Other ActionsIn other actions, the Board of Trustees approved the official minutes for the July 2, 2002, Board meeting, approved financial statements for June 2002, approved awarding a contract for five new school buses, and rejected bids and asked that new proposals be requested for new fire alarm systems and security lighting.
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