Program Review

The Rotary Club of Beaumont meeting opened with a welcome from President Jay Wilson, followed by an invocation from Bobby Applegate. Brooke Morrow said the pledges and Desiree Pete introduced guests, and members were reminded of several upcoming Rotary activities, including the ribbon cutting for the Rotary Pollinator Garden at the Tyrrell Park Nature and Visitor Center, Polio Awareness Month activities, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The club also announced that the memorial resolution honoring the legacy of former Mayor and Rotarian Evelyn Lord will be held next week. Diane Bass led a Rotary graduation ceremony, presenting blue badges and one master's degree to several members in recognition of their continued involvement and commitment to Rotary.

Members also received updates on several upcoming service projects and fundraising events. Steve Shoemaker provided information about The Giving Field’s annual fundraising event, while Cheryl Bilyeu encouraged members to support the upcoming Wine Down with Rotary by purchasing tickets, donating bottles of wine for the wine pull, and contributing raffle items. Members were also encouraged to participate in BISD Reads Day on October 30. These opportunities highlighted the club’s continued commitment to service and community involvement.

The featured program was presented by Beaumont ISD Superintendent Sandi Massey, who shared the district’s vision of ensuring that every student is known, supported, challenged, and prepared. Massey discussed several significant challenges facing BISD, including school accountability ratings, with 18 of 23 rated schools receiving a D or F, as well as a notable decline in student attendance from approximately 96% to 92% during the first seven weeks of the school year. She also highlighted concerns with student achievement, including third-grade reading performance, and emphasized the important role that families, businesses, and community organizations can play in improving student attendance and educational outcomes.

Massey outlined BISD’s new instructional model for students in grades 3 through 10, focusing on reading and mathematics through 90-minute instructional blocks, gradual release of responsibility, assessment, and differentiated instruction. She also reported a significant decrease in student behavior issues and discussed efforts to address barriers contributing to declining attendance, including transportation challenges and student engagement. The presentation provided Rotarians with insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing Beaumont students and emphasized the importance of community partnerships in supporting BISD’s efforts. The meeting concluded with the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test.