SCHOOL BOARD PASSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING BLUEBONNET HAVEN
The Brenham School Board passed a resolution Thursday evening opposing the opening of the Bluebonnet Haven Residential Treatment Facility. The resolution also called on the state of Texas to deny any form of license for the facility. The planned facility is currently under construction on Highway 36 South of Brenham and could house troubled teenagers as early as next fall. The resolution points out that Brenham ISD currently has 13 percent of its enrollment classified as special education students, due to the Brenham State School and 3 residential homes being located in the county. The state average for special education students in a district is only 8 percent. The resolution says that the students at the Bluebonnet Haven Facility would add to this imbalance and that the school district lacks the needed resources to educate them. It points out that Brenham ISD would be required by the state to hire additional specialists for the students at the facility, and cover any costs that exceed state reimbursements.
Board Vice-President Melvin Ehlert said that he understood from our State Senator, Lois Kolkhorst, that the school district had the power to veto any residential treatment facility in its boundaries. Superintendent Walter Jackson replied that was not the understanding of the district’s attorneys, but that the district has some weight in the matter and that the resolution should count for something. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Brenham School Board.
Here is the resolution passed by the Brenham School Board:
I will volunteer myself without taking a penny just to help these kids if this facility opens. Character, is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.
This is a great idea. You are going to volunteer. The investors will plan to receive hundreds of dollars per day to care for the residents. It’s a for-profit model of business so you will be helping them offset the security and overhead, and turn a better profit.
So sorry, but official resolutions mean nothing to politicians. And pleas from politicians are window dressing. The state has failed in living up to their responsibility for citizens ( or in this case children). Their allegiance is strictly to the donors who keep them in office. And those donors live for profit from their investments. Investments such as this new facility. The state will tell you they are watching out for the taxpayers who don’t want a state income tax. So you continue to vote for them. Irony is, taxpayers still get the shaft because our school will need more money and that my friends, comes from our pockets. So you see, we still pay.
The state must require these facilities to completely care for these children, that includes education on their tab, not ours. In house educators just like boarding schools like the wealthy send their privileged kids too. But the “investors” won’t make enough $ , so the state makes sure the burden is on us.
Additionally, this is another underhanded method of the states goal of starving public education.
NIMBY.
However, Sped kids are all around us.
If not here, where?
Someplace else to say NIMBY.
Based on my experience with CPS, it is not a reliable agency…Due to budget cutbacks, the staff is not consistently knowledgeable, inexperienced case workers make wishful thinking promises, and Governor Abbott has failed to overhaul and fund the system as promised.
Jackson and the board are right to hold the facility and the state accountable.
Demand that the Rainy Day Fund be used for DOUBLING the teaching staff all across the state of Texas, make it easier for students to be placed in stricter LRE’s-That is, staff the new facility with BISD teachers and keep these kids there, not to hide them from the general population, but to best provide the nurturing and education for them so that when they do eventually become adults, they will be productive citizens.
Yes, Brenham kids FIRST, but these troubled kids should be FIRST, too!
Gladly, allow a doubling of the portion of your property tax dollars for BISD so that it reflects the investment into the next generation that we all like to purport. “For the Children!”
You know, with everything regarding children, “Raising kids ain’t cheap!”
Exclusion and isolation is no way to run a country, nor is it proper for society and for kids.
Support the facility like you support your Cub teams.
Please do not double my property taxes because a “for profit” business chooses to locate trouble children in our district. We have enough issues to pay for now. Raising kids ain’t cheap is exactly right and I pay enough for my own, and the many already being supported through the misuse of my tax dollars. I don’t need anymore!
This is that same “good old boy” network in action. They make a lot of noise and publish a lot of negative information, making it difficult if not impossible to “unring the bell” with the correct information. It seems very ironic that those proudly wearing t-shirts saying One Brenham Better Together are some of the ones that are the biggest opponents. One Brenham means everyone…not just those that agree with you. These children deserve people to care for them and love them-not just when it’s convenient or the popular thing to do. All these folks that scream about this being “for profit”-well of course it is; that’s how business operates. Even non-profits make money-they just have to spend it differently.
