Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees voted Monday night to hire the Region 15 Education Service Center to help in the search for a new superintendent.
Region 15 Education Service Center is a non-regulatory agency which is one of 20 regional education service agencies that serve Texas educational needs. Their relationship with school districts is “collaborative and supportive” and “to improve education in our region,” according to the Region 15 Educational Service Center website.
According to Brownwood ISD Trustee Eric Evans, the board believes that Region 15 Service Center will be a great source for vetting candidates because they have a vested interest in Brownwood ISD being successful as they work to help in the process to find the best possible candidates for consideration by the board.
“Region 15 has a lot of eyes and ears in the state of Texas to see what is out there (regarding possible candidates),” said Evans.
The contract states that compensation will be $2000 and travel expenses, which Region 15 Director Laura Strube stated was minimal because the service center is very interested in being a part of the search and helping BISD succeed. They also realize the staff of the service center will be working closely with the future superintendent that is chosen and having the best qualified person for the job is beneficial to both the district and the service center.
The search for a new superintendent for BISD will begin with the board of trustees working to establish a candidate profile beginning most likely in July, said Evans. He stated that the board will also work to get a variety of feedback from the community and staff to establish the desired qualities and qualifications for candidates.
Strube explained that the candidate profile will outline what the district is looking for in a candidate, such as being certified in the state of Texas, having a doctorate degree, leadership and people skills or other things trustees decide should be requirements for qualified candidates.
The interview process would begin in approximately October, said Strube, which would allow the district time to research candidates and would also give candidates time to research Brownwood ISD to see if it is a place they would want to work.
The timeline for naming a finalist will be around December, said Evans, with the new superintendent ideally starting in February or March depending on their personal responsibilities. Many candidates will have to inform their current school district.
“We can’t hire anyone until Dr. Blincoe is not employed by BISD, which will be at the end of January,” explained Evans. Although Dr. Reece Blincoe was removed from his position as BISD’s superintendent a few months ago, the agreement he has with BISD continues his pay through the end of January. Blincoe is still considered an employee of BISD as long as he is receiving a salary, Evans stated.
In other matters on Monday’s agenda of the BISD School Board:
*Trustees approved the hiring of Rob Chapleau, currently the Early ISD Head Band Director; to work as a fourth band director at BISD. According to Evans, Chapleau will work with both Brownwood Middle School and High School Bands.
*East Elementary Parent Teacher Organization donated $2000 to East Elementary to help fund the purchase of smart boards.
*Trustees approved the purchase of 250 freshman laptops for the 2015-2016 school year, in the amount of $251,670, which includes carrying cases and hard cover shells. An amount was also approved to budget for the 2016-2017 year during the 2015-2016 budgeting process. The 2015-2016 laptops will be purchased through the Fund Balance account during the summer, so that the laptops are available to students in time for the first day of school, as the same time laptops are distributed to the rest of the students at Brownwood High School.
