Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District                                          November 2006
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RECOGNITIONS

The Board of Trustees recognized the following staff member for his achievement:

• Lee Turner , custodian, for his heroic effort in assisting a fellow employee on Monday, Oct. 16, 2006.

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

• Cy-Fair High School’s Travis Bradshaw who was chosen as one of five finalists for the George H.W. Bush/Kiwanis Sports Hero Award and Scholarship. This award focuses on student athletes who are involved in the community through volunteer and charitable work. The student must be a football player, achieve acceptable academic standards and have great character. Former President Bush will present the awards on November 14 at their gala event.
• The 518 participants and 58 teams from Cypress Fairbanks ISD who raised a total of $21,438.21 and was the top fundraiser for the 2006 Northwest Harris County Heart Walk. The event, which took place Oct. 14, benefits the American Heart Association. Other top ranking organizations were Cy-Fair College and Tomball Regional Medical Center. Wearing lime green t-shirts, Dr. Anthony said the “sea of green” was once again very prominent on the three-mile walk. He thanked all walkers, donors and volunteers who accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and strokes. He added that this was a great opportunity for CFISD to give back to the community that provides us so much support.
• The more than 2600 students, family and community members who participated, and the more than 100 teacher volunteers who assisted with the 15 th annual CFISD H.O.P.E. (Health Organization of Physical Educators) Fun Run and Health Fair hosted by Langham Creek High School on Oct. 21. Dr. Anthony commended the district’s Health Services and Security Department for their assistance as well. The goal of H.O.P.E. is to promote physical fitness through a healthy lifestyle. Funds raised by the Fun Run are used to provide college scholarships for district graduates.
• The Cy-Fair Lady Bobcats who ended the district 17-5A volleyball season winning the district title and the Cy Creek Lady Cougars who came in second. Placing third were the Langham Creek Lady Lobos and fourth were the Jersey Village Lady Falcons. All four teams advanced to the bi-district round of playoffs on Oct. 31. The Lady Bobcats, coached by Donna Benotti, and the Lady Cougars, coached by Debbie Jaehne, advanced further to the area round of playoffs on Nov. 2, then on to the regional quarterfinals on Nov.7 where they both ended their season as area champions.
• The following four CFISD high schools who placed at the district cross country meet held Oct. 27: the Cypress Creek Lady Cougars, coached by Carol Gibson, 1 st place; the Cy-Fair Lady Bobcats, coached by Greg Hershman, 2 nd place; and the Cypress Falls Lady Eagles, coached by Erica Gyllstrom, 3 rd place. For the boys teams: Cy-Fair High School, coached by Glen Waddell, 2 nd place; and Cypress Springs High School, coached by Mark Moynihan, 3 rd place. Additionally, the regional cross country meet was held on Nov. 4 and the following five runners advanced to the state meet in Round Rock on Nov. 11: Allison Pye and Jessica Heath of Cypress Creek; Melissa Mahoney of Cypress Woods; Nicole Peters of Langham Creek; and Blake Shaw of Cypress Falls.
• The football teams from Cypress Falls and Cy-Fair high schools who finished the season as District 17-5A Co-Champions. Cy-Fair and Cypress Ridge will enter the playoffs in the Division I Bracket (large enrollment schools); Cypress Falls and Jersey Village high schools will enter the playoffs in the Division II bracket (smaller enrollment schools). Dr. Anthony wished the four playoff teams “good luck” and said he knew that they will represent CFISD with excellence in performance and sportsmanship.
• Travis Bradshaw from Cy-Fair High School and Andrew Lafferty from Cypress Ridge High School who were this year’s finalists for the Touchdown Club’s Football Scholar Athlete of the Year. Criteria for nomination for this award included academics, athletic honors and citizenship.
• Cypress Fairbanks ISD had five high schools in the UIL Marching Band Area Finals on Oct. 28: Jersey Village, Cypress Springs, Langham Creek, Cypress Falls and Cy-Fair high schools.
• The Langham Creek Band who was selected to advance to the UIL State Marching Contest on Nov. 7 in San Antonio, where they competed against 31 other bands and finished in 6 th place. The Langham Creek Band was also recently selected as the Honor Band for the State of Texas. They have been invited to perform Feb. 16 at the Texas Music Educators Association convention. Dr. Anthony extended congratulations to the band students, their head director Scott McAdow, associate director Gloria Ramirez and assistant director Brandon Estes.

