3 New Campus Leaders

At the regular Board Meeting held on June 21, BISD trustees unanimously approved administration’s recommendations to fill three campus principal positions left vacant by recent retirements.

Christian Calderera, currently a specialist in the Curriculum Department, will assume the duties of principal of Keller Elementary. He has a total of 17 years of experience as a BISD educator. Calderera formerly served as the principal of Faulk Middle School for 3 years and as an assistant principal at Hanna High School and Vela Middle School for 5 years. He replaces Carlos Garza who is retiring. Keller Elementary School opened in 2009 and is located in the Veterans Memorial cluster supervised by Jay Harris.

Yolanda Turbeville has been named to the top position at Peña Elementary School. Turbeville also has 17 total years of experience as an educator, all with BISD. She served as an assistant principal at Benavides Elementary School for 5 years and as a facilitator at Garden Park Elementary School for 4 years. She replaces Ernestina Treviño who is retiring. Peña also opened in 2009 and is part of the Rivera cluster supervised by Dr. Rita Hernandez.

Carla Pereira, principal of Putegnat Elementary School, has been selected to lead Faulk Middle School. She also has 17 years of experience, 12 with BISD. Pereira has served as the principal of Putegnat for 2 years and as an assistant principal for 7 years, most recently at Porter High School. She fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Mario Rodriguez. Both Faulk and Putegnat are members of the Porter cluster supervised by Mary Jo Monfils.

“I have great confidence in these fine educators,” said Dr. Montoya, Interim Superintendent. “I know their accomplishments and abilities and I am convinced that they will provide exceptional leadership in their new assignments.”

Early District Payday

Good news! BISD employees will be paid early on Thursday, June 23 due to a financial system upgrade and the district’s abbreviated Monday-Thursday summer schedule. Enjoy your weekend!

Summer Fun

Brownsville ISD offers several summer recreation activities for students from June 13-July 7, Monday-Thursday. Activities includes golf, swimming, track, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and weight training. Click here to view times and locations.

Substitute Changes

All BISD substitute teachers, new and current, are now required to complete a mandatory on-line training program and test which will replace the annual substitute inservice. For more information, click here to view the BISD Classified Human Resources Substitute Page.

Budget Process Coming to a Close

At the BISD Budget Committee Meeting held on Friday, June 10, Board Trustees and administration continued the lengthy and sometimes grueling process of creating a budget with no firm answers from the state regarding the district’s share of the budgetary shortfall. Legislators in Austin continue to meet in special session to formalize and approve a two-year state budget. Brownsville ISD’s current budget of a little over $505 million includes almost $326 million in state revenues.

On April 5, Board Trustees approved Budget Proposal #2 as the district’s working document, subject to policy modifications, legislative action, and/or legal action. Since January, the Board and administration have held a series of 8 budget committee meetings and 5 budget ad hoc committee meetings to identify creative methods to cut costs and reduce expenses. District officials are currently working on the fifth draft of Budget Proposal #2 which includes reductions in transportation, out-of-district travel, operating budgets, stipends, extra duty pay, summer school programs, overtime, and substitute rates as well as positions closed through attrition and reassignments. Previously, the district approved early notification incentives for over 200 resigning and retiring employees. On June 14, several BISD principals from schools across the district were given the opportunity to prioritize reductions in the final budget proposal that will go to the Board of Trustees.

Direct Deposit Update

Approximately 100+ BISD employees still list the former Texas State Bank as their direct deposit bank of choice. It is imperative that these employees immediately update their bank information in the BISD Payroll Department to avoid complications with their July payroll deposit. The bank of deposit is listed on each BISD employee’s direct deposit paystub. Call the Payroll Department at 548-8391 for more information.

Emerson and Morningside Earn Notice

Principal Dolores Emerson and Morningside Elementary are featured in Texas Lone Star Magazine‘s annual Good News About Texas Public Schools July issue. The magazine highlights Morningside’s selection as one of four national recipients of The 8th Annual Dispelling the Myth Award from The Education Trust. Emerson and a team of Morningside educators were recognized at the Education Trust’s national conference held in Crystal City, Virginia in November. View the entire Lone Star Magazine article.

