Trustees Call for November 7 Bond Election

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An Education Link with the Birdville ISD Community
Trustees Call for November 7 Bond Election
Trustees met in a special called meeting on Aug. 14 and called for a
bond election to be held on Nov. 7. Voters are being asked to
consider a proposal totaling $128.6 million.
• Build replacement campus at Richland High School. (The
classroom addition constructed in 1989 and the theater
will be renovated and incorporated into the new building.)
The recommended plan comes from a diverse group of 55
citizens. They began meeting in January and reviewed facility
reports, demographic
projections, financial impact,
two community phone surveys,
and educational and technical
standards. The committee
identified health and safety,
overcrowding/reducing
portable buildings, and
minimal functional
requirements as their priorities in developing their final
recommendation. The committee presented their recommended plan
to trustees on June 8.
• Build a new Career and Technology Center. (Due to
limited space, there is a waiting list for students who want
to enroll in career and technology programs for vocational
education. A new Career and Technology Academy, built
on land already owned by the district, would provide
capacity to accommodate students seeking to enroll in
these programs.)
Voters are being asked to consider the following package:
• Build replacement campuses at Stowe and Binion
elementaries. (This would reduce the need for
approximately 37 portable classrooms.)
• Renovate and expand locker rooms and add four-lane
tracks at each of the district’s seven middle schools. (This
would address the issues of overcrowding and space
limitations for physical education and athletic instruction.)
• Renovate and expand Haltom High School. (This would
reduce the need for approximately 14 portable classrooms.)
School property taxes were recently reduced by the state legislature.
BISD voters can approve this bond package and the school property
tax rate will still be lower than it was this past year.
In an attempt to keep the BISD community informed regarding the
bond committees findings, all agendas, minutes and handouts are
available on the district’s Web site
under “2006 BISD Bond.”
In addition, information on the
proposed bond election will be
available at each
campus and is posted on the
district’s Web site at
www.birdville.k12.tx.us.
Early voting will begin Oct. 23 and will run through Nov. 3.
Questions concerning the bond may be directed to BISD’s
communications department at 817.547.5799 or by e-mail at
2006bond@birdville.k12.tx.us.
A partir de la página 7, este boletín informativo ha sido traducido al español.
An Education Link with the
Birdville ISD Community
Partnership
Published for the BISD community by the
Communications Office
Administration Building
6125 East Belknap Haltom City, Texas
76117-4204 817.547.5719
www.birdville.k12.tx.us
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President
Ralph Kunkel
Vice President Wanda F. Strong
Secretary
David Pokluda
Joe Tolbert
Dolores Webb
Sherry Dunn
Richard Davis
Stephen F. Waddell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Jay C. Thompson, Ph.D.
Associate Superintendent
for Staff and Student Services
Mark Thomas
Communications Officer
Partnership Editor
Stephanie Carter
Publications Specialist
Brenda Ryan and Kim Kirby
Assistants
Member of the Texas School
Public Relations Association
Superintendent’s Exchange…
Since January, a diverse committee of 55
community members spent countless hours
digging through mounds of paper, listening to
reports, and discussing a laundry list of issues
facing BISD and its facilities. The result of
their commitment to the process is a bond
package being presented to the community in
the November 7 election.
This “Partnership” newsletter contains details of their proposal. The package being
presented to voters in November is not the same package offered to voters last
September. In developing their plan, the committee focused on overcrowding, portable
classrooms, minimal functional requirement of the buildings, and health and safety
issues.
In calling this bond election, the board of trustees has put into place plans for a citizens
oversight committee. This committee will be responsible for monitoring the progress of
the work and making certain that everything approved by voters has been completed.
At least four times a year, the committee will report on the progress to trustees. In
addition to the report to trustees, monthly reports will be available for review on the
district’s Web site or through the communications department.
I hope you will take the time to review the complete plan. If you have additional
questions, e-mail 2006bond@birdville.k12.tx.us or call the district’s communications
department at 817.547.5799.
