BISD shines in rating and audit

Precinct 3 Commissioner Mark Ivey joins Dean Player in the pledge at the opening ceremonies of his first Commissioners Court meeting. Van'Go'photo The January meeting of the BISD school board included reports on the district's academic and financial condition, and the news was very encouraging.

In a public hearing at 6:30, Academic Coordinator Tracy Gleghorn reported on the AEIS (Academic Excellence Indicator System) -- the "report card" by which the state lets the public know how BISD compares with other districts. There was plenty of good news in the report: - The elementary campus increased in every area in which they were tested in the 2007-08 school year. Their percentage of commended students was also up in every testing area. - At the junior high there was improvement in every area, and writing remained at the exemplary level. The percentage of commended students was also up in every testing area. - Buffalo High School's percent passing increased in all four testing areas, and the percent of commended students stayed the same in one area and improved in the other three. - As a district, BISD increased in four of five testing areas: reading/ELA, math, science and social studies. Writing remained at the exemplary level. (Details of the report are available on TEA's website.)

The regular school board meeting followed the public hearing. One focus of the January meeting was the progress on the new high school campus. Consultant Jim Hanks presented a slide show and update on the new construction. Architect Paul McCullough brought a sample board and selections were made for the carpet, wall coverings, counter surfaces, door colors, blinds, etc.

Alan Younts presented the annual audit, on behalf of John R. Pechacek, CPA. He commended the district's business department for the books being in good shape. He briefly went over the finances and the summary of activity. He reported that the district has added "quite significantly" to their General Fund, where most of the activity flows. The district has twelve months' fund balance, which exceeds the state minimum. Younts applauded the district for this "rainy day fund", pointing out, "When you live in an area where there are fluctuating values, (gas/oil revenue for examples) it is especially good to have a strong fund balance." He noted that the food services department even turned a profit, which is very rare. Superintendent Jackie Thomason acknowledged, "In all the years that I've been a superintendent, it's the first time I've ever seen that. I'm really proud of the team effort that went into that."

The good news continued on the compliance side of the audit. There were no financial statement findings to be reported to the state. "Everything we tested looked great and we didn't have to report anything," Younts concluded. The year end audit was approved and will be submitted to the Texas Education Agency.

Principal Lacy Freeman presented a State of the Campus report on Buffalo Junior High. Enrollment is steady. Reading and writing TAKS are coming up March 3. Spring ARDS will be done next week. Sixty students will participate in UIL competition on January 21 and 24.

The Board approved the consent agenda items as pre- sented, and superintendentrecommended actions were taken on several local policy updates. They also authorized the Superintendent to enter into agreement with ESC 6 for distance learning/ video conference services by the deadline.

An amendment was made to the Elementary Handbook to address gang signs, in order to "nip that in the bud".

The Oncor Electric Company easement previously approved was revised in order to facilitate the addition of future facilities.

The Board approved a formal response to the request for a name for the new high school.

Finally the Board went into executive session for the annual evaluation of the district superintendent. After reconvening in open session at 11:45, they voted to extend Superintendent Jackie Thomason's contract by one year, making it a three-year contract. They unanimously voted to increase the superintendent's salary by one salary step and unanimously also approved an incentive pay addendum.