 |
|
Address
301 W. Brazoswood Dr.
Clute, TX 77531
Mailing Address
P.O. Drawer Z
Freeport, TX
77542-1926
Phone
979-730-7000
Fax
979-266-2486 |
|
|
|
Board Highlights
|
|
Board Highlight Archives |
|
September 6, 2005 |
State
Accountability (TAKS/SDAA II/TELPAS)
Federal Accountability (NCLB/AYP)
Advanced Indicators (SAT/ACT/AP)
Executive Director of
Curriculum/Accountability, Becky Rinehart, presented Board members
with the District’s 2004-2005 state and federal performance
reports. Mrs. Rinehart explained the various performance indicators
used for state and federal accountability ratings, and illustrated
the District’s performance on each indicator using a series of
graphs. Mrs. Rinehart’s presentation included the following points:
 |
The District’s overall state
accountability rating for 2004-2005 is “Acceptable,” with two
campuses achieving a rating of “Exemplary,” seven campuses earning
a rating of “Recognized’ and nine campuses rated as “Acceptable.” |
|
The District saw improvements in
2004-2005 TAKS “percent passing” rates for all students and,
generally, for all subject areas (reading, writing, social
studies, mathematics, and science) and all student groups.
However, TAKS passing percentages were lower in the areas of
mathematics and science, and for African-American, Hispanic, and
economically disadvantaged students of the District. |
|
1,623 State Developed Alternative
Assessment (SDAA) tests were administered in the areas of reading,
mathematics, and writing. Of the 1,623 tests administered, 1,255
(77%) met ARD expectations. |
|
The District’s state accountability
completion rate for 2004-2005 was 97.9%. |
|
51% of students (grades 3-12)
progressed at least one proficiency level on the Reading
Proficiency Test of English (RPTE), compared to 53% state-wide.
34% of students (grades 3-12) attained an advanced high level of
reading proficiency on the RPTE, compared to 32% state-wide. |
|
Federal indicators are based on
Annual Yearly Performance (AYP) in the areas of reading and
mathematics, graduation rates, and attendance rates. The
District’s overall federal accountability rating for 2004-2005 was
“Meets AYP,” with seventeen campuses achieving a rating of “Meets
AYP,” one campus rated as “Missed AYP,” and one campus not rated. |
|
Advanced indicators include student
participation rates and performance results on the SAT, ACT, and
AP examinations. The District saw an increase in the number of
graduates tested and mean scores on both the SAT and ACT exams. A
total of 232 juniors and seniors took AP examinations during
2004-2005 – taking a total of 477 exams – with 54.9% receiving a
score of “3” (passing) or better. |
2005-2006 District and Campus
Performance Objectives
Following a review of state and
federal accountability indicators, Executive Director of
Curriculum/Accountability, Becky Rinehart, presented the 2005-2006
district and campus performance objectives to Board members for
their review and consideration. Mrs. Rinehart stated that the
District’s 2005-2006 performance goals are:
|
Student performance |
|
Quality, targeted staff development |
|
Communication with all stakeholders |
The District’s 2005-2006
performance objectives are:
|
Meet or exceed the “Recognized”
(70% proficient) standard for all AEIS student performance
indicators. |
|
Seek and provide staff development
that will give teachers and campuses the tools to provide rigor
and relevance in classroom instruction. |
|
Increase graduation/completion
rates. |
|
Provide administrative support
through increased visibility and campus visits. |
|
Provide staff and appropriate
training to meet special needs. |
Mrs. Rinehart also reviewed the
related performance objectives for elementary, middle, intermediate,
and high school campuses, as follows:
Elementary
| Improve
science performance. |
| Improve
quality/depth of writing skills to increase the numbers of 3’s and
4’s. |
| Improve math
performance with acceleration. |
| Increase
performance of students with disabilities and special needs. |
| Ensure
consistent behavior through appropriate discipline as outlined in
the Student Code of Conduct. |
| Improve
communication between school and home. |
Middle/Intermediate
| Reduce
student misbehavior and discipline referrals, student failure
rate. |
| Ensure strong
communication between campus staff, students, parents, and
community. |
| Increase use
of technology to bring relevance to curriculum. |
| Decrease
failure rates for at-risk students. |
| Provide
increased opportunities for students and parents to explore higher
education and career options. |
| Ensure use of
a pyramid of interventions for struggling students. |
High School
| Provide
transition between intermediate and high school campuses. |
| Decrease
ninth grade failure rate. |
| Create
meaningful, relevant connections and relationships with students. |
| Increase
participation and performance in all advanced indicators. |
| Provide fair
and consistent discipline to improve safety and climate. |
| Increase
graduation/completion rate. |
Board members thanked Mrs.
