January 22, 2018
Trustees Approve Calendar for 2018-2019 

During their monthly meeting Monday night, members of the Belton ISD Board of Trustees approved the calendar for the 2018-2019 academic year.
 
In keeping with Belton ISD's District of Innovation Plan, classes will start prior to the fourth Monday of August. The first day of class will be Monday, August 20, 2018. The last day of classes will be Wednesday, May 29, 2018, with graduation held the following day. Students and staff will have the week of Thanksgiving off, two weeks off around the Christmas and New Year's holidays, and the week of March 11 off for Spring Break.
 
Development of this instructional calendar was based on input from teachers, parents and other community members through Belton ISD's Districtwide Educational Improvement Council (DWEIC). 
MCJROTC Color Guard Competition Winners

In December, 37 cadets from the Belton MCJROTC program competed in Brenham High School's Marine Corps JROTC Skills competition. The competition consisted of 20 high school programs from across the state. Two Color Guard units received top honors.  
 
The male color guard unit took first place under commander, Nathan Morrison  who was rated as the "Best Commander." Other members of the unit are: Cadet Sergeant Major Elliot Sibille, Cadet Second Lieutenant Jacob Fouke and Cadet Second Lieutenant Chance Barrineau.
 
The female color guard unit received second place and the commander, Madison Broadwell was rated as the "Best Commander." Other members of the unit are: Cadet Lance Corporal Janeth Calderon, Cadet Lance Corporal Melanie Arauz and Cadet Lance Corporal Tyra Jackson.
 
The MCJROTC Commander is Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) David Blasko.
Trustees receive District's "Clean" Independent Audit Report

Trustees received the District's independent audit report for 2016-2017. The report included an unmodified opinion, which indicates that the auditor had no reservations about the District's financial statements. The audit also found no material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies, and no noncompliance issues, and no costs were questioned.
 
In addition, the audit report shows that Belton ISD's general fund balance increased by $1,356,701 to a level roughly equivalent to almost three months of operating expenses .
All State Choir Qualifiers

Belton High School student vocalists Rachel Wohleb and Kara Fish have been selected as members of the Texas All-State Choirs. Rachel, a senior, placed 4th chair Soprano 1 and will be a part of the All-State Treble Choir and Kara, a sophomore, placed 1st chair Alto 1 and will be in the All-State Mixed Choir. Both 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, culminating in a performance for an audience of thousands on Saturday, February 17, 2018. Of the over 15,000 students who initially audition at the region level, these two ladies are a part of just the top 2.5% that become all-state choir members.
 
The Belton High School choir is directed by Tonya Lovorn and Travis Campbell.
Trustees Adopt Voting Resolution

In a unanimous vote, Trustees voted to pass a Resolution reaffirming the District's continued efforts to create a culture of voting and increase civic engagement.
 
The Resolution, which authorizes the Belton ISD Administration to continue efforts to communicate the importance of voting to students and staff, was inspired by the "Culture of Voting Resolution" created by Texas Educators Vote, a coalition of public education organizations including the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Association of Community Schools.
 
This action looks beyond any one election to encourage voting as a part of responsible citizenship by affirming that "public education and the educated citizenry created by public education are the greatest safeguards to the State of Texas and the continuation of a free society."
Waskow VFW Post 4008 Patriots Pen Essay Winner

Sophie Broom, an eighth grade student from North Belton Middle School, won first place in the Henry T. Waskow VFW Post 4008 Patriots Pen Essay Contest.
 
The contest encourages young minds to examine America's history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme. This year's theme was "America's Gift to My Generation" and Sophie's essay articulated the gift being unity. Advancing from the Post competition, Sophie's essay placed third in the VFW District 14 competition.  
 
Elizabeth Howson, a history teacher at NBMS, is her sponsor.
Waskow VFW Post 4008 Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Winner

Maia Borchardt, an 11th grade student from Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow, won first place in the Henry T. Waskow VFW Post 4008 Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest.
 
Established in 1947, the audio essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. This year's theme was "American History: Our Hope for the Future."  Maia's entry was judged on originality, content and delivery and went on to receive third place in the District 14 VFW competition.
 
Mr. Tim Potts, a U.S. History teacher at Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow, is her sponsor.  
Waskow VFW Post 4008 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Teacher of the Year

Henry T. Waskow VFW Post 4008 has selected Southwest Elementary 2nd grade bilingual teacher Mrs. Linda Sifuentes as their Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. The VFW annually recognizes teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions effectively.
Superintendent's Report

School Board Recognition Month
January is school board appreciation month - a great time to celebrate the crucial role an elected board of trustees plays in our communities and schools . As committed volunteers with a passion for public education, Belton ISD's School Board Members serve our taxpayers and students through their commitment to the District's mission.
 
During this month's meeting, each Board Member was honored with a Big Red Heart Award. An award program started last year to recognize Belton ISD staff, the Big Red Heart Award is given to those who demonstrate a high level of service to our students, families, schools, district and community. The award was designed to honor those with a Big Red Heart as demonstrated through service to others without expecting anything in return.
 
Each Board Member is worthy of such an award. Together Belton ISD's Trustees have given nearly a half-century of service to the community and our schools: 
  • President Randy Pittenger was first elected to the school board in 1994.
  • Vice President Mike Cowan was first elected in 2007.
  • Secretary Sue M. Jordan was first elected in 2013.
  • Mr. Leo Camden, Jr. was first appointed in 2015.
  • Mr. Jeff Norwood was elected in 2016.
  • Mrs. Janet Leigh and Mr. Ty Taggart were first elected in 2017.
Belton High School Musical - South Pacific
This year's musical is South Pacific.  Performances will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday - February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, at the Belton High School Performing Arts Center.  The performances are at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

Review & Update of EIC (LOCAL) Committee Work
A committee has been established to conduct a formal review of our poiclies and practices impacting Grade Point Average. The committee will review EIC(LOCAL) and make recommendations for changes, if needed. 

Bad Weather Update
The 84th Texas Legislature amended the Texas Education Code to move from 180 school days of instruction to  a requirement of 75,600 minutes of instruction per year. Although we have identified makeup days on our 2017-2018 school calendar, our schedules include more than the required number of minutes of instruction. At this time we will not be required to use one of our identified Bad Weather days to make up for the weather related closure on January 16. 
More photos of students and staff members recognized at this month's board meeting can be found on Belton ISD's Google+ page.