Board Highlights

2006-2007 Instructional Focus
Executive Director of Curriculum/Accountability, Rebecca Rinehart, presented Board members with an update on the District’s 2006-2007 instructional focus.  Mrs. Rinehart began her presentation by reviewing the District’s 2006 accountability ratings, as follows:

Mrs. Rinehart also reported that all campuses and the District had received the highest federal accountability rating of “Meets Adequate Yearly Progress” for 2006.
Mrs. Rinehart continued by reviewing the District’s 2006 performance on the TAKS by subject areas and student groups.  Overall, the District saw modest improvements in 2006 test results for reading/ELA and science, with minor drops in writing, social studies, and math.  Mrs. Rinehart concluded her presentation with an overview of “where we’ve been” and “where we’re going” with respect to the District’s academic emphasis on math and science and reviewed staff development activities, curriculum, materials, and assessments associated with the District’s Math and Science Initiatives.  Mrs. Rinehart also provided a glimpse of new initiatives expected to be funded by the State’s High School Allotment.  Board members questioned Mrs. Rinehart on several aspects of the District’s 2006-2007 instructional focus and thanked her for an excellent presentation.

Adoption of the 2006-2007 Budget
After holding a public hearing to discuss the 2006-2007 budget and tax rate, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a budget, totaling $121.8 million, for the upcoming fiscal year.  Michael Abild, Executive Director of Business Services, reviewed changes to the budget since it was last presented to the Board in July, noting that certified taxable values had dropped by approximately $170 million from preliminary estimates furnished by the Brazoria County Appraisal District and that projected state funding for 2006-2007 had decreased by approximately $441,000.  Nevertheless, Mr. Abild reported that the District expects to have more resources available in 2006-2007 due to a significant increase in state funding ($10 million), a year-to-year increase in taxable property values of over $455.6 million, and a projected reduction in “Robin Hood” payments for the upcoming year of approximately $1.26 million.  Mr. Abild stated that increased salary and benefit costs represent the largest increase in the 2007 operating budget, totaling nearly $3.6 million.  The 2006-2007 budget also includes “set-asides” for the State’s new High School Allotment ($318,697) and for completion of the District’s construction program and state funding uncertainties ($1.5 million).  The District’s proposed tax rate has been “compressed,” based on the provisions of HB 1, to $1.4237 (currently $1.5728).  Mr. Abild stated that the proposed tax rate would be presented to the Board for their consideration at the September meeting.

Teacher Appraisal Calendar/Teacher Appraisers
The Board approved the teacher appraisal calendar for the 2006-2007 school year, as required by the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS), and identified administrative staff members who have completed formal training for certification as appraisers.  The PDAS requires each school district to annually establish a calendar that designates appraisal periods and requires that each designated appraiser receive uniform appraiser training.

Purchase of Attendance Credits from the State
The Board approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits with the State for the 2006-2007 school year and authorized the Superintendent to submit a “letter of intent” to the Commissioner of Education describing actions underway in the District to reduce its property wealth per student to the State equalized wealth level.  The District currently expects to pay approximately $12.6 million in equalization (“Robin Hood”) payments for the upcoming year. 

TASB Policy Update 78
The Board of Trustees reviewed legal policy changes and voted to add, revise, or delete local policies, as included in Localized Policy Manual Update 78, as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

“Boot Camp” Agreement for 2006-2007
Trustees approved an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program.  The agreement between Brazoria County and the eight school districts in Brazoria County will facilitate operations of the “boot camp” program for the 2006-2007 school year.

Student Drug Testing Program
The Board received a presentation on the District’s random student drug testing program from Stuart Dornburg, Director of Public Information/Communications.  Mr. Dornburg reviewed the program’s genesis, particulars, and the following key goals:

Mr. Dornburg reported that, during the 2005-2006 school year, a total of 814 high school students were tested, with the following results:

Mr. Dornburg also reported that the cost of the program was $24,700 last year, with a slightly higher cost expected for 2006-2007.  Board members thanked Mr. Dornburg for his presentation and encouraged him to provide comparative data in future reports.

Summer Construction Projects’ Update
Construction Manager, Alec Journeay, provided Board members with a construction update, as follows:

Clute Intermediate School

Brazosport High School

Lighthouse Learning Center

Ogg and Beutel