BISD selects officers from among new returning trustees
Beaumont ISD’s board of directors voted on a combination of new and returning directors.
“It’s really good to be back,” said Woodrow Reece, District 3 administrator, after being confirmed as vice president. “One thing I tell everyone is you have a superintendent, you’re either with them or without them, but never say anything bad about them. They have a tough job. And they’ve got seven … watch dogs on them, so keep that in mind.
The choices were made at the last board meeting on May 20, after a closed session that ended around 10:30 p.m.
Reece returns to the council after having previously held various positions, before the state dismisses the directors and replaces them with a board of directors due, among other things, to the poor financial health of the district.
He was opposed to the takeover.
Some community members have shared concerns about Woodrow Reece’s election and selection as leader, given his history on the ousted board, but administrator Tillie Hickman said Woodrow Reece, whose son , Kevin Reece is also a board member, will be a “stabilizing influence.”
“He cares about the kids a lot,” she says. “The board that was withdrawn was never charged with anything. It was decided… because of the superintendent and the lack of oversight as much as anything else, and the fact that they allowed the finances to get into such a terrible situation.
Woodrow Reece did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Robert Dunn Sr., a general administrator and alumnus of the IBDD who has been an outspoken member of the board since he served in 2020, has been selected as the new chairman of the board.
“First of all, I would like to thank the board members for their confidence in me to nominate and vote me as the new chairman of the board,” Dunn said at the meeting. “I’ll do my best. I am passionate about not only the children in the district, but also the teachers and staff and of course our superintendent.
Dunn was one of two directors appointed for the post, while trustee Tillie Hickman also nominated Denise Wallace-Spooner for the post.
The new president said he hoped to build on the success of former president Thomas Sigee and create a culture of transparency in the district.
“If anyone needs anything, all you have to do is call,” he says. “I try to be as transparent as possible, and I hope I can do as well as our last president.”
Wallace-Spooner, who was one of the first local administrators to return to the board after the state’s board began to gradually return to local control, declined to comment “for the time being.”
Hickman told The Enterprise that she appointed Wallace-Spooner based on her experience on the board, including the last role as vice president.
“She had served as vice president this year, so it seemed like a logical appointment,” Hickman said. “I think it’s best to have someone who has experience with the board as chairman, just because it makes more sense if you know what’s going on.
The board also selected one of the newest faces, Stacey Lewis Jr., as board secretary.
Lewis told The Enterprise it was “an honorable position to occupy.”
“It shows the character of seasoned leadership and its confidence in me,” he said. “Every board member has led to some degree and it says a lot that their election shows their altruistic side.”
Another new trustee, Joe Evans, nominated himself for the post of vice chairman, but did not receive the votes.
He said the selection of Lewis as secretary allows the “new blood” prospect to be represented in the board leadership.
“He’s young, and from a perceptual perspective, I think it’s good that young people can see not only a young trustee, but also an officer,” he said. “We have a very hard working board of directors and superintendent, and we intend to bring this positive energy and work ethic to teachers and students.
Lewis echoed these sentiments.
“I am young enough to come into contact with our students, but old enough to be respected as their oldest,” he said. “I represent the current roster of new educators and parents and I stand up to earn the respect of my senior leaders.”
District Superintendent Shannon Allen welcomed the new officers and board members at the end of the board meeting in May.
“I’m so excited that Mr. Reece, (who has) so much experience, is coming back to the board,” she said. “To our new board members, fresh young minds, I appreciate your willingness to take the highest paying job in the state… because you are paid with the love of our children and the success of our children. in BISD. So thank you.
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