Wednesday, September 30, 2009

More media coverage



Here's what's been in the news the past week or so:

Column by Christopher Clausen at The Beaumont Enterprise:

South Park trial raises more questions for BISD - Each time someone connected to the Beaumont Independent School District speaks, they raise questions for peeved parents and average taxpayers alike. The latest instances came in the trial of the lawsuit filed some South Park High School alumni. They contend material from a group that supported the 2007 school construction bond - material based on information from a BISD employee Superintendent Carrol read more here.


Beaumont Enterprise Editorial

In the latest problem with the Beaumont ISD's bond issue, many parents and taxpayers are frustrated that construction has not yet begun on three of four elementary schools. On the other hand, work is proceeding nicely on the athletic complex near Interstate 10 read more here.


Letters to the editor at The Beaumont Enterprise:

BISD Should put academics over athletics - I agree that schools should be built before the stadium. Schools need to be given the tools to teach children first. Most schools are in desperate need of supplies and manpower in our overcrowded schools. We have too many people in the BISD administration building and not enough teachers and teacher aides. Classes with 20-plus read more here.

BISD tactics on Curtis will be remembered - Once again the BISD school board has done what they do best: Say one thing and do the complete opposite. At a previous town hall meeting at Sallie Curtis Elementary School, parents were told that the plan in place was to build portables on site unless read more here.



Read more here

Monday, September 21, 2009

Another media perspective

Seeing all the opinions that are out there makes me feel like we aren't alone in these frustrations and that others can see that what we are saying holds merit. If you talk with BISD, they make you feel like you are crazy - like you are just making up numbers and information that THEY TOLD US. At least others who aren't involved can see the mistrust and mishandling by BISD in what has happening.

There will be an update from today's court hearing on this blog later.

From the Beaumont Enterprise's columnist Christopher Clausen:
BISD needs to learn value of time, money, trust - In construction work, you must pay attention to time and money. The latest BISD's construction and communication gaffes offer a case in point. And more information could come next week in court. The Beaumont Independent School District board voted 6-1 Thursday night to delay construction of the new Sallie Curtis Elementary School. As sold to voters in the bond election promotion, the new Sallie Curtis was to be built behind the current one.


His column gets much better from there. Click here for the entire perspective.

My favorite line? "If the parents aren't happy, and they're the ones who vote on behalf of their kids, shouldn't BISD's board and officials at least apologize for these screwups?"

I'm with Chris. I have more respect for someone who admits they were wrong, than who knowingly defends poor decisions.

Read more here

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Beaumont Enterprise editorial criticizes BISD

The Beaumont Enterprise eloquently puts what happened last week into perspective. Please take a look at what they wrote.


Sallie Curtis decision handled poorly; BISD must boost trust - The dilemma over new construction of the Sallie Curtis Elementary School was not an easy one to resolve, but the Beaumont ISD didn't rise to the occasion. The solution leaves many parents feeling that their views were solicited and ignored by an administration that promised to listen to them.

Read the rest of the editorial, it's good.

Stay tuned for future posts. I'm going to let you know how you can receive the answers to the many questions you've got about BISD. I'll share tips as a former journalist as to how to get information and I hope that we can all share what we find out on this site and continue to band together to make sure we hold BISD accountable for the promises they make to us -- including starting construction when they say they will with the money they've promised us.


Read more here

Friday, September 18, 2009

More media coverage

Gotta love the Beaumont Enterprise's Bayou. They really don't hold anything back when it comes to an opinion. Here I thought I was being harsh.

KBMT-12 updated and put new video online as well. And I thought their live coverage last night was great.

I have not seen the Ch. 6 story online, but if anyone can get it, please let me know and I'll post a link.

And there have been no updates online at Ch. 4 either.

Read more here

Thursday, September 17, 2009

What do you think about tonight?

I'll start.

They lived up to every bit of the reputation they had. This experience has opened my eyes to what people have been saying for a long time. They don't listen. They don't care. They will do what they want anyway.

I realize that they don't always make decisions that everyone is going to like, but you really didn't ask us and you stopped us from asking others. You really didn't talk about the YMCA. You really didn't look into it. You played a good game of pretend like the children we are trying to educate.

You can make excuses for your actions, but we won't forget. I won't forget. And if this has done anything for me and other parents, we have formed a bond and we know we can fight and stand up united together. You saw what we did in three days. The election is in three years.

