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April 2007

RECOGNITIONS

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

• Students from Hamilton Middle School who received national awards in the Lockheed Martin Space Day Design Challenge competition. The following students were selected by a team of educational experts to visit NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 4: Sharon Hom, Roberta Warmuth, Emily Moore, Taylor St. Laurent, Jaime Tovalin, Trevor Nuetze, Seth Saganti, Patrick Clark, Bhagwanth Deshpande, Owen Rettenmaier, Lucas Reuling, Ross Winningham, Jordan McAleavey, Robbie Kerr-Seattle, Cassie Landry, Heather Bitter and Amanda Martinez-Moreno;

• Students from eight high schools participating in the Board Shadowing Project, which allows students to observe firsthand the function of the CFISD Board and Administrative Team. The following students participated in the 13th annual event: Hunter Palmer and Nezar Nabelsi, Cypress Falls High School; Michael Deutsch and Azhar Zhanazarova, Cypress Ridge High School; Juan Artavia and Sarah Maharaj, Cypress Springs High School; Bryan Farmer and Ashley Zufall, Jersey Village High School; Mostafa Hasan and Cristel Martinez, Langham Creek High School; Blake Manuel, Windfern High School; Cesar Lima and Parker Gould, Cypress Creek High School; Laura Thibodeaux and Michael Zhang, Cy-Fair High School;

• Mike Jarrar of Jarrar & Associates, who was the top volume buyer at the 2007 CFISD Livestock Show & Sale, held Feb. 1-3. Jarrar invested $97,813 in student projects at the show;

• State award winners for the Texas Association of Partners in Education, honoring volunteer and business partners within CFISD, including: the Lowery Elementary School PTO, Texas Parent Involvement Partner Crystal Award; John Taylor, Lamkin Elementary School volunteer, Texas Senior Volunteer Partnership Crystal Award; Chick-fil-A and owner David Oakes, Texas Small Business Partnership Crystal Award; Amegy Bank, Frazier Elementary School business partner, Texas Medium Business Partnership Crystal Award; and Linda Young, Science Resource Center volunteer, Texas Adult Volunteer Partnership Gold Award;

• The Cy-Fair High School girls basketball team, which won district and regional championships and advanced to the state finals: Coaches Ann Roubique, Amy Bomba and Amby Clinkscale; players Kristen Alexander, Carli Bakondy, Nicole Morris, Malsie Angelette, Chiney Ogwumike, Rhian Rogan, Harriet Lakind, Nneka Ogwumike, Megan Daniel, Mansa El, and Megan Majewski; managers Danielle Jones, Erin Rouse, Megan Young and Claudia Reyes; student trainer Laura Reyes; and trainers Arnold Thomas and Melissa Gilbert;

• District athletes who earned first- and second-place finishes at the state swimming meet: Neil Caskey, Cypress Falls High School, first place in the 200-yard Individual Medley and the 100-yard Butterfly; Michael Dobson, Cypress Falls High School, second place in the 500-yard Freestyle; and Cammile Adams, Cypress Woods High School, second place in the 100-yard Butterfly; and

• Cy-Fair High School athletes who achieved first- and second-place finishes at the state wrestling meet: Angela Murray, first place; Austin McCain, first place; and Mike Murray, second place.

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

• The CFISD Communication Department, which won four gold star and two silver star awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association. Gold star awards went to: “Convocation News Show,” a video produced by John Taylor for the 2006 Convocation; “Ravaging Rabbit,” an instructional video produced by John Taylor for use at the Science Resource Center; “Hey Dude, Where’s My Bus?,” a photograph by Gary Durrenberger; and Metas y Prioridades del Distrito 2006-2007, the Spanish-translated counterpart of District Goals, produced by Stephanie Migl and Rosario Meehan. The silver stars went to the State of the District brochure, spearheaded by Stephanie Migl and Gary Durrenberger;

