Update on Teacher Paychecks

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, the BISD Board of Trustees approved a revised teacher hiring schedule that includes increases from the federal stimulus package. Paychecks issued to teachers on September 25, 2009, will be based on the revised amounts. For details, see the complete hiring schedule which is posted on the district’s homepage.

The September paycheck will also be the first to include subdivided teacher stipend payments. Most teaching stipends will now be paid in 12 monthly installments.

Lone Star Tour for All South Texas Students

High school students and their parents are invited to visit with representatives from Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, Rensselaer and the University of Chicago.

Thursday, September 24, 2009
7:00 PM
BISD Boardroom
1900 Price Road

University counselors will discuss the college application process, including high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, essay writing, letters of recommendation as well as the selection process.

For more information, contact Pilar Janis at 548-8251.

Attention Migrant Families

If you and your children have
• Moved outside BISD boundaries
• Sought or secured work in agriculture, fishing and/or meat processing
within the last three years, your children may qualify to receive additional educational support services from the Migrant Education Program.

Visit the BISD Migrant Office
Central Administrative Building, 708 Palm Blvd., Suite 106
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Children whose families are identified as migrant may be eligible to receive school supplies on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For further information, call 548-7919.

Congratulations to Aldine

The Aldine Independent School District (AISD) outside Houston won the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement today, September 16, 2009, in Washington, D.C. at the Congressional Auditorium in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Brownsville ISD, as the 2008 winner, was represented by Interim Superintendent Brett Springston, Board President Rolando Aguilar and John Clark, President of the Brownsville Chapter of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

Aldine ISD was one of the finalists last year when Brownsville ISD won the Broad Prize.

Click here for the full press release

Blue Ribbon for SouthmostElementary

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has officially announced
that 314 schools, including Brownsville’s Southmost Elementary, have
been selected as 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The schools -
264 public and 50 private - will be honored at an awards ceremony on
November 3, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

“These Blue Ribbon Schools have shown that all children can learn with appropriate supports,” Duncan said. “They are producing outstanding results for their students. Some have shown dramatic improvements in places where students are overcoming the challenges of poverty, and others serve as examples of consistent excellence that can be a resource for other schools. They are places where improved teaching and learning benefits every student, and where students are challenged to meet high expectations with the active support of teachers, parents and the community.”

"Southmost Elementary is the first school in the history of Brownsville ISD to earn this national distinction. Congratulations to Principal Jimmy Haynes, his students, parents and employees. You make our district proud," said Interim Superintendent Brett Springston.

Texas has a total of 26 Blue Ribbon Schools this year and two are from the Rio Grande Valley, Southmost Elementary and Bowie Elementary in Alamo, Texas.

Time to Pass the Prize

The winner of the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education will be announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, in Washington, D.C. at the Congressional Auditorium in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will make the announcement at 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time. Brownsville ISD, as the 2008 winner, will be represented by Interim Superintendent Brett Springston, Board President Rolando Aguilar and John Clark, President of the Brownsville Chapter of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.


This year’s five finalists are:

Aldine Independent School District, near Houston, Texas

Broward County Public Schools, Fort Lauderdale, Florida|

Gwinnett County Public Schools, outside Atlanta, Georgia

Long Beach Unified School District, California

Socorro Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
Best of luck to the new Broad finalists. Sincere thanks to Eli and Edythe Broad for their generous support of Brownsville’s students and school district. The $1 million in Broad Prize scholarships enabled 51 BISD graduates to pursue their college education this year.

For more information about The Broad Prize, visit www.broadprize.org.

College Bound

Brownsville ISD will host University Day on Thursday, September 17, 2009, from 9:15 AM-12:30 PM at the Brownsville Event Center. Representatives from approximately 70 colleges and universities will be available to talk to seniors and graduating juniors from BISD high schools as well as area public and private schools.

Auction Postponed

The BISD Public Auction scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2009, has been postponed due to inclement weather. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

Final Enrollment Day on Friday, September 11, 2009

Any BISD employee who missed the regular district medical insurance enrollment period may enroll at the Employee Benefits / Risk Management Department on Friday, September 11, 2009, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The department is located at the CAB, 708Palm Blvd., Suite 103. Please note that this is a mandatory enrollment.

A Notice To Full-Time BISD Employees

Brownsville ISD provides group medical insurance with Mutual Assurance Administrators, Inc. (MAA) as the third party administrator and Texas True Choice as the network provider for 2009-10. The open enrollment period to make changes to your coverage is August 31-September 10, 2009.

The following changes are allowable:
• Dependent Status
• Name and/or Address Changes
• Plan Selection
• Beneficiary Change

If you participate in the CORE PLAN, your co-pays are:
30 DAY SUPPLY
Generic Drugs....................$10
Brand Drugs.......................$30
90 DAY SUPPLY (MAIL ORDER ONLY)
Generic Drugs...................$-0-
Brand Drugs.......................$75

If you want to make a change, you must fill out a change form and return it to the MAA representative who will visit your campus or department. Consult your administrator for the dates and times or check www.bisd.us. You may also hand deliver change forms to the BISD Employee Benefits/Risk Management Department, Central Administrative Building (CAB), Suite #103, 708 Palm Boulevard, by September 10, 2009.

•Please note that this is a mandatory enrollment. You must meet with a representative if you wish to continue with your current health benefits.

• If you miss your assigned campus/department enrollment session, you may attend at another BISD location. A make up day will also be held on Thursday, September 10 at the Administration Building and CAB from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.

SAME RATES AS LAST YEAR: Core High State
Employee Only - 0 - $155.08 $304.62
Employee and Spouse $276.82 $569.86 $880.52
Employee and Children $276.82 $569.86 $880.52
2 Employees and Children $232.98 $569.86 $789.94
Employee and Family $462.96 $848.74 $1,257.70

Enrollment for voluntary and optional insurances such as vision, dental, and cancer, etc. will be announced soon.

For questions, contact the BISD Employee Benefits/Risk Management
Department at 548-8061


Click here for the enrollment schedule.

Labor Day Holiday

All BISD campuses and offices will be closed Monday, September 7, 2009 for Labor Day.

Regular district operation will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.