Board Highlights

L. Z. Bryan Field House
E. E. “Flash” Walker Gym
The Board of Trustees waived a third reading and voted unanimously to approve a recommendation to name the newly constructed Hopper Field field house the “L. Z. Bryan Field House,” and the soon to be completed Brazosport High School performance gym the “E. E. ‘Flash’ Walker Gym.”  The recommendation is in recognition of L. Z. Bryan’s and E. E. “Flash” Walker’s many years of successful coaching experience at Brazoswood and Brazosport High Schools and for their inclusion in the prestigious Texas Coaches Hall of Honor.  Early approval of the recommendation will allow dedication ceremonies to be held prior to the conclusion of the current football season.

2004-2005 Budget Amendment
Board members approved a $326,215 amendment to the 2004-2005 expenditure budget to incorporate 2003-2004 purchase orders remaining unpaid as of the District’s fiscal year-end of August 31, 2004.

Textbook Selection Committee
Board members approved the following individuals to serve on the official Textbook Selection Committee for 2004-2005:

Jane Lovedahl and Karla Christman were also named to the Committee as ex-officio members.

The Lighthouse Learning Center
The Board of Trustees heard the first reading of a recommendation to rename the Alternative Placement Center (APC) “The Lighthouse Learning Center.”  APC Principal, Tim Vern, explained to Board members and the audience that the proposed name metaphorically represents an educational setting that provides a light of hope and stability for students who have been tossed by the challenges of their educational journeys.  Board members questioned whether the proposed name would be appropriate for both alternative and disciplinary alternative education programs and were assured by Superintendent Okruhlik that “Alternative Education Center” will continue to be part of the Center’s name.  In accordance with Board policy, the recommendation will be placed on the Board’s agenda for three consecutive regular meetings prior to its adoption.

Intermediate and Middle School Name Changes
Board members discussed a recommendation to re-name the District’s intermediate and middle schools, as recommended by the District’s intermediate and middle school principals.  Superintendent Okruhlik introduced the recommendation by stating that ongoing and upcoming construction activities associated with the bond program represent an opportunity to consider renaming the District’s middle and intermediate schools, and pointed out that in Region IV and throughout the State, the majority of “middle schools” are either grades 6-8 or 7-8, while “intermediate schools” are typically grades 4-5 or 4-6.  Intermediate and middle school principals in the audience also provided several examples of confusion caused by the District’s current naming protocol.  Board members questioned the need for the recommended change and expressed their concern that the name changes would be confusing and upsetting to the public.  Board members also expressed concern with making a “change for the sake of change,” and questioned whether the recommended name changes would have any effect on the underlying educational philosophies of the affected schools.  After a lengthy discussion of the recommendation, Board members voted to reject the recommendation to re-name the District’s intermediate and middle schools on the recommendation’s first reading.

Brazoswood High School Addition/Renovations
Board members voted to incorporate several alternate proposals and “value engineering” recommendations into the Brazoswood High School additions and renovations project.  Van Franks, with PBK Architects, Inc. (PBK), reviewed each of the proposed changes and its associated cost or savings with the Board, and explained that representatives from PBK, Drymalla Construction Company, and the District had met on several occasions to study the alternates and the value engineering recommendations.  Mr. Franks also reported that the total cost of the new addition and improvements, including the recommended modifications, now totals $10.25 million and is within the project’s budget.  Board members carefully reviewed the proposed alternates and other modifications before voting unanimously to approve the recommendation from PBK.