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RECOGNITIONS

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

• Students from Jersey Village High School who placed first or second in the Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Photo Contest: Kaylee Evans , Chris Holt, Victor Lopez, Eric Swenson, Jordan O’Neal, Cameron Coolures, Jeremy Niederheiser and Trey Triola;

• George Hobson, associate superintendent for business services, and the business services department, who received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) for the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006; and

• George Hobson, associate superintendent for business services, and the business services department, who received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006.

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

• Bleyl Middle School seventh-grade student Diana Luz Farias-Landa, whose artwork was selected as the cover design for the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD holiday cards. Her art teacher is Kathy Cotton-Windham. Dr. Anthony said he was proud of the accomplishments of all the district’s young artists;

• CFISD , which was awarded a $10,000 grant for staff development and 2008 new teacher orientation, from business partner Washington Mutual. Dr. Anthony thanked Ms. Joni Baird, first vice president, for the generous contribution;

• Students who competed and placed in the Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall contest. From Jersey Village High School, Steven Flores wonthird place for Advanced Video–News, for his story “Eating Healthy;” Jordan Bontke and Trey Triola received Honorable Mentionfor Advanced Video–News, for their story “JV High School Band;” Veronica Dildine wonthird place for Advanced Video–PSA/Advertisement for her PSA “Self Injury;” Austin Sarabia wonthird placefor Beginning Video–News, with his story “Hockey;” and ThilyeRinke wonthird place for Beginning Video–PSA/Advertisement for her PSA “Abuse;”

• The Cy-Fair High School volleyball team, which played in the state semifinals and ended its season as regional champions; and

• The Cypress Ridge, Cypress Falls and Cy-Fair high school football teams, who all entered playoff rounds. District 17-5A runner-up Cypress Falls ended its season as bi-district champions. Cypress Ridge was the district champion with an 11-2 record, and Cy-Fair was the fourth-place team. Cypress Ridge and Cy-Fair both advanced to the regional semifinal playoffs and finished their seasons as Region III-5A semifinalists.  

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Michael Smith , the current principal at Dean Middle School,was named the new principal for Cy-Fair High School, effective Jan. 3. Smith has served as the principal at Dean for the last six years, and has spent all 18 years of his education career with Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

Barbara Weiman , the current associate principal at Cypress Springs High School, was named the new principal at Cypress Springs High School, effective Jan. 3. Weiman has been the associate principal at Cypress Springs for eight years and has 24 total years of experience in education.

BOND UPDATE

The administration provided a written report on the financial operations and usage of the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center. For four months ending Oct. 31, 2007 , the Berry Center had a total revenue of $877,104.04 and total expenditures totaling $1,047,924.63 for a net deficit of $170,820.59. From July 1, 2007 through Oct. 31, 2007, the Berry Center hosted 772 events totaling 4,825 hours, with an estimated total attendance of 160,000.

The Board approved the administration’s recommendation that the completion date for Elementary #50, located on Round Robin Drive, be changed from August 2009 to August 2010 and that the numerical designations for Elementary #50 and Elementary #51 be switched. Elementary #51 in Fairfield, anticipated to open in August 2009, would be changed to Elementary #50, and the current Elementary #50 on Round Robin would be changed to Elementary #51.

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors as follows: Package E-2007, miscellaneous renovations at Bane and Frazier elementary schools.

ANNUAL GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP

The administration reported on plans for the annual goal-setting workshop scheduled for Feb. 23, 2008. During the workshop, the administration will provide progress reports on this year’s priorities. The Board will then establish 2008-2009 priorities based on these reports and input from various groups and individuals.

PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR 2008-2009 BUDGET AND BOARD GOALS

The district scheduled two public hearing dates for the 2008-2009 Budget and Board Goals. The Budget hearing will be held at Labay Middle School on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Board Goals hearing will be held at Francone Elementary School on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, from 7 to 9 p.m. The information gathered at these hearings will be shared with the Board of Trustees who will establish priorities for the next school year during its annual Goal-setting Workshop scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 in the Board room at the Instructional Support Center.

