BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BOND PLANNING COMMITTEE

  

The Brenham School Board voted to implement a bond planning committee at its meeting Monday.

The committee will consist of teachers and community members, and will gather their input and guidance on Brenham ISD’s future steps as they relate to a potential bond measure.

Superintendent Dr. Tylor Chaplin said the committee, while taking into account state-mandated minimum requirements for classrooms, will consider the district’s support programs for its students across separate departments, discuss renovations versus new construction, and evaluate and prioritize any new or renovated spaces.

The committee will then provide a recommendation to the board on whether a bond is necessary.  The final authority to craft a bond proposal rests with the board.

Dr. Chaplin said committees such as these typically listen to the current state of the district before proceeding with discussion of ideas.  He said the committee will hear the results of facility assessments and a demographic study, and will also meet with teachers and other district officials to hear what their needs are.

Dr. Chaplin said the district has reached out to about 46 people to see if they would serve on the committee.  Some have committed, while others have not yet responded.  He said the district tried to get “a good cross-section” of the Brenham ISD community to serve on the committee.

The committee is tentatively expected to meet starting in late August, holding meetings roughly every three weeks through mid-January.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board:

• Heard a monthly superintendent’s report from Dr. Chaplin, who said the state is facing a “large teacher shortage.” Currently, according to Dr. Chaplin, Brenham ISD has 24 vacant teacher positions.
• Heard the annual Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) report from Health and Safety Director Jamie Woodall.
• Reviewed the 2020-21 program performance of PRIDE Academy’s Optional Flexible School Day Program and approved implementation of the program at the academy for the upcoming school year. Approximately 43 students successfully graduated last year, and approximately 18 students will return for the program this fall.