Board Highlights

Extra Mile Award
The Board recognized Huntsman, a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and commodity chemicals, for the company’s recent gift of $2,584 to Brazosport High School’s Science Department.  Stuart Dornburg, Director of Public Information/Communications, presented Huntsman representative, Marshall Booth, with the award on the Board’s behalf, and stated that the company’s generous donation has enabled Brazosport’s Science Department to purchase new goggles, a goggle sterilization cabinet, and physical science equipment for the new labs.

Student Recognitions
The Board honored members of the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Academic 5A All-State Football Teams for 2005-2006.  In assisting the Board with the recognitions, Director of Public Relations/Communication, Stuart Dornburg, explained that team members are selected by a system that awards points for GPA, class rank, and SAT or ACT scores.  The “Elite Team” consists of student athletes earning the highest point total achievable.  To be nominated, a student athlete must (1) have an overall GPA of 92 or above; (2) be a member of the team in good standing; and (3) be of good moral character.  The following Brazoswood High School student athletes received Academic All-State recognition:

New Voting System Presentation
Janice Evans, Brazoria County Elections Director, presented Board members and the audience with a demonstration of the new eSlate Voting System that the County will be using for all elections held after January 1, 2006.  Ms. Evans explained that the new system is in response to the provisions of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) that require accessible voting for all voters.  Since the District rents voting equipment and contracts for tabulation services from Brazoria County, the new voting system will also be used for the upcoming Trustee Election on May 13, 2006.  Ms. Evans stated that the eSlate Voting System is a product of Hart InterCivic and uses an electronic display, input buttons, and a “select wheel” to allow voters to cast their “ballots.”  Voters are issued unique access codes that allow them to access an electronic ballot while ensuring the confidentiality of each voter’s selections.  The system also features a battery back-up system and redundant vote accumulators that store vote totals in three separate locations.  The new voting system also accommodates handicapped voters by allowing the use of headphones, “jelly switches,” and “sip n’ puff” accessories.  Board members thanked Ms. Evans for her presentation and took the opportunity to cast “mock” ballots using the new system.

Change In Voting System
Board members approved the use of the Hart InterCivic eSlate Voting System for the upcoming May 13, 2006, Trustee Election and for early voting by personal appearance, and the associated Ballot Now System for early voting by mail.  The District must next seek “preclearance” from the U. S. Department of Justice to implement the new voting system.

May 13, 2006, Trustee Election
The Board of Trustees ordered an election to be held on Saturday, May 13, 2006, for the purpose of electing trustees to fill the expiring three-year terms of the following Board members:

Applications for a place on the ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 13.  Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at the Administration Building on weekdays, beginning Monday, May 1, and continuing through Tuesday, May 9.

John Magee Performance Center Improvements
The Board of Trustees approved lighting and rigging upgrades, totaling $250,318, for the John Magee Performance Center at Brazosport High School.  Ron Keller, with PBK Architects, Inc., explained that lighting and rigging upgrades originally planned for the auditorium had been removed to accommodate the project’s budget.  Mr. Keller stated that a revised lighting and rigging plan has since been developed and introduced Phil Wilberg, with Texas Scenic Company, who assisted PBK and the District in developing the new system.  Mr. Wilberg stated that the re-designed system represents a good base package that will facilitate a variety of productions in the auditorium.  Additionally, the new system will accommodate upgrades and additional fixtures that may be required in the future.  Board members thanks Mr. Wilberg for his company’s assistance before voting unanimously to incorporate the new lighting and rigging package into the Brazosport High School additions and renovations package.

T.W. Ogg and A.P. Beutel HVAC System Upgrades
The Board approved seeking bids for HVAC system upgrades at T. W. Ogg and A. P. Beutel Elementary Schools.  Ron Keller, with PBK Architects, Inc., explained that the recommended upgrades will replace each campus’ existing “2-pipe” heating and air conditioning systems with modern “4-pipe” systems that allow for more balanced heating and cooling.  Mr. Keller stated that his firm will begin preparing the construction documents immediately to allow contracts to be awarded in April, with installation scheduled for this summer.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)
The Board of Trustees adopted a resolution/proclamation implementing the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Director of Public Information/Communications, Stuart Dornburg, explained that following “9-11” the Homeland Security Department was directed by President Bush to develop and administer a NIMS in a effort to provide a consistent framework for federal, state, and local governments to work together to prepare for and respond to incidents.  Furthermore, Texas Senate Bill 11 requires each school district to adopt an emergency operations plan addressing mitigating, preparedness, response, and recovery.  Mr. Dornburg reported that the District has been working on such a plan for months, utilizing funding provided by the Emergency Response and Crisis Management grant, overseen by the District’s Project Director, Sandra Antill.  Mr. Dornburg stated that funding from the grant has given the District a tremendous “head start” in meeting the requirements of NIMS and Senate Bill 11.  Board members thanked Mr. Dornburg for his presentation and recognized Sandra Antill for her work in developing the District’s Crisis Management Plan (Emergency Operations Plan).

TASB Policy Update 77
The Board of Trustees reviewed legal policy changes and voted to add, modify, or delete local policies, as included in Localized Policy Manual Update 77, and as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).