The Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees reviewed a projected $34.1 million in district revenue, student health data and campus improvement efforts during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Board President Michael Cloy called the meeting to order. Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes gave the invocation, while Brownwood Middle School agriculture students Audrey Stewart, Aubree Collins and Tatum Still led the Pledge of Allegiance. BMS choir students also performed Murasame by Johnson and Will you walk a little faster by Carter under the direction of choir teachers Ashley Foust and Jennifer Reeves.
Brownwood Middle School targets student growth
BMS Principal Mykia Anderson presented the campus goals for the school year, with the overall objective of becoming an A-rated campus. The school is reviewing student data to improve growth and performance while closing achievement gaps among African American, white and Emergent Bilingual students.
Teachers are reviewing reading and math performance dating back to third grade to identify students who have not shown growth. The campus is also emphasizing more targeted morning and afternoon tutorials and increasing parent outreach so identified students attend. Tutorial participation has increased significantly this year, according to the report.
Anderson said the campus is focused on matching students with the right instruction at the right time and using data to measure growth.
District finances and student services
Superintendent Dr. Joe Young told trustees that the district receives no state funding from December through March. During those months, BISD relies on local tax revenue and must maintain enough cash to pay its bills.
The district budget was based on Average Daily Attendance of 2,975 students and projected revenue of $34.6 million. After the first month of school, the annual revenue projection stood at $34.1 million, approximately $500,000 below budget. Young said improved enrollment and attendance could help the district close the gap. He also noted that expenditures were nearly $800,000 below budget the previous year.
The board reviewed the nursing and wellness report for the 2026-2027 school year. During the prior year, BISD recorded 35,074 student visits to the nurse, 18,863 medication administrations and 1,730 special procedures. Compared with the preceding year, nurse visits increased by 455, medication administrations fell by 79 and special procedures increased by 108.
Current screening figures included 1,561 vision screenings, with 184 referrals; 1,553 hearing screenings, with 44 referrals; 1,530 acanthosis screenings, with 21 referrals; and 258 spinal screenings, with three referrals. The district has hired Alexandra Vannoy as its new district registered nurse. She is scheduled to begin Oct. 13 at Woodland Heights Elementary.
The Student Health Advisory Council reported four meetings during the 2025-2026 school year. Its work included updating the severe allergic reaction response plan for unassigned epinephrine, reviewing health education materials for state-law compliance, hosting the Food For Thought Program and participating in the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge. The council will continue meeting quarterly during the 2026-2027 school year.
English learners, mental health and recognitions
BISD currently serves 157 Emergent Bilingual students, up from 131 in the previous annual report. Students’ primary home languages include Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and Swahili. The district employs 93 ESL-certified teachers, compared with 83 last year, and 10 students successfully reclassified during the 2025-2026 school year using TELPAS and STAAR results.
The mental health update reported that 73% of student-facing staff have completed evidence-based Mental Health First Aid training. During its first year, the district’s Behavioral RTI system served 167 students across four elementary campuses, with significant growth identified in 78% of students who received direct intervention. The program also served 43 secondary-campus individuals, and 180 sixth-grade students received the “Choosing the Best” curriculum.
Trustees recognized Brownwood High School secondary science teacher Pamela Thompson and BISD Maintenance Grounds/Athletic Facilities Lead Randall Stephens as October Spotlight recipients. Each receives $250 through the Brownwood Education Foundation, funded by a Jacobs Family Pharmacy sponsorship. BHS teacher Tami Hull was also recognized as a Brookshire Grocery Company Teacher of the Season.
Mayor Haynes proposed naming the stage inside the Dorothy McIntosh Fine Arts Center at Brownwood High School for Larry Mathis, a former theatre teacher who spent more than three decades at the school. Haynes said Mathis had a significant influence on him and many former students. Haynes indicated he will begin the formal naming process under district policy.
Trustees also reviewed the district’s fourth-quarter investment report. Total investments were $11,215,148.38 at the end of August 2026, with $131,167.83 in interest earned during the quarter. All board members completed required annual continuing education through the Summer Leadership Institute.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, including 2026-2027 SHAC appointments, T-TESS evaluators, library materials for November purchase, final approval of October library materials and minutes from the Sept. 14 meeting. No executive session was held.
Upcoming dates announced at the meeting include fall break on Oct. 12, the Region 15 Superintendent Conference from Oct. 19-21, a Nov. 9 reception honoring Cloy for 22 years of board service at 6 p.m. and the next board meeting on Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.