STATEWIDE TESTING PROBLEMS DELAY RESULTS TO DISTRICT
The Brenham School Board would normally be reviewing the standardized test scores of students this time of year, but with the statewide problems with the testing, those results have not been received. At the board meeting Monday evening, Bonnie Brinkmeyer, Director of Instructional Services and Accountability for the district told the board that the latest issue is the cancelation of the retesting for grades 5 and 8:
Brinkmeyer said that the delay in receiving the test scores has prevented the instructional planning that the district would normally be doing at this time. School Board president Natalie Lange pointed out that while the test scores will not count against the students this year, the schools will be held accountable to those scores, even if some students were not allowed to retest. The State Board of Education has launched a statewide survey to gather suggestions about the standardized testing:
State Assessments and Accountability Survey
Superintendent Walter Jackson encouraged parents to complete the survey and also voice their concerns to state legislators.
After a short executive session, the board announce the promotion of two district educators. Kirk Still, who is currently an assistant principal at the High School, will be now become the associate principal. Still will serve under Joseph Chandler, who was named as the new principal of Brenham High School last month. Also, LaKesha Walker was named as a new assistant principal at the High School. She is currently the school improvement officer at Alton Elementary School.
The board also accepted several donations at their meeting. Run for the Youth of Washington County donated $44,550 to the High School Athletic department from money raised during the Blue Bell Fun Run. The Brenham Rotary Club donated $3,000 to purchase books for the 5th grade literacy program. The Brenham Optimist Club donated a new scoreboard for the Rock Gym, and $3700 of tools and equipment were anonymously donated to the CTE department at the High School.
The board also took time to thank several groups that helped out during the unprecedented flooding in May. The “You Make a Difference” Award was presented to Durham Transportation Services, GCA Custodial Services and the BISD Maintenance Department.
Superintendent Walter Jackson introduced the district’s teacher of the year. Brenham High School CTE Teacher Trenton Hall was named teacher of the year for Brenham ISD.
The board also took time to acknowledge this year’s two top graduates from Brenham High School. Lauren Kwiatkowski is this year’s Valedictorian and Jennyly Nguyen is the Salutatorian.