Rinehart for her presentation and voted unanimously to approve the
2005-2006 district/campus performance objectives.
Class-Size Waiver
The Board of Trustees approved a requested class-size waiver from
the Texas Education Agency for Velasco Elementary School for the
fall 2005 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 campus.
Ordinance Setting the 2005 Tax
Rate
The Board adopted an ordinance setting the 2005 tax rate at $1.5728
per $100 of assessed value, with $1.3626 designated for maintenance
and operations and $0.2102 designated for the payment of principal
and interest on the District’s bonded indebtedness. The adopted
rate represents a $0.05 increase over the 2004 adopted rate, but is
less than the 2005 “rollback rate” of $1.585917 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.
Demolition of the Old Freeport Intermediate School
The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to proceed with demolition
of the old Freeport High School (former Freeport Intermediate
School). In introducing the item for discussion, Superintendent
Okruhlik recalled that the District had hosted a meeting on June 7,
2005, with representatives from the City of Freeport, the Freeport
School Foundation, and the Texas Historical Commission to discuss
the future of the vacated school building. The meeting resulted in
an agreement that the Texas Historical Commission would develop a
written proposal to save the structure, with timelines, to present
to the Board of Trustees at the September meeting. Mr. Okruhlik
announced that this deadline had not been met and that the District
was continuing to incur attorney, architectural, and engineering
costs in connection with this and previous extensions of time. The
Board’s action will allow the District to request that the City of
Freeport either demolish the former school or reimburse the District
for costs associated with the District’s demolition of the
structure.
BISD Student Attendance
Information
Ron Speir, Executive Director of Administrative Services, presented
Board members with a District enrollment report as of September 2,
2005, reporting a 142 student increase over the comparable date last
year. Mr. Speir also reported that inter-district transfers
(transfers from other school districts) are up by 9 students over
the same time last year, while intra-district transfers (transfers
between campuses) currently total 440.
Lanier Schematic Design
Update
Ron Bailey, with PBK Architects, Inc., provided Board members with a
design update for additions and renovations planned for Lanier
Middle School. Mr. Bailey reported that initial plans called for a
complete renovation of the Brazosview Wing, with new construction
connecting the renovations to the existing sixth-grade wing. Mr.
Bailey stated that, based on a recent budget review of the project,
it was determined that new construction (in lieu of renovations)
would provide a significant overall savings on the project and would
also allow for a more efficient use of space. Mr. Bailey presented
“before and after” drawings of the Lanier Middle School project and
thanked campus leadership and staff members for their involvement in
the new design. Mr. Bailey concluded his presentation by stating
that construction on the project is currently scheduled to begin in
October 2005, with substantial completion scheduled for the end of
November 2006.
Lighthouse Learning Center Schematic Design Update
The Board of Trustees received a design update for renovations
planned for the Lighthouse Learning Center (Alternative Placement
Center) from Ron Keller, with PBK Architects, Inc. Mr. Keller
stated that a review of the project revealed that over half of the
project’s original budget of $750,000 would be needed for roof and
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades. Consequently,
additional funds will be required to adequately fund the
approximately 34,000 square foot renovation project. Mr. Keller
presented a floor plan for the facility, developed with input from
the Center’s leadership and staff, designed to serve both the
Center’s disciplinary and non-disciplinary alternative education
programs. Mr. Keller also presented a preliminary design for an
updated entrance for the facility. Construction on the renovation
project is currently scheduled to begin in January 2006, with
substantial completion planned for June 2006. Board members thanked
Mr. Keller for his presentation and requested that additional design
ideas be considered for the Center’s front entrance.
Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the
August 2, 2005, August 18, 2005, and August 23, 2005, Board
meetings; approved the financial statements for July 2005; and
awarded contracts for athletic equipment and supplies (track,
baseball, and softball).
|
|
