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RECOGNITIONS

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

• Students who rated superior or excellent in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) competition, National Scholastic Art Silver Key Award winners and Association of Texas Photography Instructors (ATPI) State Competition winners. The following VASE winners were recognized from: Cy-Fair High School, seniors Karen Lisowski, Kristin Lafrate, and Patrick Burnham; juniors Charis Key, Emily Lopez, Kelsey Clements, Margo Sivin and Marc Drumwright; and sophomore Stephanie Freistedt; from Cypress Creek High School, seniors Joanna Rudolph, Katie Edenfield, Lucius Soriano, Michelle Lin and David Huck; from Cypress Springs High School, senior David Huck and sophomore Kathryn Wilcox; from Cypress Woods High School, sophomores Maria Sobotik, Mary Nielsen, Brad Korndorffer, Jared Selcoe, Taylor Vail, and Briana Borders; and freshmen Hanan Foteh, Lindsay Smith, Alexandria Judie, Sadia Quddus, Chris Baker, and Jennifer Valdez. The following National Scholastic Art Silver Key Award winners were recognized: seniors Brendan Moody and Sarah Murphy; and juniors Emily Lopez and Margo Sivin. The following ATPI State Competition winners were recognized: senior Gabby Nguyen and junior John Boone of Langham Creek High School; and Cy-Fair High School’s team;

• Students who placed first or second in the State Destination ImagiNation competition from: Hamilton Elementary School, Colin Chappell, Casey Cogan, Erin Curby, Brooke Hanley, Mitchell Shockley, Ross Tuzin, Kirsten Williamson, team managers Denise Cogan and Angie Williamson and school sponsor Betty Collette; from Yeager Elementary School, Sam Cartwright, Jonathan Cook, Jordan McGaughey, Bradley Stevens, Tommy Watson, Hayden Wilkerson, Jake Willingham, Alex Brogan, Alison Godfrey, Matt Granger, Shawn Killalea, Austin Michals, Lindsay Miller, team managers Carol Stevens, Richard Godfrey and Valerie Godfrey and school sponsor Ardith Daily; from Hamilton Middle School, Drew Allen, Eddie Bruccaleri, Nathalie Charlton, Sally Cogan, Hayden Passon, Daniel Schlommer, Michael Sliva, team managers Denise Cogan and Cathy Sliva and school sponsor Mary Young-Miller; from Cypress Woods High School, Bryan Gray, Kelsey Sallade, Matt Wheeler, Phillip Wozny, team manager Becky Sallade and school sponsor Trina Powers; from Jersey Village High School, Kurt Bilanoski, Matt Caughman, Jordan Fauser, Lee Barker, Jesse Pyle, Heather White, Sarah Wisterman, team managers Curtis Haverty and Theresa Fauser and school sponsor Joe Campbell;

• Students who were selected and participated in All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra. All-State Orchestra students were Josh Doest of Jersey Village HS and Thomas Fortner of Cypress Falls HS. All-State Band students were from: Cypress Creek HS, Eric Williams; Cy-Fair HS, Scott Dupre, Lindsey Cavanaugh and Kayla Wengler; from Cypress Ridge HS, Elaine Lowry; Langham Creek HS, Austin Beatty, Anjali Patwari, William Godkin, Nick Davy, Emily Laird, Daniel Rubio and Grant Johnson; Cypress Springs HS, Alan McAda, Amanda Mendieta, Robert Pimentel and Joseph Rollins; Cypress Falls HS, Andrew Collins, Brian Wood, Johnathan Nguyen, and Lindsey Kresta; and Cypress Woods HS, Robert Lares. All-State Choir students were from: Jersey Village HS, Katie Richardson, Jasmine Reed and Alex Bruce; Cypress Springs HS, Ayala Sierah and Lee-Lonn Walker; Cy-Fair HS, Stephanie Homer, Jennifer Jones and Vinh Le; Langham Creek HS, Nina Garcia, Ryan DelaGarza, Jacob Bankston, Chris Day, Kenneth Rivera, Jennifer Maul, and Andrew Burns; Cypress Falls HS, James Lee, Megan Hunt and Rachel Pellman; Cypress Creek HS, Kevin Smith, Evan Shoemaker, Krystal Hargrove, Sarah Hajjar, Kristyn Chalker, and Rikki Couner; Cypress Ridge HS, Daniel Collins, Sean Stultz and Lindsi Fucon; and Langham Creek HS, Shelby Hellums; and

