Brazosport ISD Board Highlights

Student Recognitions
The Board of Trustees recognized Brazoswood High School sophomore, Lauren Smith, for taking second place in the 5A UIL Cross Country State Meet.  In assisting the Board with the presentation, Director of Public Information & Communications, Stuart Dornburg, reported that Lauren completed the 3,200 meter race with an impressive time of 10:57.95.  Lauren had previously achieved a string of eight straight cross country wins, including six regular season meets and the District 24-5A and Region III meets.  Lauren has also been named to the 5A Girls All-Region III Team, was a nominee for Houston area “Girl Athlete of the Week,” and most recently was named to the texasrunning.com All-State Team.  Lauren also was recognized as the “Most Improved” runner by texasrunning.com.
The Board of Trustees also recognized the following student athletes for being named to the Academic 4A/5A All-State Football Teams for the 2006-2007 school year by the Texas High School Coaches Association:

Brazosport High School

Brazoswood High School

Team members are selected by a point system that awards points for GPA, class rank, and SAT or ACT scores.  To be nominated, a student athlete must have an overall GPA of 92 or above, be a member of the team in good standing at the time of the nomination, and be of good moral character.

School Board Recognition Month - January 2007
Members of the Brazosport Independent School District Board of Trustees were presented with framed certificates of appreciation by Superintendent Ripple in recognition of School Board Recognition Month.  Director of Public Information & Communications, Stuart Dornburg, explained that Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed January 2007 as School Board Recognition Month in Texas in an effort to build an awareness and understanding of the important function an elected school board plays in communities and schools.  Mr. Dornburg read from Governor Perry’s proclamation, as follows:
“Education fosters success.  From grade school to university, a solid education establishes the foundation on which we build futures of achievement and advancement, futures that give fruition to the fulfillment of dreams and expectations.  Members of school boards, men and women, who share a commitment to serve their communities, dedicate themselves to ensuring that students are given every opportunity to excel through education.  In collaboration with others including educators, school boards are essential members of the education community.”
Audience members joined Superintendent Ripple in thanking the members of the Board of Trustees for their tireless service to the students and staff of the Brazosport Independent School District. 

Joint Election Agreement/Contract With Brazoria County
The Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Brazoria County to hold a county-wide joint election in May 2007.  In presenting the recommendation, Executive Director of Business Services, Michael Abild, explained that House Bill 1, passed by the Texas Legislature last summer, contains legislation requiring school districts to hold joint elections or face moving their elections to November.  Mr. Abild explained that the District, along with other political subdivisions in the County, has been contacted by the Brazoria County Elections Division regarding a county-wide joint election with common polling places.  The County will utilize its new Hart InterCivic electronic voting system to facilitate the joint election.  The District is expected to benefit from the agreement by sharing election costs with political subdivisions.  Voters should benefit from more convenient and consistent voting locations. 

Approval Of Austin/Lanier 5th & 6th Grade Alignment
Board members approved a recommendation to allow S. F. Austin Elementary School to retain its existing grade alignment.  The action will allow the campus to retain its current status pending a three-year review focusing on student success and facility needs.  A presentation describing the District’s interest in standardizing its grade alignment across the district was made to Board members at their November 2006 meeting and a “town hall” meeting was held on November 30, 2006, to hear public comments regarding the District’s interest in moving S. F. Austin Elementary School’s fifth and sixth-grade students to Lanier Middle School.  President Luce stated that the action was in response to concerns expressed by Jones Creek residents and that the additional time will give administrative staff and the Board an opportunity to further study the situation.

BISD Student Enrollment Information
Ron Speir, Executive Director of Administrative Services, presented Board members with a District enrollment report as of January 7, 2007, reporting a 61-student decrease from the same period last year.  Mr. Speir also reported that inter-district transfers (transfers from other school districts) are down by 5 students from last year, while intra-district transfers (transfers between campuses) currently total 675.

2007-2008 Budget Development Calendar
Executive Director of Business Services, Michael Abild, reviewed a tentative 2007-2008 budget and tax rate adoption schedule with Board members.  Mr. Abild pointed out that the tentative calendar includes Board workshop dates in March, June, and July 2007, with adoption of the 2007-2008 budget scheduled for August.  Mr. Abild stated that the schedule is similar to the one used for last year’s budget cycle and is subject to change by the actions of the recently convened Texas Legislature.