SUMMER SCHOOL DATES

The Board approved the 2008 summer school dates for elementary, middle and high school:

• Elementary Summer School dates will be June 11 - July 3, 2008;
• LEP PK and K Summer School will be June 10 - July 3, 2008;
• Secondary Summer School 1 st Session will be June 11 - July 3, 2008; and
• Secondary Summer School 2 nd Session will be July 14 - Aug. 1, 2008.

Other details for summer school such as locations and exact times will be presented to the Board for approval at a later date.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

Dr. Anthony wished success to all students as they prepare for semester exams. Students will complete their first semester studies on Friday, Dec. 21.   Beginning Dec. 24, 2007, through Jan. 2, 2008, district schools and the Instructional Support Center (ISC) will be closed to the public for the holidays. All support facilities will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1 and 2, 2008, in observance of the holidays. Teachers and support staff will return for a professional development day on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Students will resume classes on Monday, Jan. 7.   Additionally, the Cypress-Fairbanks school d istrict staff and students will observe the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. All district facilities, including the ISC, will be closed Monday and will reopen for normal business hours the next day. If an emergency occurs during the holidays, it should be reported to security at 281-897-4337.

Dr. Anthony extended his warmest holiday wishes to students, employees and their families and hopes that it is a safe, restful and joyous holiday season for all.

The fall commencement exercises for Windfern High School will be held on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the district’s Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker Cypress Road. The school’s December 2007 graduating class is expected to include 120 students. Dr. Anthony commended the students, their parents and the Windfern staff for this accomplishment.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• received a written report announcing the name of each Board member who has completed, exceeded or who is deficient in the continuing education required under state law. All Board members met or exceeded all requirements for continuing education;
• received a written report on the final 2006-2007 report on District Goal 1: Student Growth and Development;
• received a written report on the results of the 2006-2007 end-of-year literacy assessment for grades K-5;
• approved the following innovative courses: Early Childhood Professions I/II (renewal); Parenting Education for School Age Parents I/II (renewal); Culinary Arts I/II (new); Ready, Set, Teach! I/II (new); Canine Science (new); Introduction to Veterinary Technology Assistant (new); and Veterinary Medical Assistant I/II (new);
• approved the list of students for Off-Campus Physical Education, Category I, for the school years 2008-2009 (Spring) through 2010-2011;
• approved bids and contracts to the recommended vendors;
• approved the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Education District;
• approved adoption of a resolution which, pursuant to TEA requirements for the district to receive supplemental transportation funding, defines hazardous traffic conditions applicable to the district and identifies the specific hazardous areas which exist;
• approved authorization for the superintendent or designee to enter into miscellaneous professional service contracts related to Package E-2007 Miscellaneous Renovations at Bane and Frazier Elementary Schools up to the amounts listed below:
• HVAC System Testing and Balance: up to $65,000.00
• Asbestos Inspection Services: up to $45,000.00;
• approved on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• CPC (LOCAL) OFFICE MANAGEMENT: Records Management
• DCD (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: At-Will Employment
• DFBB (LOCAL) TERM CONTRACTS: Nonrenewal
• DH (LOCAL) EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT;
• approved the 2008-2009 Official Board Meeting Calendar;
• approved a resolution related to the exemption of certain tangible property (goods-in-transit) as provided by property tax code section 11.253;
• approved an agreement with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson for the collection of delinquent taxes and the operations of the district tax office;
• approved the 2008 Harris County Constable Contracts for police services provided to Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District ;
• approved the 2008 Precinct IV Inter-local DARE Contract for two full-time deputies provided to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD; and
• approved authorization for the superintendent or designee to negotiate and execute an Interlocal Governmental Agreement between Harris County and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for the relocation of existing utilities serving Cypress Creek High School to facilitate the widening of Grant Road .

ADDENDUM