After a 6 hour meeting, mostly in executive session, the Brownwood ISD School Board took no action regarding the contract of Dr. Reece Blincoe as superintendent.
Dr. Blincoe has been the superintendent of the BISD for over six years, and his contract will not expire until June 30 of 2017. Over the past two years, Blincoe has had overall, positive reviews of his performance confirmed by a unanimous board vote. If the board had approved an expected buyout of Blincoe’s contract, it could have cost the district an estimated $250,000 – $500,000.
Before the board went into executive session, they opened the floor to audience participation with four residents addressing the board.
Steven McCrane, a parent and local businessman questioned the reason for the discussion and talk of a buyout of Blincoe’s contract.
“If there are reasons for termination that are just, then these need to be kept confidential and I trust in the elected board to make those decisions. In that case, there will be no buyout needed and I will not be standing here,” said McCrane. “On the other hand if it is just a personality conflict and there is no ‘smoking gun,’ is this fair to do to any individual, as long as the district is stable financially, enrollment up, statewide and national honors for our schools. Is it fair to ruin someone’s career, reputation, and affect their family by acting in such a manner?”
Dr. Don Bostic, Executive Vice President of Ranger College, gave a statement on behalf of the college regarding their relationship with Blincoe and BISD through the dual credit program.
“For Ranger College, the best thing about Reece Blincoe is his passion, his passion for students and for students’ success. That’s the thing that we admire about him and we appreciate the most about him. When Google is looking to hire someone, the #1 thing they are looking for is that passion and I think all of us can agree that that is what defines Reece,” said Bostic. “We work closely with Reece and his team in the dual credit arena, and it’s a hard arena, with a lot of moving parts. It takes a lot of teamwork and a lot of patience. It’s a tough job and he’s been very hands-on about it and very successful in our partnership on that. We value this partnership. Our hope is that the board and Reece can work together to resolve any differences that may exist so that we can go forward successfully for the benefit of our students and our community.”
Parent and substitute teacher/former BISD aide Kay Collier also addressed the board, giving her opinion of Blincoe’s possible removal and the board’s actions.
“When he came to Brownwood ISD, we were all excited. I’ve had Dr. Blincoe and his wife over at my house on several occasions, very nice people. However, I had a chance to come up against him in a computer situation,” said Collier. “He likes to make fun of people, rule with an iron fist, his staff and teachers are scared of him. He has made terminations in the district which have ruined their careers, so why do we care if we ruin his?”
Collier stated that Dr. Blincoe had been a bully and gained power thanks to this school board over the past 6 years.
“I agree that this man needs to be gone from our district. I agree that you should buyout his contract; however, these issues have been going on for 6 years. So I ask if you buy out his contract to the tune of half a million dollars, I ask if each one of you members look at yourselves and ask “did I do the right thing?”
Collier was cut off by the BISD attorney, Rhonda Crass, who stated that she could not refer to specific complaints. After the board went into executive session, Collier later told media representatives that she felt that the board had the chance to terminate Blincoe earlier in the year, before they unanimously agreed to extend his contract for another three years and that because of that mistake; she felt each of the current members of the BISD board should answer for this action.
“This has been going on for 6 years, so if we have to spend upward of half a million dollars to get this man (removed), then I would call for everyone on the school board to tender their resignation. If he is gone, then they need to be gone,” said Collier. “Would I love him gone, absolutely, I would consider it a personal triumph, but that is selfish isn’t it.”
Priscilla Monson, a parent of two BISD students, stated that having been a former candidate for place 6, she had researched the responsibilities of being a school board member and that she was concerned particularly about stewardship.
“I feel that this is not a Reece Blincoe issue, not a school board issue, I truly believe this is a stewardship issue. As a school board, it is my understanding that you as a school board are charged with the financial solidarity, integrity, and accountability of public funds that go to the classroom needs of our children. I call into question today the use of Fund Balance to buyout a contract that you unanimously voted, just recently, to extend that contract. I feel the number 1 job, as well as the financial responsibility is to protect and provide for the children of our school district, and I truly feel that your eye is not on the ball in this game,” stated Monson. “This has become an issue of personality conflicts which should be handled in a professional way. It is now being allowed to affect the dollars that are going into our children’s education. Our unfunded needs are great in this district; our technology infrastructure needs to be updated – at a cost of over $600,000 which cannot be done at this time. Our wireless system needs to be updated and again remains unfunded because of financial issues.”
Monson stated that there are new apartment complexes being built which will bring new enrollment pressures on already crowed East Elementary and Woodland Heights Elementary, both of which are operating at or over capacity and need expanded facilities.
“There are classroom needs that are not being met. The Woodruff Foundation has been funding after-school tutoring at Woodland Heights because that goes unfunded by our district. We have teachers that have indicated that they have requested for Promethean Boards and TVs, the robotics program needs up-to-date equipment but cannot be updated because a robot costs $400. We cannot fund those programs but we can buy out a contract to the tune of $250,000-$500,000; makes no sense to me,” said Monson. “There is an economy in that situation that raises many questions to me. I encourage you to keep your eye on our children. You are here to serve the taxpayer and our children and in my opinion, we are going to hurt both by buying out a contract where problems could be worked out otherwise. As a parent, as a voter, and as a taxpayer, I feel this is an inappropriate way to expend those funds.”
Monson urged trustees to put personal differences aside, and make the right decision for the taxpayers and the children. She also asked the board to be careful as they vote to make sure that those voting were qualified so that more problems are not caused that could result in TEA sanctions on the district.
After nearly 6 hours of discussion in executive session, BISD School Board President Michael Cloy called for a motion in open session, but that call went unanswered. Cloy then adjourned the meeting having no further discussion.
Pictured at top from left to right are BISD School Board Trustees Roderick Jones and Michael Cloy with BISD Superintendent Dr. Reece Blincoe. BISD Attorney Rhonda Crass is in the background.
