[View Streaming Video ]

The American Heart Association recognized Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for increasing community awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and for exemplary fundraising efforts, leading to funding of a grant.

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

• Seventh-grade students from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, who were recently named the No. 2 district in Texas for the 7 th grade talent search from Duke University. Duke’s program helps identify gifted students and outstanding achievements through testing they offer by invitation each year, to students with excellent mathematical or verbal aptitude. This is Duke’s 28 th year of the Talent Identification Program in the 16-state region where the program is offered. They have presented CFISD with a certificate;

• ISC Mailroom employee, Machalle Griffin, for her successful tryout for the new Houston women’s full contact pro football team, the H-Town Texas Cyclones. Griffin has no prior football experience, but has always been athletic and ran track in high school in Ohio, and played in a soccer league for players age 30 and over. Griffin secured a spot on the team as a wide receiver and running back. The National Women’s Football Association has over 30 teams across the U.S.;

• Cypress Falls High School football coach David Raffield and Cypress Ridge High School football coach Gary Thiebaud, who have each been named by the Houston Texans organization as ‘Coach of the Week’ in recent weeks. The Texans honored both coaches with $500 grants to their schools and numerous other prizes; and

• Sadie Harris-Woodard , assistant superintendent of guidance, counseling and special programs, for being featured in the October 2007 issue of Texas School Business magazine. The article “Sadie Harris-Woodard provides a road map for students,” told of her humble upbringing on a farm, and the exposure to educators who encouraged and believed in her abilities, which inspired her to lead other students to their potential. Sadie has the insight to see the benefit of developing relationships with students in order to influence their decisions. She has worked for CFISD since 1967 and has numerous outstanding leadership awards.

BOND UPDATE

Bay Architects, Inc. gave a design development presentation on the progress of the design of Jersey Village High School and Post Elementary School additions and renovations, funded by the 2004 Bond Referendum.

SHW Group, LLP, gave a design development presentation on the progress of the design of Cypress Creek High school additions and renovations, funded by the 2004 Bond Referendum.

The administration reported on the process to inform district residents about the upcoming Nov. 6 Bond Election.

The Board authorized the superintendent to negotiate and execute an Interlocal Governmental Agreement between Harris County, GGP-Bridgeland, LP or another affiliate of General Properties and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for the construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Fry Road and the campus boulevard for serving Cypress Ranch High School, Smith Middle School and Warner Elementary School located on the 130-acre multi-campus site at Fry Road and Cypress North Houston.

BOND REFINANCING

The Board approved the issuance of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2007A; setting certain parameters for the bonds; authorizing the superintendent and associate superintendent for Business Services to approve the amount, the interest rate, price, including terms thereof and certain procedures and provisions related thereto; authorizing the redemption prior to maturity of certain outstanding bonds; authorizing the advance refunding of certain outstanding bonds and the execution and delivery of an escrow agreement and the subscription for and purchase of certain escrowed securities.

The district refinanced $42,460,000 worth of bonds that were outstanding at an average rate of 5.09 percent. They were replaced with $40,380,000 worth of bonds that were sold with a premium of approximately $2.5 million. A debt service fund transfer of taxes that were set aside to pay this bond issue in expenses of approximately $450,000. The refunding bonds sold at an average rate of 4.12 percent, with an average maturity of 7.6 years.

The post-refunding savings effects will be seen in 2010 and 2011, at approximately $1.2 million each year, to enhance the tax rate effect of the upcoming bond program. The original estimation of savings was a little more than $1 million, but the friendly market environment will allow the actual savings to be $2,409,553.

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

The Board approved the Annual Action Plan’s specific targets in Goal 1 for student achievement and behavior based on 2006-2007 data.

During the April Board meeting, trustees approved the Annual Action Plan, which includes (a) priorities derived from identified needs; (b) activities developed to address these needs; and (c) performance targets for student achievement.

Updated targets aim at meeting standards established in the district and state and/or federal accountability systems.

• Examples:
• District promotion rates and student performance on benchmarks/secondary formative assessments

• State TAKS performance, both passing and commended rates
• Federal TAKS performance (AYP)

DISTRICT TEXTBOOK COMMITTEE

The Board approved the membership of the 2007-2008 District Textbook Committee. The following personnel constitute the committee: Dr. David Anthony, superintendent; Jennabeth Bogard, ISC; Cristina Terral, André; Joanne Madrigal, Frazier; Tammy Simper, Gleason; Margaret Clarke, Hancock; Christina Rice, Horne; Susan Aycock, Owens; Charles Carlson, Tipps; Colleen Dumas, Lamkin; Mary Marsh, Francone; and Jeff Cadenhead, Wilson.

The Salute to the Stars Gala is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Berry Center. The Gala honors the 2007 Spotlight teachers, representing each school. Salute to the Stars is a community event that, in addition to honoring outstanding teachers, also raises funds for student scholarships and innovative instructional grants for teachers.

