Brownwood ISD trustees began a new chapter Monday, Nov. 9, as four board members took the oath of office and the board elected new leadership during its regular meeting.

The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with Board President Michael Cloy presiding. Coggin Elementary fourth-grade students Legend Roberts, Mary Smith, Paisley Hall and Aubrey Beard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Their classmates, taught by music teacher Amber Jones, also performed “Heart of America” and Taps from the school’s Veterans Day program. Brownwood High School Band Director Jason Jones performed a trumpet solo.

Coggin Elementary introduces new collaboration model

Coggin Elementary Principal Kassie Parrish presented Collaborative Learning Time, or CLT, a new process that gives teachers dedicated time during the school day to work together without giving up their conference periods.

During CLT, teachers analyze student data, plan instruction, discuss interventions and coordinate ways to meet students’ academic and behavioral needs. Students take part in extension activities linked to each specials area while teachers collaborate.

Beginning in the second semester, older students will be able to choose enrichment activities based on their interests. Examples presented to the board included chess club, sports club, reading buddies and drum line. Parrish reported that the process has helped teachers develop a shared vision and become more consistent and intentional with interventions.

Trustee transition brings new board officers

Before the meeting, BISD held a farewell reception for Cloy, who was honored for 22 and a half years of service on the Board of Trustees. Cloy did not seek reelection, and the Nov. 9 meeting was his last as a trustee.

Trustees Roderick B. Jones Sr. of Place 3, Connor Arrington of Place 6 and Justin Posey of Place 7 ran unopposed. Keith Howey was newly elected to Place 1, under the order of cancellation issued Sept. 14 that canceled the regular Nov. 3 election. Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Krista Behler administered the oath to all four trustees. Howey takes the seat previously held by Cloy.

The board then elected its officers unanimously:

  • Tim Wilson, Place 4, was elected board president.
  • Connor Arrington was elected vice president.
  • Diane Thompson, Place 2, was elected secretary.

Wilson previously served 10 years on the BISD board, including time as president. Jones, who had been vice president, presided over the election of the president before turning the meeting over to Wilson.

The board entered executive session at 6:56 p.m. to discuss personnel and security matters and returned at 7:11 p.m. No action was taken on those items. The meeting ended at 7:21 p.m.

District reviews technology and teacher incentives

Superintendent Dr. Joe Young reported that BISD supports more than 6,000 computing devices and about 1,000 other technology assets, including Promethean boards, printers, document cameras, keyless-entry systems and surveillance equipment.

The district’s E-Rate submission was approved, allowing BISD to replace aging network switches. The estimated cost is $250,000 to $280,000 before the federal discount, which has historically covered 80% for BISD. Matching funds will come through the Safety & Security Bond.

Other technology updates include 20 new keyless-entry card readers, a cloud-based access-control system, new cameras and access control at Gordon Wood Stadium, and continued 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring through the Regional Security Operations Center program in partnership with Angelo State University. A new VoIP phone provider is scheduled to begin installation over Thanksgiving break, and classroom projectors are expected to be replaced with large-format LCD displays.

BISD’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program has generated about $1.43 million in state funding during its first three allotment years, with 90% going directly to designated teachers. The district has earned 80 teacher designations through its first three submission cycles, while 20 additional designations submitted in October 2026 await validation.

Through its April 15, 2027, reapplication, BISD plans to expand eligibility to all classroom teachers, including educators in career and technical education, fine arts, physical education and other specialized areas.

Recognitions and upcoming dates

November’s BISD Spotlight honorees were Northwest Elementary music teacher Lauren Mays and BISD special education diagnostician LeAnn Harris. Each receives $250 through the Brownwood Education Foundation, funded by a Jacobs Family Pharmacy sponsorship.

The board also recognized the Brownwood Lady Lions cross country team for a program-best sixth-place finish at the UIL Class 4A state championship. Alexus Gutierrez finished 17th and set the school individual record with a time of 11:45.6, while Jordan Johnson finished 25th. The Brownwood boys team placed third at district and qualified for regionals.

Young invited the community to BISD’s fourth-grade Veterans Day program at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Brownwood Event Center. Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for Nov. 23-27. The Site-Based Decision Making Committee will meet Dec. 10, and the next board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14.