School board announces students of the month, receives comment from the public

The Breckenridge ISD school board met Monday, Oct. 15 and announced the students of the month for October. They also approved $37,000 worth of improvements to the Ag farm and received a presentation from students in the Gifted and Talented Program. To close up, they recieved comment from a parent in the district.

Gifted and Talented Program
Students Rihana Fuller, Stella Ray, Cooper Wimberley and Teagan Deen presented to the board two math programs on Chromebooks. Each student took two board members and demonstrated the Prodigy Math and Imagine Math programs.

The North Elementary principal Jennifer Gillard said they had 120 Chrome Books at North and needed 90 more so that each of her 210 students would have ready access to the Chrome Book, which she said helps both the gifted student and those who may be struggling with math. The math programs are used to help all levels sharpen their skills. Chief Learning Officer Molly Johnson reiterated Gillard's comments by adding the programs are excellent for whatever level the student is at in math and helps them with any skill that they may be deficient in.

Afterwards, Johnson gave an overview of the G&T program, as well as described certain characteristics G&T students may have and how to identify them. Johnson added there would be two meetings for parents or others in the community interested in the G&T program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at South Elementary and another meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at East Elementary. Parents can go to either meeting and the G&T program will be explained in more detail.

Ag Farm
In their regular agenda, the board approved $37,000 to finish the Ag farm. The improvements include adding new workspace, and improvements to the animal pens.

Student of the Month
The Students of the Month for October were recognized and introduced to the board members. East Elementary was represented by Rhody Stewart, who is a kindergarten student in the classroom of Teresa Guardiola. North Elementary was represented by Teagan Deen, who is in the third-grade classroom of Angie Brown. The student of the month for South Elementary is Anthony Munoz, who is in Jennifer McKay's fourth-grade classroom.

The Breckenridge Junior High principal Mary Perkins spoke about their Student of the Month, eighth-grader, Colton Ray, who was representing his school on the football field Monday evening and wasn't present for the school board presentation.

Comments from attendees
Near the end of the board meeting, Heather Dabney, who has a child enrolled in BISD, asked to address the board about a bullying incident at North Elementary. She said she had filed a complaint around a month prior, and a grievance the week before. Superintendent Tim Seymore said they were looking into it and requested to talk about it in his office rather than a public meeting.

Seymore said that BISD had received one resignation, Sherry Davis, a fifth-grade teacher at South Elementary, which has not been approved yet because there has not been a suitable replacement found.

The BISD school board meets on the first Monday of each month. Their next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 at the administration building.