Category Archives: Dr. Brown Notes

Posted on

BISD Superintendent Announces Retirement

Dr. Darrell G. Brown, Superintendent of Schools

After leading the Birdville Independent School District for almost 10 years, Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced today his plans to retire effective June 30, 2021. 

“Let me begin by saying how honored I am to serve as the superintendent in Birdville ISD,” Brown said in a video message to staff. “As I reflect on this being the 10th year in this special school district, I can only smile and say thank you so much for your support and for your commitment to the education of our students throughout these years.”  

The Birdville School Board will discuss the Superintendent’s intent to retire at their February 25 meeting and are expected to share their plans to hire a search firm to assist with finding a replacement. Dr. Brown will remain in his leadership role through the search and transition. 

Under Dr. Brown’s leadership, Birdville ISD: 

  • Had … 
  • 23 National Merit Finalists, 
  • 103 National Merit Commended Scholars, 
  • 39 National Hispanic Scholars, 
  • Five National Merit Achievement Scholars, and 
  • Two National Merit Special Scholarship recipients; 
  • Implemented additional safety and security measures on every campus; 
  • Moved to one-to-one technology for students; 
  • Rebuilt seven of the District’s oldest facilities with voter-approved bonds; 
  • Increased overall student academic performance on standardized tests which are consistently above state and national averages; 
  • Received the highest rating from the state, “Superior Achievement,” for management of taxpayer dollars; 
  • Opened the Collegiate Academy of Birdville (CAB), where students can earn an Associate degree while in high school; 
  •  Went from being ranked 77th (out of the top 200 largest school districts across Texas) in productivity to being ranked third by Education Resource Group (ERG); 
  • Received recognition from ERG as one of the top ten school districts in Texas for achieving high academic performance while maintaining efficient operations; 
  • Received recognition from the Texas Comptroller’s Office for transparency for traditional finances and debt obligation; and 
  • Much, much more.  

Upon retirement, Dr. Brown will have completed 37 years of service in public education. He said, “I am so proud that I am ending my tenure here in such a special place in Birdville ISD. I can’t thank you enough for your commitment to our students, our staff and our community.” 

“The Board wishes Dr. Brown the best in his well-deserved retirement. He is leaving the District on solid ground as we look to the future,” said Jack McCarty, Board president. “Dr. Brown, thank you for your leadership. You will be missed.”  

Posted on

July 28, 2020: Notes from Dr. Brown

Dear BISD Family, 

 

On Thursday, July 23, my administration and I presented BISD’s Reopening Plan (Plan) for 2020 to the trustees at their monthly Board meeting. (View presentation to the Board) We anticipate the Plan will continue to evolve based on further guidance from the CDC, the Texas Education Agency, Governor Abbott, Tarrant County Public Health, or Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley.

  

Safety is, and always will be, my number one priority. That is why we are working closely with these agencies to make sure students and staff are safe when face-to-face instruction resumes. Despite our best efforts, I realize that no plan will ever be perfect. However, our plan will continue to be refined to make sure we are doing all we can to protect students and staff.

 

Inside the Plan are details for face-to-face instruction and online instruction. Currently, all Tarrant County public schools are under a health order restricting face-to-face instruction until Sept. 28. Therefore, BISD is working to fine–tune our online learning plan in preparation for the beginning of school on Monday, August 24.

  

During the first six weeks of school, BISD will provide online learning for students. Students will not be physically present in a traditional classroom environment, but instead will receive lessons in a digital environment. This format will allow students and teachers to connect as a class in multiple ways, including discussion boards, interactive assignments, lesson videos, video conferences, and more.  

Many parents have asked if grading will be the same or different from the end of the spring semester. BISD’s grading guidelines and policies will be followed for online (asynchronous remote) learning and will be consistent with the grading policies for on-campus assignments. Students will receive numeric grades, and all reporting grades will be used to determine promotion to the next grade level and, for high school courses, will count towards a student’s grade point average (GPA). High school courses and numeric grades will be reflected on a student’s transcript. 

I am excited to announce that BISD is working to begin the school year by providing students with Chromebooks to be able to participate in online learning. For families needing assistance with internet connectivity, BISD is working to provide assistance. Before the first day of online instruction, the District will provide details. 

Let me encourage you to read and follow BISD’s Reopening Plan. As we update the Plan, we will flag new or updated information to make it easier for parents and staff to quickly see. 

