Berger Bulletin

The Pearland ISD VATRE passed in the November election with a 57% approval rating. Thank you to all who voted to support this measure that will award Pearland ISD much need funds. To the 43% who voted against the measure, I hope we continue growing our relationship as I wish to understand better what you expect from your school district and the challenges we face in meeting those expectations.

There might be some questions about how the funds generated by the VATRE will be utilized:

• This week, $2.5 million will be distributed to all teachers and staff as increased compensation, giving teachers a total of a 4% raise for this school year.
• The remaining VATRE funds will be used to reduce the budget deficit. I am currently working to increase organizational efficiencies and hope to have a balanced budget by year's end.

The state legislature had $32 billion in budget surplus, and zero dollars were spent to raise teacher pay or school basic allotment funding. As expressed in the VATRE presentations, more funding is needed to solve the financial issues facing Pearland ISD. I am working with the community and the school board to explore two May bond initiatives:

• A $30 million 5-year technology bond
• A $75 million facility infrastructure bond

These two bond measures will not increase taxpayer rates. There would be no impact on the taxpayer, but it would allow Pearland ISD to fund capital projects better through bond proceeds and not daily operational budgets.

Before the items can be presented to the voters, I will work with a community advisory group and the school board.

High school course selection is a crucial aspect of a student's academic journey, and parents play a significant role in guiding their children through this process. We want to ensure that each student has a well-rounded and enriching high school experience that aligns with their interests, goals, and plans. Each high school works to provide parents and students with important information. During course selection presentations and meetings, please focus on the following:

• Graduation Requirements
• Career Pathways
• Balancing Workloads

We look forward to working together to ensure a successful and fulfilling high school experience. Our dedicated team of counselors will publish the new course selection handbook and begin holding group presentations in February.

The Course Selection Handbook for 2024-25 has been posted on the Pearland ISD Curriculum and Instruction Website. Below is a direct link to the document https://www.pearlandisd.org/cms/lib/TX01918186/Centricity/domain/54/course_selection/2024-25_Course_Selection_Handbook.pdf

Building Blocks Podcast -Coming Next Year - informative and fun conversations with people who are the building blocks of Pearland ISD.

You may not know, but some great entertainment is taking place on the hardwood at both Dawson and Pearland High School. Both boys' and girls' teams will continue their seasons over the holiday break. Find a game at https://www.pearlandisd.org/Page/202

Our school board plays a crucial role in shaping our children's educational experiences and our community's overall well-being. Serving on the school board is a unique opportunity to contribute your skills, passion, and ideas to help guide the future of our schools. If you are a passionate volunteer who cares about the future of education in our community and is committed to making a positive impact, we encourage you to consider running for a seat on the Pearland ISD school board. Your unique perspective and dedication will contribute to the continued success of our schools.

Positions up for election in May 2024

• Position 3
• Position 4
• Position 6 (one-year term)

Email: bergerl@pearlandisd.org
Website: https://www.pearlandisd.org/pearland
Phone: (281) 485-3203
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlandisd
Twitter: @LarryBergerSupt