BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD LOOKS AT NEW SCHOOL CALENDAR

  

Brenham School Board members reviewed the proposed school calendar for next year at a workshop meeting today (Monday).  Superintendent Walter Jackson briefed the board on the proposed calendar.  The district has more flexibility with the calendar thanks to House Bill 2610 which changes the required number of days to required minutes for the school year.  Dr. Jackson said that a committee made up of parents, teachers, district staff, and community stakeholders met twice and worked out the specifics of the calendar.  He stated that it was impossible to accommodate all of the wants and needs of the committee, but they framed everything in “what was best for the students”.  The proposed calendar has the first day of school on August 22nd and the last day on June 2nd, with graduation on June 3rd.  Students would have the full week off for Thanksgiving, and 11 days off for the winter break.  The calendar will likely be voted on by the board at their next scheduled meeting on February 17th.

Kim Strauss and Christie Olivarez briefed the board on how the new student enrolment process will be handled this summer.  The process will include the computerized assignment of and elementary campus for Pre-K and Kindergarten students beginning school next year.  The selection will help equalize the three elementary campuses based on race and economic status.  Olivarez said that registration dates would begin in May and that 5 stations would be set up to allow parents to work their way through the process efficiently.  Strauss stated that they are working to have the required forms on line so parents could fill them out ahead of time if they wished.  She also said that an appeal process will be available if a parent disagrees with the campus selection for their child.

Director of Finance Kim Horne briefed the board on the required investment training for the district’s investment officers.  She said that although returns on investment are down, the district is currently earning 1.35% on its CD investments, which is better than most districts.  The next Brenham School Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 17th at 6pm at Brenham High School.