Hanna Facility Tops Out

SpawGlass Contractors will host a “Topping Out” celebration for Hanna High School’s new Instructional Facility on Thursday, July 16 at 11:30 am at the construction site located at 2617 E. Price Road.

The Museum is Open

Effective June 13-July 29, the BISD Museum will follow the district’s summer hours from 7:30 am-6:00 pm, Monday-Thursday. The Museum will be closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Schedule a tour or just stop by and visit the ever-changing exhibits of student, employee, and building memorabilia from BISD’s past. Contact Hilda Williams at 698-1752 for more information.

New Quarters

New Quarters

Effective Monday, July 11, the BISD Warehouse/Textbooks/Fixed Assets Department will be located at the brand, new Palo Alto Support Services Center at 4330 Morrison Road.

Graduation Videos

BISD high schools reported that 2,666 graduates received their diplomas at last week’s 2011 commencement ceremonies. KBSD was there to videotape all the action. DVD’s are available for purchase for $10.00. Call 548-8288 to order your copy today.

Budget and Proposed tax Rate

Brownsville ISD is required to adopt a budget before July 1, the beginning of the district’s fiscal year. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, June 23 at 5:30 pm in the Boardroom to discuss the district’s budget and determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is welcome. Click here to view the announcement.

School Finance: Plain and Simple

This four-minute video explains basic school finance and why public schools are in a funding crisis. It was produced by Arlington ISD and has made its way to school district websites across Texas. Special thanks to KBSD-TV for adapting it to Brownsville ISD. Click here to view the video.

Montoya Appointed Interim Superintendent

At the Rescheduled Regular Board Meeting of the Brownsville Independent School District held on Wednesday, June 8, at 1:00 PM, the Board of Trustees accepted the written resignation of Superintendent Brett Springston.

Dr. Carl Montoya, the current Area Administrator for the Rivera Cluster Schools, has been appointed to serve as the Interim Superintendent.

The Board of Trustees praised Springston as an outstanding and well-respected educational leader. They also thanked him for his many years of service to Brownsville ISD.

Dr. Carl Montoya is a veteran educator with 35 years of experience. He has held administrative positions in New Mexico and Dallas. Prior to arriving in Brownsville, Montoya served as the Superintendent of Aransas Pass Independent School District for 6 years. He has worked for BISD for the past 4 years. Dr. Montoya is a certified Texas police officer and was recently re-appointed by Governor Rick Perry for another term on the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University, a committee that he chairs. He holds a Doctorate in Education from New Mexico State University.

“I want to thank the Board for this opportunity. I look forward to working with the Trustees in a productive and positive relationship that will benefit our district and community stakeholders,” said Dr. Montoya, Interim Superintendent.

Additonal Duties for Two Administrators

Dr. Carl A. Montoya, BISD Interim Superintendent, has announced two administrative assignments which are effective immediately.

Ismael Garcia, the current administrator for Special Programs, will assume additional duties as the district’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Rita Hernandez, Area Administrator for the Hanna cluster schools, will also take on supervision of the Rivera cluster schools, formerly supervised by Dr. Montoya.

“Both Ismael Garcia and Dr. Hernandez are highly qualified. I know them well and they are excellent administrators, ” said Dr. Montoya. “I thank them for their willingness to assume additional responsibilities as we prepare for the 2011-2012 school year.”

Three area assistant superintendents now oversee two clusters of schools each. Jay Harris is responsible for the Pace and Veterans Memorial clusters and Mary Jo Monfils has the Porter and Lopez clusters.

Preliminary TAKS Released

The Texas Education Agency has released the preliminary results of the 2011 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) which was taken by Brownsville ISD students in grades 3-11 in April 2011. Areas tested include math, reading/English language arts, writing, science, and social studies. When compared to 2010 scores, the latest BISD scores indicate gains in 8 grade level and subject areas. Increases of 1–4% were posted in 5th, 7th, and 11th grade reading/English language arts and 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th grade math. A 3% increase occurred in 10th grade science. The 4th grade writing and 10th grade reading/English language arts scores remained the same. The other 17 grade level and subject area scores recorded decreases of 1 to 5%. It is important to note that of the 27 grade level and subject areas tested, 10 recorded scores of 90% or above and 14 scored 80% or above. Overall, 80% or more of all district students met expectations in math, reading and science and 93% met expectations in social studies and writing. Every year, the state increases academic requirements and this year was no exception. For the first time, TAKS–Modified and TAKS–Alternative scores, based on modified academic achievement standards, were calculated into the overall district composite scores. Click here to read more.

