Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District                                         August 2006
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RECOGNITIONS

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

• three students from Goodson Middle School who won first or second place at the Texas State History Day competition and represented the district at the National History Day competition held at the University of Maryland . First place winners were Jaynie Pallasch and Madison Scherrer and second place winner was Sara Heskin. Heskin also won The American History Innovation Award.
• students, team managers and school sponsors from the Hamilton Middle School Destination ImagiNation team (KIAW) who won first at the Global Destination ImagiNation Competition held in Knoxville , Tennessee from May 24-27. Members of the KIAW team were Drew Allen, Eddie Brucculeri, Nathalie Charlton, Sally Cogan, HaydenPasson, Daniel Schlomer and Michael Sliva. The school sponsor was Mary Young-Miller and the team manager was Denise Cogan.

Additionally, the superintendent recognized students and staff members for honors and achievements earned in recent weeks. Congratulations were extended to the following:

• BP America recently awarded teachers Laryssa Hunter,Aragon Middle School, Tom Tanner, Copeland Elementary, and Gloria Ashbaugh,Millsap Elementary, as grant winnersof the A+ for Energy program.  The A+ for Energy program was developed to meet the needs of teachers in Texas who want to expand their core curricula with energy education activities, and also to recognize teachers for their innovative ways to teach kids about energy, energy conservation, and becoming energy-conscious adults.  Cy-Fair ISD is fortunate to have these dedicated and creative teachers.
• the Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf recently honored Don Curran, Secondary Auditory Impaired Specialist at Cy-Ridge High School , with the Outstanding Leadership Award for 2006.  Don received this recognition at the Statewide Conference on Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing in July. We are fortunate to have Don on our team in Cy-Fair ISD.
• Robert Meza , a senior at Cy-Springs High School, attended a two-week intensive Theatre Workshop at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was the lead in three plays.  Out of 72 actors in attendance, he was one of four to receive a $1,000 Outstanding Thespian scholarship to attend SFA once he graduates.  
 

DIRECTOR OF GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NAMED

The Board approved Marty Edwards as new director for general administration, replacing H.D. Chambers who left CFISD to become the superintendent of Stafford Municipal School District.

With 28 years of experience in education, Edwards began his teaching career in Mauriceville ISD at Little Cypress Junior High School and High School as a teacher and coach. He began in CFISD teaching U.S./World History and coaching at Jersey Village High School for nine years and spent two years as an administrative intern teacher. He was promoted to an assistant principal position at Arnold Middle School. After serving as an assistant principal for 11 years, he transferred and helped open Goodson Middle School where he served as an assistant principal for five years.

Edwards received a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Texas Lutheran College and a Master of Education in Administration from Prairie View A&M University, along with a mid-management certificate.

Additionally, Edwards graduated from CFISD Principals’ Academy, participated in the Texas Principals’ Assessment Program, lectured at HAMSA on Cooperative Discipline and Middle School Intramurals, assisted in conducting a new Rookie AP Training Program, and was principal designee at Goodson Middle School.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

The Board of Trustees received a report from the administration on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Safe Schools Choice Option (SSCO) as it relates to Cypress Ridge High School’s designation.

The district filed an appeal with the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency and the agency has 30 days to respond to CFISD. Additionally, CFISD will be working with TEA to review the criteria for determining the “persistently dangerous school” designation.

BOND UPDATE

The Board approved the site, architect, and completion date for Elementary #48 and the execution of the plat for the Reo Annex.

The Board approved an Interlocal Governmental Agreement between Harris County and Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. for the construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Fry Road and Rustic Lake Lane for serving George Hopper Middle School (#15) and Cypress Springs High School.

The Board also approved the Waterline with Harris County MUD No. 374 for utility services to the 130-acre multi-campus site that includes Cypress Ranch High School (#9), Bob and Bobbie Warner Elementary (#46) and a future middle school.

