www.bellsisd.net
October 2016 Volume 3, Issue 2
Inside this Issue . . .
State Accountability
Ratings
Fall Sports
Homecoming 2016
Panther Band News
Bus Safety Week
BISD Teachers Re-
ceive Grants
PJH Students of the
Month and Student
Council
Think Through Math
Challenge
Bells FFA
Third Grade Flat
Stanley Projects
Panther Prowl 2016
PJH Community
Garden
Student Learning
Displays
BISD Professional
Learning for Faculty
BHS Students of the
Month
PJH Science Interac-
tive Learning
Fire Safety Week
Panther Tracks
BISD’S Finances
I have often commented on the
complicated nature of the Texas
school finance system. Over the
past several years, it has only es-
calated in complexity! As our
Texas Legislators prepare for an-
other Legislative session set to
begin January 10th, school finance
is again the top priority of a num-
ber of politicians and is expected
to dominate the session. The task
of financing Texas’ public schools
absorbs approximately 70% of our
State’s budget; naturally it re-
quires much attention.
As for the finances of Bells I.S.D.,
we are fortunately doing well,
thanks to the school finance
knowledge and watchful eye of
our business manager and the
Board of Trustees. BISD’s recent
external financial audit revealed a
healthy general fund balance as of
August 31, 2016 of $2,292,763.62,
up approximately $628,915.33
from August 31, 2015. The cur-
rent fund balance represents 3.6
months of expenditures as BISD’s
average monthly expenses this
past year totaled $627,795, with
the majority of that being payroll.
It is anticipated the Board of Trus-
tees will designate $900,000 of
the fund balance for future con-
struction at the October board
meeting.
The goal of the Board is to main-
tain a minimum of two months
expenditures, preferably three in
fund balance for emergencies.
The board adopts the philosophy
that the money generated by our
district from local property taxes,
state funds and federal grants, is
for the sole purpose of providing
a quality education for the stu-
dents of this community in clean,
modern facilities. Research indi-
cates BISD’s fund balance may not
be as large in proportion as some
schools our size; however, the
clear reason is the Board is
spending the money as intended
……to educate the students in
our community! Schools are non-
profit institutions, and the Board
distributes the school’s revenue as
such.
The Board of Trustees recently
elected to refinance the 2009
bonds used to build the gym, band
hall and junior high classrooms; in
doing so, the interest rate was
reduced from around 5% to
2.12%, saving the district approxi-
mately $2.5 million dollars over
the life of those bonds. That figure
equates to a savings in yearly pay-
ments of approximately $112,000!
In addition, the district will be in
position, again through responsi-
ble stewardship of district funds
over the years, to “pay off” the
elementary school bonds in the
fall of 2019, six years prior to the
scheduled pay off and saving con-
siderable funds in the process. I
anticipate planning to begin soon
to be prepared to renovate the
high school when the elementary
bonds are paid off.
Desiring more information on
BISD’s finances? Please feel free
to contact the administration of-
fices, and we will gladly share in-
formation. We intend on being
fully transparent and will be glad
to share audit and budget infor-
mation!
From the Superintendent………………. Mr. Joe Moore
2016 Accountability Ratings
In August, the Texas Education Agency re-
leased 2016 state accountability ratings for dis-
tricts and campuses. Bells ISD and all three
campuses received a rating of Met Standard. In
addition, congratulations to Bells Elementary
and Bells High School for receiving additional
distinctions. BES received the following six
distinctions: Academic Achievement in English
Language Arts and Reading, Academic Achieve-
ment in Math, Academic Achievement in Sci-
ence, Academic Achievement in Science, Top
25 Percent in Student Progress, Top 25 Per-
cent in Closing Performance Gaps, and Post-
secondary Readiness. Bells High School re-
ceived three distinctions: Academic Achieve-
ment in Social Studies, Top 25 percent in Stu-
dent Progress, and Postsecondary Readiness.
BES received 6 out of 6 distinc-
tions ranking them in the top 5%
of all campuses in the state.
Bells ISD
Newsletter Leading the Way for Student Success!
www.bellsisd.net
Panther Football Starting off Strong
The Bells Panther football team began the season strong
with wins against Era, Chico, Paris Chisum and Honey
Grove. They are currently 6-1 overall and 2-1 in district
play and look forward to the end of the football season.
Page 2
Lady Panthers Volleyball
Looking at Another Post-
District Appearance
Fall Sports in Panther Country
Homecoming 2016
Homecoming 2016 proved to be an amazing night for both
current BHS students and alumni who came to the game to
watch the Panthers dominate the field in a tremendous win
over the Honey Grove Warriors. With this being a big reunion
year for Bells graduates, the stadium was packed with visitors
who had come home to take part in the reunion festivities. The
Panthers played an amazing game and the pride of our maroon
and gold was evident under the Friday night lights.
2016 Homecoming King and Queen
The usual homecoming fanfare took place on September 16th
with the crowning of our 2016 king and queen. Seniors Bruce
Chartier and CJ Crane were crowned at pre-game festivities.
Members of the 2016 Homecoming Court are pictured at left.
Queen nominees were CJ Crane, Katie Branam, Riley Krueger,
and Cheyanne Connor. The nominees for king were Bruce
Chartier, Maverick Priest, Caleb England, and Lane Murphree.
The Bells Lady
Panther volley-
ball team is hav-
ing a great sea-
son. Currently,
the team holds
an 8-4 record in
district play.
The Lady Pan-
thers have se-
cured a playoff
spot with post
district play
coming up the
first week in No-
vember.
The JV team is
11—9 in their
season with two
games remain-
ing.
Congratulations to
senior volleyball
player Zoe Bank-
ston for being
named the KXII A+
Athlete for the week
for week of October
17th. Way to go
Zoe!
King and queen photo by Alumni YB Editor, Sara Carpenter
Homecoming Court pic by 2016-2017 Yearbook Staff
www.bellsisd.net
Bells High School
Students participat-
ed in Homecoming
spirit days as part
of the week-long
celebration
leading up to the
Friday night game.
At right, students
were “getting
groovy” in support
of the Panthers.
Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 2
Panther Band Excels
in 2016
Fall Competitions
The Bells High School Panther
Band recently traveled to Tishamingo, Oklahoma, to
participate in the 2016 Chickasaw Festival Band Extrav-
aganza. Bells ISD represented the great state of Texas
by being the only Texas band to compete. Even more
exciting, the Panther Band placed FIRST in Division 3
(2A) and was ranked 2nd out of 14 bands in the small
school category (1A-3A). The band earned 1st place in
Division 3 and was awarded a trophy and a check for
$75!
The BHS Color Guard and
Drum Major - Danielle
Yelton-Brown, ranked
THIRD overall out of 34
bands. That is... out of all 1A
-6A schools and 11 different
divisions. This was a tremen-
dous accomplishment for the
squad. Congratulations to the
band and color guard on a job
WELL DONE!
The next competition for
the band was the Sounds of
Fall Marching Classic in
Princeton, Saturday, October
15th. Once again, the Panther Band competed well and
represented panther pride and excellence by earning sev-
eral awards. The Band received Best Music, Bes
