June 2003

RECOGNITIONS

The Board of Trustees recognized the following students and staff members for their achievements:

• Goodson Middle School student Maria Yuan, for placing third in the nation and winning a bronze medal in the National Sigma Math Test, a nationwide competition sponsored by the University of Nebraska. Yuan is a member of the Goodson math club under the direction of Peggy Fisher.
• Linda Black, teacher at Cypress Falls High School, winner of the national World History Association 2003 Teaching Prize for her entry "The Economic Role of Women in World History." The Teaching Prize is awarded to the best lesson in world history by the WHA.
• Cypress Creek High School student Stephani Fry and teacher/advisor Anita Woolley for publication of the student literary magazine Graffiti, which was recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as one of the top in the nation. Graffiti was one of only 26 publications in the nation to receive this award.
• Transportation employees who won top awards in the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT) Special Needs School Bus Safety Road-E-O competition. Employees Carole Wheeler and Cheryl Costello were recognized for winning first place in the state competition while Barbara Gayle-Haas and Shelley Johnson placed second in the competition in Lubbock, Texas. This is the second consecutive year that Wheeler and Costello have captured the state title. They will advance to the national competition in February 2004.
• Eleven middle and high school students that participated in the National History Day Competition in College Park, Md., this month after receiving first or second place at the Texas State History Day competition earlier this year. Those students were Alexandra Calvert, Tiffany Van, Courtney Weiser and Laura Desrochers from Goodson Middle School; Glen Rhodes, Dake Weng, Chris Cha and Thomas Douglass from Cypress Falls High School; Stephanie Clark from Cy-Fair High School; and Tara Grigg, Sara Franco, and Melanie Aston from Jersey Village High School.

Superintendent Berry recognized students, staff members and athletic teams for recent achievements. The list of honorees and their accomplishments are as follows:

• Four teachers from the middle school team at the Alternative Learning Center were selected to participate with other teams from across Texas in the Middle School Aerospace Scholars program at NASA Johnson Space Center June 8-14. Tabitha Bohac, Harry Hicks, Susan Lavelle and Paul Blume will be using the training to integrate NASA-related instructional materials into their own classroom curriculum and to access NASA’s Distance Learning Outpost events throughout the 2003-04 school year with their students.
• Driver Clayton Terry and attendant Tina Sherman who placed fifth in the Special Needs School Bus Safety Road-E-O in Lubbock,
• Cypress Falls High School choir teacher Nora Klier who recently participated in the "Take Education to Work" program by shadowing Darcy Mingoia, president of the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce, and the chamber staff for a week. The program is designed to help teachers make classroom instruction more relevant to the business world.
• The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. recently presented a plaque to Superintendent Berry for the district’s efforts in making students aware of career opportunities in the construction trades. CFISD has worked as a partner in construction field days for students, job shadowing, events for teachers and students and the district’s College and Career nights.
• CFISD student artwork was displayed in the Region IV Education Service Center lobby in May where hundreds of visitors were able to enjoy the talents of district students. A resolution recognizing the district’s outstanding educators was inscribed on a plaque honoring the students’ art that was presented to the district. Region IV also provided an album containing photos of the student artwork.
• Several former CFISD student athletes are having great success at their respective universities. The Rice Owls Division I Championship baseball team had three former student athletes that started and played a significant role for the Owls in their championship run. Two of the Owls are Cypress Falls High School graduates – right fielder Dane Bubela and left fielder Chris Kolkhorst. Shortstop Paul Janish is a Cypress Creek High School graduate.
• Cypress Springs High School graduate Catherine "Cat" Osterman, who pitches for the University of Texas Lady Longhorns, has been named the Big 12 Woman Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year. She is a sophomore and finished the season with a 32-6 record, which included 18 shutouts, 27 complete games, 488 strikeouts and a paltry ERA of 0.38 that lead the nation. Osterman was also one of only four female athletes in the nation to be nominated for the ESPY Female College Athlete of the Year Award. The ESPY Awards, created by ESPN in 1993, are given for Excellence in Sports Performance.
• As a result of the 78^th Legislature the Cy-Fair Community Improvement District has been created. The initial board of this newly formed management district was sworn in by acting general manager Darcy Mingoia. Superintendent Berry is running for the position of vice-president of the board in the November 4 confirming election.
• The State Board of Education presented a certificate of commendation to the CFISD Board Leadership Team for completion of Level II and III continuing education.
• Mr. Berry informed the community of the recent death of Sandra Walker, a long-time dedicated school employee and school namesake of Walker Elementary. She passed away August 8 after a lengthy illness. Walker served as secretary for three superintendents over a 20-year period – Allen Labay, Don Thornton and Rick Berry. She also served as secretary to the Board and worked with many school board members over the years. Mr. Berry asked that all would join him in keeping her family in thoughts and prayers.