Come election time or hope-willing earlier, we will band and vote. And we will be loud. And we will fight again to find good representation to help the future of our children and for this community to be a better place.

All we asked was consider it. We didn't ask for you to vote in favor of the YMCA. We asked that you take a closer look. Answer the unanswered questions. Take a little more time before making a decision. You are making us wait until January 2011to move to the Regina portables. What difference will a month make?

Tom Neild is the only true Watchdog on the board and I commend him. I commend his courage to stand up for what is right and for listening to us and taking the time out to answer our phone calls and concerns. I commend that he sits in that seat meeting after meeting and gets out-voted and goes back to continue to seek the truth and get answers about where our money is going.

And I commend every parent who got up tonight and took a stand. For whatever they believe in. It takes courage to get up and speak in front of a room full of people and try to articulate your feelings to a largely unreceptive board.

What will the future hold? We will be watching very closely. Every move. Every dollar. Every schedule change.

And if we aren't in those portables by January 2011. We will remember. And we will be back.

So I said my piece (at least for now). What do you think? Post your comments below.


Read more here

Media coverage of this issue

Props to KBMT (Ch. 12) for going live from the meeting.

Click here to see a pretty in-depth story and you can see the video on there as well. Watch tomorrow morning for more coverage - you'll see comments from Carrol Thomas, Tom Neild and parents.

Beaumont Enterprise posted quickly as well. Click here. And pick up a copy of tomorrow's paper to read the story in its entirety.

KFDM's story is here. It doesn't have video. Maybe tomorrow?

FOX-4 should have a story tomorrow and The Examiner will follow up in next week's edition.

Thank you to the media for bringing attention to this cause.

Read more here

VOTED FOR REGINA HOWELL PORTABLES

All voted in favor except for Neild. Read more here

LIVE - Update 8 (9:31 p.m.)

The board starts to talk about Sallie Curtis' transition site as seen in exhibit W.

Brassard starts the discussion. She says that at the town hall meeting two weeks ago, she had the opportunity to listen to a number of parents address concerns over Sallie Curtis issue. She said at that meeting, she invited parents to call her. Since that time, she has had only two parents call me. One begging us to keep school on site and with portables. The other one calling to ask me to consider the YMCA site.

She then questioned the polls that were taken by the TV stations and the newspaper because she didn't think they were accurate nor could they be reflective of the voters of this district.

She said she read every word of the YMCA document. She called people to find out what these costs would incur and had a few more questions.

1. If the YMCA is considered, what are the legal ramifications?
Thomas: I have to refer that to the attorney. I haven't considered the legal ramifications.

Lawyer says: We have leased property in the past. The problem is the cost that we would put into that leased proporty because we would be putting public funds into private property. There are considerable improvements that the district has done at Regina Howell so we would have to look into that.

Brassard: If we go with that, whatever physical improvements we put into that property, we may or may not have a way of recouping that cost.

Lawyer: I don't know if the Y would be willing to reimburse us for those improvements. I don't know.

Thomas says: Beaumont is a passionate community and the feelings that people have in regards to the people's children. As a Superintendent, we want to do what the members of the community would like for us to do and we try to do that. If we don't agree, it doesn't mean we didn't do that. We are just trying to make a responsible decision.

We only know of two proposals. As of Tuesday is the first I saw it (the YMCA proposal). I gave it to Mr. Ingram and both of us when out there.

One of the problems that we see. If you were to approve the YMCA site, we wouldn't get out there until March or after.

THE CROWD SCREAMS "NO. NOT TRUE!!"

Thomas continues: We got to design it. We just built Regina Howell. By the time you get the school built, we are talking about premium hours. Extra hours and everything else to get ready and it took us 4-5 months to do Regina Howell. When would we move? Not until next Aug or Sept. In January of 2001, we are scheduled to have Regina-Howell finished and that site would be available. So what did we gain? Only four months. That's it.

When we look at the money we put into the Regina Howell site. It's $3 million for a four-month advantage. I'm not going to spend it.

I love the spirit that the parents from Sallie Curtis are making. We also have to make those decisions. We have a site at Regina Howell that is vacant at that particular point. As an administration we have to recommend to you. The principal got back to us. There are 75 people that voted to move offsite. Of the 75, 45 asked for YMCA. We considered it. But this time, we recommend to move to RH site.

