Extra Mile Award

The Board of Trustees presented an Extra Mile Award to the City of Lake Jackson Police Department, their officers, and their “friends.”  Chief Hromadka, Sergeant Billy Richards, Officer David Cisneros, and Terri Caldwell (volunteer coordinator for the City) were recognized for their work with the District’s elementary schools.  The Lake Jackson Police Department in conjunction with Keep Lake Jackson Beautiful have taken the “Drugs, Gangs, Graffiti...Wipe It Out” program to all Lake Jackson elementary schools.  Officer Rick Wright and his friend, McGruff, conduct programs in all the schools along with Trustin’ Justin, the remote controlled mascot of the Police Department.  Chief Hromadka has been a supporter of these officers and their programs and their active partnership with the District’s campuses. 

Campus Recognitions

Campuses were recognized for their contributions to the District’s “Exemplary and Beyond” vision for the nine years since accountability ratings were first assigned by the State.  Campus principals were presented with plaques listing the years that accountability ratings were received (1994-2002), along with each year’s respective accountability rating.  In presenting the awards, Mr. Okruhlik announced that each plaque contained the following inscription: “Providing Equity and Excellence for ALL Students in BISD.”

Public Hearing on 2003-2004 School Calendar

Board members conducted a public hearing on the first day of instruction for the 2003-2004 school year.  Superintendent Okruhlik opened the public hearing by explaining that current law requires school districts to seek a waiver from the Texas Education Agency and hold a public hearing if the first day of instruction begins earlier than the week of August 21.  The proposed calendar adopted by the Board in January established August 14, 2003, as the first day of instruction for the 2003-2004 school year.  There were no public comments regarding the proposed starting date.  Following the public hearing, the Board of Trustees approved the 2003-2004 calendar and the associated first day of instruction waiver request and staff development addendum.

Bond Program Update

Ron Bailey, with PBK Architects, Inc., presented Board members and the audience with a progress report on the new Lake Jackson Intermediate and Velasco Elementary School designs.  Mr. Bailey stated that the design process for the new schools is nearing an end, with final designs scheduled for presentation to the Board in mid-February.  Mr. Bailey and his staff reviewed the site plans, floor plans, and traffic flows for each of the schools, as well as elevation drawings for the new Lake Jackson Intermediate School.  Mr. Bailey said the new school’s design reflected a “traditional and timeless look, reflective of Lake Jackson’s history.”  The PBK architects also presented floor plans and elevation drawings for the Ney and Roberts Elementary and Rasco Middle School additions, as well as preliminary designs for athletic improvement projects at Wilson Field and the Hopper Field press box.

Hopper Field Turf Analysis

Fred Bolton, Director of Athletics, provided Board members with an update on renovations being considered for Hopper Field by inviting representatives from SRI Sports to discuss the feasibility of installing an artificial surface at that facility.  Mr. Ken Dabbs, with SRI Sports, described the new AstroPlay product and its advantages over grass and other artificial surfaces.  Mr. Dabbs stated that the new surface offers a low level of maintenance, and would allow the District to schedule more events and activities at Hopper Field for multiple campuses.  The new system has been installed in many athletic venues across the state, including the new stadium in Galena Park.

BISD Technical Support Update

Bob Daughrity, Director of Technology and Media Services, presented a report on the District's technical support services, the second in a three-part report on the status of technology in the District.  Mr. Daughrity began by introducing members of the technical support team, including two student team members, and by reviewing changes in the District’s technical services support model and organizational structure.  Changes include a reorganization of responsibilities, certification of all technicians, and the creation and use of “service level agreements.”  Monty Burger, Coordinator of Technical Services, reviewed the basic service level agreements (“urgent,” “high,” “medium,” and “low”) and service call statistics, noting that same day resolutions of calls have increased while the average resolution time for calls has been reduced.  Mr. Burger also discussed the District’s on-line work order system and how it integrates with the technical support process, and took the opportunity to congratulate the technical services team for their hard work and dedication to improvement.

TAAS to TAKS Transition

Char Burgner, Executive Director of Instruction, presented Board members with a video explaining the “why” associated with transitioning from TAAS to TAKS.  The video explained that the new TAKS test is a broader, more difficult assessment that goes far beyond reading, writing, and math.  The video focused on the rapidly changing nature of the workplace and the corresponding need for curriculum and assessment instruments that ensure students will be successful and life-long learners.  Mrs. Burgner also reviewed how the District has prepared for the increased rigor of the new TAKS, including a multi-year TAAS to TAKS transition plan highlighting curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Mrs. Burgner also discussed the 8-Step Instructional Process, TAKS Blueprints, TEKS/TAKS information booklets, and other tools being used in addition to curriculum documents, and closed by stating that the District’s focus remains the same: “on students and their success”.

Extended Day Proposal

Michael Hall, Sophia Gaona, and Cindy Deska, Principals, respectively, of S. F. Austin, Jane Long, and Gladys Polk Elementary Schools, presented a proposal to the Board of Trustees to extend the school day for second graders to 3:30, effective for the 2003-2004 school year.  Ms. Gaona explained that principals and teachers have met at each campus to discuss the proposal and that a survey of surrounding districts has indicated that most second graders in the area have a longer school day than Brazosport’s.  Ms. Deska identified numerous “pluses” for the proposal, including additional instructional time, more scheduling flexibility, and fewer transitional difficulties for third graders, as well as potential problems (“deltas”) associated with scheduling difficulties, music and physical education class sizes, traffic and transportation issues, and budgetary uncertainties.  Other elementary principals in attendance also expressed their support for and concerns with the proposal.  Board members discussed the proposal at length and sought clarification on staffing and scheduling issues and the effect of the change on students.  Mr. Okruhlik explained that the proposal was brought to the Board at this time to gather input and that additional information and a recommendation would be presented at a later meeting.

2003 Survey Instrument

Ron Speir, Director of Student Services, presented Board members with a “first round draft” of a revised 2003 district survey instrument for first reading.  Mr. Speir provided background information relating to the development of the new survey and solicited Board input regarding additions, corrections, or omissions to the draft.  Mr. Speir stated that additional departmental questions are being developed and will be included in a later draft.  The survey is designed to allow completion in 20 minutes or less, and is currently scheduled to be conducted on the March 17, 2003, staff development day in both a web-based and “hard copy” format.  Mr. Speir also reported that a new community survey instrument is being developed that will be conducted in alternating years, beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.  Board members thanked Mr. Speir and the committee for their work and approved a first reading of the new survey instrument.

Amendment of Designated Polling Places

Board members approved a recommendation to consolidate the District’s nine Lake Jackson polling places into a single polling place at the Lake Jackson Civic Center.  Michael Abild, Director of Business Services, explained that the recommendation was in response to the City of Lake Jackson’s recent action to consolidate its polling sites, and has no effect on existing single-member trustee district boundaries or existing voter precincts.  The District generally uses the same polling place for each voting precinct as the municipalities situated within the District’s boundaries.  Once approved, the District will next seek preclearance for the change from the Department of Justice for implementation in the upcoming May 3, 2003, trustee election.

Order of Trustee Election for May 3, 2003

The Board of Trustees ordered an election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2003, for the purpose of electing trustees to fill the expiring three-year terms of the following Board members:

Applications for a place on the ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 19.  Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at the Administration Building on weekdays, beginning Wednesday, April 16, and concluding Tuesday, April 29.

Other Actions

In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the January 14, 2003, Board meeting and financial statements for December 2002, and received an enrollment report as of February 4, 2003.