Several Brownwood High School students scored “College Ready” in all four areas of their ACT College Readiness Tests.
For this accomplishment, they were recognized at the April BISD School Board Meeting Monday evening. Brownwood High School Principal Bill Faircloth presented each of the students with a certificate and commented that this achievement was, “absolutely fantastic!”
Another item on the school board’s agenda was consideration of the new Ag barn, renovations of Northwest Elementary, and renovation of the Brownwood High School track. After discussion of all three projects being over budget, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Gabaree addressed the board regarding the $385,485 increase in the costs of these projects. The present BISD Fund Balance is over $3.4 million. If all projects were approved, the fund would be below the $3 million balance that is typically kept. Several board members expressed concern of this decrease. Gabaree said that the 2010-2011 school year would take the fund back up to over the $3 million “comfort zone” without gaining any students, expending the budget or having any extra funds added. There are two employment positions at the high school that if not replaced, would save the district money. Replacing 30-year teachers that are retiring with second or third year teachers would also produce a savings. Issues such as health insurance costs and cost of living increases are a concern. To this Gabaree said, “Sure, I think about these things a lot.”
The Board approved the guaranteed maximum prices for the renovation of Northwest Elementary (Phase 3) and renovation of the new Ag Barn, but did not approve the price for the high school track project. School board members Nesa Morelock and Tim Jacobs both expressed concern of punishing one project for the other two projects coming in over budget. Eric Evans, school board member, also commented, “I don’t mind being aggressive, but in this economy, we should seek out more information.” The Renovation of the High School Track was then tabled to be discussed at the next Board Meeting.
In other items on the agenda:
*Naming the Board Room “The Dr. Don Martin Executive Board Room” was approved.
*A representative from Daktronics presented a Sports Marketing Plan which included several opportunities to obtain sponsorship advertising and bring state of the art equipment to Gordon Wood Stadium. Packages of advertising would be available. The board gave Daktronics permission to continue in their design and then tabled the item until a future meeting.
*TASB-Initiated Update 87 as recommended by the Association of School Boards, affecting (LOCAL) policies and Board Policy updates was approved.
Photo above: BHS ACT College Ready Students ,Front Row (l to r): Lloyd Ingram, Alonzo Cruz, Sarah Underwood, Chantalle Arriaga, Bettis Morelock, Keeley Gowin, J.T. Esparza); Back Row (l to r): Sheldon Stone, Melissa Rmeili, Steve Romero, James Crow, Robert Lynch, Kindry Kirbo; Not present: Presley Dareing, Ronnie Evans, Cody Lewis, Johnathan McDonald, Dominic Rosato