They voted. All voted in favor of moving to the Regina portables. Tom Neild was the only one who opposed.

Read more here

LIVE - Update 7 (9:24 p.m.)

9:12 p.m. - Michelle McCleland. Two kids at Curtis. One at Marshall. One at Westbrook and is a teacher at Sallie Curtis.

She says: I completely support the goals of the district and I am proud of all of them but one - except for the school I teach in everyday. It is simply an eyesore to our community and it's past time our children are given the proper building and resources that they not only need, but they deserve. If at all possible, please consider the YMCA option. Especially, if we can make it happen sooner rather than later.

9:14 p.m. - Brian McCleland. Tagged teamed by the McClelands tonight. I am here about the Sallie Curtis issue. I appreciate that you came out to our open house and it showed that you were concerned for our input. There are a lot of naysayers that say you already know what you are going to do. I hope that's not true. I hope you prove those naysayers wrong. I asked people to vote for the bond. I want you to stick to the schedule you promised. I heard the people from South Park say they don't know if they will be getting their school. We don't know if we are getting our school either. We voted for it. We want to make sure it stays on schedule.

9:15 - Paula Gresham. At Sept. 1 town hall meeting, I asked why not find us some land for our portables? Thomas replied: "There was no land to speak of."

I then proposed that we used some of the Westbrook land. He then said that we would have to get rid of soccer fields. Of course, it would be a shame if we lose anything sports related. So the YMCA came to mind.

We know this is a big decision and we understand. All we ask is that you at least consider it. It looks like you have already made up your mind for Regina Howell according to exhibit W. To us it looks like you are only buying time.


Read more here

LIVE - Update 5 (9 p.m.)

8:38 p.m. - They are starting the public comments. The first public comment is about South Park.

8:42 p.m. - Jeff Moore, the President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Beaumont, is up to speak. He starts by passing out information to each board member about the YMCA. He mentions how he delivered a packet to each board member to consider that the YMCA house Sallie Curtis Elementary during the construction phase.

He received a few questions that he has resolution on. The YMCA is offering to the district to use the 12-acre tract of land. This offer is part of the organization's vision, which includes being a part of the solution when a community faces gaps. The YMCAs throughout the nation have traditionally had relationships with many elementary schools.

His offer: Usage of 13 undeveloped tracts, use of community rooms (PTA meetings), use of green space for recess.

He offers them an architect's layout of what portable campus might look like. He says he came to the meeting with an open hand. He says he hopes the board chooses what's best for our students.

The packet has a FAQ sheet on the back and says the YMCA land is available tomorrow if BISD chooses this option along with permits. He has copies for any members of the community who would like to see what he presented to the board.

8:45 - Jennifer Walsh. We want to work with you to do what's best for our children and school. We are committed to hearing all of the voices. We think the YMCA is an option worth exploring. Beaumont Enterprise poll showed 70% for YMCA. Ch. 4 poll had 60% in favor of YMCA. Our informal vote had 88% in favor of the YMCA.

Regardless of what numbers you look at, the message is clear - the parents and members of the community see the YMCA as a viable option and we passionately hope it will be considered.

YMCA is a good option. Keeps our kids out of construction area. Keeps noise level down for good learning environment. Keeps baseball fields open for Little League. Keeps us closer to our original schedule.

Plus we can have green spaces and meeting facilities. We can hold a carnvial - our annual fundraising event. It's a bonding event that raises money to help further the education of our children.

The community partnership with the YMCA is a win-win. They are an organization that is community based that has a positive influence on our community.

You asked for our voice and we are telling you what we want: We want the YMCA as temporary housing. It keeps us on schedule. It keeps our kids safe and provides a great solution to the negatives of the other two options.

Again, please keep an open mind to our request and to work together to make for a better Sallie Curtis and a better community.

8:50 - Andre Cokinos. The board has mentioned time and money is a concern. As far as time, we want to see our school built sooner rather than later. There are concerns that these contracts with Parsons and others might bump into others ending. This will make Sallie Curtis pushed further back for its construction start time and push it into the expiration date of Parsons contract.

We want to get it done under these current contracts. The YMCA can be ready for the start of the year. As far as money goes, the board mentioned they would build portables on the Sallie Curtis site. I would assume that the cost to build a portable city at the YMCA would be a wash as compared to building portables with the Curtis option. We are concerned that the rise of the construction cost and the extend of the contracts.

