Board Briefs
June 2023
BISD 2023-24 Compensation Plan to Provide $1,200 Increase for all Teachers
At their June 12 meeting, the Belton ISD Board of Trustees approved the compensation plan for the 2023-24 school year.
In the updated plan, all teachers will receive a $1,200 increase, which averages to a two percent increase. Professional staff and administrators will see a two percent increase based on the midpoint.
“We applaud the Board for taking action on this compensation package. Approving raises supports our efforts to attract and retain the most talented staff, but we want to do more,” said Todd Schiller, assistant superintendent of human resources.
Paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff will receive an additional dollar per hour, which ranges from a three to nine percent increase.
“We are closely monitoring the legislature regarding school finance because we want to provide even more compensation for our staff,” Schiller said. “We will continue to advocate for an increase to the basic allotment.”
Student Showcase - Summer Adventures in Learning Programs
The BISD Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) Program is happening this month at Chisholm Trail Elementary. Students in SAIL experience a wide range of enriching hands-on activities through exploration, problem solving and collaboration.
Students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) class are making connections, drawing conclusions and inferring about the field of engineering and life lessons. Students are experiencing the engineering design process as they brainstorm, plan, create, improve, and share their projects. Projects include harmonicas, catapults, miniature basketball games, sling-shot straw rockets, wind-propelled cars, Army man launchers, bridges, boats, and super soakers (water guns).
In the dance class, SAIL students are learning a century’s old folk dance, Chimes of Dunkirk, performed to traditional music. Chimes of Dunkirk was originally a French dance (Le Carillon de Dunkirque) dating after the first chime was installed in Dunkirk in 1437.
2022 Bond Update
The Board took action on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #3 for the Southwest Elementary Addition and the construction delivery method for campus safety vestibules.
Work at Southwest Elementary has been approved in three GMPs to expedite the project. GMP #1 covered demolition, initial site work, and underground utilities and was approved in April. GMP #2, approved in May, included concrete and structural steel packages. The GMP #3 is $10,749,004 and includes all remaining work to complete the project.
For the new campus safety vestibules, the delivery method selected is a competitive sealed proposal method that offers the best value for this project.
Construction on the addition at Southwest Elementary will begin soon, and work on the campus safety vestibules will begin at campuses later this summer once a contractor is chosen and materials are available. BISD anticipates having construction documents finished this summer. Construction on the campus safety vestibules is expected to extend into the fall.
Board Recognition - Texas Bioscience Institute Graduates
The Texas Bioscience Institute Middle College program offers highly motivated high school students the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credit hours in a STEM–focused (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) foundational curriculum.
BISD is very proud to recognize the following students who earned their associate’s degree from Temple College with this program: Aiden Valdez, Rebekah Bledsoe, Alicia Miranda, Carla Garcia-Guerrero, Lilliani Kaita, Maya Miller, Tobbie Berrian, Olivia Costilla, Javier Figueroa, Madison Layton, Daniel Le, Caden Marshall, Gabriel Noguera, Caleb Oldham, Cesar Pedroza, and Jesus Sierralta.
This program is an excellent reflection of the BISD Value & Belief that student learning experiences are enhanced through partnerships and community engagement.
Board Recognition — Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State Recipients
BISD is celebrating 19 student-athletes who were named to Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State teams. To be nominated, seniors must be in good standing with their team, of good moral character and have an overall GPA of 92 or above. Class rank and SAT/ACT test scores are also taken into consideration.
Lake Belton High School:
Baseball: Connor Bartz (second team), Alex Endruschat (honorable mention)
Softball: Zakayia Fredrick, Hannah Jensen and Autumn Holman (honorable mentions)
Girls Track: Emily Evatt, Lauren Heartsfield, Sydni Cartwright
Boys Track: Floyd Bristol
Belton High School:
Baseball: Bryan Little (second team), Caleb Kennedy (elite team), Mason Ramm (honorable mention)
Tennis: Eliana Alvarado and Annabelle Arnold Hardsoch (second team), Kaden Lehrmann (elite team), Ryan Ruiz (honorable mention)
Girls Track: Jaela Watts, Kaitlyn MacDonald and Raenah Smith (honorable mentions)
Board Recognitions — Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association Academic All-State Recipient
Congratulations to the Women's Powerlifting Association Academic All-State recipient Joselyn Quintanilla Madera (elite team) from BHS.