• Students who won first or second place at the State Science Olympiad from: Aragon Middle School, Kevin Wade, Tommy Snitz, Josh Brinkmeyer, Sarah Haque, Michelle Lai and Michelle Yeo; Cook MS, Adiam Tesfalul, Ethan Miller, Amber Wang and Dilreetpreet Gill; Goodson MS, Andrew Huang and Aaron Mushinski; Cypress Falls HS, Avik Som, Andy Liao, Travis Hinton, Corey Fuller, Amanda Chow, Linzy Lu, Kathrine Mitchell and Tiffany Dao; Cy-Fair HS, Maria Yuan and Renee Chin; Jersey Village HS, Amanda Galvan, Peter Turner, Julie Nguyen and Mandy Hogan; Langham Creek HS, Max Brown, Kelley Poblete, Ryan Kruse, Martin Dickson and Maggie Shaughnessy.

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

• Additional winners who placed at the 2007 Texas Destination ImagiNation Tournament from: Yeager Elementary, team WilDImagination won sixth place in the CSI-DI elementary challenge—fifth-grade team members were Michelle Barnett, Andrew Boushka, Alex Cook, Grant Cook, Cameron Frederick, Alex Mudd and Kirsten Thomas; school sponsor Ardith Daily and team managers Molly Cook and Julie Boushka; Cypress Falls, Team Cy-Falls 1 won fifth place in the CSI-DI senior challenge—11th- and 12th-grade team members were Patricia Bacalao, Sophia Chen, Tiffany Dao, Robert Dupree, Linda Ly, Tammy Phan and Jessica Wei, school sponsor and team manager Linda Collins;

• Rachel Marino of Cypress Woods High School, who was named a finalist in the Coca-Cola “Share the Dream” Essay Contest. She received a $500 scholarship during an awards reception at Minute Maid Park on May 4;

• Additional winners at the Texas Science Olympiad competition. Middle school winners were: Jon Capo and Michelle Lai from Aragon, third place, We’ve Got Your Number; Adiam Tesfalul and Michelle Nguyen from Cook, third place, Wheeled Vehicle and History of Science; Arshiya Baig and Alyx Moose from Goodson, third place, Anatomy; Kelly Ball and Zack Dotson from Goodson, third place, Write It Do It; Kyle Thomson and Chintan Patel from Spillane, third place, Tower Building; Cecilia Cisar and Samantha Linton from Spillane, fourth place, Simple Machines; MeghnaKapadia and Sydney Weyand from Spillane, fourth place, Solar System; and Megan Horner and Cecilia Cisar from Spillane, fourth place, History of Science. High school winners were: Avik Som and Nathan Davis from Cypress Falls, third place, Circuit Lab; Katherine Mitchell and Linzy Yu from Cypress Falls, third place, Ecology, and fourth place, Chemistry Lab; Shilen Patel, Rachel Lewis and Katherine Mitchell from Cypress Falls, fourth place, Experimental Design;Amanda Chow and Tiffany Dao from Cypress Falls, fourth place, Wright Stuff; Wen Yu and Chris Clark from Cy-Fair, fourth place, Astronomy; Amy Liao and Bhargav Hiremagalore from Cy-Fair, fourth place, Food Science; Jennifer Nguyen and Peter Turner from Jersey Village, third place, Chemistry Lab; Ryan Kruse and Emmanuel Lopez from Langham Creek, third place, Astronomy; Jude Gonsalves and Ryan Kruse from Langham Creek, third place, Remote Sensing; and Max Brown and Emmanuel Lopez from Langham Creek, fourth place, Environmental Chemistry. Cypress Falls High School was also the third place team overall. Team members are: Amanda Chow, Tiffany Dao, Nathan Davis, Robert Cabrera, Linzy Yu, Kathrine Mitchell, Travis Hinton, Corey Fuller, Shilen Patel, Avik Som, Andy Liao, Irene Kwon, Lucy Fang, Rachel Lewis, Cathy Phan, Susie Park and Angela Li;

