BSISD board approves ‘23-’24 school calendar
During their meeting Thursday evening, members of the
Big Spring ISD school board approved the school calendar for the 2023-24 school year.
“A couple of things we were trying to do: We were trying not to front-load all the professional development days up front,” said Assistant Superintendent Dana Scott during her presentation of the calendar at the meeting. “It's kind of a lot. This was consensus across the campuses, to start in the middle of the week instead of the beginning of the week. So they start on Thursday and they can get all those procedures in.”
Some highlights of the calendar include: First day of school is Aug. 17. Teachers will have staff development days starting Aug. 7 and running through Aug. 15, with a Teacher Work Day on Aug. 16. The six-weeks grading periods end on Sept. 22, Nov. 3, Dec. 22, Feb. 15, April 11 and May 23, which is also the last day of school. Students have a week off in November (20 through 24). The Christmas holiday starts with an early release on Dec. 22 and classes resume on Jan. 9. Spring break is March 11 through 15.
The board unanimously approved the calendar.
At the start of the meeting following the opening prayer and pledges to the flags, the board formally recognized the contributions of the district's counselors. School principals introduced the counselors on their campuses and praised the work they do on behalf of students. BSISD counselors include Cadet Bryant, Richard Cypert, Alisha Daniel, Misty Grimes, Leasa Lowery, Morgan Mcwilliams, Kristi Neitzel-fontana, Taylor Osborn and Sheila Rawlins.
The board next held a public hearing regarding the district's 2021-22 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), In her report during the hearing, Dana Scott indicated that students are generally showing increases in STAAR testing performance and academic growth as well as in SAT and ACT standardized testing performance. She noted that 63 percent of Big Spring graduates are graduating with a distinguished level of achievement.
Following the hearing, the board approved the meeting's Consent Agenda, consisting of minutes of the Jan. 12 board meeting and financial reports.
The board unanimoously approved ordering the May 6 election of school board seats 1 and 3, currently held by Tom Olague and Julie Harris.
The board approved the sale of two tax properties, and as previously mentioned, unanimously approved the 2023-24 school calendar.
The board approved acceptance of a $2,000 donation by parents to the Softball Activity Account.
The board approved a change order increasing the cost of roof repairs by $125,238 to replace 22 evaporative cooling units on the High School Vocational Building. The cost of the coolers themselves is $116,500, and the increased cost of engineering fees is $8,738. The board members approved the change order and the accompanying budget amendment unanimously.
The board approved the hire of Ashlen Eckart, a new elementary teacher at Big Spring Intermediate School and approved a list of administrators, directors and coordinators for employment in the 2023-24 school year.