This podcast contains comments from Bryan ISD chief of staff Ginger Carrabine and assistant superintendent Kevin Beesaw during the March 1, 2021 BISD school board meeting.

Bryan ISD school board members held a special meeting this week to approve requests from administrators related to last month's winter storms.

The unanimous votes included changing the school calendar for the remainder of this year. Five instructional days from the final six week period were shifted to the current six week period. That's after classes were cancelled during the storm. BISD chief of staff Ginger Carrabine reported the recommendation from teachers was supported by campus principals and central office administrators. Carrabine also said BISD won't have to make up any days, and this has no impact on BISD's spring break or holidays.

The board also approved assistant superintendent Kevin Beesaw's request to give administrators permission to authorize purchases over $50,000 dollars towards storm damage remediation and repairs.

While board members received no damage report, BISD communications director Matt LeBlanc told WTAW News a detailed list will be presented during the March 8 board meeting.

As of Monday afternoon, LeBlanc said BISD's maintenance department identified plumbing issues at several locations which include leaks warranting repairs and replacement. Additionally, BISD identified air handler and coil leaks, damage to some boilers and chillers, and damage to the fire sprinkler system at Houston elementary that has since been repaired. As a result of some of the leaks, BISD is assessing the condition and needs at the Stephen F. Austin middle school gym floor and the small gym floor at Rudder high school. BISD also reported some plumbing issues with their sports complexes. That includes outdoor water at the baseball and softball areas at Rudder and Bryan high school. BISD's insurance representative has been on-site and continues to work with administrators so they can respond in a timely manner.

LeBlanc also said the district is fortunate that their maintenance department prevented significant damage with proactive measures before, during, and after the storm.