BISD Press Release – The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. BISD Board Vice-President Roderick Jones called the meeting to order. Scotty Crawford, pastor of the Brownwood Community Church, gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Woodland Heights Elementary students Kailee Bessent, Emory May, Raven Prado, and Will Stewardson.

RECOGNITIONS 

BISD Trustees recognized the following students, highlighting their UIL Academic and Choral Music Achievements. The Board of Trustees expressed their appreciation for these students who work beyond normal classroom participation to pursue excellence in their areas of interest.

Elementary District UIL Academic Winners: Multiple students from the East, Northwest and Woodland Heights campuses who participated in the District UIL Academic Meet in the fall and placed in their divisions were honored with certificates of excellence.

Photo: (Top left, L to R) BISD Vice President, Roderick Jones; Natalia Ramos; Judah Lee; Woodland Heights Elementary Principal, Jenny Swanzy

Photo: (back) BISD Board Member, Eric Evans; East Elementary Principal, Nanda Wilbourn; (front) Cooper Morgan; Derek Yancy; Kyle Recolizado

Photo: (back) Northwest Elementary Principal, Christine Young; BISD Board Member, Diane Thompson; (front) Hannah Deen; Jiya Bell; John Haby; Osmar Carrere; Cayden McNally; Kaysen Wooten; Hayden Christianson; Aurora Owen 

BHS Region 7 Choir and Area Choir Students The students pictured below tried out for and received membership into the Region 7 Choir:

Photo: (L to R) BISD Board Member, Brad Jetton; Juan Zamora Jr.; Ethan Perea; Adan Villarreal; Mitchel Doud; Bri Rodriquez; Maycee Wilson; James Williams; Lillian Sharp; Casey Baker; Jordan Roberts 

The students pictured below tried out for and received membership in the Region 7 and Area Choirs:

Photo: (L to R) Jesse Bennett; Eli Perez; Logan Dick; Izzy Vela; Timothy Crawford; Daisy Green; James Davis; Alex Fowler; Jack Robinson; BISD Board Secretary, Dr. Lisa Fowler 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT 

  •  The monthly Staffing Report and Budget Update were presented to the board.
  •  Infant/Head Start Pre-Registration plans were announced.

DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS 

SCHOOL NUTRITION REPORT: Bobby Green of Southwest Foodservice Excellence presented the annual School Nutrition Report, stating that food service is continually monitored for compliance with all regulations while attempting to present an array of choices in quality foods from which the students may choose. He highlighted new options at the upper-level campuses, including new menu and drink options, while also explaining the extensive quality control efforts the department takes to regulate and maintain food quality across the district.

2017-2018 BUDGET CALENDAR REPORT: Dr. Hector Martinez announced plans for the annual budgeting process, which will begin in March and culminate on August 28 with a public hearing on the proposed 2017-2018 budget. He also outlined changes to the process that should build more efficiency into the planning sessions.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF DISTRICT OF INNOVATION PLAN: Dr. Joe Young presented the District of Innovation plan for consideration, which allows for two provisions: 1) an earlier start date prior to the fourth Monday in August of each year; and 2) changes to the CTE Certification Levels for secondary teachers for specialized classes. Dr. Young outlined the process that the Site Based Decision Making (“SBDM”) Committee has undertaken to recommend a DOI plan to the Board of Trustees. SBDM Committee Community Representative Tim Espinoza and Parent Representatives Kara Bessent and Valarie Scull were in attendance to comment on the process and answer questions. Tim Jacobs made the motion to accept the DOI Plan as presented, with Eric Evans seconding the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

CONSIDERATION OF 2017-2018 SCHOOL CALANDER: Ms. Liesa Land outlined the process of defining the upcoming school calendar, including the explanation of staff participation in choosing the dates offered for passage. Based upon the supposition that the DOI plan would be approved, the 2017-2018 proposed calendar includes a mid-week start to the first semester on August 23, a 3-day weekend during each month of the school year, an early dismissal from school on December 22 for Christmas Break, and a 2nd semester beginning date of January 8, 2018. Three staff development days during the summer are necessitated from this calendar. Beginning and ending times for each school day remain unchanged. Tim Jacobs motioned to accept the calendar as presented, with a second to the motion from Brad Jetton. The motion passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA – The request to replace former Assistant Superintendent Kevin Gabaree’s name in TexPool documentation with that of current Assistant Superintendent Hector Martinez was made. The minutes from the January 9, 2017, board meeting were placed in consideration. Eric Evans made the motion to approve both consent items, with Tim Jacobs offering the second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

The board did not convene into Executive Session during this meeting, due to a lack of need.

CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACTS 

The Board of Trustees approved Administrator contracts, as presented by Administration. Eric Evans moved that the contracts be approved, with Lisa Fowler seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

  •  Early Release for Bluebonnet Relays – March 3, 2017
  •  Bluebonnet Relays – March 3 – 4, 2017
  •  Spring Break – March 13 – 17, 2017. Note that this is one week later than last year’s scheduled break.
  •  Next Board Meeting – March 20, 2017

The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.