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Board Briefs
March 2023
Trustees Adopt New Elementary Attendance Boundaries
The Belton ISD Board of Trustees adopted new elementary attendance boundaries on Monday that will help the district manage growth, maximize the use of facilities and reduce the need for long-term portables.
The changes are needed as the construction of two elementary schools — James L. Burrell Elementary and Hubbard Branch Elementary — is underway and an addition is planned at Southwest Elementary.
The new attendance boundaries will take effect for the 2024-2025 school year, except for Burrell Elementary, which will be implemented in fall 2023.
Burrell, in the northern part of Belton ISD, is scheduled to open mid-year in January 2024 and will draw students from Tarver Elementary.
Hubbard Branch, in the southern part of Belton ISD, is expected to open in the fall of 2024 and will draw its student body from Chisholm Trail Elementary and Miller Heights Elementary. The adjustment will alleviate overcrowding at Chisholm Trail and the need for its six portables. Miller Heights, which opened in 1963 and has about 300 students and five portables, will close.
Also, under the new attendance boundaries, some students currently attending Charter Oak Elementary will be moved to Southwest.
In total, the district will eliminate the use of 21 portables.
Southwest will also now feed to Belton Middle School in addition to South Belton Middle School. Students at Lakewood Elementary, which was previously a split feeder pattern, will now all attend Lake Belton Middle School.
Student Showcase - Lake Belton Middle School Orchestra
The Lake Belton Middle School orchestra was the student showcase. The group recently had six students — everyone who auditioned — selected for the All-Region Orchestra. Earlier this month, the orchestra earned a Sweepstakes at the UIL Orchestra Contest and Sight Reading by receiving straight 1s from all the judges. Before tonight’s meeting, they performed “Never Let Up” by Brian Balmages, “Arcade” by Lee Ewing, “Dragon Fire” by Susan H. Day and “Fiddle Faddle Hoedown” by Thom Sharp.
Members of the group are Sophia Ainsworth, Olaoluwa Babalola, Sophia Bielanski, Grace Black, Ruth Bullard, Aidan Butler, Brennen Chernicky, Allie Clark, Bryson Crawley, Aubrey Dale, Jasper Dragoo, Anna Exaire, Anthony Garza, Alonah Jones, Sam Keys, Hannah Kim, Abigail McGraw, Shreya Muni, Clare-Lin Olsen, Lily Posival, Wyatt Potts, Mary Read and Abigail Uzzell. The director is Adrienne Leung.
Trustees Approve Administrative Hires
Trustees approved the hiring of Gabi Niño as assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning. She replaces Deanna Lovesmith who retired and will rejoin the district in a part-time capacity as director of gifted services.
Niño, who has 21 years of experience in education, has served as the district’s executive director of school leadership for three years. Her previous roles include serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of assessment and feedback.
Trustees also approved the hiring of Sara Windham as executive director of Special Programs. She replaces Jennifer Ramirez who is stepping down to become the recruitment coordinator for the district.
Windham has served as director of Special Programs in Belton ISD for three years. She previously served as a speech language pathologist and special education coordinator at Georgetown ISD for 12 years.
Trustees also approved the hiring of two assistant principals — Kristi Wittman at Belton High School and Meredith Bonnett at Southwest Elementary.
Wittman, who is completing her 18th year in education, currently serves as an assistant principal at Georgetown High School. She’s also worked as a teacher in Plano ISD and Leander ISD as well as at Central Texas Christian School in Temple.
Bonnett currently serves as an intervention specialist at Southwest and is finishing her 22nd year in education. She’s previously worked as a teacher in Salado ISD and Leander ISD and also has experience as an English as a second language coordinator.
Board Recognition - Finalists for the National Merit Scholarship
We are proud to share that Belton ISD’s Journey of a Graduate is reflected in a national recognition received by two of our seniors.
Caleb Bovell, from Belton High School, and Kevin Thomas, from Belton New Tech @Waskow, are among 15,000 high school students nationwide to be selected as finalists for the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Their journey in the competition began when they took the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of their junior year. This past fall, both were notified they had been named semifinalists. To be selected as a finalist, Caleb and Kevin submitted detailed applications with information about their academic record, school and community activities, leadership characteristics and awards earned. Later this spring, they will learn if they are selected to receive a Merit Scholarship from the organization.
