January 2000

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

• Post Elementary School teacher Rebecca Fuchs was recognized for receiving the 1999 Elementary Physical Educator of the Year Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). The award recognizes outstanding teaching and professional involvement. TAHPERD Executive Director Quentin A. Christian said, "For Rebecca Fuchs, this a well deserved recognition. She is noted within her community and among her peers as a committed, passionate, and quality teacher."

• The following students were recognized for distinguishing themselves on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as national merit semifinalists, commended students, or achievement scholars:

-- Cy-Fair High School students Amanda Hargrove, Kristen Searcy, Kevin Svatek, Hieu Tran, and Lulu Zhang;

-- Cypress Creek High School students Melissa J. Campbell, Lindsey N. Chillion, James J. Doebbler, Rose N. Kowalski, Teresa D. Lynch, Morgan E. Medina, Stephanie L. Mendoza, Sheima Mojtahedi, Shanna L. Nelson, David M. Peterson, Jennifer L. Pollio, Andrew G. Rothschild, Michael A. Rutledge, Kyle M. Schindler, Sarah C. Sullivant, Kristin E. Williams, and Serene Wongsa;

-- Cypress Falls High School students Victoria T. An, Tracy E. Bratten, Claire Costin, Ryan S Everson, Daniel H. Garza, Justin M. Kulish, Keith V. Lawler, Wendy Kay Logan, Megha S. Patel, Vinay K. Sarda, Rebecca L. Schewe, Sarita D. Singeetham, Samit D. Soni, Michael D. Stewart, Jana Thirugnanasampa, Phillip A. Womack, and Ryan P. Young;

-- Cypress Springs High School students Joanne R. Gardner, Brian P. Johnson, Julia A. Keedy, Meghan E. Keedy, Alexia H. McWhinney, Regina Nguyen, Faiza S. Omer, Stephanie R. Riley, Ellic S. Sahualla, Debby Santisteban, Rochelle N. Schnyder, Ashley M. Thumann, and A.J. Walker;

-- Jersey Village High School students Erin E. Bales, Erik J. Buntin, Vickie Chan, Lauren E. Fowler, Grace Hu, Melissa Luna, Kevin T. Meier, Sara E. Pollard, Scott R. Weirich, and Kara L. Wheat;

-- Langham Creek High School students Seemay Chou, Anita W. Faulkner, Kyle M. Forsthoff, Michael P. Gormley, Ryan J. Hewitt, Jessica L. Hooten, Michael A. Mann, Matthew J. Menger, Christopher D. Mills, Trang T. Pham, Aaron N. Pollock, William J. Potscavage, Dan Schlueter, Sonja M. Skrovanek, Richard J. Spenser, Krystal Wilkes, and Melissa A. Zabriskie.

PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing was held to give patrons of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD an opportunity to provide input to the Board concerning the District’s 1998-1999 Academic Excellence Indicator System report. A copy of the report was available prior to the hearing in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Public Information Office.

SAT/ACT TEST SCORES

A report on Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) scores for 1999 seniors was presented to the Board. The Cypress-Fairbanks ISD 1999 SAT verbal mean is 509, and the 1999 math mean is 533. These scores result in a composite of 1042, significantly above the Texas composite of 993 and the national composite of 1016. ACT scores for 1999 graduating seniors are 20.5 for English, 22.4 for math, 21.8 for reading, and 21.6 for science reasoning, all of which result in a composite score of 21.7. The Texas composite is 20.3, and the national composite is 21.0. A comparison of area districts follows.

The most important factor in interpreting SAT scores is the number of eligible students taking the exam -- the participation rate.

TELEPHONE SURVEY OF DISTRICT RESIDENTS

The results of an annual telephone survey of district residents were presented to the Board. The survey was performed by Dr. Robert Stein, dean of the School of Social Sciences and professor of political science at Rice University, to ascertain public perceptions about current district personnel, operations, policies, and support for spending and revenue proposals. Results of the survey indicate that the District continues to receive high ratings from its electorate and parent population. Moreover, the District's overall rating continues to improve from previously high ratings. Dr. Stein attributed the rise in approval ratings to the successful bond election in 1998 and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD's "Recognized" rating in the state accountability system. The campaign that accompanied the bond election significantly increased voter awareness about the District's operations, particularly those directed at addressing enrollment growth. Ratings regarding teachers, administration, and safety were described as extremely high.