• The Langham Creek HS Marching Band and director Scott McAdow, who earned the Sousa Foundation’s prestigious Sudler Shield of Honor. The award was presented during the Lobos’ May 10 concert;

• Hamilton MS student Kei Harvin, who was named a National Finalist for the Do the Write Thing writing challenge. He will fly to Washington D.C. in July for a national recognition ceremony;

• Those who will participate in Challenge Day 2007 on Wednesday, May 23. The event is an effort to get 1 million people in the greater Houston area to exercise for 15 minutes;

• Service honorees, retiring employees, formerly retired employees and guests who were treated to music performed by the Cypress Falls High School Chamber Choir, a trio from Cypress Ridge High School, a duet from Langham Creek High School, a boys quartet from Jersey Village High School and a Cypress Falls soloist at the 68 th annual employee service banquet at the Berry Center on Thursday, May 3;

• Boys and girls golf teams who competed at the district and regional tournaments. The Cypress Falls, Cypress Creek and Cypress Woods boys were second, third and fourth at the district tournament, while Cypress Falls and Cypress Creek competed in the regional tournament. Cypress Falls finished ninth out of 16 teams at regionals. The Cypress Creek, Cypress Woods, Cypress Falls and Jersey Village girls finished first, second, third and fourth in district;

• Softball teams who advanced to the playoffs. Cy-Fair was the district champion, Cypress Falls was second place, Cypress Creek was third place and Langham Creek was fourth place. Cy-Fair and Cypress Falls both won their first two playoff rounds and advanced to the regional quarterfinals, where they ended their season as area champions;

• Boys and girls track and field athletes who advanced to the state meet. For the boys, Cy-Fair was the district champion, Cypress Ridge was second and Cypress Falls was fourth. Cy-Fair’s Sam McGuffie placed second in the long jump; Jersey Village’s Michael Barbas placed second in the discus; and Cypress Falls’ Blake Shaw placed second in the 800. For the girls, Cy-Fair was the district champion; Cypress Springs placed second; Cypress Creek placed third; and Cypress Falls placed fourth. Cypress Springs won the regional team title, and took first place in the 400- and 800-meter relays. Team members were Grecia Bolton, Kimberlyn Duncan, Jhosselen Baltazar and Macoya Wiley. At state, Allison Pye from Cypress Creek won first place in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters. Grecia Bolton from Cypress Springs won first place in the 100 dash; Brittany Machacek from Cy-Fair placed third in the 400 run; and Cypress Springs’ relay team placed third in the 400 relay. Cypress Springs and Cypress Creek tied for fourth place overall;

• Four singles players and five doubles teams who qualified for the regional tennis meet. Freshman Kourtney Howell of Cypress Woods won a regional title and advanced to the state championships in Austin, winning her first match and ending her season in the semifinals; and

• The Cy-Fair, Cypress Ridge, Cypress Falls and Langham Creek baseball teams, who began the playoffs with Katy ISD on May 2. Cy-Fair and Langham Creek are advancing to the regional quarterfinals, with games starting May 17.

