SCHOOL NEWS
BISD accepts audit, hears concerns about new rating system
By BARBARA GREEN
Bowie School Trustees met for the final session of 2016 Tuesday accepting the 2015-16 audit and hearing about possible issues pending in the 2017 State Legislative session.
The district received a “clean audit,” with no deficiencies reported Stephen Gilland, local certified public accountant who prepared the audit. He touched on the highlights.
The district’s total revenues decreased 14.9 percent ($2.8 million) resulting mostly from a decline in tax revenues and state foundation aide offset by an increase in state and federal funded special revenue programs.
Local tax revenues decreased 5.6 percent ($737,000) state foundation aide decreased by 50.5 percent ($1.5 million. State and federal funded special revenue fund programs increased 27.9 percent $600,000.
The total costs of all programs and services increased 3.4 percent ($594,000) due to increases in costs in several areas with the largest in instruction.
The cost of all activities this year was $18.15 million. Gilland pointed out that $12.47 million was financed with local property tax dollars.
Superintendent Steven Monkres told the board about two major issues discussed at last week’s Texas Association of Mid-size Schools legislative conference in Austin: A-F rating system and vouchers.
The new rating system has not been well-received in the education community and the association is opposed to its implementation. Monkres said the system has no adjustment for different demographics of students.
“We don’t know the rules yet but it appears to be a system set up for failure. It compares districts, noting no difference between Bowie and Southlake ISDs. Any changes will have to come from citizens not just the education community,” said Monkres.
The rating system looks like it will operate on something of a bell curve comparing districts, but not on an equal basis.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
Prairie Valley Independent School District launched what it hopes will be a new school tradition, the induction of members into its new Hall of Fame, which honors and recognizes those who have left an impact and legacy within the halls of PVISD.
Nominations were accepted earlier in November with the induction ceremony hosted during the recent homecoming. Nominees could be graduates and staff members. The induction ceremony was on Dec. 20 with the inaugural Hall of Fame Class which includes the following members: Tom Foster, Barbara Mann, O.C. Mann, Mary Thompson and W.R. Tucker.
Meet the members of the first Hall of Fame class in your weekend Bowie News.
Top photo: Members of the first PV Hall of Fame class received plaques in recognition. Some family members accepted for their honoree. (Left) Gloria Foster, daughter of Tom Foster; Sherry Mann Ford, daughter of O.C. Mann; Barbara Mann, Mary Thompson and Patti Tucker, wife of W.R. Tucker. (Photo by Jordan Neal)
Bowie Junior High Principal Jeneanne Fleming said she is proud of her student participants and coaches as they won the District 7AAA University Interscholastic League Academic Zone Meet by approximately 200 points on Dec. 6.
Henrietta and Jacksboro were the other two schools competing.
Fleming explained students committed to practicing before and/or after school, and they attended the meet on a day they didn’t have school.
Read all the results in the mid-week Bowie News.
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 for the final session of 2024.
An executive session is set for the board to receive the intruder audit report. Superintendent Blake Enlow said the Texas School Safety Center recently conducted an audit at one or more of the campuses.
The audit tests whether a campuses is accessible to an unauthorized individual and is part of the state’s school safety directives to help districts identify ways to improve safety. Enlow said the report had one finding and corrective actions have already been implemented.
In action items, Assistant Superintendent Lee Ann Farris will provide information on possible action related to the BISD school library collection development per House Bill 900 and the gifted and talented policy and procedures. The student transfer list also will be presented along with an update on the SAFE grant
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