In other bond-related items, the Board authorized:

• the Board President to execute and acknowledge an Agreement for Conveyance and a quitclaim deed issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC) to correct a foreclosure deed executed and issued in 1983 by the FDIC, which quitclaims a 1.270 acre tract to the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District located in the Charles Clarkson Survey, Abstract Number 190, in Harris County, Texas;
• the Superintendent and the Associate Superintendent for General Administration to execute contracts and other related and legal documents regarding the usage, rental and/or advertising rights for CFISD properties;
• the Superintendent, the Associate Superintendent for General Administration, and the Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Planning & Construction to execute construction contracts and other related and legal documents regarding the construction or renovation of school sites, and the development of real property;
• the Superintendent or his designee to execute settlement agreements, releases and other legal documents for amounts up to $25,000, and for other good and valuable consideration;
• the Superintendent and the Associate Superintendent for General Administration to execute real estate contracts, closing documents and other related and legal documents regarding the acquisition of real property for school purposes.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Dr. Anthony said that the district is eagerly anticipating the opening of the 2006-07 school year on August 16 and expects an enrollment of approximately 92,614 students.  Four new schools will open their doors—Andre' Elementary, Black Elementary, Postma Elementary and Cypress Woods High School.  In addition, the Carlton Center relocated to its new facility and is now a part of the Cypress Woods complex.   

Dr. Anthony thanked the people who worked hard to get all facilities ready for students and staff. Among those he thanked were the Technology and Maintenance& Operations teams. Their planning, coordination and long hours have been critical to getting all buildings ready prior to the start of school.  He also thanked the Facilities Planning & Construction departmentand the Purchasing department, along with all of principals and their staff members, and the Curriculum stafffor their efforts in getting the new schools completed and equipped with all the supplies and instructional materials.   And lastly, he thanked the Human Resources department who has been working for the last year to ensure that CFISD children have the highest quality teachers to greet them Wednesday morning. 

As students return to school, Dr. Anthony encouraged everyone to be aware of the speed limits while driving in all of our school zones.  Safety continues to be the district’s number one priority.   

Additionally, parents and students are encouraged to reserve quality time to review the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct books given to each student during the first few days of school. The Code of Conduct includes a Safety Pledge reminding students to immediately notify an adult should they become aware of any unsafe condition or situation occurring in their schools. CFISD strongly believes that students are a vital component in helping ensure safety in and around its schools.  

Those interested in conducting business with CFISD will want to attend a free seminar on the topic “How to Do Business with CFISD” scheduled for August 25, 2006, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The seminar will be held at the Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker Cypress, Cypress, TX 77433, next to Cy-Fair College. This opportunity is for any individual or business to learn more about the guidelines and procedures for selling products or services to the school district.  For reservations, call the district’s Partners in Education office at 281-894-3950 or the Chamber of Commerce at 281-955-1100.  
 

In observance of Labor Day, September 4, 2006 will be a student and staff holiday. All district facilities will be closed. In the event of an emergency, contact Security at 281-897-4337. Students will return to school Tuesday, September 5 and all other facilities will also reopen for normal business hours.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• received a written report on the end-of-year academic performance of elementary students for the 2005-2006 school year;
• received a written report on the plan for providing high school students additional opportunities to earn credits beyond the regular school day ;
• received a written report on legislative issues, State Board of Education, Texas School Alliance and the Fast Growth School Coalition activities;
• approved bids and contracts from recommended vendors for goods and services;
• approved tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or the Harris County Education District in the amount of $717,589.29;
• approved a resolution to participate in the Energy Purchasing Corporation coordinated and administered by the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC);
• approved the endorsement of candidacy for Sarah B. Winkler, Alief Independent School District , on the TASB Board of Directors, Position 4-C;
• approved the endorsement of candidacy for Renard L. Thomas of Angleton Independent School District, on the TASB Board of Directors, Position 4-A;
• approved first-reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policies:
  • CPC (LOCAL) OFFICE MANAGEMENT: Records Management
  • DFE (LOCAL) TERMINATION OF CONTRACT: Resignation
• approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Harris County Juvenile Board and the Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. to participate in the JJAEP for the 2006-2007 school year;
• approved the leave of absence for two paraprofessionals, Terri Trei Walsh and Suzanne Garza, for the purpose of student teaching.