The Brownfield ISD School Board met Monday morning April 17, 2023, and gave information into
First was the superintendent report given by BISD Superintendent Chris Smith. The report ranged from recognitions to the old middle school. According to Mr. Smith the old middle school should be ready in about two weeks to be demolished. Portions of the old middle school, such as the brick and concrete, will be crushed and blended with an aggregate base and then spread throughout the existing home side parking lot at Cub Stadium.
Mr. Smith went on to recognize the Student-of-the-Month and Employee-of-the-Month. Student-of-the-Month is Izaak Gutierrez who attends Colonial Heights. Employees of the Month are Rosa Martinez of Colonial Heights, Tessa Howard of Oak Grove, Jane Pierce of Middle School, and Chasity Rice of the High School. BISD Board members will go through and award each person.
Mr. Smith went on to report on the athletics program. Currently, Lady Cubs Softball is sitting 3rd in the district and Cubs Baseball is sitting 2nd in the district. Both should make the playoffs. Also, Mr. Smith told the Board they are finishing up with interviews for the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach positions.
Next, Mr. Smith told the Board there will be an open house at the Administration Building for citizens to walk through before the current admin building is torn down and replaced with a new building. According to the Board, the tear-down and construction will not cost the taxpayers more money. BISD will be the acting general contractor which will save more than 20% of the cost, plus the funds used for this project are already in the fund balance from BISD saving money throughout the past three to four years. The last meeting in the current admin building will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023. After the meeting, Mr. Smith and his secretary will be moved out later that day and the demolitions will soon begin.
Mr. Smith then spoke about the enrollment for BISD. According to Mr. Smith as of April 10, 2023 (Week 31), there are 1,675 students enrolled at BISD. That is 27 more students than last year this time. The high school is up by 11 with 428 students. The middle school is down by five sitting at 363. Something to note is the current eighth-grade class is the largest in the district with 137 students. Oak Grove Elementary has 684 students down by three from this time last year. Colonial Heights has 147 students and is up 14 students compared to last year.
The Board moved on to the monthly financials with CFO Paul Coronado presenting. According to Mr. Coronado, 85% of the total revenue has come in, leaving around $2,670,450 needed. Mr. Coronado showed the Board that 61% of the budget has been expended, leaving $7,052,941 to be expended. Mr. Coronado told the Board, “We are looking pretty good on revenue and expenditures. We have made Friday the deadline for POs.” There are three months left in the current BISD fiscal year. Also according to Mr. Coronado, there is $9,983,343 in fund balance, and its required to only have $3.5 million.
Next up was the consent agenda portion of the meeting. The Board heard from Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Vera about amending the current school calendar, moving the last day of school to May 19, 2023, from May 26, 2023. The Board approved the change. Ms. Vera then spoke to the Board about approving the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar. According to Ms. Vera, the upcoming calendar will have school beginning on August 14, 2023 and the last day of school will be May 23, 2023. Ms. Vera also pointed out to the Board how there are a few days of no school each month. Ms. Vera said, “We’ve tried to incorporate one or two (days off) a month for three-day weekends for staff just to continue to be competitive with some of those other calendars out there. (four-day school weeks)” The Board approved the 2023-2024 BISD School calendar.
The Board then moved on to approve the contracts for all teachers in the district. The Board also approved of the Approve the professional new hire for the principal of Colonial Heights who is Kristen Webb, and next, they approved the two professional new hires for assistant principals for Oak Grove who are Haley Ontiveros and Robert Urrutia. Next, the Board approved new hires and accepted all resignations. The new hire is Amanda Smith, OG; Christy Puryear, MS; Donald Gillit, MS/HS; Emily; York, HS; Maison Ragland, HS; Sheila Hatchett, MS; Yancey Southard, MS; & Gage Smith, HS. Resignations include Holly Garcia, MS; Rebecca Striblin, MS; Dallin Woods, HS; Garrett McGinnis, MS; , Nathalie Sanchez, OG; Holden Seward, HS; Lezli St. Clair, MS; Elizabeth Anderson, OG; Luke Pilant, HS; Ashley Blackwell, OG; Diane Rodriguez, HS (Retired).
Board members Cat Gonzales and Randy Anthony were absent. The next meeting is slated for Monday, May 8, 2023 at 7:00 am in the Board Room at BISD Admin Building.