Thank you for a great start to the school year.
BIRDVILLE ISD MISSION
“BISD, in partnership with the community, pursues
educational excellence and dedicates its resources
to create a learning environment that encourages all
students to become productive citizens and lifelong
learners in a global society.”
Annual Asbestos Notification: 2006-07 School Year
Birdville Independent School District (BISD) is committed to providing a safe environment for our students,
patrons, faculty and staff, and has made every effort to
be in compliance with: U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), 40 CFR Part 763 Asbestos, Subpart E,
“Asbestos-Containing-Materials in Schools”.
In accordance with 40 CFR, Part 763.84(c), you are
hereby notified that an Asbestos Management Plan
developed by an accredited asbestos management planner is in-place for every BISD facility. Each management plan was duly filed in accordance with section
763.93 on or before October 12, 1988 with the Texas
Department of Health. A copy of the management plan
is maintained in the administrative office of each facility and in the Buildings and Grounds office located at
6119 East Belknap Street, Haltom City, Texas 76117.
Summaries of the response actions taken by the District
are included in each management plan. The complete
documentation of all response actions is available for
review in the Buildings and Grounds Department
offices during regular business hours. Qualified BISD
personnel perform semi-annual inspections throughout
the district. Every three years, Birdville hires accredited
and licensed asbestos inspectors to re-inspect all areas.
The most recent
re-inspection was conducted in December 2003.
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BISD Partnership Fall 2006
You are invited to attend one of our
bond informational meetings.
Thursday, October 19
7 p.m. in the Cafeteria
Birdville High School
9100 Mid Cities Boulevard • N. Richland Hills, 76180
Haltom High School
5501 North Haltom Road • Haltom City, 76137
Richland High School
5201 Holiday Lane East • N. Richland Hills, 76180
The proposed package is also available for viewing on
our Web site at www.birdville.k12.tx.us. Select “2006 BISD Bond.”
Portable Classrooms:
How will the proposed bond help?
The bond package being presented to BISD voters on Nov. 7 begins to address overcrowding and portable
classrooms in the district. District growth and State mandates of 22:1 (student/teacher ratio) in kindergarten through
fourth grade have caused the district to use portable buildings to add additional classroom space.
The bond study committee’s plan would move students from approximately 51 portable classrooms into permanent
classrooms.
This bond package addresses overcrowding and the need to use portable buildings.
BISD Partnership Fall 2006
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BISD bond projects are. . . results in action
Positive results of your bond dollars can be seen across Birdville ISD.
The following is an update of work completed, projects in progress
and schedules for projects being planned.
• Central Stores Warehouse: Electrical
power upgrades for technology and
demolition of suspended ceiling is
complete. Fire alarm system installation
is on schedule.
For additional information on the progress of voter approved work,
visit the district’s Web site at www.birdville.k12.tx.us.
Below is the 2005 bond construction update of work completed
during summer 2006.
PROPOSITION II
Renovations and Technology
• Flooring replacements at Hardeman, North Ridge and
Green Valley elementaries; and Watauga and North Ridge
middle schools are complete.
• Renovations at Smithfield Middle
school: Flooring replacement,
abatement, ADA modifications,
replacement of storefront windows in
classrooms, interior painting in
certain areas, HVAC system
replacement, fire alarm, electrical power
upgrades, HVAC upgrades for
technology and installation of an energy
management system are complete.
BISD’s Network • Green Valley Elementary: Acoustical
Operating Center
isolation of room is complete.
(NOC) is scheduled
to be completed by • The Academy at Carrie F. Thomas:
the end of
HVAC upgrades are being planned by
September.
the Engineer, electrical power upgrades
and installation of energy management
systems are on schedule, and
replacement of fire alarm system is
complete.
• Spicer Elementary: Electrical power upgrades for
technology and installation of energy management system
are both on schedule. Replacement of fire alarm system is
complete.