Principals’ Checkout

The annual BISD Principals’ Express Checkout will be held on Wednesday, June 15 from 9:00-11:30 am and 1:00-2:30 pm in the Boardroom. Click here to view the announcement.

Preliminary TAKS Released

The Texas Education Agency has released the preliminary results of the 2011 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) which was taken by Brownsville ISD students in grades 3-11 in April 2011. Areas tested include math, reading/English language arts, writing, science, and social studies.

When compared to 2010 scores, the latest BISD scores indicate gains in 8 grade level and subject areas. Increases of 1–4% were posted in 5th, 7th, and 11th grade reading/English language arts and 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th grade math. A 3% increase occurred in 10th grade science. The 4th grade writing and 10th grade reading/English language arts scores remained the same. The other 17 grade level and subject area scores recorded decreases of 1 to 5%. It is important to note that of the 27 grade level and subject areas tested, 10 recorded scores of 90% or above and 14 scored 80% or above. Overall, 80% or more of all district students met expectations in math, reading and science and 93% met expectations in social studies and writing. Every year, the state increases academic requirements and this year was no exception. For the first time, TAKS–Modified and TAKS–Alternative scores, based on modified academic achievement standards, were calculated into the overall district composite scores.

Click here to read more

Track Renovations

Sams Stadium will be closed to the public during the month of June due to graduation ceremonies and track renovations. Sams Stadium will reopen to the public on Tuesday July 5.

Final Training

The 2010-2011 BISD End-of-the-Year Administrators’ Inservice will be held on Thursday, June 9 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Veterans Memorial High School auditorium. Click here to view the announcement.

2011 Ballroom Results

The Department of Fine Arts has released the results of the 2011 Red Hot Ballroom Competition held on May 25 and 26 at the Brownsville Events Center. Hundreds of students representing 43 BISD campuses participated in 7 styles of dance. This is the 5th year that BISD has sponsored this competition. Click here to view the final results.

Wellness/Fitness Center Summer Hours

BISD employees, students and parents are encouraged to use the district’s Wellness/Fitness Center, located at the Central Administrative Building (CAB) complex, during the summer. Beginning on Monday, June 6, the Center will be open from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon and 12:30 to 5:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. The Wellness/Fitness Center will follow the district’s summer schedule and will close on Fridays. For more information, call Roy Alaniz at 698-0194.

Summer Feeding

Summer Feeding

Brownsville ISD will offer the annual Summer Food Service Program beginning on Monday, June 6 at most locations. Free lunch will be provided to children, ages 0-18, at numerous school and non-school sites. The summer program will follow the district’s Monday-Thursday summer schedule. Click here to view the entire Summer Food Service Program schedule in English and Spanish.

Revised Code of Ethics

The Educators’ Code of Ethics has been updated and revised to include electronic communication. Click here to view.

Superintendent’s Scholarship Recipients

Superintendent Brett Springston has announced the winners of the 2011 Superintendent’s Scholarships. A total of 70 graduating BISD seniors will each receive $1,000 to attend the college of their choice.

Over $70,000 in scholarship funds was raised at the 8th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by Springston at the Rancho Viejo Resort on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of local Brownsville leaders and district personnel. Over 150 student applications were reviewed.

“The participation of our local businesses and community organizations has made this
tournament one of the largest in the Rio Grande Valley. I sincerely thank our sponsors for
enthusiastically supporting our students and enabling them to continue their education,” said Springston.

In the last 8 years, the Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Tournament has provided $500,000 in scholarships to 400 deserving BISD graduates.

Brett Springston will personally award the 2011 Superintendent’s Scholarships to the following recipients on Tuesday, May 31 at their respective campuses.

BISD Artists Excel

The Jr. VASE Art Competition was held in McAllen on Saturday, May 14. BISD middle school students brought home more medals than any other Rio Grande Valley district. Congratulations to our district’s talented young artists and their teachers. The fine arts are alive and well in Brownsville ISD. Click here to view the results.