What if the contracts expire at the end of our project? We are afraid to wait as far as construction and contracts. The YMCA is in the best interest of our children.

We want you to vote in favor of doing what it takes to make the YMCA a viable option.
Hopefully it will reflect the will of the people here and not a personal agenda.

You work for us and you are spending our money.

Read more here

LIVE - Update 4 (8:36 p.m.)

8:29 p.m. - Parsons is giving financial updates on Amelia Elementary and the budget status. Then Secretary Williams starts questioning him as to why he is spending time out of his day to answer these questions. Williams then says it is a waste of time.

Neild then says that Thomas told him that if he had questions, write them down and send them to Parsons. Williams starts asking again about the waste of time.

Neild then says: "This is the only time we have to discuss this in open meetings in front of the public." And makes reference to how much of this information isn't distributed in a public forum.

A large group then cheers in support of Neild.

Brassard then said: As a board we all need to decide if we are going to ask questions about something, we submit them at least a week ahead of time. I've been amazed at the volume of material I get sent ahead of time in board packets to read before meetings. I know for myself I didn't know you (Neild) had received a set of questions until tonight when I got up in my seat to look at these questions, so I don't know now from your answers. I don't have time to personally digest this and know what your abbreviations mean to know if I have another questions or not. As a board, we need to get our questions to the right people at an earlier time.

Then Parsons left the podium.

Read more here

LIVE - Update 3 (8:22 p.m.)

8:11 p.m. - Parsons is giving an update on the bond. Said some of the projects are behind schedule on design.

The Amelia Elementary School was "definately behind on schedule" and as they sent it to the board at the last meeting. Says design delay doesn't automatically translate into a delay in construction phase.

Brassard says: Now that we have prototype design hammered out, the rest of the schools can go more quickly? Parsons said theoretically, that is the intent. There are efficiencies that you gain on a prototype project. Those efficiencies will transfer to Regina and Curtis.

The intent to improve on the schedules as they learn from the first project. Parsons said Regina-Howell will be finished late December and students coming in early January.

"Hopefully you will complete them on time," Thomas said. Parsons said they have a good team of construction and design working on it.


Read more here

LIVE - Update 2 (8:03 p.m.)

7:58 p.m. - Board Member Brassard has a question regarding additional considerations for smaller projects. After attending the Town Hall meeting at Sallie Curtis two weeks ago, she said she heard a number of complaints concerning Marshall Middle School driveway in the back and want the buildings ground committee to put it on an investigation list after they do the addition at Marshall Middle School.

Carrol Thomas then said hope this budget year the funding will be able to address three projects:
1. Westbrook driveway going out
2. Smith's parking lot in the back
3. Marshall Middle School

While that wasn't quite Sallie Curtis related, it did come up at the meeting and all our kids go to Marshall next. So that was just a bonus post. :-)


Read more here

LIVE - Update 1 (7:45 p.m.)

We are here and this is our first update from the BISD meeting.

Most of the seats are filled, but it is difficult to tell how many of those are Curtis parents. I would guess at least 20, if not more, but the night is still young. The Curtis boy scout troop is also in attendance.

All three TV stations are here as well as a photographer and reporter from The Enterprise. Ch. 12 tells us they will go live at 10 p.m. from the meeting.

We will keep you updated with any relevant information as it develops. So far, it's just recognition of principals and formalities.

Read more here

Meeting agenda

The meeting starts at 7:15 p.m. at the BISD administration building (where we will be blogging live -- giving you the most up-to-date information directly from the meeting as it happens).

Be patient for updates as the Curtis item is pretty low on the agenda (we are item 38 of 41 - bring some reading material).