 

Respectfully, 

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D. 
Superintendent of Schools 

Posted on

Notes from Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown

Birdville ISD is proud of the diversity of the BISD family. The District has a rich history of recognizing and respecting our diversity. We believe that social injustice of any kind has no place in our classrooms or anywhere in our school district.

I am confident that BISD will continue to be a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff when they return in the fall. We cannot remain silent, and we will stand against hate, intolerance, and racism.

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Birdville ISD

Posted on

February 2018 Notes from Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown

BISD Notes From ... BISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown

 

This past week we witnessed another senseless shooting in the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Like each of you, I watched in disbelief with concern for the students, staff and families as the events of that day unfolded.

I want to take this opportunity to remind the BISD community that safety is my number one priority. If our students and staff do not feel safe, there will be little to no learning in our schools.

In the 2014 Bond, voters approved the addition of:

  • Security fencing around all of our elementary campuses;
  • Card readers on external doors which limit access to the buildings, and allow the District to keep campuses locked during the school day; and
  • Additional security cameras on every campus allowing the District and, if needed, law enforcement, the ability to see what is happening in every building.

In addition to these measures, BISD has an Emergency Management Team (EMT) that meets several times each year and conducts safety exercises. The EMT also completed an extensive three-day Incident Command Training during summer 2017.

Four times each year, Birdville ISD conducts a lockdown drill on each campus. (Safety drills began in the District 15 years ago.) Before the tragic shooting in Florida, BISD had a lockdown drill scheduled for the week of February 19. As we look for ways to continually improve our response in various emergency scenarios, the District does not typically announce these drills in advance. However, in light of last week’s events, we are announcing a lockdown drill on all BISD campuses on Thursday, Feb. 22 or Friday, Feb. 23. This will only be a drill.

In addition to added safety equipment, specialized training and safety drills, the District has other measures in place as part of our overall safety plan. However, it is not in the best interest of student and staff safety to share all safety measures with the public.

As parents, I want to assure you that BISD is taking measures to prevent a Parkland, Florida scenario on one of our campuses. However, no plan is foolproof. Therefore, I am asking for your help. Students, staff, parents and community members are asked to be observant in your surroundings. Look and listen, and if there are questions or concerns, notify the campus principal, local authorities or report them on BISD’s Tip Line. BISD provides a “Tip Line” on our mobile app and on all District and campus websites.

Thank you for joining me in keeping our children and schools safe.

Sincerely,

Darrell G. Brown, Ph.D.
Superintendent

Posted on

August 2016 Notes from Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown

NotesFrom

It is hard to believe the beginning of the 2016–17 school year is just a couple of weeks away. It has been a busy summer in Birdville ISD as we prepare for students to return on Monday, August 22.

I am excited about the opening of the new West Birdville Elementary this fall. This beautiful new campus was one piece of the voter-approved bond referendum in November 2014. The ribbon cutting ceremony for West Birdville begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 18 at 3001 Layton Ave. in Haltom City. The public is invited to tour the new facility following the ceremony.

In addition to West Birdville, the replacement campuses at North Richland Middle and Birdville Elementary schools, along with the expansions at Watauga Elementary, Watauga and Smithfield middle schools, and Birdville High School are moving ahead full steam. The heavy rains in May and June caused delays, but contractors are working hard to get back on schedule. Progress reports on the various projects in the 2014 Bond are posted online at BISDBond14.net.

Besides construction and renovation, teachers and staff have been in various trainings throughout the summer. I appreciate their taking extra time to learn new and innovative ways to educate our children.

BISD is starting to receive results of the STAAR tests from this past spring. Once again, students are showing academic growth as reflected by their improved scores. I am proud of the hard work and great strides being made by our students and staff every year. We celebrate the accomplishments of the past and will focus on areas needing improvement in the future.

I want to take a minute to celebrate some of the successes from the 2015–16 school year.

  • Fine Arts students represented BISD and their schools in performances and competitions across the state and nation, receiving recognition at all levels.
  • Athletics programs were represented by both teams and individuals who participated in postseason competitions, including Birdville High School’s girls softball team which won the UIL 5A State Championship.
  • Career and Technology Education students competed and won at the regional, state and national levels.
  • Various campuses and departments won state awards.

Looking back, Birdville ISD has a rich history of great accomplishments. Looking forward, our students give me great hope for continued success in the future.