• Winning drivers in the School Bus Safety Road-e-o, held Saturday, March 24: Shirley Montgomery, first place; Linda Hair, second place; Oscar Castiblanco, third place; Tom Parker, fourth place; and Janet Collins, alternate. The drivers will advance to the regional competition in the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation on Saturday, April 14;

• Finalists in the “Do the Write Thing” Challenge, a youth anti-violence writing program. The following CFISD students will be honored in a recognition ceremony on May 5 at Minute Maid Park: Amy Brackney and Mallek Tajgardoun, Goodson Middle School; Katlyn Hedgpeth and Ronnie Trinh, Campbell Middle School; Lina Meghji and David Rodriguez, Labay Middle School; Rebecca Retzloff and Kei Harvin, Hamilton Middle School; Sarah Sellers and Khalil Muhammad, Thornton Middle School; and Natalie Hunt and Daniel Warwick, Bleyl Middle School; and

• Soccer teams that advanced to the 2007 playoffs. For the girls, Cy-Fair and Cypress Creekhigh schools tied for first place, Langham Creek High School took third place and Cypress Falls High School was fourth. Cy-Fair and Cypress Creek won their first round games and advanced to the area playoffs. Cy-Fair ended its season as a regional quarterfinalist, while Cypress Creek won its quarterfinal game and ended its season as a regional semifinalist.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS AND PROMOTIONS

The administration announced the naming of the principals for Tipps and Wilson elementary schools, the assistant superintendent for student services and the director for curriculum and instruction for special populations:

• Pamela Redd , the current assistant principal at Post Elementary School, was selected to replace retiring principal Cathy Jones at Tipps Elementary School in the fall;
• Pamela Link , a current assistant principal at Duryea Elementary School, was assigned as the principal at Wilson Elementary School in the fall;
• Deborah Stewart , the current director for student services, was selected to replace the retiring Leonard Brautigam as the assistant superintendent for student services in the fall; and
• Maria Trejo , the current bilingual/ESL helping teacher in the Office of English Language Learners, was promoted to director for curriculum and instruction for special populations.

BOND UPDATE

A written report was given on the progress of the bond study process. Two Bond Steering Committee meetings have been held to date (March 20 and April 2), with the next meeting set for April 23, entitled “Setting the Frame Work.” The BSC community co-chair is Dr. Ed Hogan, pastor of Jersey Village Baptist Church.

The 69 confirmed BSC members include 29 parents, 18 community members and 22 district staff members—nine of whom are also parents. The three subcommittees are: Student Growth, co-chaired by Rev. Justin Lindstrom; Instructional/Support Facilities, co-chaired by Elena McCreery; and Technology, co-chaired by Pat Parker. Information from BSC meetings will be posted regularly on the CFISD website.

The Board approved the naming of Elementary School No. 48 and Elementary School No. 49. Elementary School No. 48 was named Hemmenway Elementary School after John Edward Hemmenway, the first middle school choir director in CFISD who is a 31-year veteran of the district.

Elementary School No. 49 was named Robinson Elementary School after Marie Williams Robinson, a former school nurse and director of health services, and a 33-year veteran of the district.

In other bond-related news:

• The Board approved the construction contract paid from bond funds to the recommended contractor for miscellaneous renovations at Holmsley Elementary School, Labay and Cook middle schools and the Falcon Annex;
• The Board authorized the superintendent to enter into a miscellaneous professional service contract related to Package A-2007, Miscellaneous Renovations at Holmsley Elementary School, Labay and Cook middle schools and the Falcon Annex up to the listed amount: HVAC System Testing and Balance, up to $31,000; and
• The Board approved the granting of a .490-acre Access Easement to Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 374 for the 130-acre multi campus site at Fry Road and Cypress North Houston Road.