• Fleet Management (Transportation): Fire
alarm system installation is complete.
Flooring and
storefront windows
were replaced at
Smithfield Middle
School.
• Haltom High: Chiller replacement and
installation of HVAC rooftop units is
complete. Energy management system
installation is on schedule.
• Phase one rollout of 3,067 computers is complete.
• Network Infrastructure Update: Work is complete or is
scheduled to begin to determine the placement of wireless
access points for a wireless overlay, testing and labeling of
cables for IP telephones, cabling and lifecycle replacement
of electronic networking equipment.
North Ridge Elementary
Green Valley Elementary
There is approximately 6
miles of network
cabling running through
the NOC center.
• North Ridge Elementary: HVAC chiller replacement is
complete. Energy management system installation is on
schedule.
• North Richland Middle: Electrical upgrades for
technology is on schedule.
• Thomas Coliseum: Fire alarm system installation is
complete.
Did you know?
?
Monthly reports on the September 2005 bond are
available on the district’s Web site.
Visit www.birdville.k12.tx.us and click on BISD
Bond Project Updates (approved 9/10/05) on the
left side.
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BISD Partnership Fall 2006
Bond Project Includes
New Career and Technology Center
Birdville ISD’s Career and Technology Education programs are
recognized across the state and nation. Because of the reputation of
BISD’s vocational programs, more students desire to receive
specialized training.
new academy. This would mean students enrolled
in these programs would travel to one central
location and not to various locations across
BISD.
Programs such as cosmetology, media technology, construction
Students are enrolled in industry-based programs
technology, automotive technology, and health occupations are a few
that provide licensures and certifications,
of the programs within the district that are facing limited classroom
including but not limited to:
and laboratory space. Many
students enrolled in career and
• Cisco Network Academy
What do Career and Technology Education programs offer
technology programs learn job
(CCNA Certification);
skills that can be used to enter the today’s students?
• Cisco IT Essentials Computer
Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs prepare
workforce directly out of high
Maintenance Academy
students for post-secondary education and the workplace by
school. Career and technology
(Cisco and A+ Certification);
programs turn away more than 200 providing opportunities for students to obtain industry
• Automotive Technology (ASE
licensures and certifications, college credit through Tech Prep
students each year because of
Certification);
and Advanced Technical credit high school courses, and
limited capacity in the facilities.
• Construction Technology
leadership skills through Career and Technology student
(NCCER, AWS, and OSHA
organization
participation.
The proposed Career and
Certifications);
Technology Academy would
• Media Technology (Certified
provide expanded space for high
Apple Training Center with
demand classes.
Final Cut Pro Certification);
• Cosmetology (Cosmetology
The proposed site is already owned by
License);
BISD and is centrally located on Mid
• Business Computer Information
Cities Blvd. next to the North Richland
Systems II (Microsoft Office
Hills fire station/academy.
Certifications);
• Health Science Technology
Programs such as Cisco networking,
(Clinical Rotations at North
culinary arts, media technology,
Hills Hospital);
construction technology, automotive
• and, Travel and Tourism
technology, health science technology,
Academy (SABRE and travel
computer maintenance, criminal justice,
industry certifications).
and cosmetology would be moved to the
ACT Scores Show Continued Improvement
In 2005, high school students in BISD showed a significant upward trend on the ACT. This is the third consecutive year that BISD has had a
strong showing against the national averages.
The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test made up of four separate exams in English, reading, mathematics and science, plus an
optional writing test. The average national scores for each required subject test in the ACT in 2006 were: English, 20.6 (up from 20.4 in
2005); Math, 20.8 (up from 20.7); Reading, 21.4 (up from 21.3); and Science, 20.9 (unchanged).
