Brownwood ISD issued the following information Wednesday morning:
The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President Michael Cloy. Pastor Ken Colegrove from Brownwood Evangelism Center led the invocation. Coggin Elementary students Paizlee Goodman and Wade Young led the Pledge of Allegiance.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Music teacher Ashley Foust led Coggin Elementary 4th grade students in performances of “One Nation” and “American Everyday” from their Veterans Day program.
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
BISD Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land reported that Brownwood Middle School (BMS) math teacher Amber Evans has been designated as a Master Teacher (the top designation) 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 at the Master level 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. Designated teachers will receive annual TIA payments based on 2022-2023 data for an additional 4 years.
RECOGNITIONS
The following groups and individuals were recognized by BISD and were presented with certificates highlighting their achievements.
BISD SPOTLIGHT TEACHERS AND STAFF
The Brownwood ISD 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. November 2024 honorees were Coggin Elementary 6th Grade Special Education teacher LaPlesa Roseboom and BISD bus barn maintenance worker Martin Venegas. Honorees are pictured along with (top) BISD Trustee Amary Doremus and Coggin 6th Grade Principal Veronica Ballenger and (bottom) BISD Assistant Superintendent Mitch Moore, BISD Director of Student Services Ginger Alford, BISD Trustee Amary Doremus, and BISD Director of Transportation Maria Arellano.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
School Resource Officer Fred Bastardo was honored for earning the prestigious National School Resource Officer Practitioner status, recognizing his exceptional commitment to school-based policing and his dedication to serving our youth and community. Officer Bastardo is pictured below with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson, BHS Principal Lindsay Smith, and representatives from the Brownwood Police Department.
GUARDIANS
BISD Guardians David Crow, Sonny Garman, Dan Griffith, Deven Hoevers, Patrick Shaffer, and Jimmy Trowbridge along with School Resource Officers Fred Bastardo and Robert Lee were recognized for their service keeping kids safe and watching over all campuses across BISD. District Guardians and SROs are pictured below along with BISD Director of Student Service Ginger Alford and BISD Trustee Diane Thompson.
BHS BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Boys Cross Country team members were recognized for finishing 3rd in District and 12th in the Region. Regional Qualifiers and Academic All-District team members were noted including Bennett Windham (6th in District), Aidan Pena (10th in district), Ross Strasner, Hayden Mair, Stephen Rodriguez, Jose Rodriguez, and Regional Qualifiers Valente Cardenas and Noah Lambert. Team members are pictured below with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson, Coach Michael Westerman, and BISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Sammy Burnett.
BHS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Girls Cross Country team members were recognized for finishing as District 6-4A Champions, 4th in the Region, and the 7th place team at State. and 12th in the Region. Team members were honored included Haylee Adkins, Talia Craff, Rebekkah Delgado, Kylea Karnes, Braycee Lee, Kate Tindol (District Champion, 13th at Regionals, 25th at State), and Sidney Windham (4th place at District, 14th at Regionals, 15th at State, and New School Record Holder). Team members are pictured below with BISD Trustee Tim Wilson, Coach Chelsy Lipsey, and BISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Sammy Burnett.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Joe Young provided the following updates on 2023 Bond projects and upcoming events:
• Construction at Gordon Wood Stadium has begun, with the large side ramps being removed and other work planned before next fall. The track and field will be closed, except for varsity soccer, and arrangements for seating will be made, likely near the field house.
• Middle school locker room renovations are starting this week, with preparations completed to begin gutting and clearing out the boys and girls areas.
• Softball and baseball fields are taking shape, with new bleachers, fencing, and parking lot work ongoing. Thanks to Dr. Pepper for their help providing a concession trailer while construction of concessions and bathroom facilities at the baseball field are completed.
• The multi-purpose activity center is progressing, with steel framework visible and parts of the facility, including the Snodgrass weight room and indoor baseball/softball area, are ready for use.
• Upcoming projects include elementary gym floor updates, with more details to come in future announcements.
• The annual BISD Christmas Card Contest is underway, with student designs due this week. Voting will take place electronically by board members and staff.
• The Safety and Security Committee held a recent meeting, attended by key safety personnel, to focus on student and staff safety.
• A successful Veterans Day program was held at the new Brownwood Event Center, featuring the Brownwood ISD 4th-grade choir.
DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW AND RE-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
Board members Diane Thompson, Place 2 and Codie Smith, Place 5 ran unopposed for the November 5, 2024 election; Tim Wilson – Place 7 was newly elected. Michael Cloy, Board President certified their election/reelection, effective November 11, 2024 per state election law. This board meeting was the first opportunity since that date to administer the oath of office to the newly elected and re-elected board members. The Oath of Office was administered and Codie Smith, Diane Thompson, and Tim Wilson (pictured) were sworn in as BISD Board of Trustees members.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board moved into executive session at 7:01 p.m. to discuss personnel and security matters. They returned to open session at 8:21 p.m.
REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
At the first meeting after each election and qualification of Board members, the members of the Board shall organize by selecting a president, secretary, and any other officers and committees as the Board may deem necessary. Officers are elected by majority vote of the members present. Trustee Smith made a motion to keep the current officers with Trustee Michael Cloy as President, Trustee Roderick Jones as Vice President, and Trustee Diane Thomson as Secretary. Trustee Doremus seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
*Technology Report: A technology report was provided to the Board that gave an overview of the technology within Brownwood ISD as well as an update on technology projects that are taking place in the district. Dr. Young noted that the Technology Department, led by Jimmy Fisher, currently provides support for more than 6000 computing devices in addition to over 1000 other devices. The report also detailed updates in E-RATE funding, district safety and security, cyber-security, and additional current and upcoming projects.
*School Safety Report: The report listed 2023 Bond Safety and Security projects including new cameras, intercom system, door card access systems, radios, and new emergency maps for all BISD campuses. Also noted were district-wide safety and security initiatives. Ongoing measures included meetings of the BISD Safety and Security Committee, exterior door audits, the use of the STOPit anonymous reporting system on all campuses, the Raptor Visitor Management System, the Watch DOGS program, as well as additional planned trainings. The report also detailed the recently implemented BISD Campus Guardian Plan which employs six full-time Campus Guardians and includes eight Guardian Team Members.
*Gifted & Talented Report: The Gifted & Talented program provided a report that included the number of students in the program at each grade level and campus. The report also noted upcoming events, initiatives, pull-out services, and goals for the program. A total of 129 K-6 students and 152 BMS/BHS students are involved in the program. School-wide end of year showcases will occur on each elementary campus.
CONSIDERATION AND SELECTION OF A REAL ESTATE SERVICE PROVIDER
Brownwood ISD sought qualification statements from experienced local real estate brokers/firms to assist in buying and/or selling property. After the bidding process Coldwell Banker, Mark Campbell & Associates Real Estate was recommended to provide the services. Trustee Amary Doremus moved to authorize the district to negotiate a Professional services contract with Coldwell Banker, Mark Campbell & Associates Real Estate for the 2024-2025 school year. Trustee Justin Posey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed for consideration on the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval to apply for LASO (Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities) Cycle 3 grant funding: Strong Foundations Planning (SFP)
2. Approval to apply for LASO (Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities) Cycle 3 grant funding: Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI)
3. October 7, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes BISD Trustee Codie Smith moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented, with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were made for upcoming events:
• Early Release: 11/22/2024
• Thanksgiving Break: 11/25-11/29/2024
• Next Board Meeting: 12/09/2024
• Site-Based Decision-Making Committee Meeting: 12/12/2024
• Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Meeting: 12/18/2024
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.