The ninth Superintendent’s Student Leadership Conferences will be held on Monday, Oct. 15 for High School and Monday, Oct. 22 for Middle School from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Berry Center. I have invited 375 student leaders from district middle and high schools to participate along with school sponsors and principals from each school. The theme of this year’s conference is “Believe-Achieve-Succeed.” Dr. Anthony challenged the students to reflect on the unlimited possibilities they have to assist their fellow students in feeling connected to each other and to their school. Principals will be working with their students in outlining an action plan designed to create a school where all students feel they belong. Each Board member is welcomed to attend.

The Heart Walk will be Saturday, Nov. 3, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Last year, CFISD had over 600 participants and anticipates even more this year. The walk will start at Cy-Fair College located on Barker Cypress Road. The 3-mile walk raises funds for the American Heart Association. CFISD employees should park at the Berry Center.

There are three upcoming new school dedications. On Sunday, Oct. 14, the dedication for Bob and Bobbie Warner Elementary will be at 1 p.m., followed by the dedication for Patti Becker McFee Elementary at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m., there will be a dedication for George E. Hopper Jr. Middle School.

CFISD will celebrate Red Ribbon Week Oct. 22-26.This national campaign is designed to encourage healthy, drug-free and violence-free lifestyles among youth. The district asks parents to take special time this week to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. This is a great time for our community to show a united commitment toward a drug-free America.

A district-wide special focus day for college awareness among elementary students called “College is in My Future” day will take place on Oct. 24, 2007. Teachers will present age-appropriate information and will discuss college majors with their classes. They will use College Board information, lessons and materials aimed at helping young students and their parents make early plans for higher education. The CFISD guidance and counseling department is coordinating this event.

The district has just been notified of receiving an incentive rebate in the amount of $39,698.20 from the Centerpoint Energy Commercial and Industrial Standard Offer Program for implementation of energy cost savings strategies at Yeager, Millsap, Lieder, McFee and Hancock Elementary School campuses for utilizing more energy efficient chillers. This rebate is a result of the efforts of both Glen Rhoden, energy manager, and Claude Yoas, director of facilities planning and energy management, to implement methodologies to reduce electricity consumption which results in cost savings to taxpayers.

Dr. Anthony reminded employees and community members that they will have the privilege to exercise one of their great rights—to vote—on Nov. 6, 2007 . There are several state issues on the ballot (such as a multi-billion dollar commitment to funding cancer research) in Texas and additionally, an amendment on property appraisals and a low-interest college loan proposition. Also, registered voters in the Cy-Fair district will have an opportunity to vote on the CFISD bond election. Early voting dates will be Oct. 22-Nov. 2. The early voting locations within Cy-Fair ISD:

• City of Jersey Village City Hall; 16327 Lakeview Drive
• Bear Creek Park Community Center; Bear Creek Drive at Patterson
• Barbara Bush Library; 6817 Cypresswood

For more information on polling sites on election day go to www.harrisvotes.org or www.cfisd. net and click on Bond 2007.

On Oct. 18 at the Berry Center, author Juan Felipe Herrera will be honored for receiving the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award for his book Downtown Boy. District administrators and community members are invited to join us for a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award was established in 1995 by Texas State University to honor and encourage authors, illustrators and publishers of books that authentically reflect the lives of Mexican American children and young adults in the United States. This is the first time this event will be held jointly with CFISD, and it is our hope that parents, teachers and librarians will become aware of this distinguished literature and share it with the children.

Dr. Anthony also addressed the incident that happened at Dean Middle School Friday, Sept. 28. An eighth-grade student who had been sent home for disciplinary actions earlier in the day returned to campus. Upon entering the building, the student put on a mask and cap and revealed a weapon. When a fellow student saw the mask and gun, he did what the district hopes all students would do. He ran to the office to alert the adults and told them what he had just witnessed. Meanwhile, the student with the weapon was seen by Coach John James and Coach Danny McKay, who recognized her. Coach James had previously made a connection with the student in prior days. He coaxed her away from the hallway and into the gym away from other students. At the same time Coach McKay called 911 and the front desk to request assistance. Coach James continued to talk to the student. Custodian Marvis Hickman heard about the incident on his radio and rushed to the gym to assist. The constable assigned to the campus, Constable Dimitrios Fragkis, entered the gym and after several requests from the constable and encouragement from Coach James, the student handed the gun to the coach. The student is now in police custody. During this event, Principal Mike Smith took all the necessary steps to lock down the campus and keep all students out of harm’s way. The campus leadership and sound thinking from these individuals averted a potential tragedy. Dr. Anthony personally expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the leadership and entire faculty at Dean. Counselors and district administrators have been and will continue to provide the staff and students the support they need. Dr. Anthony said that while the district never wants incidents like this to take place, it is reassuring to know the district’s leaders have the skills they need and relationships with students to handle any crisis they may face.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• the submission of a Request for Maximum Class Size Waiver to the Commissioner of Education;
• bids and contracts to the recommended vendors;
• the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Education District;
• additions, deletions or revisions to district policies: DBA (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS: Credentials and Records; DEAA (LOCAL) COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Incentives and Stipends; FFAD (LOCAL) HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND SERVICES: Communicable Diseases; FNCA (LOCAL) STUDENT CONDUCT: Dress Code; and
• the district’s participation in the National College Access Network (NCAN) grant;
• rescheduling the Oct. 29, 2007 , special-called meeting.