August 2000

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

• Superintendent Rick Berry was congratulated for his selection as Region IV Educational Service Center’s Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Bill McKinney, executive director of Region IV, described Mr. Berry as a gifted and visionary leader who will represent Region IV well as he competes for Texas Superintendent of the Year. Cypress Falls and Jersey Village High Schools and Thornton Middle School were recognized for being selected as 1999-2000 Secondary Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The prestigious award recognizes schools for strong leadership; high-quality teaching; challenging, up-to-date curricula; solid evidence of family involvement; evidence that students are encouraged to achieve high standards; etc.
• The following Cypress Falls High School students were recognized for winning first or second in the Texas Forensic Association’s State Speech and Debate Tournament:

-- Joe Williams won first place in original oratory and second place in Lincoln-Douglass debate.

-- Jason Ravin won second place in original oratory.

The students’ coaches were Walter Willis and Cherryl Hill.

• The following students were congratulated for winning first or second in state and national career and technology competitions:

-- The Campbell Middle School Industrial Technology Club won the 5A Junior High School High Point Award at the Technology Students’ Association (TSA) state competition. The team’s sponsor was Kevin Morosin.-- The Arnold Middle School Industrial Technology Club took second place in the 5a Junior High School High Point Award at the TSA state competition. The team’s sponsor was Johnny Martin.-- The Thornton Middle School Industrial Technology Club won second place at the TSA state competition for 5A Quality of Projects. The team’s sponsors were Rachel Baxter and Jerry Turner.-- Thornton Middle School students Greg Carter, Brad Tribley, and Travis Longstaff won first place in Technology Bowl at the TSA state contest and second place in Technical Writing at the TSA national contest. The students’ sponsor was Rachel Baxter.-- The Cy-Fair High School Industrial Technology Club won first place at the TSA state contest. The team’s sponsors were Larry Carlton, Brad Livesay, Tim Evans, and Clyde Johnson.

-- Langham Creek High School student Nathan Ludwig won first place in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America national competition in the motorcycle competition. His sponsor was Stanford Lee.

• Hamilton Middle School teacher Milrose Gallun was recognized for receiving the 2000 Teacher Excellence Award from the Southwest Region Anti-Defamation League and A World of Difference Institute. She was credited for using literature and writing to teach tolerance to her students.
• Frazier Elementary School Principal Erwann Davis was congratulated for her selection as a nominee for Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association’s 2000 National Distinguished Principal award.

2000-2001 BUDGET

Prior to approving a balanced budget of $343,871,081 for the 2000-2001 school year, a public hearing was held. The budget -- based on a net taxable value of $14.29 billion -- includes expenditures mandated by state and federal governments, salary increases for all employees, new employees for growth, funding for at-risk schools and TAAS programs, and increases for school security. More than 89 percent of the budget, which does not include a tax increase, is comprised of payroll expenses.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW FOLLOW-UP

The Board heard a report on activities that have been implemented to address recommendations included in the 1998 Bilingual Education Program Review. In response to the review, several actions have been taken to improve organization and planning, resources and staffing, instructional support, training, parent involvement, and curriculum issues. In addition, a comparison of Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test data from 1999 to 2000 for third- through fifth-grade bilingual students showed that the District experienced significant increases in the number of bilingual education students who took and passed the TAAS from 1999 to 2000. A follow-up parent survey showed that parents of bilingual student felt that their child attends a very good school (88 percent strongly agreed), that the parents tell their child how important school is (95 percent do this "many times"), and that schools do a good job of sending parents news about things happening at school (89 percent agreed).CLASS SCHEDULE

WAIVER FOR TAAS

The Board approved a request to the Texas Education Agency to modify class schedules on Texas Assessment of Academic Skills testing days during the 2000-2001 school year. The changes are expected to reduce interruptions during testing periods and promote good testing conditions.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING CHANGE

The Board rescheduled its February 2000 meeting dates to avoid a potential conflict with an important conference that many administrators and board members will attend. The work session meeting will be held Monday, February 12, 2000, and the regular meeting will be held Wednesday, February 14, 2000.

CY-FAIR HS RENOVATION UPDATE

An update on the renovation of Cy-Fair High School was provided. The first phase of the project was completed last year, which included a new concrete parking lot. The new science/math classroom wing and the new kitchen and serving lines was just completed in Phase 2 and has been well received. Modifications to the school have been implemented to improve student traffic flow to ensure safety of our students and staff. Phase 3, which includes the new cafeteria/library and renovations to the old 600 wing, is currently under construction. The new front facade is expected to be completed later this year. The new main street is expected to be dried-in by mid September. Substantial completion of the entire project is planned for August 1, 2001. The student enrollment at Cy-Fair High School was 3,136 on August 10, 2000.

SECONDARY ATTENDANCE BOUNDARIES

The Board approved a process for establishing attendance boundaries for Aragon and Goodson Middle Schools and Cypress Ridge High School. The process was approved as presented in the July 2000 Board Highlights.

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

The Board approved several staff recommendations, inclusive of the naming of Rick Terrell as director of transportation. Prior to being named Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s director of maintenance in 1992, Mr. Terrell served in administrative capacities in both Humble ISD and Fort Bend ISD. His duties in those districts have included teaching, coaching, bus driving, and administration of maintenance functions. He replaces Bonnie Russell, who was recently hired by Houston ISD to lead its transportation department.