BISD BOARD OPPOSES A-F ACCOUNTABILITY RATING SYSTEM
The Brenham School Board adopted a resolution opposing the A-F Accountability Rating System for Texas Public Schools. The resolution calls on the Texas Legislature to repeal the A-F rating system and replace it with a community based system that would allow school districts to access their own performance. Preliminary ratings were released last week for every school district in Texas (view here) . The majority of the ratings score come directly from the STAAR test results. School Board Secretary Susan Jenkins pointed out how misleading those test results can be. She said that the math portion tests at 2 to 3 years above the students grade level, while allowing 48 percent correct to be a passing level. Brenham ISD joins more than 200 other school districts across the state in opposing the rating system. The complete resolution can be viewed here:
BISD A-F Resolution
In other action, Kim Weatherby, Director of Business and Finance for the district presented a preliminary audit report on the past years finances. She noted that while last year saw significant growth in the student population, this year the number of students has remained stable. The full audit report will be presented at the next school board meeting, Tuesday, January 17th. Weatherby recommended and the board approved moving 2.6 million dollars from the operating fund to the non-operating fund to finance several projects.
One of those projects will be the renovations to Krause Elementary School. The renovations include replacing the heating and air-conditioning system, plumbing improvements and all new lighting. The project is set to begin when the students leave in May and be completed by the time school begins in the fall. The school board approved Project Control out of College Station to manage the project and Lee Troung Yu Engineers out of Katy to provide engineering and architectural services. They also approved setting the procurement method to Construction Manager at Risk for the project. This will bring the contractor in early in the project so that needed equipment can be ordered before construction begins.