The Brownfield ISD School Board had a regular meeting on Monday night, October 21, 2024. The main topics were the District Improvement Plan and finances. After the invocation, pledges, and public comments; which there were none, the Board moved on to the agenda.
Superintendent Chris Smith began the meeting with the Superintendent’s Report and announced the recognitions of the month. Smith first recognized the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Promotions. Three cadets, Maddox Haile, Dylan Polanco, and Nicholas Davila, were honored by the Brownfield ID School Board for achieving the Civil Air Patrol Wright Brothers Milestone Award and the rank of Cadet Staff Sergeant. All three cadets completed tests in leadership, aerospace knowledge, military drill, fitness, character, and safety training. As they advance through the Phase 2 CO ranks, they will take on more responsibilities as class leaders and serve as trainers and mentors for first-year cadets.
Smith proceeded to acknowledge the Student of the Month and Employees of the Month. Liliana Juarez from Brownfield Middle School was selected as the Student of the Month. The Employees of the Month are as follows: Christina Rodriguez from Colonial Heights, Lucinda Olivarez from Oak Grove, Samantha Escalon from BMS, and Zayne McPherson from BHS. Additionally, the Board acknowledged the district’s Custodial Staff.
Next, Athletic Director Art Ontiveros gave an athletics update. Ontiveros went on to discuss how the varsity volleyball team has made tremendous improvements over the course of the season. He spoke about the Cubs football team’s beginning district action this Friday night against Denver City at home and how the district is really wide open since there is a combined record of 2-26 of the four teams in the district. Plus Ontiveros spoke highly of the 7th grade football team doing very.
Smith provided an update on the progress of the new administration building. He mentioned that the remaining concrete is scheduled to be poured soon, which will help keep the construction on track. Smith then discussed the current enrollment numbers. He stated that the district’s enrollment has decreased compared to this time last year. In October 2023, there were 1662 students enrolled, while currently there are 1610 students. The largest decline in enrollment occurred at the middle school, with 35 fewer students compared to last year. Another campus with decreased enrollment is Colonial Heights, which has 21 fewer students than this time last year. Currently, BHS has 466 students, BMS has 328 students, BEC has 30 students, Oak Grove has 670 students, and Colonial Heights has 116 students.
In terms of finances, the Board shown as of September 1, 2024, BISD had $1,580,234.88 in expenses out of its $33,441,809.00 fiscal budget. At the end of September 2024, the bank accounts held $2,262,484.63, while the investment account, which includes debt services and general operating funds, had $14,300,338.72. The Board approved a budget amendment of $4,000.00, allocating it to the extracurricular activities fund. This $4,000.00 was donated by different organizations for the 2nd Annual Hoopin’ Cub Classic Basketball Tourney in December.
The Board discussed the District Improvement Plan. According to the Texas Education Code (TEC) §11.251, the Board is required to approve district and campus goals and performance objectives annually in the district and campus improvement plans. These plans serve as planning documents and are continuously updated as district and campus needs change. The administration recommended the approval of the district and campus improvement plan goals and performance objectives as presented, and the Board voted in favor.
During the final agenda item of the meeting, the board accepted and approved the resignation of Cody Churchwell, who represents BISD District 3. The motion was made by Tim Swaringen and seconded by Matthew Valdonado, and it passed. As a result, the BISD Board of Trustees now has two vacant positions, District 1 and District 3. The meeting was then adjourned.
