BISD planning for future growth
By Cathy Krafve

Summer is in full swing and while most of the world is enjoying a holiday from getting children to school on time and facing their homework in the evening, Joel Irwin has school on his mind year round. As the president of the BISD, Irwin never stops thinking ahead to the needs of the district.

Growth is out in front as the biggest challenge facing the district in the near future, according to Irwin. Chandler and Brownsboro are quickly changing from strictly rural communities to more of a suburban setting.

One measure of the coming influx of people is the demand for land. In his role as Vice President at Citizen's National Bank, Irwin is in a unique position to observe the growth. The cost of acreage has increased to anywhere between "$1600 to $5000 an acre in the last five years," says Irwin. Increased prices mean increased demand which is a strong indicator a growing population.

Fortunately, with some advance planning, the BISD intends to avoid the population growth issues that affected school districts in Whitehouse, Lindale and Bullard, for example.

With that in mind, the BISD recently contracted with an architectural firm to evaluate and make recommendations about future facility needs. With two elementary schools already feeding into two intermediate schools which then feed into the Junior High, the need for some restructuring seems inevitable.

One option that is being discussed includes a new elementary school building in Brownsboro which would then allow more space at the junior high by folding the current elementary school facility into Brownsboro Junior High. At the same time, Chandler's elementary school needs some renovations.

Opening up classrooms and expanding facilities translates into better academic opportunities. Take for instance the new building going in at Brownsboro High School. A $3 million dollar Vocational and Industrial Arts Complex, funded out of the annual $20 million dollar budget, will allow the district to expand what it can offer students in agricultural courses, computer drafting, technology, and engineering preparatory classes. At the same time, it frees at least eight classrooms to be used for other courses, including at least four new science labs.

"Science has become the big ticket item with the state's focus on math and science to compete on an international level," says Irwin.

Irwin gives credit to Superintendent Elton Caldwell, Assistant Superintendent and Curriculum Coordinator, Vicki York, and Business Manager Marsha Stephens when he talks about funding for the new Ag and Industrial Arts addition; "Our district + has the highest financial accountability status that the state awards."

He adds that the district is "lucky" to have a superintendent like Caldwell, who "is fiscally conservative, has experience in all areas, and has seen it all."

The new addition at the high school was paid for "in cash," but with a future that is expected to include renovations on existing schools and a new elementary school to accommodate expected increased enrollment, future needs may have to be addressed with a bond issue. Conservative estimates to build an elementary school now run between seven and nine million, not including the other renovations.

With serious issues facing them, Irwin is glad to serve with a "seasoned crew" on the board. Besides Irwin, BISD board members include Vice President Bobby Teague, a retired school administrator, Secretary Dusty Wise, a local businessman, John Hartsfield, with UPS, Becky Grantham, with Health Management, Joey Ridgle, a local businessman, and newly elected, Jeffrey Fulgham, a banker.

Irwin credits the board and the schools' staff with focusing on academics. "We are al- ready mid-stream in applying an Academic Plan for the district that concentrates on improving the academic performance of our kids," he says, adding that the BISD received "Recognized" status from the state, including several "Recognized " campuses. "Key to progress is our people committing to the same philosophy of academic excellence. We are on track with the focus on designing (and implementing) academic programs. "

With academics in mind, Irwin says "Brownsboro and Chandler are really blessed with some good teachers and that's where it all begins. If you don't get it there, nothing else matters." Teachers are faced with so much diversity in the classroom among their students that it is a constant challenge to try to meet the needs of each individual student.

"Teaching is an art, not so much a science," adds Irwin, pointing out how fortunate the district is to be adding the experience of three new principals to the mix. Kenneth Wooten, BHS Principal, Jennifer Settle, BIS Principal, and Marion Thornton, DAEP/ ACES Principal, all have previous experience in the district.

College prep has become the focus in recent years and choices are better than ever for the graduate who wants to attend college, according to Irwin, listing schools like UTT, TJC, TVCC, and KJC. "If a kid wants to go to school (college or university), he can do it here in east Texas."

What about kids that aren't bound for college? "The focus is on skills; communication skills, reading, writing, providing the vocational background to go out and get employment."

The new Vocational and Industrial Arts Building at BHS is just the beginning.