The Brownwood ISD board of trustees unanimously approved the 2012-2013 school calendar Monday night at their school board meeting.
The new calendar has a total of 177 instructional days for students, which is normal compared to the last few years, but the new calendar cuts some holidays short compared to past years. The Christmas break for next year includes 8 school days off for students, a cutback of two or three days over years past. Officials said that state regulations were a big problem in putting together the new school calendar that would balance out the semesters, give adequate instructional days, and provide student and teacher holidays. By law, the district cannot start school until the fourth Monday in August which will fall on August 27th.
“It’s not perfect, but I think under the circumstances it’s as good as we can do this year,” said BISD Superintendent Reece Blincoe.
Blincoe said that the new BISD school calendar is very similar to that of other school districts they looked at to compare with a few minor differences.
State mandatory testing days were also a big issue regarding the calendar with 45 days of testing on the schedule for the next year between end of course exams, TAKS tests, and the new STARR testing which had to be taken into consideration on the calendar as well, officials said.
The district’s EIC Committee comprised of 42 members with representatives from school administration, teachers, community members, and local businesses put together the calendar.
Student Holidays and dates to note are below. Visit BrownwoodISD.org for more information about the school calendar.
Aug. 27 – First Day of School
Sept. 3 – Labor Day
Oct. 8 – Student Holiday/Staff Development
Nov. 21-23 – Thanksgiving
Dec. 24-Jan. 2 – Christmas
Jan. 21 – MLK Holiday
Feb. 18 – Student Holiday/Staff Development
March 11-15 – Spring Break
March 29 – Good Friday
May 27 – Memorial Day
May 30 – Last Day of School
The Brownwood ISD school board also acted on the following agenda items Monday:
-The school board unanimously approved revisions to TASB policies EIA and EIC relating to end of course exams and the 15% rule. Officials said that the 15% rule will likely be waived for the next school year.
-Brownwood ISD approved a redistricting proposal from Henslee Schwartz, LLP/MKP Consulting. After each decennial census, any public jurisdiction election officials by district must conduct an analysis to determine if redistricting is required. If population shifts have occurred during the previous decade, then redistricting will be necessary. MKP Consulting submitted a proposal to develop electoral districts for Brownwood ISD at a proposed cost of $22,740. The firm will be at next month’s school board meeting to discuss the issue.
-The school board unanimously approved a resolution to join unincorporated association concerning the Texas school finance system litigation through the Equity Center. Blincoe said that 66% of districts across the state have jointed the litigation. The district will pay $1000 to join.
