BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
At the Brenham School Board meeting Monday evening, trustees began discussing the items they feel should be included in the District’s Legislative Priorities letter before the next session of the State Legislature that begins in January. Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson began the discussion by reviewing the key items in the 2016 letter to our representatives. (2016 BISD-Legislative-Agenda letter) Jackson said that his priorities were adequate and equitable school funding, a clear growth focused accountability system, a viable Texas Teacher Retirement System, and provide flexibility for school districts. Board Vice-President Melvin Ehlert said he would like to see limiting state elected officials to two terms in office. Board President Natalie Lange said she would like to see legislation mandating that the STAAR questions be more focused on the academic expectations of the students and that the test results be provided to the district in a timely manner. Jackson said the concerns would be compiled and presented to the board at a future meeting.
The board received an update on the construction projects from Assistant Superintendent of Operations Paul Aschenbeck. He said that the remolding at Krause Elementary was mostly complete, and that the new vestibule entry at Krause and the Jr. High were in place and being used. He added that they are looking at several vestibule designs for both the High School and the Early Childhood Learning Center.
The board also received a report on Improving the Performance of English Learners from Lori Ruiz-Wamble, the Director of Special Programs. She noted that while 85 percent of the ESL students in the district are long term English learners with six or more years in school, and increasing number are newcomers with 3 or less years of formal schooling, particularly in the higher grade levels.
The board members were also introduced to the new social and emotional councilor for the district, Shawn Mays. Superintendent Jackson said that hiring a social / emotional councilor was a priority set forth by the community safety taskforce over the summer and that hiring this type of councilor set Brenham apart from many other districts of any size.
The board presented two “You Make a Difference” awards this month. Tori Glasco Bryan received the award for her organizing the community wide back-to-school collection drive “For the City” and the Alton Elementary PTO for their activities that included raising funds for the relocation of playground equipment.
The board also accepted two monetary donations. Run for the Youth of Washington County donated $34,000 from this year’s Blue Bell Fun Run, and a former teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated $1,000 for school supplies at Brenham Elementary.