PUBLIC HEARING

A hearing was held Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. to allow the public to provide feedback regarding the 2006 accountability ratings for the district and each campus. No patrons elected to speak at the meeting.

TWO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS AND ONE DIRECTOR NAMED

Following the approval of employee transactions during its regularly scheduled meeting for the month of November, the Board recognized Teresa Hull as assistant superintendent for human resources, effective in January upon the retirement of Betty Rennell; Linda Macias as assistant superintendent for elementary instruction, who will replace B. Willis in January due to retirement; and Tammy Blankenship as director for operations, replacing Jim Foxx who retired in June 2006.

Hull has 19 years experience in education. She began teaching in Vidor ISD as an eighth-grade social studies teacher. After two years, she accepted a teaching position in Alief ISD where she taught social studies at Albright Middle School for four years. She began her teaching career with the CFISD at Cook Middle School and also taught for one year at Bleyl Middle School before accepting a position as at-risk support specialist at Langham Creek High School. During her seven years at Langham Creek High School, Hull also served as an assistant principal and director for instruction.   In addition, Hull served the district as the director for high school curriculum and instruction for a year before accepting her current position as the principal at O. Hamilton Middle School. Hull received her bachelor’s degree from Lamar University and a Master of Education from Prairie View A & M.

Macias has 14 years of experience in education, having worked for six years as a bilingual teacher in H.I.S.D. and at Yeager Elementary in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She served for five years as the district’s bilingual/ESL coordinator and currently serves as director for curriculum and instruction for special populations. Macias received her Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Education from Prairie View A & M, where she also earned her mid-management certification. In addition, she earned her superintendent certification from Stephen F. Austin State University.

With 15 years experience in operations, Blankenship served as district manager for Harry M. Stevens Services, Inc. for five years; division manager for the City of Houston Police Department for four years; and deputy assistant director for the City of Houston Building Services Department for a year before accepting a position with Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in July 2001 as the assistant director for maintenance and operations for human resources. Blankenship received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston. She was recognized as the Mid-manager of the Year in 1997 at the Houston Police Department and later was named the Manager of the Year in 1999.

BOND UPDATE

• The Board approved the selection of a Construction Manager for the additions and renovations at Jersey Village High School and Post Elementary School.

• The Board approved the selection of a Construction Manager for the additions and renovations at Cypress Creek High School.

• The Board approved the selection of a Construction Manager for the additions and renovations at Bleyl Middle School.

• The Board approved the administration’s recommendation for the selection of firms to perform architectural services for future construction projects.

• The Board will consider approving the blanket easement with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC for permanent utility services to Cypress Lakes High School (No. 10).

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

The Superintendent’s Student Leadership Conferences (SSLC) were held recently with 368 student leaders from district middle and high schools convening at the Berry Center . The theme of this year’s conference was “Making a Difference.” Dr. Anthony said he shared with the students some of his thoughts and ideas about leadership and challenged them to make a positive difference on their respective campuses. He said both days were very enjoyable as he was able to interact and observe a group of students who represent the outstanding students throughout the district. The students worked with their principals to design an action plan to improve the overall climate and cultural experiences on their campus. The next SSLC will be held in the spring to discuss outcomes and results of their action plans.

Celebrate Freedom Week in Texas was celebrated this week as CFISD students participated in special activities designed to increase awareness and understanding about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was established. This special emphasis occurs in conjunction with the Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day observance as our community and nation expressed gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives serving in the branches of the military to provide safety and well-being for the citizens of this nation. Some of the activities focus on the American Revolution, the nation’s founding fathers, the Constitutional Convention, and the U.S. flag. Elementary students have opportunities to learn about “We the People” and our Bill of Rights from the Declaration of Independence.