Here's a brief rundown (and my general summary of the agenda):
1. Approve minutes
2. Information items - State funds
3. Superintendent report
4. Communications
5. Approve tax office report
6. Approve business office reports
7. Approve amendments to general fund budget, etc
8. Approve waivers on delinquent tax accounts
9. Painting Services
10. Fan coils for HVAC Dept
11. School bus repair bid
12. Instructional Teaching Aid Supplies
13. Paul Brown Center library books
14. Buying cable
15. Alumninum walkway covers
16. Buy pre-k supplies
17. ALERT NOW fee
18. Material Testing Pool
19. Regina Howell geotechnical Services
20. Portables at Dunbar & French Elem.
21. Furniture, furnishings & Equipment Design service
22. Bulk purchasing for bond projects
23. Approve the proposal for guaranteed maximum price for Multi-Purpose Center
24. Max price for demolition of Fehl Elementary
25. Max Price for Martin Elem.
26. Install network cabling at South Park
27. Submit Nomination for Jefferson County Appraisal District Board of Directors
28. Approve addition to MLK Middle School and French Elem.
29. Purchase software for pre-k classes.
30. Purchase math bags for pre-k classes
31. Purchase Lakeshore Reading Readiness kits for pre-k classes
32. Purchase interactive big books for pre-k classes
33. Payment to remove hazardous materials from Beaumont ISD High Schools
34. Renew Football Staduim Concessions Contracts
35. Bidding to rebuild district agricultural facility
36. Approve scoreboards for stadium, natatorium & marquee at Multi-Purpose Complex.
37. Flu Vaccines for district employees
38. Consider, and if appropriate, Take Action to Approve Transition Site for Sallie Curtis Elementary Project.
39. Max size class waiver
40. Personal recommendations (in executive session)
41. Institution of Condemnation Proceedings (in executive session)

Read more here

Posting live from meeting

We're going high tech!

If you can't make the meeting, we will post live updates from the BISD meeting tonight.

Log on to see what's happening straight from this former newspaper reporter turned new blogger!

It'll be raw so forgive spelling, grammar, etc.

Rely on us to keep you, the parent, informed. Information is power!

Plus, you can comment on the happenings as they happen. Read more here

More news coverage

Here is some of the latest news coverage. There is also an article in this week's Examiner.

Beaumont Enterprise - "Sallie Curtis options up for vote tonight" The question an impassioned group of parents at Sallie Curtis Elementary is asking school officials is simple: Do you really want to listen? The answer given by the Beaumont Independent School District might be a bit more complicated. Read the rest of this story.


FOX-4 News (with video) - "Where will Sallie Curtis students go during construction" Parents with kids at Sallie Curtis Elementary say they have a lot of unanswered questions. They want to know where their children will attend class, while the campus is under construction. See more of this story.

Read more here

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Update

If you're on the fence and want more information on what the YMCA is offering you can check out their CEO's blog: YMCA CEO's Blog.

Parents of Sallie Curtis students are encouraged to attend the BISD Board of Trustees meeting. The meeting will take place this Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the BISD Administration Building located at 3395 Harrison Street. The open public hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the regular meeting taking place at 7:15 p.m. The rules for speaking at the hearing taken from the BISD website are as follows:

Patrons wishing to address the Board should present their requests in writing to the secretary to the Board of Trustees at least 24 hours in advance of the regular monthly meeting. Requests should include the speaker's name, address, telephone number, organization represented (if any), and topic to be discussed. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three and one-half minutes.

Current Board practice also allows time during the monthly meeting for patrons to speak up to one and one-half minutes. Registration cards are provided for these individuals at the entrance of the Board Room and should be presented to the secretary to the Board of Trustees prior to the beginning of the meeting. During special meetings and workshops, patrons may address the Board if this is indicated on the posted notice. At these times, speakers may discuss subjects listed on the posted agenda for up to one and one-half minutes.

Read more here

Curtis in the news

Sallie Curtis has been in the news lately and we wanted to share the three links to where you can see what is being reported. And please vote if you haven't yet: CurtisVotes@yahoo.com!

Beaumont Enterprise Bayou blog - Hmmm, might we have another potential BISD tempest in the offing? A few weeks back, the BISD reached out the Curtis Elementary parents -- organizing a few town hall-style meetings. The district sought out parental input in the initial relocation/rebuild plan. For more of the blog writing, click here:

KBMT-12 story - Less than 48 hours until decision is made on Sallie Curtis. In less than 48 hours, parents at Sallie Curtis Elementary in Beaumont , will finally found out where their kids will go to class while a new school is being built. "If you want to see things happen, then you need to stand up and speak," said Paula Gresham who has two kids at Sallie Curtis. Click here to read the entire story.

KFDM-6 story - Sallie Curtis transition plan up for board consideration Thursday. In two days, the Beaumont ISD school board will consider where to send Sallie Curtis Elementary children when construction at their school begins. See the full story here.

Also, KBTV-4 will have a story tonight. We continue to keep you informed about the latest developments or information on the school construction status.

