September 2019
Trustees Applaud Advanced Academic Achievements:
 
Advancing the highest performing academic students was among the District’s priorities adopted by the Board in August 2017. During their regular monthly meeting, the Board honored 132 high school students as AP Scholars for “college-level achievement.” The number of these awards earned by Belton ISD students has been steadily increasing from 109 in 2018 to a total of 132 this year.

Overall, Belton ISD’s composite ACT and SAT test scores continue to exceed both state and national averages. In 2019, Belton ISD had 231 students earn 693 college hours through dual credit opportunities. In addition, Belton ISD students scored a three or higher on 590 advanced placement exams, representing approximately 1,770 college hours.
Board Recognitions - Advanced Placement Scholars:
 The following students received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams qualifying them as AP Scholars : Jacob Abernathy, Roshan Abraham, Bridgette Burdine, Eli Cable, Jose Cabrera, Elle Corsi, Kara Fish, Emily Freemyer, Jeffery Froese, Felize Galliett, Tyler Garrett, Gautam Ghamande, Isaac Gish, Donatella Hoti, Simon Howe, Austin Krueger, Thea Lancaster, Luke Lastovica, Julia Lee, Gwyneth Mejia, Ryan Moger, Brendall O'Banon, Aryan Ojha, Brookelyn Pyle, Caroline Rowe, Gwyneth Sachsenmaier, Shannon Snow, Evan Taylor, Luke Thomas, Kabyl Utley, Julia Wagner, Ethan Wong, and Micah Zajicek
The students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams qualifying them as AP Scholars with Honor include: Sylvia Asuncion-Crabb, Coltan Beaird, Drew Biava, Nicholas Cipolla, Miranda Davila' Molly Feldner, Francesca Higgins, Alexis Ibarra, Jehbar Nino Ibarra, Tyler McDonald, Angela Medina, Mycah Page, Denni Rockwood and Ethan Taylor.
The following students received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams qualifying them as AP Scholars with Distinction : Doye Baker, Dean Biava, Joshua Bledsoe, Grace Fothergill, Gabriela Hansen, Emma Howard, Sydney Hunt, Jonah Jimenez, Alexis Kaer, Elizabeth Moctezuma-Manzanero, Kyra Moore, Dinithi Navarathna, Emma-Le Olsen, Jamey Pearson, Gayathri Dev Thirunavukkaras, Patrick Tosse, Coby Trovinger and Euni Wu.
Superintendent Search Firm Selected:

After interviewing three firms, the Board has selected the law firm of Thompson & Horton to lead the District's search for its next superintendent. Additional information about next steps in the search process timeline and opportunities for the community to be engaged will be communicated through the District's website and social media channels.
Career and Technical Education Program Update:

Information outlining the Belton ISD CTE program and its impact on the Texas Education Agency’s accountability system was presented. In Belton ISD, more than 2,800 students are able to choose from courses in 14 different pathways that allow them to learn in an environment that encourages skill development, the earning of industry-based certifications and the acquisition of post-secondary education and training opportunities.
New North Belton Middle School Assistant Principal:

Seth Edwards was hired by the Board to serve as an additional Assistant Principal at North Belton Middle School.
Middle School and Elementary Mascots:

Following last spring's approval of new attendance boundaries, the District will be implementing changes to middle school and elementary mascots for the fall of 2020. Re-branding North Belton Middle School and Lake Belton Middle School to Broncos and South Belton Middle School and Belton Middle School maintaining Tigers as their mascot is supported by the middle to high school feeder patterns. At the elementary campuses, students and staff will go through a process this fall to vote for and elect their new campus mascots. No elementary campuses will be Tigers and/or Broncos and red will remain a primary color for all Belton ISD campuses.
Board Policy and Facility Sub-Committees Approved:

There are currently several District projects that will impact policy and facilities. To ensure that Board meetings are conducted in an efficient manner, it has been determined that it will be beneficial for two Board sub-committees to meet each month. These meetings will be posted and open to the public to attend.
Big Red Community Partner - Ralph Wilson Youth Club:

For their continued service to our community and support of our Belton ISD students and families, the Ralph Wilson Youth Club is this month’s Big Red Community Partner. Executive Director Brett Williams accepted the award.
Interim Superintendent's Report:

  • The three Early High School Intradistrict Transfer meetings held earlier this month went well. Special thanks to Mike Morgan. 
  • Vaping Workshop: This is the first time that we have partnered with the Belton Police Department to provide this at the High School Open House. Knowledge is power.
  • We have applied for a JROTC program for Lake Belton High School. Due to federal statutory limitations on the number of programs nationwide, there is a waiting period for new programs to be established.
  • The capital improvements project list will be going to the Board Facilities Sub-Committee.
  • We look forward to celebrating the Dedication of Charter Oak Elementary on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 9:00 AM in the cafeteria.
  • Class size waivers will be submitted for 16 classrooms across five elementary campuses. This has been significantly reduced from prior years.
  • A new Leadership Cohort will be selected this Fall.
  • The year's first Big Red Heart Awards have been awarded. If you would like to honor a dedicated Belton ISD employee, you can complete the nomination form available on the District's website.
Consent Agenda Approvals:

  • Previous Minutes
  • August 31 Financial Report
  • Gifts & Grants
  • Expenses over $50,000 - ContentKeeper web filtering device
  • Annual Investment Report
  • Authorized Signatories
  • Acceptance of Dr. Susan Kincannon's Resignation
  • Memorandum of Agreement with Education Service Center Region 12
  • 2019-2020 Interdistrict Transfer Report
  • Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program Memorandum of Understanding
  • 2019-2020 T-TESS Appraisers and Calendar
  • Close Out of Charter Oak Elementary School
  • Ratification of the Request for Change Order Log for Lake Belton High School