As I’ve said before, I do live close to one of these type of facilities out in the county and it is not a problem for us. I don’t expect to change the opinion of anyone by writing this but what I can guarantee you is that I will be working in the next elections to have Lois Kolkhorst (who is part of the good ol boy network) and every one of the members of this school board who voted for this absurd resolution to be replaced with more caring, accepting members of society. We need people in leadership that love and care for all of its citizens, not just part of them.
I support the school board and Lois Kolkhorst. When they are up for re-election I’ll back them for being brave and authentic and taking a stand. Thank you all who are making decisions and being strong leaders!
Just want to comment on the closing of 5 oaks and not having the new residential facility here. First off the children that are placed there are abused kids with mental health issues. I worked for CPS for 7 years dealing with these children. They have been severely abused. They need a secure environment to thrive. Never did the treatment centers used school funding to educate or treat the children. They made enough money to do it themselves. If you don’t know that CPS is in a crisis mode trying to find places for the children they are having to remove because of the opioid addiction. There are having to put children in hotels. Get the facts. No community wants these treatment centers in there community but the State knows that but are desperate for a center to start so they can place the kids that needs help. The State could care less that communities oppose. I learned WWJD. Which is What Would Jesus Do. This is so political and not what Jesus would do. Where is the empathy? They could not close Five oaks until they found placements for the kids. There are no placements people. We can’t throw the precious children on the streets. Do your research. Very disgusting. Five Oaks just needs better management not to close. That’s so severe. Plus the treatment Bluebonnet Haven will not use any district funds. Maybe a teacher. Do your research people. Don’t make us blind with the untruths. If your worked there and know like me then okay. Don’t make the community scared. These are Gods children.
The local people investing in this facility will make money and wash their hands of it! Washington County and Brenham will be responsible for years to come. We do not need another facility. Our community cannot support it!! Go away Bluebonnet Haven!!! You are NOT WANTED HERE!!
Lois Kolkhorst is trying to get five oaks shut down so why exactly would Washington County approve this facility?!?
Thanks to Dr. Jackson and board members for putting the children already in our district first! It would be great if at the required public meeting all the people against this facility show up wearing their One Brenham Better Together t-shirts to show that we will do what it takes to protect our community and children. Now it is time for the city and county to release their resolutions! We CAN put a stop to this for profit facility if we keep trying!
#onebrenhambettertogether
I agree, President Trump set the example by putting America first and we are blessed to have Dr. Jackson who is following the example set by President Trump am placing our existing kids first. Good Job Dr. Jackson!
Lois Kolkhorst does not have the authority to prevent this facility from opening. A state entity does the licensing. Not Lois. Everyone keeps comparing this facility the 5 Oaks. 5 Oaks is owned by a corporation. This facility will be owned and operated by local folks. Most of the folks are life long residents of Washington County their children attend BISD. Washington County has always been noted for its hospitality. Yet they are trying to prevent these kids who need help from coming to this community..
Any who exactly are all these local folks who are going to own and run this facility, that would be helpful to know?
Just curious; why does it matter so much to you who the investors are, especially if they are indeed local? I can understand wanting to confirm whether they are truly local, but beyond that, what is your interest in their identity?
This is a FOR PROFIT, money making venture for these lifelong residents. Do any of them have degrees related to helping or caring for troubled youth (or any degree at all for that matter)? I don’t think so! Also, this will be “locally” owned only until these investors sell for a profit!
I must have missed something; where did it say the investors also plan to operate the facility?
to For Profit, In response to your statement : It does not matter if the investors have degrees in treating troubled youths. They aren’t managing the homes they simple invested money into the venture. I myself have invested in a restaurant , But I cant cook… They will hire people who have the proper accreditations. such as consolers and therapist . and as far as if it will later be sold for a profit later on, that very well could happen, Out local hospital which was built from donations from locals was sold a few years ago. it happens
It’s all about the money for BISD
Its about the school district being able to handle these types of kids and how they will affect the other students. This facility would likely be able to exempt out of quite a few taxes therefore they would not pay for the undo burden they would place on the schools.
Why is the facility not responsible for paying for the extra help needed? If I lived out of county, I would have to pay the tuition to send my kids to BISD; wouldn’t this pertain to these students too?
Please check your facts, Blue bonnet Haven Residential Treatment Facility is in Washington County.
Let’s hope this will be the last straw that makes this facility move to another district, we are handling our share already it seems, we have enough strains on our school district without this facility.