Brazosport ISD Board Highlights

Student Recognition
A complete listing of all students recognized at the March Board meeting is attached to this issue of the Highlights.

Region 4 Program Evaluation
Interim Director of Special Programs, Jackie Brewer, presented Board members with the results of a recently completed program evaluation of federal programs by the Region 4 Education Service Center. Mrs. Brewer reviewed the purpose and the process for the evaluation, as well as Region 4’s general recommendations and specific recommendations for each of the programs included in the report. Mrs. Brewer concluded by reviewing the District’s “next step” in light of Region 4’s findings and recommendations and by thanking the Region 4 staff members for their work on the report. Board members thanked Mrs. Brewer and other staff members involved with the study and requested periodic progress reports on the District’s implementation of the recommendations.

Waiver of Tuition for Nonresident Students
Board members approved waiving tuition fees for non-resident transfer students for the 2007-2008 school year. The action serves to increase the District’s enrollment and weighted average daily attendance (WADA); thereby, reducing the District’s calculated wealth per student and associated wealth equalization payments. Current law only allows the District to include non-resident students who are not charged tuition in its calculation of WADA and associated “Robin Hood” payments.

2007 Extended Year Program
The Board of Trustees approved extended year (summer school) programs for summer 2007. Under the approved plan, the District will again provide extended year opportunities at both the elementary and secondary school levels, as well as community sponsored programs, such as Safety Town and the Boys and Girls Club “Connections” program. For 2007, the extended year program will be offered at eight (8) campuses and the Lighthouse Learning Center (Alternative Placement Center). A schedule of the approved programs and the sponsoring campuses may be viewed on-line at: http://www.brazosportisd.net/extended.htm.

Textbook Adoption
The Board approved the selection of new state-adopted textbooks and selections recommended by the Official Textbook Selection Committee. The Committee was appointed by the Board in October 2006 to do an in-depth study of textbooks and materials on the conforming and nonconforming lists and to recommend textbooks and materials for use in the District.

Brazoswood Softball Field Scoreboard
The Board of Trustees voted to approve funding to update the scoreboard at the Brazoswood High School softball field. The action will allow Pepsi sponsorship payments to be combined with local funds to facilitate the scoreboard upgrades totaling approximately $12,870.

Texas Public Schools Week Resolution
The Board passed a resolution in support of Texas Public Schools Week. In introducing the resolution to the Board and audience, Superintendent Ripple noted that this year’s theme is “One Texas. One Vision. All Children.” The resolution reads, in part, “Therefore, be it resolved that we, as members of the School Board of Trustees, in partnership with our community, remain committed to strengthening our schools and encourage all residents to visit their local schools during this special celebration, March 5-9, 2007. We also encourage our community to donate their time and talents throughout the year to ensure continued academic success and student achievement.”

2007-2008 Budget Workshop
The Board of Trustees held a workshop to review preliminary information associated with the 2007-2008 budget. Michael Abild, Executive Director of Business Support Services, reviewed the budget variables that must be considered in developing a budget and presented the results of a Board survey taken to identify major budget parameters for 2007-2008. Mr. Abild reported that Board members identified staff development funding (especially in the areas of math and science), program reviews, and maintaining the existing tax rate as important budget parameters for 2007-2008. Mr. Abild also reviewed a “likely” budget scenario for the upcoming year and reminded Board members that there are still numerous uncertainties surrounding the second-year implementation of HB1, which was passed last summer by a special called session of the Texas Legislature. Mr. Abild concluded by inviting Board members to contact his office with any additional input they might have concerning the 2007-2008 budget and reminding the Board that additional budget workshops will be held in June and July, with final approval of the budget scheduled for August.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the February 6, 2007, Board meeting; approved the financial statements for January 2007; awarded bid contracts for athletic supplies & equipment (volleyball, cross country, and football) and for the District’s annual property insurance renewal; approved a recommendation by the Brazoria County Property Tax Resale Committee to sell delinquent tax property held in trust by Brazoria County; named administrative staff member, Sherry Whitton, as an additional teacher appraiser for the 2006-2007 school year; and adopted the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the suspension without pay and termination recommended by the certified hearing examiner regarding Brazosport ISD v. Rosa Maria Garcia.

Student Recognition:

Pre-Kindergarten
Gold Medal-Kristian Gillchriest, Velasco Elementary

Kindergarten
Gold Medal – Max Matejowsky, Briana Reyes & Jacob Aguilar, Jane Long Elementary
Bronze Medal – Jennifer Duran, O. M. Roberts Elementary
Silver Medal – Carolyn Jess, O. M. Roberts Elementary
Gold Medal – Joshua Bell, Roxanne Lopez & Ariana Leija, Jane Long Elementary
Bronze Medal – Colton Weiss, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Bronze Medal – Chris Ryder, Chloe Hansel & Aaron Kotalik, Jane Long Elementary
Silver Medal – Kahala Lurvey & Mario Vasquez, Jane Long Elementary
Silver Medal-Emma Gray, O. M. Roberts Elementary

1st Grade
Silver Medal – Sarah Hoyles, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Gold Medal – Shelby Evans, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Bronze Medal – Ashley Garner, A. P. Beutel Elementary
Silver Medal – Allison Neubauer, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Gold Medal – Angel Ramirez, O. A. Fleming Elementary
Bronze Medal – Carl Kneupper, O. M. Roberts Elementary
Silver Medal- Jeffrey Sims, Elisabet Ney Elementary

2nd Grade
Gold Medal – Hannah Parr, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Silver Medal – Elizabeth Kiihne, Bess Brannen Elementary
Silver Medal – Kane Cathcart, A. P. Beutel Elementary
Gold Medal – Kaylee Roland, Elisabet Ney Elementary
Bronze Medal – J W. Fagan, O.M. Roberts Elementary
Silver Medal – Courtney Williams, Bethany Seagraves & Eleanor Young, Bess Brannen Elementary

Gold Medal – Jessica Copenhaver, Bess Brannen Elementary
Best of Show – Kaylee Roland, Elisabet Ney Elementary

3rd Grade
Silver Medal – Miranda Turner, S. F. Austin Elementary
Gold Medal – Alex Olivas, S. F. Austin Elementary
Bronze Medal – Michelle Rice, S. F. Austin Elementary
Silver Medal – Jacob Morgan , S. F. Austin Elementary
Gold Medal – Erricka Serna, S. F. Austin Elementary
Silver Medal – Caroline Bass, S. F. Austin Elementary
Gold Medal – Fred Silbas, Jane Long Elementary

4th Grade
Bronze Medal – Ethan Gray, O. M. Roberts Elementary
Gold Medal – Chelsey Barrow, Jane Long Elementary
Bronze Medal – Indra Lopez & Erika Galvan, Jane Long Elementary

Silver Medal – Christy Kneupper, O. M. Roberts Elementary

5th Grade
Silver Medal – Courtney Garner, Rasco Middle School
Bronze Medal – Matthew Kiihne, Grady Rasco Middle School

6th Grade
Silver Medal – Elissa Kneupper, Grady Rasco Middle School

7th Grade
Gold Medal – Brittney Garner, Lake Jackson Intermediate