Spring Branch ISD Featured News

AGENDA
MEETING VIDEO
 
Executive Session

Trustees met in a closed executive session during Special Meeting to discuss routine as well as other personnel matters, and to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. Trustees voted 7-0 to approve routine personnel items. No other public action was taken.

Special Meeting Agenda

Opening Remarks

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine noted that January is School Board Recognition Month and expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees. She also acknowledged members of the District Improvement Team (DIT) for their hard work and involvement on several agenda items: the 2019-20 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), Academic Calendars and District of Innovation Renewal Plan.

 

Citizens Participation

Craig Adams, a representative of the Houston Federation of Teachers, attended to address hybrid education and its impact on teachers. Adams asked the board to revisit having hybrid teaching models and teaching more than one grade level per campus.
 
Two students from WAIS, as well as a representative from Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, expressed appreciation to the Board and district for their support of the Girl Scouts program.
 
 

Special Presentations
 

IAMSBISD Awards: Sara Moffett and Lori Dismukes (Meadow Wood Elementary)
 
The IAMSBISD award is a special designation of honor for employees who go above and beyond in support of one or more of our five Core Values- Every Child, Collective Greatness, Collaborative Spirit, Limitless Curiosity and Moral Compass.
 
Recently, Moffett and Dismukes, teachers at MWE, went above and beyond in assisting a colleague having a medical emergency.
 
MWE principal Lynne Barry thanked the teachers for their immediate actions. “They are true heroes and definitely deserve to be recognized for their quick thinking and compassion,” she said.
 
“As a district, part of what makes us great is the care that every member of the SBISD family has for one another,” said Trustee Ceasar. “Sara Moffett and Lori Dismukes recently put their Moral Compass front and center by springing to action.”
 
 
School Board Recognition Month
 

 

Dr. Blaine thanked SBISD’s Trustees for all they do for Every Child and for the Spring Branch community. “The theme this year was ‘Navigating to Success’ and this group helps us do just that. Every one of our amazing trustees gives hundreds of hours of service, while bringing heart and a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to their roles,” she said.
 
Each trustee was given a stack of books to donate to a campus of their choosing. They also each received SBISD rain jackets to aid them as they help SBISD navigate any storm that comes our way.
 
Trustees earned several additional special recognitions from Harris County politicians at this meeting. County Judge Lina Hidalgo sent a special proclamation recognizing their work and contributions. The Board also received a special proclamation from a representative of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle.
 
 

Joint Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 Texas Academic Performance Report
 

The Board conducted a joint public hearing with the District Improvement Team (DIT) on the 2019-2020 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), including a public presentation by Executive Director for Assessment and Compliance Keith Haffey.
 
The detailed report was based both on student assessment and Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) data compiled by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Due to the cancellation of Spring 2020 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments, all STAAR data is repeated from the 2018-2019 TAPR.
 
Key topic areas include accreditation statuses, a district demographic profile, and graduation and college readiness. Data used is from the 2018-19 school year. Areas of strength and opportunity were highlighted. No speakers appeared for the public hearing. 
 
Board members shared areas of interest and concern during a discussion. Topics raised included data gathering on students who choose a military pathway, high school graduation and dropout prevention efforts and efforts to locate newcomer students. Every year, SBISD educates hundreds of newcomer middle and high school students who are English learners with limited or few English literacy skills.
 

Adoption of Policy
 

Trustees voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt policy EIE (LOCAL) ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, RETENTION AND PROMOTION. New or amended policies come up before the Board at least three times before a final vote occurs. In addition, proposed new policies or policy amendments are posted online for public review and comment.
 

Action Items (separate votes taken)
 

Trustees voted unanimously (7-0) with no discussion to approve several separate approval requests. Action items include:
 
•    Request for Approval of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Academic Calendars
•    Request for Approval of the SBISD District of Innovation Renewal Plan
•    Request for Approval of Pre-Kindergarten Tuition for 2021-2022
 

Consent Agenda
 

Trustees approved all Consent Agenda items unanimously (7-0). The consent agenda reflects items considered to be routine and is voted on and then approved as a whole unless a Trustee removes one or more items for separate consideration.
 

 
LearnSBISD Update
 

Dr. Blaine updated Trustees on a smooth re-opening of schools after the Winter Break, with 76% of students returning in-person. She noted that students and teachers are taking health and safety protocols seriously.
 
She also addressed the district COVID-19 Dashboard, highlighting that cases get posted upon confirmation of a positive result. A positive case stays posted for 10 days, or after a negative result is provided.
 
The district is prioritizing health and safety to maintain in-person instruction; and keeping students connected to extracurricular and/or UIL activities. For all district events, we are partnering with Memorial Hermann during the decision-making process.
 
Dr. Blaine also noted that 2021 graduation ceremonies are still occurring, using the same model as last year with the same safety protocols.
 

 
Update on SBISD’s T-2-4 Goal
 

Trustees and attendees heard an update and presentation on SBISD’s single-focused T-2-4 goal for all graduates to obtain either a technical certificate, military training, or a two- or four-year college degree.
 
The T-2-4 goal update was presented by:
Lance Stallworth, Ed.D., Student Support Services Executive Director
Tyra Walker, Director of Guidance Counseling and School Support
Mike Thomas, Director of Research & Evaluation
 
The presentation reviewed T-2-4 data and defined challenges and opportunities for 2020. Topics covered included the impact of COVID-19 on college enrollment rates as well as SBISD-specific college enrollment data.
 
The presentation also revisited the 4E (Expose, Explore, Experience and Execute) Model, which aligns the work of the district for the benefit of students. This model focuses on topics such as connecting SEL efforts, graduation planning to postsecondary planning, alumni outreach and building partnerships for alumni success.