The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President, Michael Cloy. BISD Trustee Roderick B. Jones, Sr. gave the invocation. East Elementary students Alina Bartek, Ryleigh Murdock, LeeAnn Shields, and Karter Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE

East Elementary music students performed the song Quadraboom with lighted rhythm sticks and led the BHS Fight Song under the direction of music teacher Amy Adams.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

BISD Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land reported on the success of the Camp Adventure: Roar on the Shore summer program which was offered for the first time in June 2023. The Additional Day School Year (ADSY) program offered summer enrichment and learning activities for current BISD Pre-K through fifth-grade students. An average of 382 students attended the program over a period of 25 days. The highest attendance was 558 students. Land noted that 818 kids attended the sports camps over the summer, and through the Roar on the Shore program, many participated that had never been able to attend. In addition to ADSY, 93 students in 6th8th grade received extra support through summer learning offered, 51 high school students participated in credit recovery, and 63 attended End-of-Course tutoring.

RECOGNITIONS

The following groups and individuals were recognized by BISD and were presented with certificates highlighting their achievements.

SPOTLIGHT TEACHERS AND STAFF

The BISD Spotlight recognizes members of our faculty and staff who go the extra mile to ensure excellence in education for all our students. Spotlight recipients are chosen from peer nominations, and each is awarded $250 through the Brownwood Education Foundation thanks to a sponsorship provided by Jacobs Family Pharmacy. September 2023 honorees were Coggin Elementary third-grade teacher Sheila Owen, and Woodland Heights Elementary Special Education Teaching Aide Sandra Weathers. Ms. Owen and Ms. Weathers are pictured with BISD Trustee Codie Smith along with Coggin Elementary Assistant Principal Monica Verner, and Principal Kali McLaughlin (top photo), and Woodland Heights Assistant Principal Kassie Russell, and Principal Jeanette Lancaster (bottom photo).

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ON PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, AND/OR AP EXAMS

These following students have been awarded National Recognition from the College Board because of their GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams: Jose Vazquez (National Hispanic Recognition Award), Justin Valdez (National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Award), McKenna Blethen (National Rural and Small Town Award), Morgan Phipps (National Rural and Small Town Award), Robert Goodrich (National Rural and Small Town Award), Rylie Shaffer (National Rural and Small Town Award), Sidney Windham (National Rural and Small Town Award), Sydney Stewart (National African American Recognition Award), and Tyler Mitchell (National Rural and Small Town Award). Honorees are pictured below along with BISD Trustee Codie Smith and BHS Principal Lindsay Smith.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Young noted provided a brief update on progress with the 2023 Bond. Several projects are already under way including security camera upgrades, new seats selected for Coggin Elementary Auditorium, and gym floors for the elementary schools which are scheduled to be installed over the Christmas holidays.

DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 2023

Bond Update: Claycomb Associates, Architects provided renderings of proposed upgrades to the Snodgrass building and a new 100-yard indoor facility complex. The projects are part of the $59,950,000 bond project passed by voters in May. Details of the currently proposed renovations and architectural plans were presented including descriptions of how areas of the facility were designed to benefit a wide variety of student organizations in addition to athletics. It was noted that the drawings were initial renderings only and the plans have not yet been finalized. Additional details will be published on the district website in the coming weeks.

Enrollment/Transfer Report: A total of 322 students transferred between schools within Brownwood ISD according to the In-District Transfer Report. Dr. Young noted that this number is down from last year and should continue to drop now that Project Neighborhood has concluded, and families are settling into their neighborhood schools. District enrollment as of September 1, 2023, is 3418 active students, slightly over what was anticipated for this year’s budget. As of the report, a total of 255 students have transferred into BISD from out of the district with the majority coming from Early, Bangs, and Brookesmith.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were listed for consideration on the Consent Agenda:

1. Fundraisers & Out of State Travel

2. Examinations for Credit Dates

3. Adoption of TASB-initiated policy update 121

4. Appointment of Members to Brown County Appraisal District

5. 2023-2024 Compensation Plan

6. Return to School Continuity of Services Plan

7. Minutes from August 14, 2023 – Budget Workshop

8. Minutes from August 14, 2023 Board Meeting

9. Minutes from August 24, 2023 Special Meeting

BISD Trustee Eric Evans moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. BISD Trustee Roderick Jones seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board moved into executive session at 7:05 p.m. to discuss personnel and security matters. They returned to open session at 7:19 p.m.

APPROVAL OF GUARDIANS Approval of Campus Guardians relates to the authorization of certain employees to possess firearms to address concerns about the effective and timely response to an emergency on District property, including the invasion of a school by an armed person who may pose a direct threat of physical harm to students or others. Trustee Evans made a motion to approve the Campus Guardians, in accordance with Policy CKED and the Campus Guardian plan as presented. Trustee Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The following announcements were made for upcoming events:

• 2022 TASA/TASB Convention (txEdCon23) – 09/28/23-10/01/23

• Fall Break (Columbus Day) – 10/09/23

• Next Board Meeting – 10/16/23

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m