May 1999

Special Recognitions

• Watkins Middle School student Ellen Orchard was recognized for being the national winner of the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest. Ellen will be provided the opportunity to read her winning entry -- a 34-page original play entitled El Nino Infermo -- at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 1999.
• Jersey Village High School students Ginger Mitcham and Chanthabourne Phothisane were congratulated for being named national finalists in the Scholastic Art Awards.
• Cypress Creek High School student Michael Humphreys, who placed second in an essay contest sponsored by the Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT), was recognized for his achievement. Michael was recognized by SRT at the San Jacinto Monument and received a $2,000 college scholarship
• The Board recognized special education bus driver Mary Pardue for being named the 1998-99 Educational Services Personnel Committee Spotlight winner.
• The 1998-99 Paraprofessional Services Committee Spotlight winner, Barbara Guidry, and the runner-up, Kathie Klare, were congratulated.
• The following individuals were recognized as Spotlight, Volume XIV teachers: Kathy Aldridge, Carlton Center; Rose Anderson, Lamkin Elementary School; Gayle Benson, Arnold Middle School; Loretta Bourn, Hancock Elementary School; Mary Brandon, Wilson Elementary School; Laura Briggs, Post Elementary School; Martha Burnett, Hairgrove Elementary School; Margaret Castro, Hamilton Elementary School; Teresa Clever, Fiest Elementary School; Saundra Coffey, Cypress Springs High School; Beth Crist, Bane Elementary School; Molly Davenport, Matzke Elementary School; Lisa Dejoie, Jowell Elementary School; Misty Duncan, Campbell Middle School; Jody Duvall, Lowery Elementary School; Diane Flood, Willbern Elementary School; Rita Flores, Francone Elementary School; Blanca Gonzales, Owens Elementary School; Susan Harrison, Alternative Learning Center; Linda Hatfield, Reed Elementary School; LaCelia Henderson, Ault Elementary School; Patricia Henry, Frazier Elementary School; Diane Howard, Langham Creek High School; Noreen Hughes, Lieder Elementary School; Stacey Kearn, Moore Elementary School; Susan Lambert, Millsap Elementary School; Judy Leggio, Thornton Middle School; Marilyn Lessar, Sheridan Elementary School; Maria Mamaux, Dean Middle School; Pat Mangum, Metcalf Elementary School; Pam Mann, Hamilton Middle School; Brigette Martin, Cook Middle School; Carrie Marz, Yeager Elementary School; Debbie Meehan, Millsap Elementary School; Kaye Miller, Cypress Falls High School; Janice Moore, Bang Elementary School; Shirley Mossman, Emmott Elementary School; Nancy Nevels, Lieder Elementary School; Marte Parham, Jersey Village High School; Annette Patterson, Adam Elementary School; Gayle Pratt, Holmsley Elementary School; Phyllis Roberts, Truitt Middle School; Jerry Roberts, Watkins Middle School; Marjory Scarbrough, Cy-Fair High School; Sharon Sharadin, Horne Elementary School; Connie Sue Smith, Bleyl Middle School; Teri Tidmore, Labay Middle School; Michelle Truitt, Copeland Elementary School; Karen Twitchell, Cypress Creek High School; Claire Vining, Adaptive Behavior Center; Mariluz Wofford, Windfern High School; and Barbara Wolf, Holbrook Elementary School.

NEW TRUSTEES ELECTED

The Board canvassed the ballots of the May 1, 1999, election for Positions 3 and 4, and Lou Bertoli and Lida Woodul were declared winners. In Position 3, Bertoli received 1,267 votes, Bill St. Clair received 456, and Chuck Brandman received 645. In Position 4, Lida Woodul received 1,441 votes, and Marian Liebling received 798. Following Bertoli and Woodul's oaths of office, the Board reorganized and selected the following officers: President Bill O'Brien; Vice President Al Martinez, Jr.; and Secretary Barbara Hines.

RESULTS OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT REVIEW REPORTED

The districtwide staff development program was reviewed by a team of outside experts, with the following areas included in the evaluation:

• General Leadership Training for principals, directors of instruction, and districtwide curriculum coordinators;
• Assistant Principals' Training for elementary and secondary school assistant principals;    
• the Administrative Leadership Academy for teachers and administrators aspiring to entry-level or higher-level administrative positions;
• curriculum days for teachers;
• general interest courses for district employees; and    
• gifted and talented courses for teachers.Examiners provided several commendations and recommendations, and the District has developed an extensive plan to follow-up on the report.

LUNCH PRICES TO INCREASE IN 1999-2000

The Board approved the District's recommendation to increase elementary school lunches to $1.55, secondary lunches to $1.70, and adult lunches to $2.10. There was no increase recommended for breakfast meals. The 10 cent increases -- prompted by the District's growth and rising food costs -- are the first since 1996-97.

BOARD CONSIDERS RECOMMENDATION OF SWIMMING POOL USE

The Board discussed the pros and cons of various options for the use of swimming pools throughout the District. Options considered included the following:

• Option 1-A: Build a six-lane, stand-alone pool at Langham Creek High School at a cost of $3,296,000.
• Option 1-B: Build a lesser stand-alone facility at Langham Creek High School at a cost of $1,380,000 to $1,700,000.
• Build a practice pool at Middle School #11 for use by Langham Creek High School swimmers. High School #7 would use the pool at Campbell Middle School. This option would cost $2,840,500.
• Do not build a pool and let Langham Creek High School swimmers use the pool at Watkins Middle School on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and the Cypress Springs High School pool on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This option would cost the District nothing.
• Renovate the pool at Watkins Middle School to include six lanes by widening the pool from 33 to 41 feet; this would cost $1,750,000.
• Renovate the pool at Watkins Middle School to include six lanes by widening the pool from 33 to 45 feet; this would cost $3,321,315.
• Share existing pools as necessary to balance practices and preparation time, using the Clear Lake option (Cypress Springs High School swimmers practice during the school day, and Langham Creek High School swimmers practice before school.).  The Board chose not to approve the administration's recommendation to build a swimming pool at Middle School #11 and directed the administration to continue working with Langham Creek and Cypress Springs coaches and principals, with input from parents, to formulate short-term and long-term options as to where Langham Creek swimmers will train. In addition, the Board requested additional information regarding the construction of a lower-cost practice pool.

SURPLUS PROPERTY PROCESS INITIATED

The Board approved the District's request to initiate the process for declaring 9.29 acres adjacent to Hamilton Elementary School as surplus property. The process involves declaring a 60-day public review and comment period that will include a public forum. The property, purchased in 1979 for $353,000, is estimated to be worth $500,000 to $600,000. As a stipulation of the sale, the District plans to include a landscaping easement between Hamilton's playground and any future development.

PAY RAISE FOR NEW TEACHERS APPROVED

The Board approved an increase in beginning salaries for teachers on 187-day contracts. The new beginning salary of $30,000 is necessary to compete with neighboring school districts. Because the financial implications of the pending legislation are not clear, a recommendation regarding all other employees will be considered following the conclusion of the 76th Texas Legislature later this month.

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE PURCHASED

An 11-acre site in the Coles Crossing subdivision was approved for purchase for approximately $532,000. The site is a possible location for a future elementary school.