Board Highlights

Extra Mile Award

Claude Biediger
Mr. Biediger was recognized for tutoring fifth-grade students in math and for working with students in preparation for UIL academic meets.

John Sikes
Mr. Sikes was recognized as a long-term, devoted sponsor/coach for the Polk UIL academic math team.

 Bobby & Jaye Ford
Bobby Ford, Inc. has been a Polk Elementary School business partner for many years.  Mrs. Ford has served on the campus improvement team and Mr. and Mrs. Ford have consistently provided financial support for students, the PTA, Polk Planet Earth Day, and other needs.  The Fords have recently purchased beautiful new letters for the front of the school, and Bobby Ford, Inc. has donated a new car in support of Project Graduation. 

Student/Campus Recognitions
A complete listing of student, staff, and campus recognitions is attached to this month’s issue of the Highlights.

Clerical/Paraprofessional Compensation Plan
The Board considered a clerical/paraprofessional compensation plan for 2004-05, as developed in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).  TASB Compensation Specialist, Charlie Nitchmann, explained to Board members and the audience that the new compensation plan includes seven pay grades (the current system has five) and that each pay grade has been assigned a minimum, maximum, and mid-point salary.  The mid-point salaries are based on market values and will be used to calculate future pay raises for each respective pay grade.  The compensation plan, as presented, includes a 2.5% general pay increase for 2004-05, with other equity adjustments and modifications bringing the overall increase to 3.1%.  Board members thanked Mr. Nitchmann for his presentation, and voted to approve the new compensation model for the upcoming year.

Modification of Interlocal Agreement Between Brazosport Independent School District and the City of Lake Jackson
Board members approved a modification to an interlocal agreement with the City of Lake Jackson, allowing the District to use the Lake Jackson Civic Center for two special events (excluding proms) per year and extended the initial term of the agreement by ten years.  The original agreement allowed the City of Lake Jackson to locate recreational facilities (ballparks) on school property located directly south of Grady B. Rasco Middle School in exchange for the District’s use of the City’s recreational and other public facilities.

2003-2004 Student Code of Conduct
The Board of Trustees adopted the 2004-2005 Student Code of Conduct, as recommended by a committee composed of campus principals and assistant principals and chaired by Executive Director of Student Services, Ron Speir.  Modifications to the 2004-2005 Student Code of Conduct include:

Student Transition Program Local Elective Credit
Board members voted to amend the 2004-2005 BISD Program of Studies by approving the Brazoria County JJAEP (“Boot Camp”) Student Transition Program as a one semester, one-half local elective credit.  The Student Transition Program is a twelve-week class emphasizing life skills, drug education, coping skills, daily living activities, team building, and career preparation.  Several surrounding districts have previously granted a one-half local elective credit for the class.

Guaranteed Maximum Price for Additions and Renovations at Brazosport High School
Board members voted unanimously to approve awarding a contract to Drymalla Construction Company (Drymalla), totaling $25.7 million, for additions and renovations to Brazosport High School.  Board members had previously asked Drymalla to secure proposals from subcontractors for purposes of providing the District with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to complete the project.  Ron Bailey, with PBK Architects, Inc., explained that Drymalla had recently secured proposals from subcontractors, but that the total of those proposals exceeded the project budget by approximately $3 million.  Mr. Bailey reported that PBK, Drymalla, and District representatives had recently met and located approximately $1.3 million of net savings, which reduced the budget shortfall to approximately $1.7 million.  Board members discussed various options for financing the shortfall, including utilizing interest earnings from bond funds and savings from other projects, before voting to award the contract.  Brazosport High School Principal, Doug Boone, stated that the new facility will be a “first-class school” and joined the audience in applauding the Board’s action.

Re-Roofing and Waterproofing Contract
The Board of Trustees approved awarding a contract to Restoration Services, Inc., totaling $110,585, for re-roofing the Brazoswood High School Vocational Building, and a contract to PRC Roofing Company, Inc., totaling $62,491, for coping replacement and waterproofing the exterior walls at Griffith Elementary School, as recommended by PBK Architects, Inc.

Hopper and Slade Field Improvements
Board members considered a proposal from Hellas Construction, Inc. to install an artificial playing surface on the District’s athletic fields.  A task force consisting of representatives from the Board of Trustees, administration, and PBK Architects, Inc. had previously met with the Superintendent to study the feasibility of installing “turf” on the District’s playing fields, and had recommended that competitive proposals be obtained for both Hopper and Slade Fields.  Hellas’ final, negotiated proposal totals $1.2 million for both fields, including turf, drainage, graphics, and warranty upgrades.  Following a lengthy discussion of the proposal, Board members voted to approve awarding a contract to install a synthetic playing surface on both Hopper and Slade Fields.  Funding for Hopper Field will come from redirected bond funds, bond fund interest earning, and savings from other bond projects.  Funding for Slade Field will be provided by available District reserves.  Both fields are currently scheduled for completion in time for the 2004-2005 school year.

Personnel Actions
Board members named Gary Jones as Principal of Brazosport High School, effective for the 2004-2005 school year; Stuart Dornburg as Director of Public Information/Communications; Nancy Gardner as Instructional Technology Facilitator; and appointed Becky Rinehart to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Charlene Burgner, Executive Director of Curriculum/Instruction.

Other Actions