Board Highlights

Extra Mile Awards

The Board of Trustees recognized the following presidents of PTOs, PTAs, and booster clubs with Extra Mile Awards for December:

Campus Recognitions

The following campuses were recognized by the Board of Trustees for Exemplary Academic Performance on TAAS:

The following campuses were recognized for Recognized Academic Performance on TAAS:

Board members recognized the following campuses as recipients of “Gold Performance Acknowledgements” for high performance on indicators of performance other than those used to assign accountability ratings:

The following campuses were recognized by the Texas Education Agency’s Division of Migrant Education and the Board for outstanding work with migrant students:

District Recognition

Superintendent Okruhlik and members of the Board of Trustees accepted the Texas Migrant Exceptional District Award on behalf of the District.  Brazosport is only one of thirty districts in the state to receive the award, which recognizes districts with high passing rates and low dropout rates for migrant students.

Schematic Design Updates

Ron Bailey and staff members, with PBK Architects, Inc., presented Board members with an update on the schematic design process underway in connection with the new Velasco Elementary and Lake Jackson Intermediate Schools.  Mr. Bailey reported that campus design teams had recently visited campuses in other districts, and that ideas gained from these visits and from additional design team meetings had been incorporated into the revised designs.  Additional design team meetings are scheduled to address traffic flow, parking, site selection, and other remaining issues.  Mr. Bailey stated that the estimated construction period for the new Velasco and Lake Jackson schools are twelve and eighteen months, respectively.

Public Hearing on 2001-2002 AEIS Report

The Board held a public hearing to review the 2001-2002 Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) report.  Charlene Burgner, Executive Director of Instruction, explained the purpose and content of the AEIS “report card” and its various uses.  In comparing the current report to those of past years, Mrs. Burgner stated that, “the District has not wavered from its exemplary status.”  Mrs. Burgner reported that TAAS passing rates for all students and all student groups are still very high in reading, writing, and mathematics, with improvements also noted in social studies and science.  End-of-course indicators are above state averages for Algebra I and Biology, and average scores on SAT and ACT exams are also above both state and national averages.  Mrs. Burgner also explained the indicators used for the state’s Gold Performance Acknowledgement System, and recognized campuses qualifying for the award.  Board members unanimously approved the 2001-2002 AEIS Report, and thanked Mrs. Burgner and her staff for the report and for the District’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“Texas Report Card” Video

Board members viewed a video produced by the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASA/TASB), describing consequences of the Texas Legislature failing to make changes to the existing Texas education system.  Possible scenarios considered in the video included:

The video further warned that, “The Texas education system is heading for disaster,” that, “No public school district will escape,” and that, “The future is in the hands of the Texas Legislature.”  Superintendent Okruhlik joined the video’s narrator in calling for school board members and the community to ask their legislators to sign a pledge, “making public education a top priority in the upcoming legislative session.” 

Revision to Contract for Conveyance of Real Property

Board members voted to authorize the Superintendent to negotiate and complete an agreement to convey the former Freeport Intermediate School to the City of Freeport.  Board members had previously adopted an agreement in September to convey the property to the City, but the approved agreement was modified when adopted by the Freeport City Council.  The contract offers the property to the City “as is,” for nominal consideration of $100, and is conditional upon the satisfaction of specified renovation and restoration obligations.

Texas Economic Development Act

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Texas Economic Development Act Participation Agreement with the Dow Chemical Company.  The Texas Economic Development Act (the Act) allows owners of qualified manufacturing projects to apply to local school districts for property tax relief.  The agreement benefits Dow by setting a limitation on the taxable value of the project and benefits the District by reducing its “Robin Hood” payments to the State.  The agreement requires Dow to create new, high-paying jobs in connection with the project and to compensate the District for any revenue loss resulting from the agreement.  Additionally, Dow must maintain a viable presence in the District through 2015.  The agreement was reviewed and recommended by the State Comptroller, as well as the school finance consulting firm of Moak, Casey & Associates, LLP.  Board members had previously approved a resolution in support of the Act at their June 4, 2002, meeting.

Project-Teach

Board members continued their discussion of funding strategies for the District’s Project Teach Program and approved a recommendation from the Superintendent to direct up to $500,000 of Pepsi sponsorship payments and other specific donations to an interest-bearing account managed by the District, and to annually apply the interest earnings from the account in support of the Project Teach Program.  The Project Teach Program will also be expanded to add:

Board members also asked the Superintendent to develop criteria to evaluate the success of the Project Teach Program, and sought assurance that the money could later be redirected to another use if the Program was not deemed successful.  Board members also discussed contingencies in the event of a funding shortfall and reiterated their commitment to funding scholarships for students already in the Program.

Student Enrollment Update

Ron Speir, Director of Student Services, presented Board members with a District enrollment report as of November 22, 2002, reporting a 103-student increase over the same period last year.  Mr. Speir reported that inter-district transfers are also up by 60 students over last year, while intra-district transfers (transfers between campuses) currently total 530.  Board members thanked Mr. Speir for his report and asked for a break-down of the 103 student gain and additional information concerning Evening School and Ninth-Grade Center enrollment.

Insurance Plan Changes For 2003

Michael Abild, Executive Director of Business Services, reviewed health insurance plan changes for 2003 with Board members.  Major changes for 2003 include:

New Physician Co-Payments

The co-payment for primary care physicians (including gynecologists, pediatricians, and internists) has been reduced from $30 to $25.  The co-payment for specialists has been reduced from $50 to $35.

New Medical and Dental Premiums For 2003

Monthly medical insurance premiums are:

Monthly dental insurance premiums are:

New Pharmacy Co-Payments

Retail (Non-Maintenance Drugs)

Mail Order (Maintenance Drugs)

Lifetime Maximum Coverage

Effective September 1, 2003, the lifetime maximum benefit available under the plan will increase from $550,000 to $1 million.

On-Line Enrollment

Employees may optionally enroll for medical and dental coverages by using TASB’s employee benefits enrollment online application, at: www.tasb.org/ebe

Other Actions