After graduating in May, Caleb plans to attend college to study mechanical engineering. Kevin wants to enter the medical profession.
Board Recognition - UIL Swimming State Finalist
Sydney Alamein, a senior at Belton High School, placed 15th twice at the UIL-5A State Championship swim meet in February for the 200- and 500-freestyle races. She finished with a 200 freestyle time of 1:57.62 and a 500 freestyle time of 5:19.87.
This is the first time since 2016 that a BHS athlete has competed at the State competition and placed this high. Congratulations to Sydney and her coach, Chris Knipp, for demonstrating adaptability and collaboration — competencies from the district’s Journey of a Graduate and of a World-Class Employee.
Board Approves Competitive Sealed Proposals for Two Bond Projects
Board Recognition - Orchestra Solo/Ensemble State Qualifiers
Eleven Belton ISD orchestra students qualified for the state UIL solo/ensemble competition on May 28-30.
The students from Belton High School are Matthew Herrera, piano; Anchises Tamatave, viola; Jett Coats, cello; Sophia Rastelli, cello; Soteria Shin, cello; and Colter Boethel, guitar. Preston
Patterson is the head orchestra director at BHS.
The students from Lake Belton High School are Benjamin Asuncion-Crabb, viola; Emily Jeong, viola; Rachel Kim, violin; and David Larsen, violin. Jenna Burchell is the head orchestra director at LBHS.
Congratulations to these students who have demonstrated perseverance and communication, two of the Journey of a Graduate competencies.
Board Committee Reports
Policy: The policy committee met on March 6. The committee was slated to discuss three policies, but tabled two of them until they could receive additional information. They did discuss EHAD(LOCAL) and determined it is no longer relevant or needed.
Facilities: The facilities committee didn't meet officially this month but did gather at Burrell Elementary on March 20 for a tour of the site and to see the construction progress.
Board Recognition - Band Solo/Ensemble State Qualifiers
Seven band students from Belton High School qualified for the state UIL competition to be held May 27 and May 29.
Band soloists qualifying for state are Brandon Bechtel, alto saxophone; Aiden Orsag, trumpet; Damien Swift, trumpet; Nathaniel Neiser, tenor trombone; Scarlett Finch, tuba; Jennifer Huscanga, percussion (four-mallet); and Jeremiah Joseph, percussion (snare drum). Kevin Kwaku is the director of bands at BHS.
Congratulations to these students who have demonstrated continuous improvement, one of Belton ISD values and beliefs.
Board Recognition — Choir Solo/Ensemble State Qualifiers
Choir soloists qualifying for state from BHS are Salma Sanchez, Katie Mcdonald, Kaden Lehrmann, Kenneth McCoy, Thomas Coleman, Zeke Payne, Daylyn Porter, Chloe Hall, Gavin Young, Addison Fogle, Maverick Shepherd, Daniel Shrode, Ava Novak, Karson Dunn, Kaydence Doughty, Liam McRae, Amy Villanueva, Jessie Norvell, Jezebel Vazquez, Savannah Manculich and Kacy Olson.
Choir ensemble members qualifying for state from BHS are Salma Sanchez, Noely Martinez, Katie Mcdonald, Kaden Lehrmann, Kenneth McCoy, Thomas Coleman, Zeke Payne, Sarrah Townsend, Daylyn Porter, Chloe Hall, Gavin Young, Addison Fogle, Maverick Shepherd, Valeria Gloria, Daniel Shrode, Ava Novak, Dallas Costine, Karson Dunn, Kaydence Doughty, Kentre’ King, Tyler Waldrep, Anna Grace Gainey, Liam McRae, Kaylee Goates, Amy Villanueva, Jessie Norvell, Jezebel Vazquez, Savannah Manculich, Kacy Olson and Haylee Schiller.
