Brownwood ISD Acting Superintendent, Liesa Land, was invited to speak at a Chamber Luncheon on Friday, August 28th. The luncheon provided an opportunity for superintendents from both Brownwood and Early to give updates regarding their districts.
Land noted the district is off to a great start, highlighting increased enrollment, as well as recent achievements in accountability.
“Our enrollment is way up. We ended our year last year with 3,555 students, and right now we were at 3,697. That is 140 more students. Enrollment is continuing to grow. A couple of the campuses were enrolling kids today.”
Regarding accountability ratings, Land provided details on the district’s most recent scores and accomplishments.
“We also met standard for our district and all eight campuses. That is a great accomplishment. Our high school earned three of seven distinctions, and our middle school had five of seven and Woodland Heights had three of three. That is above and beyond. Our first rating also had a score of 30.”
Land also touted the use of technology within classrooms at Brownwood ISD. “We are 1-to-1 for seventh through 12th grade,” said Land referring to student laptops. “We have about 3,500 laptops in our district.”In addition, Land pointed out that the district is continuing to add new technology in the elementary classrooms and noted that schools are utilizing over 200 iPad carts as well as digital textbooks.
Also mentioned were the new administrative staff at Northwest Elementary, including a new principal.
“She is a new administrator, but she is not new to our district,” said Land. “Christine Young moved into that position. She was a counselor on that campus.”
Land praised the additions to the administrative team at Northwest that also includes Allison Northcutt serving as Assistant Principal and Jeanette Lancaster as Counselor, both having moved from other positions within the district.
“They all love Brownwood,” noted Land. “They have a vested interest. They know the kids, and they know the families. It has been very positive.”
Land also commented briefly on leadership programs, including the new AVID program recently added at the district. The program is, “dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities.”
Another recent initiative highlighted by Land that is being promoted at the elementary level at Brownwood ISD is, “The Leader in Me.”
“The motto is: We are all leaders. At our school, leadership is [defined as] doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” stated Land. “It teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.”
In closing, Land provided the latest information regarding the superintendent search, currently underway. The Education Service Center Region 15 is accepting applications on behalf of Brownwood ISD for the position, and the first round of interviews is scheduled to begin October 19th and run through the 21st. Brownwood ISD expects to name a lone finalist in November 2015.
