BISD schoolboard gathered on November 18, 2019, at 6:30 pm for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
First on the agenda was the recognition of BISD’s student and employees of the month. Check our Facebook page for pictures and names of the recipients.
Next, superintendent (Sd.) Chris Smith noted that enrollment for students has gone up. Our enrollment currently stands at 95.5%. Our goal is to increase enrollment to 96% by January of 2020. Enrollment has increased by 2% each year.
Teresa Montemayor presented that we have moved from a C grading to an A in the financial department within the last year. Teresa Montemayor also announced that she has accepted a position in a new school district. David Martinez, a current BISD employee, will take her place.
Sd. Chris Smith has assured us that we have exceeded the minimum requirements for security and safety measures mandated by the state of Texas. There are safety kits that have been placed in each school, should anything occur. As well as training for all staff members. Sd. Chris Smith even mentioned the idea of training students. This way BISD’s staff and students will both be trained in case of an active shooting. New cameras have been installed throughout all campuses within the year. All cameras can be accessed by the superintendent or Brownfield PD at any moment in time. Safety is the number one priority.
Cybersecurity is also a high priority as technology is growing and becoming a successful tool in education. Our district has two technology techs hired and is in search of another. The minimum requirements for the new cybersecurity position include one having obtained a bachelor’s degree in either computer science or networking.
Next on the agenda, Sd. Chris Smith spoke about improvement plans. For the campuses, the board approved the Minimum Wage Rates for Construction of 2019 Bond Projects. The final renderings for the High School are submitted and construction is set to start in January of 2020. New furniture and updated technology will soon be provided to each BISD school.
We also received updated information on the softball and baseball fields. The softball field is almost ready for the upcoming spring season. Construction of a new locker room is set to begin at Cub Diamond and will also be ready for the upcoming spring season thanks to the donation of an anonymous local business.
Exciting new things are coming into play for BISD. Stay tuned to Town Talk Radio to stay updated on all current and upcoming events. (Story by Alyssa Haden Moore)
