Board Highlights

Teacher Appraisal Calendar/Teacher Appraisers
The Board approved the teacher appraisal calendar for the 2004-2005 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 that each designated appraiser receive uniform appraiser training.

Purchase of Attendance Credits from the State
The Board approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits with the State for the 2004-2005 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 wealth level.  The District currently expects to pay nearly $15.1 million in “Robin Hood” payments for the upcoming year.

Technology Desktop Support Staff
The Board of Trustees approved a recommendation from the District’s Director of Technology, Monty Burger, to “in-source” the District’s technology desktop support staff.  The District had previously “out-sourced” its seven computer desktop support positions through Avnet Enterprise Solutions, Inc., but found itself reconsidering the arrangement after being notified of an 11% price increase for the upcoming year by Avnet.  The approved change is estimated to save the District as much as $100,000 during the upcoming year.

Records Management
The Board approved a resolution in support of an active and continuing records management program and associated policies and procedures consistent with the Local Government Records Act, and formally named Coordinator of Media Services, Karla Christman, as the District’s Records Management Officer.  The action was recommended in furtherance of the District’s ongoing initiative to organize and catalogue its public records and to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Local Government Records Act.

Articulation Agreement With Brazosport College
The Board approved an articulation agreement with Brazosport College to enable qualifying students to earn both college and high school credit for Automotive Technician I and II courses.  The recommendation was made in response to construction activities currently underway at Brazosport High School, as well as to the rapidly changing and technology-intensive nature of the automotive repair industry.  Brazosport College will offer participating students a state-of-the-art facility and the opportunity to earn dual credit for courses they complete successfully.

Adoption of the 2004-2005 Budget
After holding a public hearing to discuss the 2004-2005 budget and tax rate, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a budget, totaling $111 million, for the upcoming fiscal year.  Michael Abild, Executive Director of Business Services, informed Board members and those in attendance that increased salary and benefit costs represent the largest increase in operating expenditures for the proposed budget ($1.3 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.  Mr. Abild reported that the District expects to have fewer resources available for 2004-2005, due to a decrease in property values of approximately $153 million (resulting in a reduction in General Fund tax revenues of approximately $2.1 million) and a projected increase in “Robin Hood” payments for the upcoming year of approximately $1.1 million (to $15.1 million).  Approximately $2.3 million of General Fund reserves will be required to accommodate the $2.1 million loss in tax revenues, the $1.1 million increase in “Robin Hood” costs, and to fund approved salary and benefit increases for teachers and other staff members.  The District’s proposed tax rate has been adjusted upwards by $0.05 to reflect additional debt service requirements associated with the “Primary Bond” program.  Adoption of the 2004 tax rate is planned for the September meeting.  Board members thanked Mr. Abild and his staff for their work on the 2004-2005 budget.

Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS)
The Board of Trustees approved a recommendation from the Superintendent and the District’s Teacher Appraisal Committee to implement a “teacher appraisal waiver,” as provided by H.B. 1440 and Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code.  Ron Speir, Executive Director of Student Services, reviewed the Teacher Appraisal Committee’s progress to this point and shared the Committee’s latest recommendation regarding implementation of H.B. 1440.  Following a lengthy discussion of the many considerations associated with the recommendation, and additional input from Superintendent Okruhlik, the Board approved the following plan:

Basic Eligibility Features:

2004-2005 School Year Only:

2005-2006 and Later Years (PDAS Only):

Board members thanked Mr. Speir and the Teacher Appraisal Committee for their recommendations and encouraged Superintendent Okruhlik and his staff to widely communicate the new plan to all teachers.

Construction-Related Actions
The Board voted to approve awarding a contract to Drymalla Construction Company, LTD (Drymalla), to serve as Construction Manager-At-Risk in connection with upcoming additions and renovations to Brazoswood High School.  Ron Bailey, with the District’s architects, PBK Architects, Inc., reported that the District has been pleased with Drymalla’s performance in connection with the new Velasco Elementary and Lake Jackson Intermediate Schools, and stated that the Brazoswood High School project is ideally suited for the construction manager-at-risk construction delivery method.

Mr. Bailey also reported to the Board that Drymalla had recently obtained subcontractor proposals for the new Clute Middle/Intermediate School and that the final proposals totaled $358,968 less than the $19,038,201 guaranteed maximum price previously presented to the Board.  In accordance with the construction manager-at-risk construction delivery method, the District will enjoy those savings.  Mr. Bailey stated that the savings will afford the District the opportunity to consider adding items back to the project that had previously been deleted.

Following Mr. Bailey’s presentation, Brazosport Independent School District Construction Manager, Alec Journeay, provided Board members with a construction update on the many construction and renovation projects currently underway across the District.

Employee Attendance Awards

Superintendent Okruhlik presented Board members with a report on the District’s employee attendance incentive award program.  Superintendent Okruhlik stated that 1,660 employees were eligible to receive the award, with the following results:

Mr. Okruhlik reported that 637 employees received monetary awards, totaling $49,980, for the spring 2004 semester; compared to 850 employees receiving awards, totaling $67,100, for the fall 2003 semester.