BOND UPDATE

A written report was given on the progress of the bond study process. Four Bond Steering Committee meetings have been held; the first two meetings focused on committee organization and presentation of enrollment data, while the last two focused on working in the three subcommittees:

• Student Growth Subcommittee : Members of this subcommittee have received information about historic growth, enrollment projections and planning zones. The district has contracted with Metrostudy to provide a third-party analysis of enrollment projections.
• Instructional/Support Facilities Subcommittee : Members of this subcommittee were given information about the state and district curricular programs to provide background knowledge necessary to analyze: (1) needs submitted by building principals or building managers; (2) evaluations from the facilities review team; and (3) reviews by the Maintenance Department and Facilities Planning and Construction Department. The subcommittee also received information about the age of district buildings and life-cycle issues for building systems, and has begun an analysis of elementary school needs.
• Technology Subcommittee :The committee has reviewed the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and how they explicitly relate to instructional and administrative technology. The committee also reviewed: the status of the 2004 Technology Bond effort; the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology; the Texas School Technology and Readiness Chart (STaR); and information from other school districts in the state. A demonstration of instructional technology used in reading and mathematics was conducted. Anticipated future developments in technology were presented to the subcommittee by representatives from Intel and HP at the May 8 meeting. The subcommittee reviewed data from other school districts relating to current or planned use of technology and received information from the administration regarding potential needs.

In other bond-related news, the Board approved:

• The Board approved the construction contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors as follows:
• Package F-2007, Miscellaneous Renovations at Hairgrove and Lieder Elementary Schools;
• Package G-2007, Miscellaneous Renovations at Hancock Elementary School;
• Package K-2007, Bane Elementary School Re-Roofing Package;
• Deck, Ramp, and Walkway Installations Annual Contract;
• Portable Building Removal and Relocation Annual Contract; and
• Walkway Canopy Installations Annual Contract
• the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC Blanket Utility Easement to provide electrical service for John E. Hemmenway Elementary School (No. 48);
• the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC Blanket Utility Easement to provide electrical service for Cypress Lakes High School (No. 10);
• the 0.0138-acre Water Meter Easement with Harris County MUD No. 172 for permanent water service to Postma Elementary School (No. 44);
• the 0.0138-acre Water Meter Easement with Harris County MUD No. 165 for permanent water service to Andre ' Elementary School (No. 45);
• the authorization for the Superintendent to enter into miscellaneous professional service contract related to Package G-2007 Miscellaneous Renovations to Hancock Elementary School up to the amount listed below:
• HVAC System Testing and Balance: up to $45,000;
• The Board authorized the Superintendent to enter into miscellaneous professional service contract related to Package K-2007 Bane Elementary School Re-Roof Package up to the amount listed below:
• Roofing Inspections: up to $40,000;
• The Board approved the schedule of events for the necessary actions to market $250 million in Unlimited School House Bonds, Series 2007 and $25.5 million in Adjustable Rate Bonds, Series 2007; and
• The Board approved the schedule of events for approximately $45 million in District Unlimited Tax Forward Refunding Bonds, Series 2007.

PRELIMINARY BUDGET

The administration reported on the 2007-2008 Preliminary Budget. The budget includes:

• goals the Board discussed at the Board Goal-Setting Workshop on Feb. 17;
• information gathered by the Legislative Study Committee established in 2006; and
• information received from two public hearings on the budget—Jan. 23 at Labay Middle School and Jan. 25 at Francone Elementary School.

State revenue was based on funding per the 79 th Legislature, 3 rd Special Session, and does not include changes by the 80 th Legislature. 2007-2008 revenue is based on the current state formula per HB1 plus add-ons totaling $124,477,970. The net taxable value for 2007-2008 is projected at $27.3 billion.

HOUSEHOLD GROWTH STUDY

The administration reported on the Five-Year Household Growth Study by Metrostudy. In Metrostudy’s survey process of the district, single-family subdivision plats were collected and each lot was inspected every 90 days. Database content includes future lot inventory, vacant developed lot inventory, housing starts and housing inventory—including under construction, finished vacant, finished model and home closings. Housing growth was forecasted by locating vacant land parcels and estimating the number of households, single-family and multi-family, each parcel will support.

Six zones were created within CFISD, with the bulk of the district’s growth over the next five school years projected to be much more significant in Zones 1-3 than Zones 4-6. Metrostudy’s projected total household growth from 2006-2007 to 2011-12 was 48,273, with 39,135 of that growth coming from the district’s westernmost zones 1-3.

Metrostudy’s accuracy is plus or minus 5% for the first two years, then widens after that.

