We are proud to announce the promotion of two outstanding BGISD alumni who have already made a significant impact on our school community. These homegrown talents continue to grow and lead with passion and dedication, and we are excited to see them thrive in their new roles:
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Tatum Briggs has been promoted to Head Volleyball Coach. Having previously served as an assistant coach, Tatum brings energy, enthusiasm, and a fresh spark to our volleyball program. We can’t wait to see her lead the team to new heights!
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Laura Ellis will now serve as the leader of our Maintenance and Grounds Department. Laura has demonstrated strong leadership skills during her time as Junior High Assistant Principal, and we’re confident she will bring the same dedication and excellence to this vital role.
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Mrs. Valerie Richards
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Mr. Dereck Weaver
We are thrilled to have their leadership and experience continue on the BGISD School Board. Following standard procedure, the board also completed its annual reorganization, with all officer positions remaining unchanged:
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Valerie Richards – President
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Lee Grounds – Vice President
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Danika Watson – Secretary
To our entire Board: Thank you for your dedicated service to our students, staff, and community. Your leadership is deeply appreciated.
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Total Enrollment (2024–2025): 916 students
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District-wide Attendance Rate: 94.74%
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Elementary: 95.01%
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Junior High: 94.67%
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High School: 94.38%
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Our attendance rates continue to reflect strong importance on attendance We appreciate everyone’s commitment to student success.
Bond Updates
We are thrilled to announce the next phase of progress following the successful bond decision.
A heartfelt thank you to:
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Our Board of Trustees for your leadership and confidence in moving forward.
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Our PAC members for your dedication and outreach efforts that ensured our community was informed and engaged.
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Our community and voters for your participation and support.
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Our BGISD team for your tireless work and collaborative spirit throughout this process.
Together, we have taken an important step toward enhancing our facilities and learning environments.
Next Steps:
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Campus Survey – Scheduled for the first week of June.
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Geotech Services – Proposals are currently being received to hire a firm.
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Contractor Selection Timeline:
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RFQ ads will run June 3–14
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RFQs from general contractors due June 18
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Review Committee interviews: June 23 or 24
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Final selection: June 26 Board Meeting
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Curriculum & Instruction
Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Projections:
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6 Master Teachers: $23,384 each | District total: $140,364
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6 Exemplary Teachers: $12,836 each | District total: $77,016
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2 Recognized Teachers: $6,418 each | District total: $12,836
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Total TIA Funds: $230,216 (10% retained by district)
Though these are simply projections, our data shows strong alignment between teacher observations and student growth, positioning BGISD well for validation under TIA requirements.
Bilingual Program Expansion:
Blooming Grove Elementary will begin implementation of a Bilingual Pre-K program, which will expand by grade level annually through 3rd grade. This initiative reflects our commitment to inclusive, high-quality instruction for all learners.
Consent Agenda Approvals
The board approved several standard operational items through the consent agenda, including:
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2025–2026 Board Meeting Calendar
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Retainer Agreement with Walsh Gallegos Law Firm
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Dual Credit Agreement with Navarro College – Continuing to provide expanded learning opportunities for our high school students.
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alvarado ISD – Allowing CDL third-party testing for our school bus drivers, enhancing efficiency in our transportation department. This is a great step in providing a cost efficient path to getting potential bus drivers certified.
Bond Process Agenda Items
Much of the meeting was focused on discussion and action surrounding the May 2025 bond projects. The Board took several important steps to streamline and structure the bond process:
Delegation of Authority
The Board approved a Resolution delegating authority for bond-related decisions to the Superintendent. This will ensure more efficient communication and execution of bond projects at the district level.
I would like to thank the Board for their trust as we move forward in guiding our district in the right direction.
Construction Method Determined
The Board voted to adopt the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method as the official procurement strategy for bond projects. This method offers flexibility and cost-efficiency, allowing BGISD to maximize the value of every dollar spent while maintaining transparency and quality standards.
Other Agenda Items discussed and approved.
Human Sexuality Curriculum Adoption
The Board approved the adoption of Living WELL Aware: My Choices, My Life – The Guide to Adolescent Wellness to meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for grades 6–8.
Key points:
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Instruction will only be provided with written parental permission (opt-in required).
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Curriculum aligns with state mandates including a strong emphasis on abstinence.
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Parents will receive full access to videos and lesson modules.
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Developed with guidance from the district's SHAC committee (School Health Advisory Council).
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Resources and adult materials are freely available at livingwellaware.com
This curriculum promotes a team-based approach to student wellness by engaging educators, families, and the broader community.
Student/Athletic Insurance for 2025–2026
The Board approved district-wide student and athletic insurance coverage for the 2025–2026 school year. This program ensures that all students are covered in the event of an accident during school-related activities.
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Provider: National Health and Great American Insurance
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Savings: Over $2,000 compared to previous plans
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Special thanks to Mr. Harlan for evaluating multiple options and selecting the best value for our district and families.
Approval of Teacher Instructional Technology Lease Agreement
The Board approved the lease agreement for our Teacher Instructional Technology devices, following the administrative recommendation to partner with CDW Technology. This agreement ensures that our teachers will have access to up-to-date, reliable devices that support effective instruction and enhance student learning.
The cost to the district will be $33,589 per year, an expense that has been carefully budgeted and planned for annually moving forward. This strategic investment reflects BGISD’s commitment to providing our educators with the best tools to succeed in the classroom.
New Teacher Hires – Welcome to BGISD!
The highlight of the evening was the approval of five outstanding new staff members. These individuals bring exceptional skill, enthusiasm, and heart to our district:
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Samantha Elmore – Certified EC–6 Generalist, joining as a Junior High ELAR teacher. Samantha comes highly recommended from Shepherd ISD.
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Addison Palos – A proud BGISD alumnus, Addison just completed his degree and will be teaching Junior High ELAR while working toward certification under DOI. His local ties and dedication make him a great fit.
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Mason Bigler – Certified in high school mathematics, Mason currently teaches at Corsicana High School. He will join BGHS as our new Geometry teacher. He is also the husband of JoJo (Ellis) Bigler, further connecting him to our community.
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Brittanie Waller – Brittanie will teach Health Science and assist with Athletic Training, joining under DOI based on her nursing experience. Her heartfelt enthusiasm upon accepting the position was inspiring, and her passion is contagious!
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Maddie Moore – Maddie will teach Theater at both the junior high and high school under DOI. This position was restructured from an art assignment, with art now supported by a paraprofessional. This hire strengthens our fine arts department.
As we wrap up this school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what a fantastic year it has been at Blooming Grove ISD. From academic achievements to new opportunities for growth, this year has been full of milestones and momentum. We’ve seen incredible progress, welcomed new faces, and continued building a culture of excellence across every campus. And the best part? There’s even more excitement ahead.
To our staff, students, families, board members, and community, thank you for your support, hard work, and belief in what makes BGISD so special.
Have a safe and joyful summer, and we’ll see you in August!