July 15, 2019
Trustees Approve Historic Compensation Plan:

During the Belton ISD school board meeting, trustees approved a compensation plan for the 2019-2020 school year that included $4.8 million in raises for district employees, with a significant majority of that funding, close to $4.3 million, going to non-administrative positions.

The approved compensation plan provides teacher pay increases ranging from $3,200 to $5,190 based on years of experience, representing an average increase of 6.5%. Beginning teacher salaries in Belton ISD increased by $2,900 to $50,200.

Paraprofessional and auxiliary employees, such as custodians and school nutrition workers, will receive a 6% increase on the midpoint of their salary. Other professional and administrative employees will receive a 4% increase on the midpoint of their salary.

As a part of the compensation plan, the district will pay more for employees’ monthly health insurance premiums, increasing the district’s contribution to $400 per month.

The board’s action to provide raises to employees is, in part, due to the district’s longstanding commitment to maintaining a competitive salary system that supports the recruitment and retention of quality employees.

Belton ISD’s 2019-2020 compensation plan exceeds requirements established by the Texas Legislature in House Bill 3 by investing over $1 million more than the law requires in employee salaries.
National Silver Medal Winner:

Belton High School (BHS) Class of 2019 graduate Peter Morris earned a national silver medal in the Principles of Engineering/Technology event at the 2019 SkillsUSA National Student Leadership Conference held last month in Louisville, KY.
 
Described by SkillsUSA as an evaluation of a competitor’s “understanding of basic technical concepts/principles of the applied sciences and ability to demonstrate and explain the concept/principle in action and application,” this Principles of Engineering/Technology second place finish at nationals is a first for BHS and Belton Career and Technical Education.

Peter’s SkillsUSA sponsor is Pietro Giustino.
Project Apple Tree:

Each year Project Apple Tree supports hundreds of students in Belton ISD. For families who qualify, the project provides each child with important supplies and encouragement as they begin a new school year.

Jeannette Kelley, a former school board member and elementary school principal in Belton ISD, started Project Apple Tree with the goal of ensuring that all students, no matter their economic circumstances, have a great first day of school. Now, Helping Hands Ministry and a strong team of volunteers are continuing this important community effort to support our students and families. 
Board Approves Superintendent's Recommendation for Lakewood Elementary Principal:

Dr. Becky Musil, who previously worked in the district as an Advanced Placement English teacher at Belton High School, brings close to three decades of professional experience in classroom teaching and executive leadership to the campus administrator role.

Musil was most recently the Dean of Teaching & Learning at Odessa College where she has led efforts to train faculty by promoting a culture of innovative classroom practices, instructional development, and student success. All of which are skills she personally developed and practiced during her twenty years as a classroom teacher in grades 9-12.

Musil has been selected for this leadership role at Lakewood Elementary following the retirement of Principal Judy Schiller. Schiller, who retired after 36 years in public education, announced her decision earlier this summer .
Big Red Community Partner:

From celebrating a classroom teacher each quarter to awarding scholarships to graduating seniors, the Belton Rotary Club’s support of Belton ISD staff and students includes long-standing traditions that recognize and support achievement. In addition, Belton Rotarians have established an important practice of providing all of the district’s new campuses with the funds necessary to purchase and install a flagpole. Just as campus flagpoles, like the one installed at Charter Oak Elementary this summer, serve as a centerpiece for a campus’ landscape, the continued partnership and support Belton ISD receives from the Belton Rotary Club and its members is central to the District’s success. For their significant contributions, Belton Rotary Club is the Big Red Community Partner for July. 
Superintendent's Report

2019-2020 District Theme:

This school year's theme is "Design.Create.Build," and the new artwork is inspired by the beauty of stained glass and the reverence we have for this profession and our students. This call to action will drive a focus on the work ahead this new school year.
Back to School Activities:

School starts on August 19, which is about five weeks away. That means you will begin to see more activity around our school buildings as soon as teachers come in and out to prepare their rooms, and as activities start at the high school level with volleyball and summer band as well as other activities.

We are very excited about upcoming events including New Teacher Orientation, which will be opened with a breakfast this year, and convocation!

Meet the Teacher events will be held August 14 & 15 for elementary and September 5 for middle schools. In addition, BHS and New Tech will both have Meet the Teacher events on the evening of September 10.

A flyer is available on the website under the "Back to School" page here .