Dr. David Anthony extended appreciation to school nurses, who were honored on National School Nurses Day on May 9. Along with teachers, counselors and administrators, the school nurses provide their expertise to further a healthy learning environment essential to children’s success.

Fifth-grade students who did not pass the first administration of the grade 5 TAKS test taken in early April will have a second opportunity to do so on May 15. Grade 5 students in Texas public schools must pass both the math and reading TAKS tests in order to be promoted to sixth grade. For students who have not passed either test, a third and final opportunity will be provided June 27 for math and June 28 for reading.

The last day of classes for the 2006-2007 academic year is Thursday, May 24, for students. Friday, May 25, is a professional day for district employees. Dr. Anthony wished students, teachers, administrators and support personnel a restful, healthy and fun-filled summer vacation.

All CFISD graduation ceremonies will be held at the Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker Cypress Road. There is no charge for graduation parking. More than 5,400 seniors are scheduled to graduate. This year’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday , May 24 — Windfern HS, 7 p.m.
• Friday , May 25 — Cypress Springs HS, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday , May 26 — Cypress Ridge HS, 9 a.m.; Langham Creek HS, 12:30 p.m.; Jersey Village HS, 4 p.m.; and Cypress Creek HS, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday , May 27 — Cypress Falls HS, 1 p.m.; and Cy-Fair HS, 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are required and will be issued through the graduating seniors. Parents and guests are encouraged to carpool due to the large attendance expected. Traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be heavy in the Barker-Cypress area, and extra time should be allowed for travel and parking. For family members who will not attend, the graduations will be broadcast live on Channel 16.

District facilities will be closed on Monday, May 28, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday, as the district remembers those who have given their lives for our freedom.

The first summer school session runs from June 11-29, and the second session will run from July 9-27. High school locations are Cy-Fair and Cypress Falls, and the middle school locations are Truitt and Campbell. Information on elementary general and special education, bilingual and ESL summer classes, as well as science summer camps and other enrichment programs can be accessed on the district webpage at www.cfisd.net using the summer school link. Summer school graduation is scheduled for July 27 at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Berry Center.

For the 2008-2009 school year, the district’s high schools will implement a seven-period school day, a schedule that will facilitate students’ earning the 26 credits required for the Recommended High School Program (RHSP) beginning with this year's eighth-grade students. Staff members have identified a number of issues that must be resolved before moving to the seven-period day. Several groups have already provided their recommendations for instituting this change in the daily schedule. The public will have an opportunity to share insights and recommendations about the various issues related to the seven-period day. Community members who wish to provide input may do so via the district’s website at www.cfisd.net. All comments will be considered.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• advanced courses for 2007-2008;
• implementation of activities and the application for the Texas Statewide Tobacco Education and Prevention Grant;
• bids and contracts to recommended vendors;
• tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Education District;
• budget amendments for the period of January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2007;
• a two-year depository contract for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD as required under Texas Education Code Subchapter G, Section 45.201 through 45.209;
• an agreement between Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and the: (1) Texas Schools Project and (2) the National Student Clearinghouse to obtain information regarding the postsecondary enrollment of CFISD graduates;
• on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policy: EHBB (LOCAL) SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Gifted and Talented Students
• cancellation of the special-called meeting scheduled for May 21, 2007;
• the waiving of Board Policy EIF (LOCAL), Academic Achievement: Graduation for the 2006-2007 school year to specifically allow Louisiana hurricane evacuees who meet Louisiana graduation requirements to participate in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD graduation ceremonies;
• on first reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policy: BJCD (LOCAL) SUPERINTENDENT: Evaluation; and DFBB (LOCAL) TERM CONTRACTS: Nonrenewal; and
• resolutions to participate in six interlocal cooperative programs and services:
• The Cooperative Purchasing Network (Region IV);
• Texas Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (Buyboard, TASB);
• Texas Building & Procurement Commission;
• Harris County Department of Education;
• Department of Information Resources; and
• Houston-Galveston Area Council.