 |
|
Trustees Adopt and Fund Campus Plans
On the first day of school, Belton ISD's Board of Trustees approved district and campus improvement plans for the year ahead.
The plans, which are required by law, outline strategies and activities for the school year and drive the District's budget.
There are several common themes among the plans including continued support for advancing top performing students and expanded professional development opportunities for staff. Improvements for safety and security elements are also addressed. During last month's Board meeting, three new employees were introduced as a part of a the District's efforts to build upon comprehensive safety and security elements across the District.
|
Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars
This year, The College Board is honoring 102 Belton ISD high school students as AP Scholars. These awards are given to students for "college-level achievement" as demonstrated by their performance on AP exams.
The awards are divided into four categories: AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, AP Scholars with Distinction and National AP Scholars. The number of these awards earned by Belton ISD students has been steadily increasing from 23 in 2010 to a total of 109 this year.
|
|
U.S. Girls' Junior Golf Championship
Belton High School Senior Julia Garcia competed against the best young golfers in the nation at the 70th annual U.S. Girls' Jr. Golf Championship last month. Julia earned her spot to play at Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach after winning a USGA Junior Qualifier in Idaho. Julia, a member of the Lady Tiger Golf Team, is a past state qualifier. The Lady Tigers Golf coach is Eric Regier.
|
|
|
Board Adopts Budget and Tax Rate
Guided by the district and campus plans, the Board adopted a $100.3 million budget for the District's general fund. That represents a 1.33 percent increase over the general fund budget for the previous fiscal year.
Salaries account for 80.4 percent of the district's general fund expenditures. Earlier this year, the Board approved a two percent salary increase (based on the midpoint of each salary range) for district employees. New staff members have also been added to support increased student enrollment.
State funding and local property taxes make up the bulk of the general fund revenue. Over time the share of state funding has been declining, and in turn, the share of local funding has increased. That local funding is generated by the district's maintenance and operations tax rate, which will remain $1.17 per $100 of assessed valuation for 2018-2019. That rate has been stable since voters approved it in a 2008 tax ratification election.
|
The Belton Police Explorers Program is an educational training program for Belton ISD students interested in law enforcement. The program begins with students spending two weeks with officers learning tactics, techniques, procedures and all the rules involved with being a police officer.
After graduation, they receive the recognizable red Explorers shirts and continue on in service to the community at various public and district events. This program is another example of how the Belton Police Department is actively engaged in creating opportunities for students.
|
|
Big Red Community Partner
Central Texas Council of Governments Emergency Services Program
Belton Police Department Criminal Investigations Divisions
The safety and well-being of students and staff is Belton ISD's highest priority and this year's Administrative Retreat, held on August 1-3, took a unique approach to safety and security using an innovation and design thinking process. The perspectives of parents and law enforcement played a significant part in this work.
On the final day of the retreat, the Central Texas Council of Governments Emergency Services Program sponsored Safe and Sound Schools co-founder Alissa Parker coming to share her story and important perspective with administrators and local law enforcement. Alissa's daughter Emilie was one the 20 children who died tragically in the Sandy Hook School Shootings and her message as a parent and advocate for school safety was very powerful.
Following Alissa's presentation, the Belton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division and other members of the Department facilitated important pre
sentations and discussions with administrators. These open and engaging conversations strengthen a shared understanding of the community and support efforts to protect the students and staff of Belton ISD.
For their contributions to this year's Administrative Retreat and on-going support of the Belton ISD community, the Central Texas Council of Governments Emergency Services Program and the Belton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division are this month's Big Red Community Partners.
|
|
|
Beck Approved as Leon Heights Elementary Principal
Trustees also approved the Superintendent's selection of Marcie Beck to be the principal of Leon Heights Elementary.
Beck has 18 years of education experience, all in Belton ISD, and most recently served as Sparta Elementary assistant principal for the past 3 years. During her career, Beck has also been an elementary teacher, instructional facilitator/testing coordinator, and instructional coach. She has a Bachelor's degree from Tarleton State University and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
|
|
Superintendent's Report
First Day of School
Belton ISD schools had 11,539 students in attendance Monday, which was an increase of 406 students over the first day of school last year. The District's enrollment is expected to increase between the first day of school and the official state count at the end of October. Demographic projections for 2018-2019 indicate that Belton ISD will grow to an expected 11,963 students this year.
Texas Education Agency Accountability Ratings
Under the new accountability system, 100% of Belton ISD campuses received the state's highest rating of "met standard." The District's letter grade in the new A-F System was a B.
Belton ISD is proud of how our students and campuses performed on the 2018 STAAR test. However, these scores, and the ratings that are heavily based on them, are only one measure of student success. Belton ISD will continue to focus on a more holistic definition and will celebrate student achievements and academic performance more broadly.
|
More photos of students and staff members recognized at this month's board meeting can be found on Belton ISD's Google+ page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
