February 2002 Board Highlights

Board Highlight Archives

February 5, 2002

Extra Mile Award

The Board of Trustees recognized the following individual as a recipient of an "Extra Mile Award" for February:

Rick Berry -Lake Jackson EMS, Inc.
Recognized for: Fire Prevention Programs, Polk Planet Earth Day, and CPR Training at Polk Elementary School

Student Recognitions

The Board of Trustees recognized the following students as winners in the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Youth Essay Contest. This year's topic was, "Is Freedom Really Free?" 

The following students were recognized by the Board for being named to the 2nd Team Academic All-State 4A Football Team: 

Both students are also members of the National Honor Society and Texas Scholars, and are both captains of the Brazosport football and power lifting teams.

Teacher Recognition

The Board presented Brazoswood High School teachers, Ronnye Patterson and Ron Rozelle, with a special "Teacher Recognition Award" in acknowledgement of their recent state and national recognitions. Ms. Patterson was recently named "Director of the Year" by the Texas Dance Educator's Association based on her philosophy of education and accomplishments in the field of dance education. Mr. Rozelle is a nationally published author and teacher of English and creative writing, whose three books have brought him national recognition, and who has served as an inspiration and role model to his students.

Campus Recognition

Jane Long Elementary School, its Principal, Sophia Gaona, and its faculty and staff were honored by the Board for recently receiving the Texas Migrant Education Award as an "Exceptional Campus." The designation is only awarded annually to those few campuses in the State with a migrant student passing rate of at least 90% and a migrant dropout rate of less than 1%. 

Public Hearing on Annexation 

The Board held a public hearing to discuss the detachment and annexation of territory from the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District to the Brazosport Independent School District. Ms. Giovanna Swisher, President of the Sugar Mill West Owners Association, assisted by Ms. Bonnie Humphrey and residents of the Sugar Mill West, Sugar Mill East, and Oak Island Subdivisions, presented the Board with numerous social, logistic, economic, and educational justifications for the proposed boundary change, and encouraged Board members to consider the educational interests of the students residing in the affected territory. The Board thanked those in attendance for their interest in the Brazosport Independent School District and stated that they will consider a resolution approving or denying the petition at a later meeting.

BISD Gifted & Talented Program

Jean Sanders, Facilitator of Gifted and Talented Education, presented Board members with a report on the District's Gifted and Talented program. Ms. Sanders discussed the State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students, and explained what being a "gifted child" means and the various personality and environmental factors influencing gifted and talented behavior. Ms. Sanders told Board members that the Program's efforts concentrate on student assessment, program design, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and family/community involvement, and provided details on each of these components. Ms. Sanders also discussed accountability indicators applicable to the District's gifted and talented population. Board members congratulated Ms. Sanders on the "gifted talents" she brings to the Gifted and Talented Program.

Electronic Board Agenda

Bob Daughrity, Director of Technology, presented Board members with an "electronic boardroom proposal." Mr. Daughrity explained the benefits of an "electronic agenda," including time savings associated with typing, copying, binding, and distributing the current "hard copy" agenda. The proposal would cost approximately $18,000 for computers, projectors, and other media equipment necessary for implementation, and would take approximately 4-5 weeks to install. Implementation of the proposal would also involve staff and board member training on electronically submitting, retrieving, editing, and resubmitting agenda items.

"Project Teach"

Mark Broaddus, Director of Personnel, presented Board members with an update on "Project Teach," the District's teacher scholarship/loan program. Mr. Broaddus explained that the program is a cooperative effort between the District, Brazosport College, and Sam Houston State University, to target teachers in the hard-to-fill areas of bilingual education, special education, and math and science. The program offers up to a $15,000 scholarship to successful students who graduate from Brazosport or Brazoswood High School in the top half of their graduating class and who are willing to obtain a teacher certification and commit to teach in the Brazosport Independent School District for at least four years after graduation. Mr. Broaddus provided Board members with a status report on each of the following 2001 scholarship recipients: 

The Project Teach program is generously funded, in large part, by the Dow Chemical Company, BASF Corporation, and the Brazosport Education Safety Foundation, with additional funding provided by the Brazosport Retired Teachers Association, Brazoria County Sam Houston State Alumni, and other individuals. Board members expressed their pleasure with the Program and its successful students.

Approval Of Chemical Process Technology Program

Board members approved a Chemical Process Technology Program, beginning with enrollment during the 2002-2003 academic year. In describing the new program, Jane Hill, Coordinator of Career and Technology Education and Fine Arts, stated that the District, in partnership with Brazosport College, will now be able to offer a program to high school students through dual/concurrent enrollment that will lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Technology within two years of high school graduation.

Designation Of Polling Places

Board members designated the following locations as polling places for the upcoming School Board Trustee Election on May 4, 2002: 

District 6: 

District 7: 

Order Of Trustee Election For May 4, 2002

 The Board ordered a trustee election for Saturday, May 4, 2002, for the purpose of electing trustees to fill the expiring terms of Board members, Vicki Kirby (District 6) and James P. Saccomanno (District 7). Applications for a place on the ballot may be submitted beginning Monday, February 18, and will be accepted through Wednesday, March 20. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted on weekdays, at the office of the Director of Business Services, beginning Wednesday, April 17, and ending Tuesday, April 30.

Tentative Schedule For "Mini" Bond Election

Board members reviewed a tentative schedule for conducting a "mini" bond election on May 4, 2002. Mr. Okruhlik explained that the District could refinance its existing debt, and issue approximately $6 million of new debt in its place, without an accompanying tax increase. Proceeds from the bonds would be used to finance needed renovations in the District, as well as school buses and technology and athletic improvements.

District Maintenance Program

Mr. Okruhlik reviewed campus maintenance requests with Board members and announced plans for a District maintenance program to address them. Mr. Okruhlik explained that many of the repair items had previously been included for consideration in a proposed bond package, but have now been removed and will be done "in-house" or contracted. Mr. Okruhlik explained that the repair and maintenance work would be funded by available reserves, with periodic cost and progress reports furnished to the Board for their review.

Old Freeport Intermediate School Site

Board members discussed possibilities for transferring ownership of the former Freeport Intermediate School to the City of Freeport. Mr. Okruhlik reviewed provisions of recently enacted Senate Bill 116, which gives school districts in Texas the right to transfer property to be used as a community center, as well as provisions of the Texas Government Code, which allows districts to either sell property through a public bid or at an independently appraised value. Board members asked the Superintendent to review the District's options and present a recommendation at a later meeting.

Other Actions 

In other actions, the Board of Trustees adopted interlocal agreements with Brazoria County to construct a school bus "turnaround" at the end of CR 745 (Kyle Road) and to improve access for school buses on a private drive in Graves Trailer Park in Jones Creek. Board members also approved the official minutes for the January 8, 2001, Board meeting, approved financial statements for December 2001, awarded a contract for pest control services to Termi-Trol Pest Control, and approved two additional administrators as teacher appraisers for 2001-2002.

Board Member Comments