Board Highlights

Special Recognition – Sandra Antill
Board members recognized retiring Rasco Middle School Principal, Sandra Antill, for her innovative and visionary leadership. Mrs. Antill began her career at Brazosport Independent School District in 1976 by teaching Home and Family Living at Brazoswood High School. In 1988, she was named as an assistant principal for Brazoswood, and in 1995, Mrs. Antill took the helm of the new Grady B. Rasco Middle School. Mrs. Antill was recognized for leading a group of teachers at that campus who always seemed to be at the forefront of teaching and learning and for her talent for allowing teams of teachers to interact and work together in creative and innovative ways. In assisting with the presentation, Becky Rinehart, Coordinator of Assessment, thanked Mrs. Antill for, “the footprints you have placed on our hearts and especially in the hearts of so many children.”

JJAEP (“Boot Camp”) Agreement
Trustees approved an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the Brazoria County 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 2003-2004 school year.

TASB Policy Update 69
The Board of Trustees reviewed legal policy changes and voted to add, modify, or delete local policies, as included in Localized Policy Manual Update 69 and as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Board members delayed approval of policy section DK(LOCAL), and requested clarification of the legal considerations associated with the proposed policy change.

2003-2004 Compensation Plan
The Board of Trustees adopted a compensation plan for 2003-2004, as developed with assistance from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB Compensation Specialist, Cindy Clegg, reminded Board members that, last year, TASB recommended the District increase its beginning teacher salary and “build-up” the first ten years of the schedule to be more competitive with the surrounding market. The proposed 2003-2004 teacher salary schedule reflects TASB’s recommendation by including a minimum salary increase of $1,200 for all full-time teachers and other professional employees and an increased beginning teacher salary of $35,500.

TASB’s latest stipend study found that, overall, athletic and arts and cheerleading stipends are competitive (at 90% of market averages or above). TASB’s recommendation includes equity adjustments for head baseball and softball coaches and smaller adjustments for junior high coaches in volleyball, basketball, and track to narrow market gaps in these categories, as well as small adjustments for drill team and pep squad sponsors.

TASB’s administrative salary study compared salaries for 19 benchmark jobs to the local job market and statewide districts of comparable size and found that, overall, administrative salaries were competitive. TASB’s proposed administrative salary schedule classifies jobs into six pay ranges, based on roles and responsibilities and the assessment of market values, with each pay range designed to yield competitive midpoint values based on selected benchmarks.

Board members thanked Ms. Clegg for her presentation and analysis and approved the recommended compensation plan.

2003-2004 Student Code of Conduct
The Board reviewed final revisions to the Student Code of Conduct, and formally adopted the document for the 2003-2004 school year. Director of Student Services, Ron Speir, led Board members through proposed changes to the Code and described the underlying legal and administrative explanations for the proposed changes. Board members expressed their gratitude to Mr. Speir and the other members of the Review Committee for their efforts in clarifying and improving the Student Code of Conduct.

Guaranteed Maximum Price for Velasco Elementary
Board members voted unanimously to approve a “guaranteed maximum price” of $8,375,000 from Drymalla Construction Company to construct a new Velasco Elementary School. Plans for the new school were approved by the Board in February 2003, and Drymalla Construction Company was selected by the Board as “Construction Manager-At-Risk” in May. Drymalla will seek proposals from subcontractors to construct the new campus, with any resulting savings returned to the District.

Designation of Delegate to TASB Assembly
The Board of Trustees designated Board members, Jay Luce and Mario Martinez, as Brazosport Independent School District’s Delegate and Alternate Delegate, respectively, to the 2003 Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Delegate Assembly. Each local school board holding an active membership in TASB is entitled to vote as a delegate. The Delegate Assembly will meet this year in September in conjunction with the annual TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas.

BISD Sick Leave Bank
Mark Broaddus, Executive Director of Personnel Resources, presented Board members with an explanation of the District’s current leave policies in connection with the Board’s consideration of a “sick leave bank.” Mr. Broaddus explained that the District currently provides 10 local sick leave days in addition to the 5 personal leave days required by the State, and that the District is nearly unique in offering employees an additional 75 calendar days of extended sick leave paid at the employees daily rate less the cost of a certified substitute (currently $60 per day). Mr. Broaddus also noted that the District offers employees a paid long-term disability benefit equal to 60% of earnings, up to $5,000 per month. Mr. Broaddus compared the District’s leave program to surrounding districts and the State, noting that, on average, most districts offer 5 local sick leave days. Board members thanked Mr. Broaddus for his enlightening presentation and asked Superintendent Okruhlik to present the same information to the District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC) and to develop strategies to more effectively communicate the District’s leave policies to employees.

2003-2004 Budget Workshop
The Board of Trustees held a budget workshop to review and discuss a proposed budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Michael Abild, Executive Director of Business Services, reported that the preliminary budget presented to Board members at the June meeting had been modified to incorporate the following changes:

Mr. Abild explained that increased salary and benefit costs still represent the largest increase in the 2004 preliminary budget ($1.6 million), including a $1,200 salary increase for teachers and other professional personnel and a corresponding average 2.5% increase in wages for other employee categories. The preliminary budget also reflects budget reductions totaling approximately $2.7 million, including a net reduction of thirteen personnel positions district-wide. Mr. Abild reported that the District currently expects its “Robin Hood” payment for 2004 to increase by approximately $2.7 million, to $13.9 million. The District’s proposed tax rate has also been adjusted by $.05 to reflect additional debt service requirements associated with the “Primary Bond.” Mr. Abild responded to questions from Board members and concluded by stating that the District plans to hold a public hearing to discuss the budget and the 2003 tax rate at the August 5, 2003, regular meeting.

Personnel Actions
Board members named Robin Pelton as Principal of Grady B. Rasco Middle School to replace retiring Principal, Sandra Antill.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board of Trustees approved the official minutes for the June 3, 2003, Board meeting, approved financial statements for May 2003, awarded a contracts for athletic equipment and supplies (basketball and training room supplies), and adopted a Special Revenue Fund budget amendment for 2002-2003.