The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President Michael Cloy. Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Youth Pastor Ricky Cavett gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Northwest Elementary students Hannah Mays, Brynlee Windham, Sawyer Simpson, and Rexton Thompkins.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Northwest Elementary third-grade students performed the songs Wave of Kindness and Never Gonna Give Up, led by music teacher Lauren Mays.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

BISD Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land provided an update on student academic growth. BISD teachers are challenged every day as they focus on building relationships and making sure each student shows academic growth. Land noted that BISD staff does a great job of making sure to differentiate their lessons and methods to help students grow academically. Several reading teachers in the district have results which show an 85% plus academic growth in their students. Land concluded by thanking BISD staff for knowing, loving, and teaching students.

RECOGNITIONS

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

BISD SPOTLIGHT TEACHERS AND STAFF

The BISD Spotlight recognizes members of the BISD faculty and staff who go the extra mile to ensure excellence in education for all our students. Spotlight recipients are chosen from peer nominations. Spotlight honorees receive a $250 check sponsored by Jacobs Family Pharmacy through a partnership with the Brownwood Education Foundation. October 2023 honorees were Northwest Elementary School kindergarten teacher Leslie Wood and Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Kristi Owen. Spotlight honorees are pictured with BISD Trustee Codie Smith and (top) Northwest Elementary Assistant Principal Amy Morris, Northwest Elementary Principal Dee Dee Wright, and (bottom) BISD Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land.

BROWNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL (BMS) CHOIR

BMS Choir students Gabriela Castaneda, Mikya’ Wesley, Dakota Ramsey, Lillieana Lara, Cyndea Wilson, Willow Camp, Landon Criddle, Eduardo Hernandez, Jack Young, Ezequiel Ramirez, Lane Constancio, Paulo Moreno Salazar, Braylee Reeves, Jordyn Salazar, and Stone Bishop were recognized for making the All Region Choir (Region 7). BMS Choir students are pictured below with BMS Choir Director Kristi Wied and BISD Trustee Amary Doremus.

READING TEACHERS (85%+ ACADEMIC GROWTH)

The following reading teachers were recognized for their student growth percentages in Reading for the 2022-2023 school year: Abby Galbraith (88%), Amy Hall (93%), Adrianne Stewart (93%), Sara Bernal (97%), Jessica Gamblin (100%), Dawn Hilburn (100%), Leah Lee (88%), Stephanie Morton (94%), Jennifer Martinez (100%), Amber Wilson (94%), Patricia Sanchez (87%), and Elizabeth Clevenger (5th STAAR reading 94%). The teachers are pictured below with BISD Trustee Amary Doremus.

BISD TRUSTEE CODIE SMITH

BISD Trustee Codie Smith was surprised with a cake as the crowd recited Happy Birthday before the meeting transitioned into the board room for the business portion of the agenda.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

• BISD Trustee Amary Doremus was given time to summarize her experience serving as the Board delegate at the 2023 Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) annual assembly on September 30. Trustee Doremus noted that it was a great opportunity to connect and provide a voice for BISD while learning a variety of viewpoints from other districts. She added that through conversations on communications and security, it was good to see that BISD is working on some of the same programs and initiatives as much larger districts.

• October is Principal Appreciation Month and BISD is recognizing each of the BISD principals through weekly spotlight articles recognizing them for their hard work and continued dedication to the success of students in BISD schools.

• In accordance with recently passed legislation, BISD Counselors are working on presentations for students in grades 6-12 regarding the dangers of fentanyl for Fentanyl Awareness Month.

• John Smiley was introduced to the Board as the new Director of Maintenance beginning January 2, 2024, following Jerry O’Neil’s retirement.

