Bryan ISD School Board Deliberates Five Issues Behind Closed Doors Then Takes Action On One Item

Bryan City Council Moves Ahead With Expanding One Wastewater Plant And Starting A Replacement Plant

May’s regular meeting of the Bryan city council included awarding two contracts involving two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). One is a $179,000 dollar feasibility and cost study to design the new Brushy Creek plant to serve Bryan’s east side. Public works director Jayson Barfknecht said the Brushy Creek plant would eventually replace the Burton Creek WWTP on the city’s south side. Dr. Barfknecht told the council the study will give staff information about two design options. One of those design options would inject treated water into the city’s underground water aquifers for future consumption. Click HERE to read and download a staff report about the Brushy Creek WWTP feasibility and cost study. Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved during the May 14, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from Jayson Barfknecht during the May 14, 2024 Bryan council meeting. https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BryCoun051424BrushyCrWWTP.mp3   The Bryan council also approved a $3.3 million dollar contract to design the expansion of the Thompson’s Creek wastewater treatment plant that serves the city’s west side. Barfknecht said the Thompson’s Creek plant currently handles one million gallons a day, the city’s current permit is for two million, and city staff will seek raising capacity to eight million gallons a day. Mayor Bobby Gutierrez and city manager Kean Register says the expansion is extremely important for continued development in and around the RELLIS area. Click HERE to read and download a staff report about the design contract to expand the Thompson’s Creek WWTP. Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved during the May 14, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from the May 14, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BryCoun051424ThompCrWWTP.mp3  

Flooding Rains Are Not Recharging Underground Aquifers

May’s flooding rains are not recharging underground aquifers. Alan Day at the Brazos Valley groundwater conservation district (BVGCD) says it is typical that in the district’s eight aquifers, if it rains between 37 and 40 inches, five inches will reach the aquifer. Day says what the rains have done, has reduced the amount of water being pumped for irrigating crops and lawns. As for irrigating lawns, Day reminds Brazos County homeowners to get the Brazos Valley Water Smart website to know when to run irrigation systems. Click HERE to be directed to the website that is funded by the conservation district, which shows zones where watering is and is not needed. Click below to hear comments from Alan Day, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Flooding rains are not recharging underground aquifers” on Spreaker.  

College Station ISD School Board Now Requires Public Speakers To Preregister

The week after College Station ISD school board members interrupted public speakers who identified a teacher they were criticizing, a special meeting is held to discuss board policy and operational procedures. The CSISD board decided to require pre-registration of public speakers by 10 a.m. the day before a board meeting. Two board members brought up not being able to respond to some public comments. State law prevents elected officials from responding to items that are not on the meeting agenda. Superintendent Tim Harkrider added that the pre-registration gives an opportunity for administrators to explain in advance of meetings the district’s policies and procedures to public speakers. Board members and administrators also reviewed public comments during the May 21st regular meeting that were critical of the teacher and the district’s current policies and procedures for complaints and grievances. Click below to listen to comments from the May 29, 2024 special meeting of the College Station ISD school board: Listen to “College Station ISD school board now requires public speakers to preregister” on Spreaker.   Additional information about submitting grievances and complaints to College Station ISD as of May 31st, 2024 from the College Station ISD website: The College Station ISD Board of Trustees encourages employees, students, parents, and patrons to discuss their concerns and complaints through informal conferences with the appropriate administrator. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level. If an informal conference regarding a complaint fails to reach a satisfactory outcome, the concerned employee, student, parent, or patron may initiate the formal grievance process described in the policies below by timely filing a written grievance form within the timeline as outlined in Board policy as linked below. Even after initiating the formal grievance process, complainants are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. The formal complaint may be withdrawn at any time. INSTRUCTIONS: Complaints/Grievances should be completed with the appropriate information and file by either email, hand delivery, or mail to College Station ISD at 1812 Welsh Avenue, College Station, TX 77840 or the appropriate email address listed below. Complaint forms are available upon request from the individuals below: Employee Complaints/Grievances contact: Bridget Cooper at complaints@csisd.org or (979) 764-5411 DGBA(LEGAL) DGBA(LOCAL) Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances contact: Chrissy Hester at complaints@csisd.org or (979) 764-5415 FNG(LEGAL) FNG(LOCAL) Public Complaints/Grievances contact: Austin Dunson at complaints@csisd.org or (979) 764-5455 GF(LEGAL) GF(LOCAL)