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. ACT scores are accepted at virtually all colleges and
universities across the nation. The test is administered in all 50 states and is the predominant college entrance exam in 25 states.
n
2000
84
comp
19.6
n
2001
94
comp
19.3
n
2002
49
comp
19.1
Haltom HS
Richland HS
Birdville HS
147
-
21.4
-
146
-
20.6
-
84
41
20.7
21.4
BISD
231
20.8
251
20.1
174
20.4
n
2003
comp
n
2004
comp
n
2005
comp
n
2006
comp
19.5
40
21.9
47
19.8
58
19.3
80
77
21.3
20.4
87
75
20.8
21.6
86
64
20.9
22.5
80
86
22.3
22.7
207
20.5
202
21.3
197
21.2
224
21.7
72,294
20.2
20.9
73,524
1,206,455
20.3
21.1
50
State
68,010 20.3 68,967 20.3 67,842 20.1 73,145 20.1 71,696 20.2
1,065,138 21.0 1,069,772 21.0 1,116,082 20.8 1,175,059 20.8 1,171,460 20.9
National
* 2005 SAT scores have just been released and are available on the district’s Web site.
1,186,251
BISD Partnership Fall 2006
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During the 2006-07 school year, Birdville ISD will administer
the following federal programs to students that live within
district boundaries.
• Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs)
• Title II, Part A (Teacher and Principal Training and
Recruitment Fund)
• Title II, Part D (Enhancing Education through Technology)
• Title III (Language Instruction for Limited English
Proficient and Immigrant Students)
• Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Community Act)
• Title V (Innovative Education Program Strategies)
• IDEA-B (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Representatives of privately educated students interested in
participation in any of these programs can contact Dr. Betty
Grubbs, director of special services, at 817.547.5740 or
by e-mail at Betty_Grubbs@birdville.k12.tx.us.
Business Partners
Haltom High School was recognized for receiving
the Gold Award of Educational Achievement from
the Southern Region Education Board. Haltom was
only one of 44 high schools throughout the United
States and the only Texas high school to be
recognized.
. following business partners were recognized at recent
The
board meetings: Rita Wilson, Rita’s World; and Alisha Wulf,
Fantastic Sam’s.
Student Highlights
Nine BISD Special
Olympians were recognized
for their efforts at the state
Special Olympic Track
Meet in Arlington. They
were: Chad Earley, Fred
Elliott, Marvin Elliott,
Lauren Kuykendall, Shawn
McNeese, Charles Momentoff, Ashley Roady, Dominique Smith and
Matthew Sweat. Their coaches were JoAnne Ferris, Ricky Ferris and
Dennis Roady.
Morgan Adcock, Shannon
Learning Center senior,
and Jessica Pierce, Haltom
High senior, were
recognized for placing
third in the American Spirit
Award event at the
National SkillsUSA
Championships in Kansas
City.
Ellen V. Bell, BISD’s associate superintendent for
curriculum and instruction, has been
elected to the board of directors
for the Texas Association of
Supervision and Curriculum
Development (Texas
ASCD). Texas ASCD is
one of the largest of the 61
affiliates of the Association
for Supervision and Curriculum
Development (ASCD). ASCD is an international
educational organization consisting of more than
170,000 members worldwide.
Linda Anderson, BISD’s
director of career and
technology education, was
elected president-elect of
the Career and Technology
Association of Texas.
Staff and Campus Highlights
Dolores Webb (left) and
David Wolfe, State Farm
Insurance, presented Good
Neighbor Citizenship Grant
checks to Porter and Holiday
Heights elementaries in the
amount of $3,600 for each
campus.
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Charlie Brown of The
Academy at West Birdville
and Maria Rivas of
Birdville Elementary were
recognized for being named
“Custodians of the Year” by
the Northeast
Environmental Team.
BISD Partnership Fall 2006
BISD’s “The Circle” Cancer Support Group
and other participants from BISD’s 2006
Koman Tarrant County Race for the Cure team
were recognized. Birdville placed first for total
school team participation with more than 350
registrants recognized.