April 2020

Trustee's Approve Resolution Modifying Policy in Response to COVID-19 During their April board meeting the Belton ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution acknowledging the administration's pass/fail/incomplete grading guidelines and modifying board policy for calculating GPA and class rank in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the spring semester of the 2019-2020 school-year, the district is implementing grading guidelines that allow all student grades to be recorded and reported as pass, fail or incomplete and transcripts to denote a course credit as pass or fail by August 1, 2020.  View more information on Grading Guidelines at this link. After consideration and discussion, board members approved a resolution to allow for temporary modifications to Board Policy EIC(LOCAL) for current high school students’ grade point average (GPA) and class rank calculations. View the resolution at at this link.

Trustees Advance District-Wide Playground Improvements Trustees approved a contract with O'Connell Robertson Architects and authorized the Superintendent to issue a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RCSP) to advance continued district-wide playground improvements. Additions such as new play equipment , playscape covers, and fall protection are being considered. These actions come after an extensive review of equipment and accessibility at all 11 of the district's elementary campuses and with a recommendation from the Board Facilities Committee.

Trustees Receive Update on Lake Belton High School Trustees received an update that construction of Lake Belton High School, the district’s second comprehensive high school campus approved by voters in the May 2017 bond program, is 93% complete. Progress is on track for the planned fall 2020 opening. Principal Jill Ross reported that hiring for the 2020-2021 year is almost complete. She also shared details about campus culture-building efforts underway now.

Dawn Schiller Named Principal of Southwest Elementary Dawn Schiller, who has served as interim principal at Southwest since November, is also director of math and science curriculum in the district. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Concordia University Texas. During her 22 years in education, she has served as a teacher, instructional facilitator and campus administrator. Schiller has worked in the district’s curriculum department for the last 5 years and will step down from her role as she takes the reins as principal permanently.

Campus Administrators Approved for Hire Kristie Berryman was approved as the assistant principal for North Belton Middle School. Berryman achieved her bachelor of business administration from Abilene Christian University and her master of education from Lamar University of Beaumont. Throughout her 14 years of experience, Kristie has served as a middle school teacher, instructional specialist, and most recently as an assistant principal in Granbury ISD. Jason Sansom was approved as the assistant principal for Belton High School. Jason is completing his 19th year in education with experience as a middle school teacher, assistant principal at multiple levels, and for the last 6 years, he has served as the principal of Valley Mills Junior High/High School. Sansom received his bachelor of business administration from Texas Tech University and a master of education from Tarleton University of Stephenville.

Board Committee Reports Policy: The policy committee met on April 8 and reviewed EIC(LOCAL) policy on GPA and class ranking. Facilities: The facilities committee met on April 16. Agenda items included elementary playground improvements, Lake Belton High School updates, and long-term facilities planning.

Superintendent's Report In his first report as superintendent, Dr. Matt Smith provided the Board with an update on the district's response during COVID-19. He also reviewed goals and progress made on his early efforts to invest in the BISD community with a ThoughtExchange, campus visits and listening sessions.

Consent Agenda Approvals: Previous minutes February and March 2020 Financial Report Budget Amendment #5 for 2019-2020 Gifts & Grants Expenditures over $50,000 including: parking lot repair at 6th Avenue building Audit Engagement Letter 2019-2020 Supply, equipment and service bids including: athletic equipment, classroom instructional supplies and equipment, maintenance supplies and equipment, fencing and electrical services TASB Media Honor Roll nominations Interlocal agreement with Houston ISD for medical billing services To review Belton ISD board meeting agendas and full packet materials, click here.

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