Board Highlights

Just For the Kids High-Performing Schools
Elementary campuses were recognized by the Board of Trustees for being named to the Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) Just for the Kids Honor Roll.  In assisting the Board with the awards, Stuart Dornburg, Director of Public Information and communications, explained that the award recognizes schools that are rated “Recognized” or “Exemplary” for three years and have excellent academic performance at each grade level and subject area.  The three campuses recognized by the Board included:

A. P. Beutel Elementary School
Kathy Vickers, Principal

Bess Brannen Elementary School
Julie Evans, Principal

O. M. Roberts Elementary School
Pamela Davis, Principal

BISD-Dow Science/Math Initiative
Mr. Bob Walker, Vice-President and Team Leader-Dow Texas Operations, and Isha Cogburn, Employee Communications Manager – Educational Focal Point, presented the District with a check for $71,500 in support of the BISD-Dow Chemical Science/Math Initiative.  Mr. Walker explained that The Dow Chemical Company has enjoyed a long history of supporting science and math programs in the District, including over $800,000 in support of the hands-on-science program alone.  The purpose of the initiative is to strengthen the instruction and performance of students in the areas of science and math, particularly in light of the changing and increasingly demanding requirements facing the workforce of the 21st Century.  The funding comes at a very challenging time for both industry and education and will benefit thousands of students across the District

2004-2005 Program of Studies
Director of Curriculum/Accountability, Rebecca Rinehart, presented Board members with a recommendation to modify the District’s Program of Studies for the 2005-2006 school year, as follows:

Mrs. Rinehart informed Board members that the Program of Studies was developed to ensure that all courses are formally approved by the Board of Trustees and to provide a common direction for curriculum and staff development.  Following Mrs. Rinehart’s presentation, Board members voted unanimously to approve the recommended modifications.

Lanier Middle School Design
Ron Keller and Richard Chi, with PBK Architects, Inc., presented Board members with a preliminary design for additions and renovations planned for Lanier Middle School.  Mr. Keller and Mr. Chi explained to Board members and the audience that the existing sixth-grade wing and the Brazosview wing will be connected by a major addition that includes a new main entrance for the facility, a new library, and a new cafeteria and kitchen.  The existing library will be converted to classrooms and a science lab.  A complete renovation of the existing Brazosview wing is planned to accommodate fine arts and the reconstruction of classrooms and support facilities.  Administrative areas will also be renovated under the plan.  The main entrance for the reconfigured facility will face McNeil Street, with staff parking and bus entry from North Avenue B.  Mr. Keller stated that current plans call for construction to begin in June 2005, with substantial completion scheduled for summer 2006.  Board members thanked Lanier Middle School Principal, Mary Vann, and her staff for their assistance in the design process and voted to approve the preliminary design for the project.

Selection of Construction Manager At-Risk for Lanier
The Board of Trustees voted to approve awarding a contract to Drymalla Construction Company, LTD, to serve as Construction Manager-At-Risk in connection with the upcoming additions and renovations at Lanier Middle School.

Clute Middle/Intermediate School Easement
The Board approved granting a drainage easement to the City of Clute in connection with the new Clute Middle/Intermediate School project, and entering into an associated cost sharing arrangement with the City for the drainage improvements.  Scott Brady, with PBK Architects, Inc., explained that an unrecorded drainage line had been uncovered during construction at the site and that subsequent investigations had disclosed that the unrecorded line allows Shanks Lake (on the west side of the District’s property) to overflow into a drainage ditch along Railroad Drive (on the east side of the District’s property).  Mr. Brady also informed Board members that the Clute City Council had voted to request an easement for the drainage improvements at their November 30 Council meeting.

Updated Facility Rental Fee Schedule
The Board approved a revised schedule of facility rental fees in response to the many new facilities and facility improvements completed or underway across the District.  The Board had previously reviewed the proposed fee changes and a comparative survey of rental fees charged by surrounding districts at their November 2 regular meeting and had been asked to provide input regarding the proposed changes.  The new facility rental fee schedule becomes effective immediately and replaces an existing fee schedule that had not been updated for many years.

BISD Student Attendance Information
Ron Speir, Executive Director of Student Services, presented Board members with a District enrollment report as of December 5, 2004, reporting a 23-student decrease compared to the same period last year.  Mr. Speir also reported that inter-district transfers (transfers from other school districts) are up by 42 students over last year, while intra-district transfers (transfers between campuses) currently total 608.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the November 2, 2004, Board meeting, financial statements for October 2004, and bid awards for audio-visual equipment and supplies.  The Board postponed consideration of Local Policy Update 73, as developed by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), to allow Board members more time to study the proposed policy changes.