Schools will be closed the week of Nov. 20-24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holidays. Support facilities, including the Instructional Support Center will close Nov. 22-24. Dr. Anthony said he would like to wish all students and employees a relaxing and safe holiday as we take this time to reflect on the many freedoms and blessings we enjoy in this country.

The naming of schools after exemplary employees who have made outstanding contributions to education is a time-honored tradition in this district. Dr. Anthony congratulated namesake Mr. T.A. “Bubba” Willbern on the celebration of his 80 th birthday. A celebration was held in his honor at Willbern Elementary Nov. 10 in conjunction with a special Veterans’ Day celebration. Mr. Willbern served on the U.S.S. Highland as a member of the Navy, formerly called the frogmen and now known as the SEALS, and was stationed off Iwo Jima.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• received a written report on the dual high school/college credit program;
• received a written report on the district’s progress in meeting highly qualified teacher requirements;
• approved bids and contracts from recommended vendors for goods and services;
• approved the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District and/or Harris County Education District;
• approved budget amendments for the period of July 1, 2006 through Sept. 30, 2006 ;
• approved the auditor’s report on the district’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 required by provisions of the Single Audit Act of 1984, U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-128;
• approved the district’s 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and accepted the auditor’s report on the district’s general purpose financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 ;
• approved first-reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policies:
  • BJA (LOCAL) Superintendent: Qualifications and Duties
  • CRD (LOCAL) Insurance and Annuities Management: Health and Life Insurance
  • DBD (LOCAL) Employment Requirements and Restrictions: Conflict of Interest
  • EIAA (LOCAL) Grading/Progress Reports to Parents: Examinations
  • FL (LOCAL) Student Records
  • GKD (LOCAL) Community Relations: Nonschool Use of School Facilities
  • GKDA (LOCAL) Nonschool Use of School Facilities: Distribution of Nonschool Literature
• approved second-reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policies:
  • CKC (LOCAL) SAFETY PROGRAM/RISK MANAGEMENT: Emergency Plans
  • DC (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
  • DEA (LOCAL) COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salaries, Wages and Stipends
  • DEB (LOCAL) COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Fringe Benefits
  • DFBB (LOCAL) ADMISSIONS TERM CONTRACTS: Nonrenewal
  • FDA (LOCAL) : Interdistrict Transfers
• authorized the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate a first amendment to an Interlocal Agreement between North Harris Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD) and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD;
• approved the Precinct IV Interlocal DARE Contract for two full-time deputies for a cost of $105,777.00 (70% of the full-time equivalent cost to the County for supplying the DARE officers) effective January 1, 2007 , through December 31, 2007 ;
• approved the 2007 Harris County Constable Contracts for police services provided to Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District .

ADDENDUM

The Board of Trustees:

• authorized the Superintendent or Designee to enter into the following miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the additions and renovations at Jersey Village High School and Post Elementary School and up to the amounts listed below: Material Testing Services: up to $170,000; Roof Inspection Services: up to $115,000;3rd Party Plan Review Fees (as required by TEA): up to $80,000; and HVAC System Testing and Balance: up to $340,000;
• authorized the Superintendent or Designee to enter into the following miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the additions and renovations at Cypress Creek High School up to the amounts listed below: Material Testing Services: up to $125,000; Roof Inspection Services: up to $75,000; 3 rd Party Plan Review Fees (as required by TEA): up to $40,000; and HVAC System Testing and Balance: up to $250,000;
• authorized the Superintendent or Designee to enter into the following miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the additions and renovations at Bleyl Middle School up to the amounts listed below: Material Testing Services: up to $120,000; Roof Inspection Services: up to $50,000; 3rd Party Plan Review Fees (as required by TEA): up to $40,000; and HVAC System Testing and Balance: up to $140,000.