The state agency responsible for certifying educators has been investigating Downes since a complaint was filed against him in 2007. Although the direct nature of the complaint has never been released, it is believed to contain allegations of inappropriate relationships with students during earlier stops in Downes’ career.

Discussion Thursday will serve to bring trustees up to speed on the status of the investigation, School Board President Alan Partee said.

“(Downes) has a stipulation in his contract that requires him to inform us about the status of the investigation,” Partee said. “This will be a good opportunity for us to discuss the situation, get his input on the situation and give him our input.”

No action is expected to be taken as a result of these discussions, which will occur in closed session.

Also Thursday, trustees will hear preliminary results on students’ scores on the state’s Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

The Texas Education Agency recently released preliminary scores on the TAKS reading test for students in grades 3, 5 and 8 that show 82 percent of students district-wide have passed the reading test.

These scores are particularly important because students in these grades must pass their reading test before they can advance to the next grade level.

Kentwood third graders had a 95 percent passage rate, while Washington students passed at a 90 percent rate. Eighth graders at the junior high also passed at a 90 percent clip.

Downes cautioned not to read too much into these figures just yet. Students have two more chances to pass the TAKS before the end of the school year, so final passage rates should likely be higher.

“Having said that, I’m very pleased with our overall reading results,” Downes said. “I’m extremely proud of student performance at the junior high.”

In other business, trustees will consider:

• Personnel matters.

• Bids for lighting at BSISD softball and baseball fields.

• Bids and budget amendments for compaction grouting at the junior high.

• Textbook recommendations for elementary mathematics books.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it