BRENHAM ISD EXTENDS SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT
Brenham ISD Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson had his contract unanimously extended by the school board at Tuesday's meeting.
After a positive review in executive session Tuesday night, the school board voted to extend Dr. Jackson’s contract another year, through June 30, 2024.
According to Communications Director Jessica Johnston, Dr. Jackson's total compensation package for the 2019-20 school year is $194,166. He has been with the Brenham School District since April of 2015.
Board president Natalie Lange said the board appreciates and commends Dr. Jackson for exceeding expectations and finding ways to improve the district. The full press release from Brenham ISD can be seen below.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, trustees approved the District Instructional Calendar for the 2019-20 school year. Assistant Superintendent Paul Aschenbeck reviewed the calendar with the board, saying not much has changed from last year’s calendar.
On the calendar, classes will begin on Wednesday, August 14th, with staff reporting on August 2nd. Students will have a full week off for Thanksgiving, as well as two weeks for the Christmas – New Year Holidays, getting out early on December 20th and coming back January 7th. The last day of classes will be on May 21st, with graduation on the 23rd.
Dr. Jackson noted that the calendar was the “brainchild” of the teacher advisory board, saying teachers from across the district had a great deal of input. The calendar can be viewed below.
2019-20 Instructional Calendar
The board also reviewed the District Financial Audit, presented by Robert Belt of Belt Harris Pechacek. Belt said there were no findings or questioned costs, and the district had an increase in fund balance of $816,000. Belt said this is right at 90 days of reserve funding, calling it “perfect shape from a fund balance perspective”.
Director of Instructional Services Mark Strauss reviewed the Annual Texas Academic Performance Report with the board. The report features data from STAAR test performance, academic growth, financial data, and attendance. He said the report has already been posted on the Texas Education Agency website, will be posted on the district website under the accountability tab.
The board also heard a legislative update from Dr. Jackson. He mentioned a $3.7 billion bill has been introduced in the Senate for mandated teacher raises. In addition, a bill has been introduced to eliminate STAAR testing. He also said both the House and the Senate have listed public education as their number one priority.
Board Vice President Melvin Ehlert said the mandated teacher raises likely won’t be acted upon until April, and quipped that teachers shouldn’t spend those pay raises just yet.
Ehlert also said there have been talks of tying school funding and teacher raises to STAAR test scores, creating a merit pay system for teachers. He criticized that possible choice, saying schools with high poverty rates would be greatly harmed, while wealthy schools would be rewarded.
The board also presented this month’s “You Make a Difference” award to H-E-B’s Curbside program, for their contribution to the Early Childhood Learning Center’s recent pajama drive. In addition, as part of School Board Recognition Month, the board viewed a video presentation of various students and staff members thanking them for their work with the school district.
FULL RELEASE FROM BRENHAM ISD ON CONTRACT EXTENSION OF SUPERINTENDENT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXTENDS SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT
BRENHAM, TX - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018
Last night the Brenham ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson’s contract another year through June 30, 2024. Jackson was hired to lead the district four years ago, and officially began his duties as superintendent on April 20, 2015.
Board president Natalie Lange stated, “The board appreciates and commends Dr. Jackson for exceeding our expectations and always finding ways to serve students and improve our district. His visionary leadership continues to transform our district, and we are thankful that he chooses Brenham ISD.”
Under Jackson’s leadership, the district serves 5,000 students, operates a $50 million budget, and has undergone many positive changes, including the opening of the Brenham Early Childhood Learning Center, which houses 200 pre-kindergarten students. During Jackson’s tenure, the district also completed a $3 million renovation at Krause Elementary School, developed the Gateway Gifted & Talented program, and introduced elementary STEAM academies at all three elementary campuses. In addition, Jackson addressed security concerns with the completed installation of a safety vestibule at Brenham Junior High School, and plans to construct additional safety vestibules at Brenham High School and the Brenham Early Childhood Learning Center. During his time in this role, Jackson also hired head football coach and athletic director Eliot Allen.
In addition to his district leadership responsibilities, Jackson is a civic leader at the local and state level, serving on the Baylor Scott & White Hospital Board, Brenham Main Street Board, and the Blinn College Advisory Board. Jackson also serves on the Executive Council of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the Equity Center Board of Directors, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Superintendent Advisory Committee. Prior to coming to Brenham, Jackson taught postgraduate courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and served as a leadership coach to MBA students at Rice University.
“Ehlert also said there have been talks of tying school funding and teacher raises to STAAR test scores, creating a merit pay system for teachers. He criticized that possible choice, saying schools with high poverty rates would be greatly harmed, while wealthy schools would be rewarded.”
There are poor schools and poor kids that do well on the STAAR. Good decisions and good behavior determine success with the STAAR, not poverty. Poverty, in many (not all) instances, is the result of consistent poor behavior and decisions.
Tying funding to merit and performance is a good idea. Expectations of parents to parent, feed and provide for their child is also a good idea.
Maybe we need a charter high school in Brenham that supports parents with a traditional view of parenting. I don’t think you should have to push a child to be in AP classes just so they can be in an environment that has a resulting culture of generally correct behavior and positive peer influences. I think that that should be an expectation for the entire charter school, for children to behave correctly, or the child returns back to normal public school population.