RANDOM STUDENT DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

A written report was given on the update of the Random Student Drug Testing (RSDT) program, including data from U.S. Department of Education Grant Year 1 and Grant Year 2. The report represents data collected from Aug. 21, 2006 to March 28, 2007:

• A total of 7,117 students were tested, and 97.2 percent tested negative. Sixty-five percent of the students were tested under a 10-panel drug screen, and 35 percent underwent a steroid screen. The 10-panel screen included testing on the following drugs: amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoid, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol, hallucinogens and phencyclidine.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Dr. David Anthony acknowledged all district volunteers for their hard work and dedication in anticipation of National Volunteer Week, scheduled for April 15-21.

The 2007 state student assessment testing continues April 3-20 with designated dates for grades 3-11. Information on the assessment testing dates by grade and subject matter are posted on the district website at www.cfisd.net. Dr. Anthony thanked parents in advance for supporting children and encouraging them to do their very best.

CFISD, along with other Region IV districts, will participate in “Take Our Child to Work Day” on Wednesday, June 6. Although the national event is scheduled for this month, students will not be excused from classes on April 26. The district decided that June 6 is a better option so students can maximize their instructional days and utilize a summer day to accompany their parent to work.

The Employees’ Service Banquet is scheduled for Thursday evening, May 3, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road. Honorees include district employees whose service years total 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35, as well as those employees who are retiring this school year. The banquet provides an exciting evening of entertainment and delicious food as employees are honored for their service.

The district will recognize the “Spotlight” teachers during the annual Salute to the Stars gala scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at the Berry Center. Spotlight teachers are selected based on their high expectations for student success during the 2006-2007 school year. Also during the event, paraprofessional and ancillary Spotlight employees will be recognized for their contributions to the district in their respective positions.

The superintendent informed the public about two important community information meetings:

• The Harris County Community Gang Awareness Conference will be held April 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Berry Center for interested parents, teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators, law enforcement and students. Paul Mohler from the Attorney General’s office will present “Gangs 101 and the Internet” and James Odom from the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office Law Enforcement Panel will discuss “Female Gangs.” Participants will have an opportunity to hear from a team of gang specialists; and
• The Random Student Drug Testing 2007-2008 Community Information meeting will be May 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Berry Center, for current and future district high school students enrolled in athletics and competitive extra-curricular activities. For details on Safe and Drug Free Schools community meetings, go to “Important Dates” on the district website at www.cfisd.net.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• received a written a report on legislative issues, State Board of Education, Texas School Alliance and the Fast Growth School Coalition activities;
• approved bids and contracts to recommended vendors;
• approved tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and Harris County Education District;
• rescinded its acceptance of the proposal submitted by Patient Choice RX for the district’s Prescription Benefits Management Plan and rejected all proposals submitted pursuant to Request for Proposal #06-10-9062RFP;
• approved the sale of district furniture and equipment through a surplus Internet auction to be held in May 2007;
• approved the student transfer status of district schools for the 2007-2008 school year;
• approved a waiver request to TEA limiting the number of foreign exchange students for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD to 24 students for each of the following three years: 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010;
• approved a request for a Texas Education Agency expedited waiver to modify the schedule of classes on TAKS/TAAS/TAKS-I and field test days, as needed, during the 2007-2008 school year;
• approved on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policies:
• BJA (LOCAL) SUPERINTENDENT : Qualifications and Duties
• EHBK (LOCAL) SPECIAL PROGRAMS : High School Equivalency
• EK (LOCAL) TESTING PROGRAMS : delete;
• approved the district’s Annual Action Plan designed to carry out the goal priorities established for 2007-2008;
• approved the external auditors, Hereford , Lynch, Sellars and Kirkham, P.C., to perform the annual audit of the district’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 ;
• approved on first reading additions, deletions or revisions to the following district policy:
• EHBB (LOCAL) SPECIAL PROGRAMS : Gifted and Talented Students;
• authorized the superintendent to finalize and execute an access and maintenance agreement with David Huffines regarding a portion of the Millsap ROPES course area; and
• approved the Agreement for Joint Financing and Construction of Phase I Stormwater Detention Improvements and Related Facilities with Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 166 and 257, Legacy/Monterey Homes, L.P., and Blue Sky L.Y. Properties, LLC.