The Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees held a public hearing Monday evening regarding the possible transfer of ownership of the former South Elementary property currently utilized by the Boys and Girls Club of Brown County.
The BISD Board Room was packed full of supporters of the Brown County Boys & Girls Club along with many of the children who benefit from the services the club provides. Dressed in blue Boys and Girls Club T-shirts, the kids lined the room and even sat in the floor due to the high attendance of supporters.
Tim Espinoza, President of the Board of the Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program, began the series of supporters addressing the Brownwood Independent School Board members speaking of their support of the idea to donate the old South Elementary campus to the Boys & Girls Club. Espinoza spoke of the donation of the property to the Boys & Girls Club as the start to the “next chapter.” He explained that the Latch Key program was an August through May program and that the kids are then usually taken in by the Brown County Boys & Girls Club. Espinoza stated, “It’s a win-win situation for it along with the other organizations that it affects.”
Donna Harris of the Brownwood Salvation Army, in an emotional plea, addressed the school board to approve the transfer of the property to the Boys & Girls Club. Harris mentioned that she thinks often of what would happen to the kids and families if the Boys & Girls Club isn’t available. She noted that the Salvation Army had to turn 30-40 people away that they could not help. Without the Club, there would be an additional 150-200 kids in the summer that would not have a safe place to stay, the parents would have to ask for help for childcare or pay for childcare that would take away from their already stretched thin budgets she said. Harris continued, stating that the club “is very important because it touches a lot of us…I pray a lot for the Boys & Girls Club.”
David Bullion took the podium and remembered when he was on the BISD school board and the school had no use for the old South Elementary campus and it was leased to the club. “I would encourage you to give it to them… so they can get some grants to keep them open,” Bullion stated.
Michael Richardson, a member of the Board for the Boys and Girls Club came next to read some of the many letters received regarding this transfer of ownership and its benefits to the community as a whole. People such as Larry Jones, plant manager of Superior Essex; County Judge Ray West & Judge Frank Griffin; City Manager Bobby Rountree; Municipal Court Judge Don Clements; James Williams, Director of the Brown County Juvenile Detention Center; Rex Tackett, President of the Brownwood Kiwanis Club; former city manager Gary Butts and Mayor Bert Massey.
Ernest Painter recalled, nearly 20 years ago, when he stood before the BISD board members asking for help starting the Boys & Girls Club. The BISD allowed them to use a small portion of the gym of the current Family Services Center location. Painter stated, “If this board moves in the direction I think you should…let me state straight forward that the BISD and Boys & Girls Club partnership will grow…”
No one spoke in opposition of donating the property.
Then BISD Superintendent Dr. Reece Blincoe explained that the matter was not going to be acted upon until the board had a chance to further discuss the matter in a closed executive session and then it would be scheduled to be on the agenda in May for possible action.
The Boys and Girls Club approached the Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees at the February Board Meeting requesting a long-term lease of the property. According to Boys and Girls Club representatives, the organization would qualify for more grants and foundation funds if they owned the property or had a long-term lease.
Following investigation, Deputy Superintendent, Kevin Gabaree reported in the March Board meeting that a school district cannot legally enter into a long-term lease. They can, however, sell or donate real property.
