February 11, 2019
Board Celebrates Five All-State Fine Arts Students:

Five students who earned All-State honors in dance, choir or band were celebrated by the Board of Trustees at this month's meeting. To be selected for the prestigious All-State honor is significant for these students, their families and the district's Fine Arts Department, which continues to provide diverse opportunities for students.
Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA) All-State Dancer:

Belton High School (BHS) senior and Belton Magic Belles Co-Captain Amber Kunz was selected as an All-State Dancer performing with 250 dancers at the Texas Dance Educators Association conference in January. In addition to performing, Amber was recognized as one of just five scholarship recipients, claiming the top scholarship of $2,500. To be selected as an All-State dancer, the student must be recognized by their team’s director as being a top leader, an amazing student, and also submit a resume of extra-curricular and dance abilities. The Magic Belles are directed by Rachel Hill. 
All-State Band:

BHS senior and Marching 100 Drum Major Sara Hoffman was selected as a member of the Texas All-State Band. Sara will perform alongside the best musicians from across the state as a part of the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio February 14-17. The BHS Band is directed by Ed Stein.
All-State Choir:

BHS student vocalists Kara Fish and Andrew Holcomb and Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow’s (BNTHW) Ian Farrell have been selected as members of the Texas All-State Choirs. Kara, a junior, will be a part of the All-State Mixed Choir for the second year in a row. Andrew and Ian, both seniors, will be in the Tenor/Bass Choir. All three will perform with the best singers in the state and work with world renowned clinicians throughout the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio this month. Of the over 15,000 students who initially audition at the region level, these three vocalists are a part of just the top 2.5% that become all-state choir members. The BHS choir is directed by Tonya Lovorn and Travis Campbell.
Lake Belton High School Announced:

Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon announced that Jill Ross has been selected to serve as the first principal of the district’s second comprehensive high school, currently under construction in the City of Temple. Ross will be serving in this new role beginning August 2019, supporting the extensive planning process leading up to the opening of Lake Belton High School.
  
Ross has been a high school principal in Belton ISD for six years, serving first at Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow before moving to BHS in 2017. Prior to that, she was the district’s Executive Director of Special Programs and served as an assistant principal at Miller Heights Elementary. Ross has 25 years of experience in education including 15 years in Belton ISD. She earned a master’s degree in special education from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University.
 
The announcement also included the selection of current Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow Principal, Ben Smith, to lead BHS next year.
 
Smith has been the principal at Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow since 2017. He has 17 years of experience in education including 12 in Belton ISD. Before becoming a principal, Smith served as a high school and middle school assistant principal after starting in the district as a teacher and coach at BHS. In 2015, while working at Lake Belton Middle School, Smith was recognized as the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 12 Middle School Association Principal of the Year. Smith earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Tarleton State University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University.
National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Champions:

The BHS cheerleading team are national champions after a tremendous win at their first National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals Competition. Preliminary competitions were held Saturday, January 26, followed by finals on Sunday. The squad, comprised of 29 students from freshman to seniors, placed first out of six teams in the Large Intermediate Coed High School division, receiving a raw score of 97 out of 100. That top score also earned the team the title of Grand Champion of Intermediate Teams, and they were awarded Superior Showmanship. BHS cheerleading is sponsored by Ginger Elliott. 
Big Red Community Partner -
Bell County Exposition Center:

Belton ISD celebrates the ceremonial beginning and end of each school year in one location, the Bell County Exposition Center. From convocation to graduation, and many events in between, the Bell County Expo and its staff play a vital role behind the scenes in ensuring that our students, staff and larger community can come together to create important and memorable moments.

In the last week, the Bell County Expo again hosted the Bell County Youth Fair Livestock Show and Rodeo. This year’s fair featured nearly 5,400 entries and more than 1,000 exhibitors. Participants, including nearly 100 students from BHS, include agriculture classes, 4-H clubs, and many other groups from across the area.

In recognition of their invaluable support of Belton ISD staff and students, the Bell County Exposition Center is this month’s Big Red Community Partner. Executive Director Tim Stephens and Assistant Director John Dugan a ccepted this recognition.
Superintendent's Report

Staffing Update:

Opening a new comprehensive high school is a tremendous task. As the first principal for Lake Belton High School, Jill Ross will be busy attending to a long list of important details including selecting staff, identifying processes and systems, communicating with students and engaging them in the development of the identity and culture of the school, and selecting and ordering instructional materials and furniture for specialized programs . I n addition, Mrs. Ross will assist with the transition of new leadership at BHS, supporting and collaborating with Ben Smith.

Mr. Smith going to BHS leaves an opening for Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow and the position is now posted. It’s our hope that following an interview process we will be able to make a selection early so that the staff and students are settled, and we can continue to provide quality instruction at the school.

The principal’s position at North Belton Middle School is a lso currently posted. Joe Brown is retiring effective the end of March. Interviews with the candidates for North Belton Middle School will be held soon, and we look forward to making an announcement as soon as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your 35 years of service to public education. Twenty-two of those years were here with us in Belton ISD.
Public Schools Week Activities:

Belton ISD will celebrate Public Schools Week March 4-8. Parents and community members are encouraged to visit campus websites, social media and newsletters to learn more about campus activities. The district's annual Public Schools Week luncheon will be held on March 7 at UMHB.