Board Recognitions - UIL State Qualifiers
UIL Academics Literary Criticism State Competition:
Congratulations to LBHS student Taylor Rogers for placing within the top 15 in the 5A state competition against more than 150 scholars. Taylor’s enthusiasm, positivity, and commitment will set up next year’s Lit Crit Team for future state showings!
UIL Boys Golf State Qualifiers:
The LBHS Boys Golf team finished in 9th place at the UIL 5A State Golf Tournament held at White Wing Country Club in Georgetown. Competitors included: Chandler Cooke, Colby Connor, Jackson Null, Chase Passentino-Slone and James Bond.
UIL Track State Qualifiers:
The Lake Belton Track & Field Teams had seven athletes compete at the 5A UIL State Track Meet. Kendrick Jones competed in the 100m finishing 4th with a time of 10.41 and in the 200m finishing 1st and becoming Lake Belton’s 1st State Champion with a time of 10.57. Easton Hammond competed in high Jump finishing 5th with a jump of 6-8. Layloni Watson competed in triple Jump finishing 8th with a jump of 37-9.5. Abigail Rydberg competed in Pole Vault and finished seventh with a vault of 11-6. The 4x200 relay consisting of Ty Legg, Micah Hudson, Dawson Cabiad and Kendrick Jones finished third taking home the Bronze Medal with a time of 1:25.59.
As a team the Lake Belton boys track team finished 5th in the team standings.
UIL Powerlifting State Qualifiers:
Congrats to Belton High School students Issac Jones and Jacci Myers for placing in the top 5 at the state powerlifting meet. Senior Issac Jones finished in fifth place. Junior Jacci Myers placed fourth, matching her personal record in total weight; lifting 865 pounds. This was Jacci's 3rd year to qualify for the state meet and 2nd time to place in the top 5.
Texas Association for Pupil Transportation State Medalist
The Facilities and Construction Department is composed of various technical and trade professionals that are responsible for facility maintenance, new construction, energy management, and asbestos management of all the district facilities. The department is committed to providing exceptional customer service to all employees and students.
The Facilities and Construction team is made up of 20 staff members of which five hold licenses through the Texas Department License and Registration. This seasoned staff represents a total of over 230 years of experience. This team has a high retention rate which speaks to their commitment to BISD. The Facilities and Construction Department oversees 2,320,818 square feet, this includes 19 campuses and 28 ancillary buildings.
The Facilities and Construction Department is led by David Bennett and Oscar Berumen.
Director of Special Education Named
BISD Welcomes 3 new principals
special recognition
Superintendent's Report
In his report, Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith:
- Shared Strategic Plan improvement efforts and highlights from May.
- Celebrated examples of exceptional learning in Belton ISD, including the 2023 Graduation Ceremonies and Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL).
- Highlighted the following exceptional learning experiences for staff: the recent Leadership Team Retreat and Active Shooter Tabletop and the upcoming Student Services Summit, Safety Summit, and Leadership Team Retreat.
Consent Agenda Highlights
- Unaudited financial report for the month ending May 31, 2023
- Gifts, grants and bequests
- Redistribute funds to pay for BHS PAC sound and lighting upgrades
- Expenditures over $50,000 (Emergent Tree renewal, Imagine Learning renewal, Renaissance Learning renewal, Delcom Group for mobile device charging carts, GovConnection for high school device refresh, Michael Marrs contract for architectural, MEP and security/technology services)
- Supply, equipment and service bids
- Resolution regarding hazardous transportation conditions
- Resolution for adoption of national Incident Management System
- Resolution designating authorized signers of district banking and financial documents
- Memorandum of understanding for dual credit renewal with the University of Texas of the Permian Basin
- Annual board operating procedures revisions
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