The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President, Michael Cloy. Coggin Ave. Baptist Church Middle School Youth Minister Chris Stuard led the invocation. East Elementary students Kaynan Carroll, Kallen Bocknite, and Colton Farmer led The Pledge of Allegiance.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE

East Elementary Honor Choir (3rd-5th graders) performed “You Will Be Found” under the direction of music teacher Holly Bush.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

BISD Deputy Superintendent, Liesa Land provided brief updates regarding House Bill 3 goals, progress made in third grade reading and math, and the STAAR test redesign. Progress is measured through student assessments and BISD has met or exceeded goals in many of the measured student groups. The district continues to focus on areas where assessments show improvement is needed. Land also thanked parents for their support as students prepare for the redesigned STAAR test later this school year.

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. January 2023 honorees were Brownwood High School (BHS) American Sign Language teacher Renee Fraze, and Northwest Elementary teacher’s aide Shelley Gowdy. BISD Trustee Codie Smith is pictured with honorees along with (top) BHS Principal Lindsay Smith, and (bottom) Northwest Elementary Principal Dee Dee Wright.

BISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES – SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Brownwood ISD joins the Texas Association of School Boards and other districts across the state to honor the countless contributions of these locally elected advocates for Texas schoolchildren and public schools. Students and staff throughout the district put together customized gifts to show their appreciation to each Board member.

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

Members of the BHS Varsity Girls Volleyball team were recognized. Individual academic achievements and accolades were announced and honored for each player. Team members are pictured below with Coach Allison Smith and BISD Trustee Amary Doremus.

ELEMENTARY ACADEMIC UIL AWARDS

Pictured below are second, third, and fourth-grade students that were recognized for placing in their district Academic UIL contest.

Second Grade

Academic UIL award winners are pictured below with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson.

Third Grade

Academic UIL award winners are pictured below with BISD Trustee Justin Posey.

Fourth Grade

Academic UIL award winners are pictured below with BISD Trustee Justin Posey.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Young provided the following updates and information:

• Security cameras have been installed at Northwest Elementary and Keyless entry systems are on order. Safety audits are scheduled to begin this month.

• Texas Education Agency (TEA) representatives are scheduled to tour Northwest Elementary on January 12th.

• Local Board member orientation for Mr. Posey has been completed and Team of 8 training is scheduled for noon January 19th at Texas State Technical College (TSTC).

• Early Release previously scheduled on Friday, March 10th has been moved to Friday, March 24th to accommodate Bluebonnet Relays.

DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2021-22 FINANCIAL AUDIT

The annual financial audit has been completed. Kent Willis from Pattillo, Brown, and Hill Accounting Firm presented the BISD 2021-2022 audit to the school board. BISD received a clean opinion from the firm, the highest level of assurance offered. No issues were found. BISD Trustee Codie Smith moved that the audit be approved as presented. BISD Trustee Diane Thompson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board entered executive session at 7:16 p.m. to discuss personnel matters including the superintendent contract. The Board exited the executive session at 7:34 p.m. and returned to regular session.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Enrollment/Transfer Report: The report included a total enrollment of 3422 for the district along with a detailed breakdown of enrollment data by campus. A total of 262 Out-of-District Transfers (into BISD from other districts) were reported, an increase of 30 students compared to January of last year.

Quarterly Investment Report: A Quarterly Investment Summary covering SeptemberNovember 2022 was provided to the Board for review.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT

Trustee Thompson made a motion to extend an employment contract to Dr. Joe Young as Superintendent of Schools from January 9, 2023 to January 9, 2028. Trustee Doremus seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONVEYING TENNIS COURTS TO THE CITY OF BROWNWOOD

Trustee Doremus made a motion to approve a deed conveying the tennis courts located at Cecil Holman Park to the City of Brownwood. BISD Trustee Roderick Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Minutes from December 12, 2022 Meeting Trustee Thompson moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Trustee Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminders were announced for the following upcoming events:

• Brown County Youth Fair – January 8-14, 2023

• SSAC Meeting – January 11, 2023

• TAC Meeting – January 12, 2023

• Martin Luther King Holiday – January 16, 2023