HEALTH INSURANCE

A comparison of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD health insurance benefits to surrounding school districts was reported to the Board. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD offers the following plans:

• Plan A is administered by Aetna and provides employees an 80/20 co-pay with a $300 deductible for individuals and a $900 deductible for families. The plan includes a prescription card. Members of Plan A may use physicians not part of the plan, but deductibles and co-pays are higher.

• Plan B is administered by AmeriHealth and provides employees a 90/10 co-pay with a $200 deductible for individuals and a $600 deductible for families. Plan B includes a prescription card. Members of Plan B may use physicians not part of the plan, but deductibles and co-pays are higher.

• Plan C is administered by Prudential HMO and provides a $15 co-pay per office visit, but employees must use physicians who are members of the plan.

• Plan D is a hospital indemnity plan for employees who are covered under their spouses' insurance plans.

In comparing the above-mentioned plans to surrounding school districts, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD's deductibles were found to be very competitive, and employee premiums were found to be among the lowest in the area.

2000-2001 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The recommendation of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Calendar Committee was presented to the Board. The committee was comprised of staff members, administrators, parents, and community members, and input was solicited from a variety of groups, including the District Educational Improvement Council, staff members, Volunteers in Public Schools, the PTO Presidents' Council, and the Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee. In analyzing calendar input, the following considerations were found to be important.

• Professional days should be scheduled on Fridays and Mondays to facilitate three-day weekends.

• A one-week Spring Break should be included in the calendar.

• A one-week Thanksgiving holiday should be scheduled.

• The calendar should include 177 instructional days and 10 professional days.

• Six-weeks grading periods should end on Fridays.

• The day of the week that school starts is important.

• The elementary conference day should be scheduled no earlier than the seventh week of school.

• The first semester should end prior to the winter holiday break.

• The TAAS testing schedule should be considered.

• The school year should end prior to Memorial Day.

• More student days should be scheduled in the second semester than in the first to provide for days for state-mandated testing.

• The calendar should accommodate sufficient days for summer school.

Highlights of the calendar include the following items.

• The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 2000.

• A Thanksgiving break is scheduled for November 20-24, 2000.

• A winter break is scheduled for December 15, 2000, through January 2, 2001.

• Spring Break is scheduled for March 12-16, 2001.

• The last day of school is scheduled for May 23, 2001.

• Three inclement weather days are included the calendar, one in the first semester and two in the second.

EDUCATOR BACKGROUND CHECKS, INC.

The Board authorized Superintendent Rick Berry to negotiate and execute an agreement with Region IV Education Service Center to provide contracted services for criminal records checks and consultative services from Educator Background Checks, Inc. (EBCI). The company will conduct criminal history searches for employment candidates and current employees using a web-based, comprehensive system that offers unlimited searches of adjudicated Texas Department of Public Safety data and provides access to parolee and state sex offenders lists. EBCI's program provides a national criminal history record check for new employees using a social security number trace to county records throughout the United States. In addition, EBCI provides consultation services, including responses to questions submitted via e-mail, assistance with personnel procedures and policy support, and criminal record report interpretations.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The administration presented a progress report on the construction of four new elementary schools and the renovation of Cy-Fair High School. It was reported that all elementary projects are on schedule and have not exceeded budgeted construction amounts.

RESOLUTION REGARDING CONCRETE MIXING PLANT APPROVED

The Board approved a resolution expressing its concern regarding the construction of a concrete batch-mixing plant at 5325 Barker Cypress Road, which would be close to Wilson Elementary School. Area subdivisions have formed a citizen group to oppose the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's approval of a permit for the facility. Concerns regarding the facility include possible air pollution, ground water contamination, and increased traffic along local roadways.