STUDENT HANDBOOK AND CODE OF CONDUCT

Trustees approved the 2003-04 Cypress Fairbanks ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, which reflects new or updated state laws as well as both district and Texas Education Agency policies.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The Board discussed the process, timeline and hiring of a consultant for the superintendent search. Trustees scheduled a special-called Board meeting for August 26 to interview three firms that were named as finalists to conduct the superintendent search.

EVENING HIGH SCHOOL

Trustees approved the Evening High School Program to be held at Windfern High School for the 2003-04 school year. Session I classes begin September 9 and end December 2. Session 2 classes will be January 26 through April 26, 2004. Classes will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 5–9 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-9 p.m.

BOND UPDATE

Trustees approved the purchase and sale agreement with Wheatstone Investments, L.P. for the purchase of a 130-acre multi-school site located at Cypress North Houston and Fry Road for $2,437,500. No schools or projects from the 2001 Bond Election will be built on this site, but the district anticipates using the property for construction of an elementary, middle school and high school that would likely be proposed in a future referendum.

The Board also approved agreements with Municipal Utility Districts No. 155, No. 156 and No. 172 for establishment of utility services to the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center and athletic stadium, which will be built on a 65-acre site at Barker-Cypress and West Road.

ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE CHARGED

Trustees approved the charge to the administrative boundary committee and the process for changing attendance boundaries related to the opening of Duryea Elementary School and Keith Elementary School for the 2004-05 school year.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Mr. Berry announced that Wednesday, August 13 is the first day of school for an expected 74,600 students. He reminded everyone to be aware of speed limits while driving in school zones. New teachers reported to work August 5-6 while returning staff members joined them August 7 to participate in staff development and to prepare for the first day of school. Mr. Berry said the entire district is looking forward to welcoming students and parents back to school.

Three new schools – Birkes Elementary, Robison Elementary and Tipps Elementary will open to students with the start of the new school year. Mr. Berry thanked the many people involved in getting those new schools ready. He also thanked principals Carla Brosnahan, Dan McIlduff and Cathy Jones along with the teachers and parent volunteers who worked hard to prepare the new schools for the first day of school. Mr. Berry and trustees visited the schools in early August.

Mr. Berry stated that safety continues to be the district’s top priority. Unless students and staff feel safe, learning cannot occur. Students will be asked to sign a safety pledge again this year that confirms that they will immediately notify an adult should they become aware of any unsafe condition or situation occurring in their schools. CFISD believes that students are a vital component in helping ensure safety in schools.

Mr. Berry was invited to join with law and safety enforcement agencies, including the FBI, in a live press conference held by the Common Response Task Force Friday, August 15 at 10 a.m. at the Harris County Department of Education. The purpose of this task force was to create common terminology to use with the general public in time of crisis. Common terms and definitions for emergency terms such as "shelter in place," "lockdown" and "reunification/child pick-up" will be explained during the press conference.

The district and the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce will host a free seminar for vendors on "How To Do Business With CFISD" in the Board room of the Instructional Support Center Friday August 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. This presentation will provide an opportunity for any individual or business to learn more about the guidelines and procedures for selling products or services to the school district.

Monday, September 1 will be a student and staff holiday in observance of Labor Day while the district’s annual Wall of Fame Awards will be September 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the ISC Board room. The district will be honoring nine employees and two "friends of education" for their achievements and support of CFISD.

AGENDA ITEMS

In other action, the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees:

• received a written report containing extensive information on district TAKS/SDAA scores;
• received a written report on the end-of-year academic performance of elementary students for 2002-03;
• received a report on the TAKS results for grades 3-11; a summary of SDAA results for grades 3-8; and a TAAS overview for graduating seniors;
• received a written report on legislative issues and the activities of the State Board of Education, Texas School Alliance and the Fast Growth School Coalition;
• approved the list of students for off-campus physical education, Category I for the school years 2003-2004 (fall addendum) through 2005-2006;
• approved the administration’s recommendation for out-of-district tuition for the 2003-04 school year;
• approved on first reading revisions to two policies related to instructional resources: field trips, and student activities;
• approved on second reading nine local policy revisions, two deletions and four new policies. Revised polices approved pertained to employment requirements: restrictions; employment conduct; exhibit A Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas educators; Exhibit B standards of conduct and ethics for paraprofessionals; personnel positions; academic achievement; testing programs; student records and notice of parent and student rights. Deleted policies related to attendance and admissions. New policies pertaining to attendance: compulsory attendance; attendance: attendance accounting; and attendance: attendance for credit; and grading/progress reports to parents: make-up work;
• approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Harris County Juvenile Board and the district to participate in JJAEP for the 2003-04 school year;
• authorized tax refunds $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or the Harris County Education District in the amount of $378,498.95;
• approved bids and contracts from recommended vendors for goods and services; and
• approved 671 personnel recommendations, resignations, retirements, promotions, terminations and discharges.