BISD earns glowing financial audit

BISD Interim Superintendent Lacy Freeman delivered a gift from former BISD Superintendent Jackie Thomason to each school board member, including (pictured) Jack Helmcamp and Willie Gilliam. Van’Go’photo A highlight of Monday evening's regular meeting of the BISD School Board was a brief presentation on the independent auditor's report. Nathan Krupke with the CPA firm of Belt Harris Pechacek used glowing terms to describe the audit results, stating that BISD had earned an "unqualified opinion -- the best we can give" ... "clean, no issues"... "the highest assurance that your finances are in order." Krupke pointed out that the state requires at least a 2- to 3-month fund balance and BISD has an 11-month balance in reserve. He stated, "That is a very healthy fund balance compared to other districts, and I encourage you to continue to do that... The district should be pleased with where you're at." Superintendent Freeman confirmed that Business Manager Jeannine Myers and her staff do work hard and concluded, "This is a credit to them and (former Superintendent Jackie) Thomason."

The School Board members and their families were treated to a School Board Appreciation Week steak dinner prepared by the teachers and administrators prior to Monday's regularly scheduled meeting, and Mr. Freeman also distributed a gift bag to each board member from Mr. Thomason.

In a public hearing that also preceeded the regular meeting, Academic Coordinator Tracy Gleghorn "hit the highlights" of the 2010-2011 AEIS (Academic Excellence Indicator System) report, the state's report card for campuses and districts. The board was already aware of the results -- BISD was rated Academically Acceptable as a district and Recognized at the Elementary and Junior High campuses, and met all Federal Accountability ratings and AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) requirements -- but Gleghorn reviewed "things we did very well on last year and places we need to work on." Extra programs to address the weaker areas were outlined.

BJHS Principal Amanda Davis presented her first State of the Campus report since the reorganization of the campus administration. She described positive feedback from the community and teachers and reviewed "things we CAN work on", especially in respect to the rigorous new testing which all Texas students are facing.

Mr. Freeman gave a powerpoint presentation on some of the bigger projects the maintenance department is working on, including repair of erosion issues at the baseball field and final preparations on the discus area in anticipation of the upcoming spring sports season. The Maintenance Department has been relocated into the old Ag Shop, separating them from the Transportation Department.

Routine agenda items filled the balance of the meeting, which ended with a closed session to consult with an attorney on litigation related to the Lone Star School District annexation. No action followed that session.

Two school board trustee positions will be coming up for re-election this spring, as the terms of Jennifer Humphries (Position 6) and Willie Gilliam (Position 7) expire. The first day to file for a spot on the General Election Ballot will be February 4th, and the last day to file will be March 5. Early voting will begin April 30th and the election is scheduled for May 12.