Brownwood teachers, faculty and administration met at the district-wide convocation on Monday morning to kick off the 2011-2012 school year. Athletic Director Bob Shipley and Executive Director of the Brownwood Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program Gina Jameson encouraged teachers to make an impact and inspire students to fulfill their potential. Shipley said, “God created us to be extraordinary people,” asking each teacher to remember the reason for choosing the profession and to be a positive role model in the students’ lives, whether by donating time or money to programs like United Way, Big Brothers/Sisters, or taking students to visit nursing homes.

Superintendent Dr. Reece Blincoe recognized each campus for their Texas Education Agency (T.E.A.) ratings with banners presented for each campus and the district, displaying Brownwood’s achievements. Blincoe explained the numerous legislative changes which impacted the criteria for ratings this year, but also highlighted the high scores and progress made by BISD schools. Commending the Board of Trustees for their commitment to keeping people a priority and the Brownwood community for its continuous support, Blincoe said that the financial changes wouldn’t be felt as much as other communities, but that booster clubs and PTO’s would be needed more than ever. “Brownwood is an awesome community,” Blincoe said, noting the importance of community involvement, looking to the future, and creating a positive, productive environment for students. “We have to be wise about spending money,” Blincoe said, “And we will continue to do what’s best for our kids and the community.”

As an illustration, Blincoe used a flywheel – a large, smooth, steel wheel — similar in shape and size to the one used in the final rounds of The Price Is Right — which requires everyone in the district to work together to make it turn. “With everyone’s help,” Blincoe said, “we have built up the momentum to make the wheel carry its own weight. No single moment, piece of technology or program made us successful; it is all of us working together to get it going.”

Blincoe reminded teachers of the mission and goals of BISD: to create students who are academically prepared for further education and the workplace, to be people of strong character, to be increasingly efficient in technology, operations and fiscal responsibility, and to practice community partnerships. Blincoe encouraged all faculty to continue keeping the momentum of the BISD “wheel” spinning without letting change hinder the progress. And with 150 new transfers, a $1.5 million loss to the federal budget, new curriculum and state accountability requirements, Brownwood ISD will be experiencing many changes. “Keep the momentum going,” Blincoe said. “Each turn compounds the investment; step by step, turn by turn, when we build, we draw people to us…We will not let change slow us down, and we will keep attracting great people.”