April 3, 2007

Student Recognition
The Board of Trustees recognized Brazoswood High School. Senior, Bryson Byrd, for his efforts as an Anti-Tobacco Teen Ambassador. In assisting the Board with the presentation, Director of Public Information & Communications, Stuart Dornburg, stated that for the past three years Bryson has made numerous presentations to BISD students and at many state-wide conferences. In all, it is estimated that Bryson has reached more than 3,000 students with this anti-tobacco, anti-smoking message.

Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day
The Board approved the District’s participation in the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (TODASTWD), sponsored annually by the Ms. Foundation for Women. This year, TODASTWD will be observed on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, and will focus on middle school/junior high school students. The approved timeline and procedures had been recommended by the Texas Education Agency and by superintendents representing school districts in the Region 4 Education Service Center.

Contract With SECCA
The Board approved a contract with Statewide Educational Consulting and Counseling Associates, Inc. (SECCA) to assist the District with administering specially funded state and federal programs. SEECA will assist the District with writing grants, state and federal program compliance, needs assessments, campus and district improvement plans, report preparation and transmittals, and ongoing staff training. SECCA’s fees will be based on standard hourly rates and on a percentage of each respective program’s maximum entitlement.

New Web-Based Student Information System
Director of Technology Services, Monty Burger, presented Board members with an informational report on the District’s new web-based student information system (SIS). Mr. Burger stated that a technology task force had recommended “Courselinks” by Campusware as the District’s new SIS, including “Gradespeed” as the new grade reporting system. Mr. Burger explained why the District needs a new SIS and explained the benefits of a web-based SIS solution. Mr. Burger stated that the District will receive special pricing on the products in exchange for “piloting” the new SIS system in Texas. Implementation is planned for summer 2007, with full conversion anticipated in time for the 2007-2008 school year. Board members questioned Mr. Burger regarding the maturity of the new SIS system, back-up plans, training, long-term costs, and product longevity before voting unanimously to award a contract to Campusware for the new SIS and grade reporting system.

Vocational Opportunities For Students
The Board of Trustees received a presentation on the District’s Career and Technical Education (CATE) programs by Coordinator, Jane Lovedahl. Superintendent Ripple introduced Mrs. Lovedahl by stating that there is a great amount of interest in the District’s CATE programs by local industry and by emphasizing the importance of the programs. Mrs. Lovedahl began her presentation by reviewing a list of the District’s various CATE programs and student enrollment, noting that a total of 1,948 students are presently enrolled in CATE programs at Brazosport and Brazoswood High Schools. Mrs. Lovedahl stated that, due to dramatic changes in CATE, “vocational education is no longer shop and home economics,” and that all CATE courses are now required to contain TEKS. Board members thanked Mrs. Lovedahl for her presentation and noted that employers are desperate for qualified, trained job candidates and that CATE classes hold great potential for high paying jobs and meaningful careers.

Personnel Actions
The Board named Jackie Brewer as Director of Special Programs and Brian Welch as Brazosport High School’s Head Football Coach.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the March 6, 2007, Board meeting; approved the financial statements for February 2007; awarded bid contracts for training room supplies, school bus retro-fitting, and a web-based student management system; and approved a recommendation by the Brazoria County Property Tax Resale Committee to sell delinquent tax property held in trust by Brazoria County.