The Board of Trustees held their regular June meeting at Hubbard Branch Elementary, the district’s newest elementary campus. Built for 800 students and featuring a two-story classroom wing, the school includes a variety of spaces and furnishings that are diverse, flexible, and adaptable to promote collaborative teaching and learning. 

Hubbard Branch Elementary will open in August. Its attendance boundary includes all of the former Miller Heights attendance zone and a portion of the former Chisholm Trail attendance area. Construction of Hubbard Branch Elementary was funded through the 2022 Bond. 

The June 17 meeting began with recognition of student and staff achievements, including a celebration of the Lake Belton High School Lady Broncos softball team, who ended their season as 5A State Semi-Finalists and regional champions. The Board honored Lake Belton High School Lady Broncos softball coach Kelsie McEarchen for being named the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year for 5A/6A. The Slab, the first BISD BBQ team, was recognized following their trip to a national competition. The Board congratulated Lake Belton High School track state qualifiers Kendrick Jones and Abigail Rydberg. Jones earned back-to-back state titles in the 200-meter dash and added a gold medal in the long jump to his list of achievements this year. Rydberg placed seventh in the pole vault event. The district also honored students from Belton High School and Lake Belton High School who graduated from the Texas Bioscience Institute. 

“Great things are happening in Belton ISD,” Vice President Chris Flor said. 

The Board took action and approved the 2024–25 compensation plan. The recommended compensation plan includes a teacher increase ranging from $600 to $970 depending on years of experience and a one percent increase for administrators, non-teaching professionals, paraprofessionals and auxiliary employees. All percentage increases are based on the midpoint of the employee’s salary range.

“Our goal is for this to help with retention. We recognize that health insurance rates will likely increase, and we hope this will help offset some of that,” said Todd Schiller, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. 

“With the budget squeeze we are feeling, this is the best we can do. It’s not enough, but it is all we can do,” Trustee Jeff Norwood said. 

During reports, Mike Morgan, BISD Deputy Superintendent, provided the Board with an overview of the damages caused by the recent severe weather. Areas that sustained hail or wind damage include roofs and HVAC systems, white fleet vehicles, athletic fencing and batting cages, and outdoor lights and cameras. 

“It appears that HVAC damage was minimal,” Morgan said. “We have not had a total fail of any roof system, but there are some leaks that need to be addressed. The most substantial damage was to batting cages and athletic fencing.”

Morgan stated the district is making some repairs and will work with vendors on the larger projects. 

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Gabi Niño reported on the district’s academic performance. Data included the anticipated graduation rate of 98.6 percent for the class of 2024 and the 18 percent gain in the number of industry-based certifications earned. Niño shared that preliminary End-of-Course Exam results show gains in some areas, and in line with statewide trends, also highlight areas for focused improvement. 

For more information about the meeting, visit www.bisd.net. 

June 17, 2024