The Brownsboro Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Monday to look for bids on a new scoreboard for Bear Stadium. This came as part of the board's regular monthly meeting.

John Settle, Brownsboro High School football coach, told the board the current scoreboard was showing its age each game.

"We need a new one," Settle said.

He presented possible models of varying sophistication ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. Because the price range is past the bid line for the school, the school will need to put out for bids on the scoreboard.

Board Member Jeffrey Fulgham made the motion to authorize the search for bids on the scoreboard and Board Member Joey Ridgle seconded.

The board also set the date to canvass the results of the May 9 Trustee Election. The canvass date was set for May 14 at 11:30am in the BISD board room.

Fulgham made the motion and Board Member Dusty Wise seconded.

A resolution was adopted to extend the depository contract for funds by two years. Board Members Joel Irwin and Ridgle made the motion and seconded, respectively, to approve the resolution. Fulgham and Wise abstained.

No action was taken on an out-of-state science club field trip to the Sci- Port Discovery Center in Shreveport. The trip was cancelled in favor of the club doing something local.

After being informed of an upcoming school board workshop in Nacogdoches on May 18, the board was given information regarding water billing issues at Brownsboro Intermediate School and High School.

Kevin McCarthy, the school's executive director of operations, said, "We've found discrepancies at the intermediate school and high school."

The schools have overpaid on their water bills by over $30,000 over a period of several years.

The board was assured the matter was being dealt with, and the board will know more when the time comes to take action.

Superintendent Elton Caldwell reported a new development in the controversy surrounding the Texas State Board of Education's possible decision to drop teaching weaknesses of the Theory of Evolution.

The final version of what passed with a 13-2 vote had a few language amendments. It read, "In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations so as to encourage critical thinking by students. "

Texas School Law Attorney Kelly Coghlan stated, "I believe the new language implicitly requires that weaknesses be taught and is just as strong as the old language. "

After an update on the federal stimulus money funds, which could put around $1.5 million into BISD by July 1, the board visited employment issues.

Irwin and Fulgham made the motion and seconded, respectively, to approve the hiring of a licensed specialist in school psychology, as well as a counselor position and a teacher position.

Ridgle made the motion and Wise seconded to reassign a teacher and coach to just teaching.