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September 7, 2004 |
| The Campus Recognition The Board of Trustees recognized Freeport Intermediate School for its consistent academic excellence. In assisting the Board with the recognition, Director of Public Information/Communications, Stuart Dornburg, reported that the National Center for Educational Accountability has been investigating educational best practices for the past four years. Schools chosen to be listed on the organization’s web-site are those that have sustained academic performance. Freeport Intermediate School is one of only thirteen middle schools throughout the State featured on the “Just For the Kids” website, showcasing outstanding educational “best practices.” District SAT/ACT/AP Results Director of Curriculum/Accountability, Becky Rinehart, presented the Board of Trustees with an SAT/ACT/AP comparison report. Mrs. Rinehart explained to the Board and audience what college entrance exam scores mean to a student, as well as what aggregate exam scores mean to the District. Using a series of graphs, Mrs. Rinehart illustrated the following points: • The District’s college entrance exam scores remain above state and national averages. • Average SAT scores for students who took the PSAT are higher than those who did not. • Gaps exist between the performance scores of our various student groups. • Fewer minority students in the District take college entrance exams or AP classes than their white counterparts. • Fewer students take the ACT than the SAT. Mrs. Rinehart concluded her presentation by presenting a series of “action plans” in response to the SAT/ACT/AP results. 2004-2005 District/Campus Performance Objectives Director of Curriculum/Accountability, Becky Rinehart, presented the 2004-2005 district/campus performance objectives to Board members for their review and consideration. Mrs. Rinehart reviewed the District’s goals and performance objectives, as well as the related performance objectives for elementary, middle, intermediate, and high school campuses and the Alternative Placement Center. In addition to performance objectives, Mrs. Rinehart also highlighted each division’s primary focus for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Rinehart stated that the district and campus improvement objectives focus on producing graduates who are prepared to live and work in the 21st Century. Board members thanked Mrs. Rinehart for her presentation and voted unanimously to approve the 2004-2005 district/campus performance objectives. Class-Size Waivers The Board of Trustees approved requesting class-size waivers from the Texas Education Agency for S. F. Austin, Jane Long, Madge Griffith, and T.W. Ogg Elementary Schools for the fall 2004 semester. The waiver request also includes a compliance plan describing steps being taken to bring the District into compliance with the 22:1 class size ratio for the affected campuses. Ordinance Setting the 2004 Tax Rate The Board adopted an ordinance setting the 2004 tax rate at $1.5228 per $100 of assessed value, with $1.3626 designated for maintenance and operations and $0.1602 designated for the payment of principal and interest on the District’s bonded indebtedness. The adopted rate represents a $0.05 increase over the 2003 adopted rate, but is less than the 2004 “rollback rate” of $1.715273, as calculated by the Brazoria County Tax Assessor-Collector. The tax rate increase will be used to provide funding for increased debt service requirements arising from the District’s “Primary Bond” program. Brazoswood High School Additions and Renovations Board members voted to approve awarding a contract to Drymalla Construction Company (Drymalla), totaling $9,795,955, for additions and renovations to Brazoswood High School. Ron Bailey, with PBK Architects, Inc., informed Board members that the recommended contract represents the “base bid,” and does not include the cost of “alternates” that are still being reviewed and will be presented to the Board for consideration at a later meeting. Mr. Bailey reported that the base bid is $453,897 under the project’s budget of approximately $10.25 million, and that the resulting savings may be used to fund any alternates the Board might subsequently approve. Board members reviewed the list of alternates under consideration and sought clarification from Mr. Bailey on several points. Construction of the additions and renovations is scheduled to begin in September, with substantial completion scheduled for August 2005. Bond Refunding The Board of Trustees voted to approve selling bonds to “refund” (refinance) approximately $8.4 million of the District’s Series 1996 bonds. The refunding had been recommended by the District’s financial advisors, Coastal Securities, Inc. (Coastal). Lewis Wilks, with Coastal, explained to Board members that interest rates have moderated recently, giving rise to an opportunity to refund the 1996 debt at a significant savings to the District. In response to fluctuating interest rates, Coastal proposed the use of a “parameter sale,” authorizing the District to sell refunding bonds at a price resulting in at least a 5.5% present value savings. Mr. Wilks reported that, based on existing interest rates, the District would likely realize an approximate 6.5% present value savings, or roughly $550,000. The savings to the District will be spread over the remaining life of the bonds (through 2016). Board members thanked Mr. Wilks and his firm and voted unanimously to approve an order authorizing the issuance of the refunding bonds. L. Z. Bryan Field House E. E. “Flash” Walker Gym Board members reviewed 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.” L. Z. Bryan gave 42 years of his life to coaching (34 of which were spent at Brazosport), including 18 years as head coach for Brazoswood High School, and is a member of the Texas Coaches Hall of Honor. E. E. “Flash” Walker coached basketball, football, and track at Brazosport High School from 1956 to 1976, and is also a member of the Texas Coaches Hall of Honor. Superintendent Okruhlik explained that, in accordance with Board policy, the recommendation will be placed on the Board’s agenda for three consecutive regular meetings prior to its adoption. Other Actions In other actions, the Board of Trustees approved the official minutes for the August 10, 2004, Board meeting, approved financial statements for July 2004, awarded contracts for athletic supplies and equipment (soccer), and received an enrollment report as of September 3, 2004, as presented by Ron Speir, Executive Director of Student Services. |