What do you think of the news coverage? Comment below!

Read more here

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Vote not going home today

The Parents for a New Curtis Committee made a flyer to send out to students today. We were told yesterday by the principal that we could make a flyer so long as the information did not lean one way or the other.

The flyer was sent to the school this morning. They then forwarded it on to Mr. Terry Ingram for approval.

At 2:46 p.m., I received a call from Mr. Ingram. I asked if we could make any changes to the flyer to help make it suit their needs. He said he spoke with Dr. Thomas about the matter.

Ingram's response: "It will not be allowed to be passed out because it was not one of the two options presented at the meeting."

We still want to know what YOU want. Please email your vote with your name and address to us at CurtisVotes@yahoo.com.

They are:


___ Option 1 - Build portables behind Curtis

___ Option 2 - Use Howell portables once vacated

___ Alternative - Build portables at YMCA on Dishman

___ Doesn't matter



The school asked for our opinion. We would have liked to work with them to be able to give an accurate reflection of all parents at the school, not just the ones that can attend meetings or are active.

We will work on getting the information to the parents as best we can. Please check in to this blog for the latest information.
Read more here

Vote now!

All Curtis parents should be receiving a voting form in their child's backpack today along with information about the three options. These tallies will be presented to the board on Thursday in addition to about 60 votes that the school principal collected.

We want to give everyone a voice - not just the parents who attended the meeting. We would like to go with at least 75% of the parents participating (if not 100%) so we have a more accurate reflection of how our community would like to move forward.

If you would like your vote to be known, return the form by tomorrow or email your preference with your name and address to CurtisVotes@yahoo.com.

Previous blog posts have more information on each of these options. They are:


___ Option 1 - Build portables behind Curtis

___ Option 2 - Use Howell portables once vacated

___ Alternative - Build portables at YMCA on Dishman

___ Doesn't matter


Let's hear your voice!

Read more here

YMCA blog

Jeff Moore is the president and CEO of the Beaumont YMCA and is the person who has brought the third alternative to the board.

He has a blog and has plan to update with more Curtis information soon:

Click here for more: http://ymcabeaumont.blogspot.com/

Read more here

Monday, September 14, 2009

Where do you want your kids to go?

BISD has presented two options. A third alternative was presented at last week's meeting by members of the community (see previous blog posts to read news stories on the subject). A packet was distributed to all board members and we have heard that it is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting.

The options are:

1. To begin construction on-site while school is in session. Portable buildings will be built behind the school while the current building is demolished and rebuilt.

2. Wait until Regina-Howell is completed and then move the Curtis students into the portable buildings on Major Drive. This option would delay the project until Summer 2012.

The alternative:

Put portable buildings at the new YMCA facility on Dishman Road while construction goes on at the current Sallie Curtis location. This option would allow Curtis to be completed on time without children being exposed to nearby construction.



This is an excerpt from the YMCA's President and CEO in a letter to Carrol Thomas: "It is our belief that the YMCA will provide a great environment for all and will offer many amenities that are not currently available at your temporary campus on Major Drive. .. If you choose to utilize our property, the YMCA will be willing to work with the school district on a swimming program for your students, we will also be allowed usage of our playground and of our community room for meetings, fairs or other school events."

What do you think? Option 1, Option 2 or Alternative #3? Talk it out here!

We want to hear from 100% of the parents if possible! Please let us know what you think and what you would vote for by emailing CurtisVotes@yahoo.com.

Read more here

Board meeting Thursday (Sept 17)

If you want your voice to be heard or just want to show up in solidarity, please join Parents for a New Curtis at the board meeting:

Thursday, September 17
7:15 p.m.
Board Room of the Administration Building
3395 Harrison Avenue

Information on how to address the board is below. To contact the board members directly:



President Woodrow Reece - 839-8834

Vice President Janice Brassard - 866-8564

Secretary Terry D. Williams - 898-1997

Members:
Thomas Neild - 284-0518

Dr. William Nantz - 866-7498

Howard J. Trahan Jr. - 842-1104

Bishop Ollis E. Whitaker - 892-1776


Addressing the Board

The Superintendent and the Board President have the responsibility of coordinating preparation of the agenda for each meeting and determining items to be included.

Patrons wishing to address the Board should present their requests in writing to the secretary to the Board of Trustees at least 24 hours in advance of the regular monthly meeting. Requests should include the speaker's name, address, telephone number, organization represented (if any), and topic to be discussed. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three and one-half minutes.

