Audit declares BISD funds "optimum"
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

During the Brownsboro Independent School District regular meeting December 10, the board members heard the results of the 2006-2007 district financial audit. According to the audit data, the school is "right in line with the optimum fund balance as set by the Texas Education Agency guidelines".

The school was in good financial shape for the '06-'07 school year, and if the numbers stay consistent then the '07-'08 year will be a success as well.

The board also called a special meeting to evaluate Superintendent Elton Caldwell. The meeting will take place January 20.

The next item on the agenda concerned athletic gate receipts, how much money was made at BISD sporting events. Caldwell said the receipts games this year added up to around $30,000 for the school.

Unfortunately, that money won't cover the costs of buying new school buses, as the board decided it was necessary to purchase three new 71-passenger buses at $77,381 each. The buses will come without seat belts and without air condition- ing, and if the vehicles are purchased after January 1 the price will increase by $15,000.

A point made in the last few meetings was the purchase of a power generator for emergencies. At this meeting the board decided to choose Dealers Electrical Supply's $12,700 45 kilowatt generator over a more expensive, but identical, model.

At this point, Vicki York, secretary to the superintendent, spoke about campus and district improvement plans.

"The campus and district committees get together to look at basic academic data," York said. "These are comprehensive strategies and comprehensive data concerning what is required of us and what we want to do."

York also said the data involved such aspects as the school dropout rate and highly qualified teachers. In addition, the school will work hard at getting students to enroll in college, and this is one of their goals in the plan.

Amidst this there were a few informational points about the need to appoint a textbook selection committee for new textbooks adopted by the board. Another informational item was how many training hours each board member had earned last calendar year.

Also, the board decided to cast its 17 votes for W. A. Daniels, who, if elected, will be a director for the Van Zandt County appraisal district.

Finally, the board visited three more financial items in the agenda.

They decided to wait on a quote in writing for the transfer of a portable building from the high school to the junior high school.

In addition, there will be required criminal background checks for school employees who will make regular contact with children, and this will cost $47 each hire.

Finally, executive director of operations Kevin McCarthy delivered recommendations from Jacksonville, Henderson and Kilgore Independent School Districts concerning ARMKO Industries as a roof consultant for BISD. McCarthy said the other schools gave ARMKO a good report, and the board voted to pay the company $15,750 for analysis of existing roof components, instrumented moisture survey, roof programs, help in establishing a budget forecast and other roof-related work.

Superintendent Caldwell had no personnel suggestions and the meeting was adjourned.