• Work on the 2023 Bond projects is ongoing with security camera installations, storage buildings, and new elementary gym floors and new Coggin auditorium seats scheduled to be installed over Christmas break. Ground has been broken for the new Tennis courts at Brownwood High School (BHS) and planning meetings are continuing for the new Student Activities Center, BHS locker rooms, and renovations at Gordon Wood Stadium. Administrators are currently looking at alternatives for BHS Graduation as the stadium may not be usable for that event depending on the scheduling of construction.

DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

* Nursing Report: The report provided by BISD Director of Nurses Helen Lacy contained current nursing assignments as well as screening and immunization data. Last year BISD had a total of 31,692 student visits to the nurse, 14,062 medication administrations, and 960 special procedures.

* Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC): Future meeting dates for SHAC were provided along with updated areas of discussion, including addressing fentanyl awareness and the “Making Spirits Bright Night” event allowing for parent participation through fun Christmas-themed activities with community supports available. As required, a yearly review of the wellness policy was completed and passed through the committee without any suggested changes.

* English as a Second Language (ESL) Program: The program provides appropriate planned instruction to identified students that are linguistically and culturally diverse. Licenses have been purchased to utilize the Imagine Learning Program and the Summit K-12 Program to provide personalized instruction and engage students one-on-one. All BISD’s classroom teachers and numerous support and administrative staff are on track to complete four-hours of English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) training. BISD employs 84 ESL-certified staff members. The report also included a breakdown of the 131 ESL students enrolled in BISD schools.

* Mental Health Initiative Update: BISD Mental Health Coordinator Danielle Howard provided a Counseling and Mental Health Initiative/Autism/SHAC report. Together with the autism grant team, school counselors, and mental health team, BISD has an award-winning department that works together to support the whole child. It was noted that last year, Woodland Heights Elementary counselor Kimber Bennett was awarded Counselor of the Year for the entire state of Texas. A total of 161 students were directly supported by the mental health team during the 2022-2023 school year. Under the autism grant, 187 teachers, counselors, and/or administrators signed up for training, and a total of 529 students district-wide have been impacted by the 2-year grant which is in its final year.

* Quarterly Investment Report: A Quarterly Investment Summary and Tax Assessor-Collector’s Report for August 2023 were provided to the Board for review.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK (CMAR) FOR THE INDOOR FACILITY COMPLEX PROJECT

The Indoor Facility Complex Project will provide a new 90,000 square foot Student Activities Center that includes a full 100-yard football field, markings for track, baseball and softball, nets for soccer, a band platform, and storage and restroom spaces. The project also provides a new 10,000 square foot outdoor turf area as well as a full interior renovation of the existing Snodgrass building. The Snodgrass renovation will provide new nets for softball and baseball, new storage rooms, and an expansion of the weight room. Three bids were received, reviewed, and scored and Waldrop Construction was recommended for the project. BISD Trustee Codie Smith moved to authorize the district to negotiate a contract with Waldrop Construction to serve as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Indoor Facility Complex Project in conjunction with the 2023 Bond Program. BISD Trustee Justin Posey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. SHAC Appointments for 2023-2024

2. Adoption of a Prevailing Wage Rate Schedule in connection with all 2023 Bond Program Construction Projects and/or other construction projects authorized by the Board in the 2023-24 to 2024-25 school year.

3. Appointment of Owner’s Representative for all BISD Bond Projects

4. September 11, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Trustee Diane Thompson moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Trustee Doremus seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board moved into executive session at 7:14 p.m. to discuss personnel and security matters. They returned to open session at 7:46 p.m.

CONSIDER 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 Smith moved for approval of the Campus Guardians, per Policy CKED and the Campus Guardian plan as presented. Trustee Doremus seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TIA ALLOTMENT

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is state funding given to districts for the purpose of teacher performance-based compensation. Trustee Posey made a motion to approve the TIA Allotment as presented. Trustee Thompson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The following announcements were made for upcoming events:

• Region 15 Superintendent Conference – 10/23-10/25/23

• Site-Based Decision Making Committee Meeting – 10/26/23

• Next Board Meeting – 11/13/2023

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.