Trustees Call for November 7 Bond Election
Transcription
Trustees Call for November 7 Bond Election
F A L L 2 0 0 6 An Education Link with the Birdville ISD Community Trustees Call for November 7 Bond Election Trustees met in a special called meeting on Aug. 14 and called for a bond election to be held on Nov. 7. Voters are being asked to consider a proposal totaling $128.6 million. • Build replacement campus at Richland High School. (The classroom addition constructed in 1989 and the theater will be renovated and incorporated into the new building.) The recommended plan comes from a diverse group of 55 citizens. They began meeting in January and reviewed facility reports, demographic projections, financial impact, two community phone surveys, and educational and technical standards. The committee identified health and safety, overcrowding/reducing portable buildings, and minimal functional requirements as their priorities in developing their final recommendation. The committee presented their recommended plan to trustees on June 8. • Build a new Career and Technology Center. (Due to limited space, there is a waiting list for students who want to enroll in career and technology programs for vocational education. A new Career and Technology Academy, built on land already owned by the district, would provide capacity to accommodate students seeking to enroll in these programs.) Voters are being asked to consider the following package: • Build replacement campuses at Stowe and Binion elementaries. (This would reduce the need for approximately 37 portable classrooms.) • Renovate and expand locker rooms and add four-lane tracks at each of the district’s seven middle schools. (This would address the issues of overcrowding and space limitations for physical education and athletic instruction.) • Renovate and expand Haltom High School. (This would reduce the need for approximately 14 portable classrooms.) School property taxes were recently reduced by the state legislature. BISD voters can approve this bond package and the school property tax rate will still be lower than it was this past year. In an attempt to keep the BISD community informed regarding the bond committees findings, all agendas, minutes and handouts are available on the district’s Web site under “2006 BISD Bond.” In addition, information on the proposed bond election will be available at each campus and is posted on the district’s Web site at www.birdville.k12.tx.us. Early voting will begin Oct. 23 and will run through Nov. 3. Questions concerning the bond may be directed to BISD’s communications department at 817.547.5799 or by e-mail at [email protected]. A partir de la página 7, este boletín informativo ha sido traducido al español. An Education Link with the Birdville ISD Community Partnership Published for the BISD community by the Communications Office Administration Building 6125 East Belknap Haltom City, Texas 76117-4204 817.547.5719 www.birdville.k12.tx.us BOARD OF TRUSTEES President Ralph Kunkel Vice President Wanda F. Strong Secretary David Pokluda Joe Tolbert Dolores Webb Sherry Dunn Richard Davis Stephen F. Waddell, Ed.D. Superintendent Jay C. Thompson, Ph.D. Associate Superintendent for Staff and Student Services Mark Thomas Communications Officer Partnership Editor Stephanie Carter Publications Specialist Brenda Ryan and Kim Kirby Assistants Member of the Texas School Public Relations Association Superintendent’s Exchange… Since January, a diverse committee of 55 community members spent countless hours digging through mounds of paper, listening to reports, and discussing a laundry list of issues facing BISD and its facilities. The result of their commitment to the process is a bond package being presented to the community in the November 7 election. This “Partnership” newsletter contains details of their proposal. The package being presented to voters in November is not the same package offered to voters last September. In developing their plan, the committee focused on overcrowding, portable classrooms, minimal functional requirement of the buildings, and health and safety issues. In calling this bond election, the board of trustees has put into place plans for a citizens oversight committee. This committee will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the work and making certain that everything approved by voters has been completed. At least four times a year, the committee will report on the progress to trustees. In addition to the report to trustees, monthly reports will be available for review on the district’s Web site or through the communications department. I hope you will take the time to review the complete plan. If you have additional questions, e-mail [email protected] or call the district’s communications department at 817.547.5799. Thank you for a great start to the school year. BIRDVILLE ISD MISSION “BISD, in partnership with the community, pursues educational excellence and dedicates its resources to create a learning environment that encourages all students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners in a global society.” Annual Asbestos Notification: 2006-07 School Year Birdville Independent School District (BISD) is committed to providing a safe environment for our students, patrons, faculty and staff, and has made every effort to be in compliance with: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 40 CFR Part 763 Asbestos, Subpart E, “Asbestos-Containing-Materials in Schools”. In accordance with 40 CFR, Part 763.84(c), you are hereby notified that an Asbestos Management Plan developed by an accredited asbestos management planner is in-place for every BISD facility. Each management plan was duly filed in accordance with section 763.93 on or before October 12, 1988 with the Texas Department of Health. A copy of the management plan is maintained in the administrative office of each facility and in the Buildings and Grounds office located at 6119 East Belknap Street, Haltom City, Texas 76117. Summaries of the response actions taken by the District are included in each management plan. The complete documentation of all response actions is available for review in the Buildings and Grounds Department offices during regular business hours. Qualified BISD personnel perform semi-annual inspections throughout the district. Every three years, Birdville hires accredited and licensed asbestos inspectors to re-inspect all areas. The most recent re-inspection was conducted in December 2003. 