Choir soloists qualifying for state from LBHS are Maranda Armstrong, Sophia Campos, Elizabeth Chamberlin, Aidan Fenton, Joaquin Garza, Madelyn Handley, Erin Hankins, Da Hae Keum, Elliott Lehman, Josue Martinez, Ashley Navarrete, Pate Palomino, Lillian Paulk, Jordan Powell, Karianna Powell, Lauren Price, Abigail Ptazsek, Zachary Reyes, Derek Toledo, Emily Trcka, Jack Tucker, Stone Wall, Hannah Weems, Kimberly Wildes and Hannah Wood.
Choir ensemble members qualifying for state from LBHS are Elizabeth Coburn, Anna James, Makenna Peace, Lauren Price, Zachary Reyes, Jack Tucker, Stone Wall, Aidan Fenton, Joaquin Garza, Madison Letts, Ashley Navarrete, Pate Palomino, Jordan Powell and Derek Toledo.
Superintendent's Report
Board Recognition - VASE Contest State Qualifiers
Four Belton ISD students are state qualifiers for the Texas Art Education Association’s High School Visual Arts Scholastic Event next month. Only 10% of artwork given Superior ratings at the regional event are also awarded Area medals and advance to the state VASE competition. This recognition highlights their demonstration of several Journey of a Graduate competencies, including adaptability and perseverance.
Advancing students include Bonnie Floyd, from Belton New Tech @Waskow; and TJ Hower, Isabella Dickson-Watler and Victoria Peterman from Lake Belton High School. The students’ art teachers are Emily Simeroth (LBHS) and Tab Lloyd (BNT@W).
Temple Rotary Educator of the Month
Juli Ann Kamenicky is being recognized for her outstanding service to Belton ISD. Ms. Kamenicky is a third-grade teacher at Miller Heights Elementary. She is in her eighth year in education, and her first year in Belton ISD.
Courtney Brewer, assistant principal at Miller Heights said this about Ms. Kamenicky:
Juli Ann has been a phenomenal asset to her direct team and her fellow colleagues around campus. Juli Ann exhibits a deliberate positive mindset for her students and the entire student body on campus. She is creative in her thinking and planning and is always looking for what could grab her student’s attention. Her students consistently show growth in their academics as well as their character. Even during the hustle and bustle of a typical day, she carves out time to build individual relationships with her students. Creating and sustaining positive relationships with families is also important to her. She received a new student during December, and she made sure to meet the family in their vehicle at dismissal. We are proud to have her serve Miller Heights students alongside us and look forward to her continuous impact she will have on the future of Belton ISD learners.
We are glad to have this World-Class Employee in the Big Red Community!
Department Showcase - Business Services
Our Business Services team is tasked with ensuring students and staff have the resources they need to be successful in the classroom. They also make sure staff are compensated for their contributions to the district.
The team, led by Chief Financial Officer Melissa Lafferty, is 24 members strong and includes accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, the print shop and warehouse.
To put their work into perspective, take a look at these numbers:
Accounts Payable processes about 10,000 checks to vendors each year. That represents more than 26,000 invoices.
Payroll processes and pays 54 payrolls.
Purchasing processes nearly 7,000 purchase orders each year. They solicit about 54 bids annually.
The warehouse crew fulfills about 40 work orders each month in addition to delivering food and custodial supplies to campuses each day.
The print shop completes more than 600 requests for employees each year.
In the fall, the team earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The Association of School Business Officers International also presented a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting to the district. These recognitions reflect the highest form of praise for transparency in accounting and financial reporting.
Thank you to the World-Class Employees in Business Services for your support behind the scenes that allows Belton ISD to serve our students.
Consent Agenda Highlights
- Unaudited financial report for the month ending February 28, 2023
- Gifts, grants and bequests
- Budget amendment #5 for 2022-2023
- Renewal of Temple ISD deaf shared services agreement
- Renewal of memorandum of understanding for OnRamps with the University of Texas at Austin
- Amend the order of election for the May 6, 2023 general election
To review Belton ISD board meeting agendas and full packet materials, click here.
Belton ISD
Email: communications@bisd.net
Website: www.bisd.net
Location: 400 N. Wall Street, Belton
Phone: 254-215-2000
Facebook: facebook.com/BeltonISD
Twitter: @BeltonISD