🐻 #BryanBuilt Podcast | Show Notes

S01 E01: The State of the Golden Bears

Host: Chris Malanga

Guest: Superintendent Mark Rairigh

🎙️ Episode Summary

Welcome to the premiere of the #BryanBuilt Podcast! This show was created to give the Bryan community a direct line to the "why" behind district decisions. In our debut, Superintendent Mark Rairigh defines the #BryanBuilt philosophy—grit, service above self, and a commitment to getting the job done right.

🤿 The Deep Dive: Building for 2026 We spend a significant portion of this episode discussing the physical transformation of our district. Mark provides updates on the $2.5 million Career Tech Center grant, the pace of the new Junior High Gym construction (set for a June 1st finish!), and the "Art Connects Us" auditorium renovations. If you want to know how these changes will impact your student's daily experience, this is the segment for you.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 🎬 Show Intro: Welcome to the premiere of the #BryanBuilt Podcast.

00:50 🪝 What is #BryanBuilt? Mark explains the philosophy behind the hashtag and why it’s about character, not just bricks and mortar.

02:03 📣 The News Feed

• Student Spotlight: Nora Kunsman's incredible run, holding five school swimming records.
• Policy Update: How Bryan students are leading the way with the new state-mandated cell phone policy.
• Guidance Nights: Important dates (Jan 26/27) for choosing 2026-27 classes.

08:00 🤿 The State of the Golden Bears: A status report on the Career Tech Center, the new weight room, and the demolition start date (March 1st) for the central building area.

18:59 🐻 The Fun Segment: This or That! Rapid-fire questions where we reveal our preferences on:

• Purple vs. Gold
• Dum Dums vs. Bit O’Honey
• Snow Days vs. 2-Hour Delays

25:45 📬 Community Q&A:

• Why we started this podcast.
• Understanding the new state law regarding the Kindergarten age cutoff (August 19th).

31:58 🎬 Outro & Final Word: Honoring our "Golden Bear Standout," Rob Goodlive, and a look ahead to Episode 2.

🗓️ Important Dates to Circle:

• Jan 24 10:00 am: Auction at the A&E/Central Building.
• Jan 26/27: MS & HS Guidance Nights (Learn about the new STEM and CTE courses).
• Feb 13-16: No School (Teacher Workday & Presidents’ Day).
• March 9-12: Right to Read Week at the Elementary.
• March 16-20: Spring Break.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Podcast Website: podcast.bryanschools.net

More Calendars and Important Dates: Visit our website at bryanschools.net.

Athletics: Schedules and live streams at BryanSports.com.

Art Connects Us: See the renderings for the new Arts & Education at bryanarts.org.

Bryan Elementary Viral Video: 500,000 views and counting - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSS7Dn3FY21

Feedback: Have a question for the next episode? Email us (cmalanga@bryanschools.net) or visit our Podcast Website.

Weekly Standout: A huge thank you to Rob Goodlive for being the backbone of our Middle/High School custodial team. We appreciate your hard work and your dad jokes!

Full Transcript

Music by Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

License code: DBBQE8ULZQOM0UUJ

Artist: : Dollshade

Closing Thought: Greatness isn't born, it's #BryanBuilt. 🐻🏆