The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President Michael Cloy. Local Pastor and Brown County Justice of the Peace Harold Hogan gave the invocation. Woodland Heights Elementary students Whitelea Wilson, Claire Chilcote, Sawyer Powell, and Ryleigh Witcher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Woodland Heights Elementary students performed the songs I Love America and Thankful for the USA, led by music teacher Amy Adams.
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
BISD Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land highlighted 16 teachers within the district that have been designated as Exemplary (a step up from Recognized) within the BISD Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. TIA is designed to reward and support those who have demonstrated exceptional teaching practices, contributing significantly to student success and our district’s overall performance. Teachers designated as Exemplary met criteria in the areas of student growth, Instruction and Learning Environment (TTESS), and received a qualifying score on a locally designed teacher designation rubric. The total payout of $199,351 received in February 2024 and August 2024 was based on 2022-2023 data and 90% (including benefits) will go to teachers. These designated teachers will receive annual payments based on this data for an additional 4 years with the opportunity to advance their designation each year by improving their student growth measure and TTESS evaluation average.
BISD teachers designated as Exemplary within the TIA program include Sara Bernal, Denice Bessent, Margie Briggs, Linda Cooper, Brittany Estess, Jessica Gamblin, Taylor Gdovin, Amy Hall, Stephanie Hilburn, Leslie Kelley, Leah Lee, Stephanie Ruth, Kayla Simpson, Glenda Uecker, Amber Villalpando, and Leslie Wood. Exemplary teachers are pictured below along with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson.
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 2024 honorees were Special Education English Teacher and Coach Ashley Gomez and Brownwood High School (BHS) ARD Facilitator Susan Baugh. September Staff Spotlight Recipient Antonio Ramirez (unavailable last month) was also honored (pictured top right). Pictured are BISD Trustee Diane Thompson, Spotlight Teacher Ashley Gomez, and BMS Principal Mykia Anderson (top left), Maintenance Director John Smiley, Grounds Keeper Antonio Ramirez, and BISD Trustee Amary Doremus (top right), and BHS Principal Lindsay Smith, Trustee Doremus, Spotlight Staff Member Susan Baugh, and Director of Special Populations Rebecca Faulkner (bottom).
BROWNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL (BMS) CHOIR
BMS Choir students Braylee Reeves, Kinsey Chandler, Zoey Suniga, Emerson Evans, Bellah Stokes, Kaiden Gruber, Mirra Griffin, Cyndea Wilson, Natalie Zaragoza, Jack Young, Parker Dennison, Leeland Hamilton, Adam Duran, Duncan Dennison, Rylan Martin, Daniel Stanfield, and Zane Zaragoza were recognized for making the All Region Choir (Region 7). BMS Choir students are pictured below with BMS Principal Mykia Anderson, Choir Director Kristi Wied, and BISD Trustee Codie Smith.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Young provided an update on the district’s emergency preparedness efforts. He noted that the district had conducted several emergency drills, including one at the high school that involved a real actionable emergency on Thursday, September 26. He praised the quick and effective response from both school staff and law enforcement. Meetings with the police department and school administration have been completed and included discussions on how to improve and what the district can do better. Dr. Young emphasized that communication and coordination were key to ensuring the safety of everyone involved. He noted his appreciation for the feedback received and that he feels good about the district’s emergency preparedness.
DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
* Nursing Report: The report provided by BISD Head Nurse Katheryn Cox contained current nursing assignments as well as screening and immunization data. Last year BISD had a total of 37,882 student visits to the nurse, 19,780 medication administrations, and 319 special procedures.
* Emergent Bilingual Program Report: BISD Director of Special Populations Rebecca Faulkner provided a report outlining evaluations for BISD on its bilingual education and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs including the district’s compliance with state regulations and how BISD assesses the academic progress and English proficiency of students receiving ESL support. Additional details include the professional development provided for teachers and the areas for improvement. The report also included information regarding the effectiveness and compliance of BISD’s ESL program, highlighting both its strengths and areas for future growth. There are currently 157 students in the BISD ESL program.
* Mental Health Initiative Update: BISD Mental Health Coordinator Danielle Howard provided a report which showcased program successes and addressed ongoing challenges. In 2023-2024, the program served numerous students through counseling, DAEP transition support, and curriculum-based programs. Collaboration with community partners like Center for Life Resources and Fishers of Men expanded resources. A two-year autism grant yielded impressive results, with 464 educators trained and over 2,211 students impacted. The program also secured funding for additional resources and technology. Ongoing initiatives include Mental Health First Aid training for all staff, the formation of a Foster Care Consortium, and pursuit of a School-Based Mental Health grant. Notably, all elementary and middle schools earned the CREST award for the third consecutive year, highlighting their exemplary counseling programs.
* Quarterly Investment Report: A Quarterly Investment Summary and Tax Assessor-Collector’s Report for August 2024 were provided to the Board for review.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed for consideration on the Consent Agenda.
- Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Appointments for 2024-2025
- Fundraisers
- Minutes from September 9, 2024 Board Meeting
Trustee Codie Smith moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Trustee Doremus seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were made for upcoming events:
• Early Release: 10/11/24
• Fall Break (Columbus Day): 10/14/24
• Region 15 Superintendent Conference: 10/21-23
• Site Based Decision-Making Committee Meeting: 10/24/24
• Next Board Meeting – 11/11/2024
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 7:34 p.m. No additional action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.