Current Board practice also allows time during the monthly meeting for patrons to speak up to one and one-half minutes. Registration cards are provided for these individuals at the entrance of the Board Room and should be presented to the secretary to the Board of Trustees prior to the beginning of the meeting.

During special meetings and workshops, patrons may address the Board if this is indicated on the posted notice. At these times, speakers may discuss subjects listed on the posted agenda for up to one and one-half minutes.

To see more on the school board, click here: http://www.bmtisd.com/school-board/

Read more here

BISD Press Release on Curtis

Here is a press release that went out Aug. 31. Notice that they are asking to consider an option other than "current plans."

CURTIS ELEMENTARY – new options on the table

A community stakeholders’ meeting will be held at Curtis Elementary School at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2009, in the school cafeteria, located at 6225 North Circuit Drive in Beaumont. Curtis is one nine new elementary schools to be built as part of the 2007 voter-approved $389 million school bond facilities projects.

Under current plans, which dictate building a new Curtis behind the school’s existing facility, the new Curtis would open Spring 2011.


Tuesday’s meeting is asking the Curtis community to consider an option which allows Curtis operations to move into the temporary Regina-Howell complex located off Major Drive in January 2011 (after Regina-Howell moves into their new school). This proposal would mean Curtis would move into its permanent new school by the summer of 2012 (a year and a half later than originally scheduled).

Project managers say the latter will provide for a safer, more seamless, cost-efficient and academically-prudent operation. The meeting is open to the public.

To read this press release for yourself, click on this link: http://www.bmtisd.com/en/art/119/

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Editorial in Enterprise (Sept 13)

Third option needed earlier at Curtis school

Parents at Sallie Curtis Elementary School should have a third choice regarding the placement of their children during construction of a new school...


See this link to read more:

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/opinion/editorials/curtis_elementary_parents_deserve_voice.html

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Story on KBMT-12

KBMT had a story on their newscast last week about the meeting and the third option. The following link is just a text version of the story, but does not have the video.

Here is the link to the KBMT story: http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/58774907.html

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Article in Beaumont Enterprise

Here is a copy of the story that ran in last week's Beaumont Enterprise. The story was not posted online otherwise we would have posted the link here.

Beaumont Enterprise 09/11/2009, Page A07
YMCA land a third option in Sallie Curtis fight
BEAUMONT
By Dee Dixon
DDixon@BeaumontEnterprise.com
(409) 880-0733

Although parents were given a slip of paper to choose one of two options previously outlined regarding student placement during construction of a new Sallie Curtis Elementary School, a third option emerged instead.

Jeff Moore, Beaumont Metropolitan YMCA chief executive officer, said it is a viable option for Sallie Curtis students to move into portable buildings on 12 acres adjacent to the new West End YMCA, a building scheduled to be completed in March.

Moore, whose children attend Sallie Curtis, told the parents that YMCA board members supported the option and that “innovative programming” might be a side benefit.



Thursday was the last of a series of town hall meetings on the subject.

Initially, the two options were: remain in the existing Sallie Curtis until the new Regina-Howell Elementary is finished, then move into the buildings those students have been using along Major Drive; or build the new school on the back portion of the property occupied by the present building.

The first would have delayed completion of Sallie Curtis until August 2012.

Amanda Sheldon, who has three children at Sallie Curtis, said she was leaning toward the YMCA option.

“The big frustration is all of this should have been decided a long time ago. We’re two months from building and we’re just now deciding where it’s supposed to go,” said Sheldon.

Tiffany Nickles, who has one child at Sallie Curtis, left the meeting after selecting her option.

“I’m leaning toward moving off-site and waiting until Regina-Howell moves out,” said Tiffany Nickles, who has one child in Sallie Curtis.

She expressed safety with a nearby construction zone. Last week, Superintendent Carrol A. Thomas said the district would make a decision based on the recommendation forwarded by Sallie Curtis Principal Susan Brown, according to Enterprise archives.

“I will relay there is a strong support for looking at a third option,” she said Thursday.

The Beaumont Independent School District board of trustees takes up the issue at its Sept. 17 meeting.

"I hope we take the time and do the research instead of voting right then," board member Tom Neild said. "I believe we have a responsibility to consider that and look at the details and see if it will help the overall decision and budget."

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