2 BISD Partnership Fall 2006 You are invited to attend one of our bond informational meetings. Thursday, October 19 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria Birdville High School 9100 Mid Cities Boulevard • N. Richland Hills, 76180 Haltom High School 5501 North Haltom Road • Haltom City, 76137 Richland High School 5201 Holiday Lane East • N. Richland Hills, 76180 The proposed package is also available for viewing on our Web site at www.birdville.k12.tx.us. Select “2006 BISD Bond.” Portable Classrooms: How will the proposed bond help? The bond package being presented to BISD voters on Nov. 7 begins to address overcrowding and portable classrooms in the district. District growth and State mandates of 22:1 (student/teacher ratio) in kindergarten through fourth grade have caused the district to use portable buildings to add additional classroom space. The bond study committee’s plan would move students from approximately 51 portable classrooms into permanent classrooms. This bond package addresses overcrowding and the need to use portable buildings. BISD Partnership Fall 2006 3 BISD bond projects are. . . results in action Positive results of your bond dollars can be seen across Birdville ISD. The following is an update of work completed, projects in progress and schedules for projects being planned. • Central Stores Warehouse: Electrical power upgrades for technology and demolition of suspended ceiling is complete. Fire alarm system installation is on schedule. For additional information on the progress of voter approved work, visit the district’s Web site at www.birdville.k12.tx.us. Below is the 2005 bond construction update of work completed during summer 2006. PROPOSITION II Renovations and Technology • Flooring replacements at Hardeman, North Ridge and Green Valley elementaries; and Watauga and North Ridge middle schools are complete. • Renovations at Smithfield Middle school: Flooring replacement, abatement, ADA modifications, replacement of storefront windows in classrooms, interior painting in certain areas, HVAC system replacement, fire alarm, electrical power upgrades, HVAC upgrades for technology and installation of an energy management system are complete. BISD’s Network • Green Valley Elementary: Acoustical Operating Center isolation of room is complete. (NOC) is scheduled to be completed by • The Academy at Carrie F. Thomas: the end of HVAC upgrades are being planned by September. the Engineer, electrical power upgrades and installation of energy management systems are on schedule, and replacement of fire alarm system is complete. • Spicer Elementary: Electrical power upgrades for technology and installation of energy management system are both on schedule. Replacement of fire alarm system is complete. • Fleet Management (Transportation): Fire alarm system installation is complete. Flooring and storefront windows were replaced at Smithfield Middle School. • Haltom High: Chiller replacement and installation of HVAC rooftop units is complete. Energy management system installation is on schedule. • Phase one rollout of 3,067 computers is complete. • Network Infrastructure Update: Work is complete or is scheduled to begin to determine the placement of wireless access points for a wireless overlay, testing and labeling of cables for IP telephones, cabling and lifecycle replacement of electronic networking equipment. North Ridge Elementary Green Valley Elementary There is approximately 6 miles of network cabling running through the NOC center. • North Ridge Elementary: HVAC chiller replacement is complete. Energy management system installation is on schedule. • North Richland Middle: Electrical upgrades for technology is on schedule. • Thomas Coliseum: Fire alarm system installation is complete. Did you know? ? Monthly reports on the September 2005 bond are available on the district’s Web site. Visit www.birdville.k12.tx.us and click on BISD Bond Project Updates (approved 9/10/05) on the left side. 4 BISD Partnership Fall 2006 Bond Project Includes New Career and Technology Center Birdville ISD’s Career and Technology Education programs are recognized across the state and nation. Because of the reputation of BISD’s vocational programs, more students desire to receive specialized training. new academy. This would mean students enrolled in these programs would travel to one central location and not to various locations across BISD. Programs such as cosmetology, media technology, construction Students are enrolled in industry-based programs technology, automotive technology, and health occupations are a few that provide licensures and certifications, of the programs within the district that are facing limited classroom including but not limited to: and laboratory space. Many students enrolled in career and • Cisco Network Academy What do Career and Technology Education programs offer technology programs learn job (CCNA Certification); skills that can be used to enter the today’s students? • Cisco IT Essentials Computer Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs prepare workforce directly out of high Maintenance Academy students for post-secondary education and the workplace by school. Career and technology (Cisco and A+ Certification); programs turn away more than 200 providing opportunities for students to obtain industry • Automotive Technology (ASE licensures and certifications, college credit through Tech Prep students each year because of Certification); and Advanced Technical credit high school courses, and limited capacity in the facilities. • Construction Technology leadership skills through Career and Technology student (NCCER, AWS, and OSHA organization participation. The proposed Career and Certifications); Technology Academy would • Media Technology (Certified provide expanded space for high Apple Training Center with demand classes. Final Cut Pro Certification); • Cosmetology (Cosmetology The proposed site is already owned by License); BISD and is centrally located on Mid • Business Computer Information Cities Blvd. next to the North Richland Systems II (Microsoft Office Hills fire station/academy. Certifications); • Health Science Technology Programs such as Cisco networking, (Clinical Rotations at North culinary arts, media technology, Hills Hospital); construction technology, automotive • and, Travel and Tourism technology, health science technology, Academy (SABRE and travel computer maintenance, criminal justice, industry certifications). and cosmetology would be moved to the ACT Scores Show Continued Improvement In 2005, high school students in BISD showed a significant upward trend on the ACT. This is the third consecutive year that BISD has had a strong showing against the national averages. The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test made up of four separate exams in English, reading, mathematics and science, plus an optional writing test. The average national scores for each required subject test in the ACT in 2006 were: English, 20.6 (up from 20.4 in 2005); Math, 20.8 (up from 20.7); Reading, 21.4 (up from 21.3); and Science, 20.9 (unchanged). The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. ACT scores are accepted at virtually all colleges and universities across the nation. The test is administered in all 50 states and is the predominant college entrance exam in 25 states. n 2000 84 comp 19.6 n 2001 94 comp 19.3 n 2002 49 comp 19.1 Haltom HS Richland HS Birdville HS 147 - 21.4 - 146 - 20.6 - 84 41 20.7 21.4 BISD 231 20.8 251 20.1 174 20.4 n 2003 comp n 2004 comp n 2005 comp n 2006 comp 19.5 40 21.9 47 19.8 58 19.3 80 77 21.3 20.4 87 75 20.8 21.6 86 64 20.9 22.5 80 86 22.3 22.7 207 20.5 202 21.3 197 21.2 224 21.7 72,294 20.2 20.9 73,524 1,206,455 20.3 21.1 50 State 68,010 20.3 68,967 20.3 67,842 20.1 73,145 20.1 71,696 20.2 1,065,138 21.0 1,069,772 21.0 1,116,082 20.8 1,175,059 20.8 1,171,460 20.9 National * 2005 SAT scores have just been released and are available on the district’s Web site. 1,186,251 BISD Partnership Fall 2006 5 During the 2006-07 school year, Birdville ISD will administer the following federal programs to students that live within district boundaries. • Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs) • Title II, Part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment Fund) • Title II, Part D (Enhancing Education through Technology) • Title III (Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students) • Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Community Act) • Title V (Innovative Education Program Strategies) • IDEA-B (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Representatives of privately educated students interested in participation in any of these programs can contact Dr. Betty Grubbs, director of special services, at 817.547.5740 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Business Partners Haltom High School was recognized for receiving the Gold Award of Educational Achievement from the Southern Region Education Board. Haltom was only one of 44 high schools throughout the United States and the only Texas high school to be recognized. . following business partners were recognized at recent The board meetings: Rita Wilson, Rita’s World; and Alisha Wulf, Fantastic Sam’s. Student Highlights Nine BISD Special Olympians were recognized for their efforts at the state Special Olympic Track Meet in Arlington. They were: Chad Earley, Fred Elliott, Marvin Elliott, Lauren Kuykendall, Shawn McNeese, Charles Momentoff, Ashley Roady, Dominique Smith and Matthew Sweat. Their coaches were JoAnne Ferris, Ricky Ferris and Dennis Roady. Morgan Adcock, Shannon Learning Center senior, and Jessica Pierce, Haltom High senior, were recognized for placing third in the American Spirit Award event at the National SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City. Ellen V. Bell, BISD’s associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, has been elected to the board of directors for the Texas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (Texas ASCD). Texas ASCD is one of the largest of the 61 affiliates of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). ASCD is an international educational organization consisting of more than 170,000 members worldwide. Linda Anderson, BISD’s director of career and technology education, was elected president-elect of the Career and Technology Association of Texas. Staff and Campus Highlights Dolores Webb (left) and David Wolfe, State Farm Insurance, presented Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant checks to Porter and Holiday Heights elementaries in the amount of $3,600 for each campus. 6 Charlie Brown of The Academy at West Birdville and Maria Rivas of Birdville Elementary were recognized for being named “Custodians of the Year” by the Northeast Environmental Team. BISD Partnership Fall 2006 BISD’s “The Circle” Cancer Support Group and other participants from BISD’s 2006 Koman Tarrant County Race for the Cure team were recognized. Birdville placed first for total school team participation with more than 350 registrants recognized.