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

• Cy-Fair High School volleyball coach Donna Benotti, for being named the 4A/5A Coach of the Year by the Texas Girls Coaches Association;

• Athletes from the Cy-Fair High School girl’s volleyball team, for being regional champions, participating in the 5A State Semifinals and making academic all-district. In addition, 7 of the 14 seniors made Academic All-State;

• Students from Cypress Creek, Cypress Falls, Cypress Ridge and Cypress Woods high schools who won first or second place at the Texas State Thespian Festival in November. The following students received recognition:
• Cypress Creek High School Theatre Arts (directed by Marilyn Miller, Paul Copenhaver and Marilyn Ocker): Ethan Grabau, first place, Monologue Performance; Madison Niederhauser and Katie Taylor, first place, Duet Acting Performance; Erin Hardy, second place, Solo Musical Performance; and Hardy, Madison Niederhauser, Cameron Forbus, Rebecca Blanda, Colin Bates, Katie Taylor, Ethan Grabau, Tyler Galindo, Katherine Carney , Emily McClennen, Alicia Langlinais, Melissa Williams, Sierra Morlock, Christine Lehmann, Nat Margolis, Allison Langlinais, Eric Siebeneich, Haley Barnes, Jeremy Alvarez, Will Havens and Kyle Crawford, Mainstage performers, One Act Play presentation;
• Cypress Falls High School Theatre Arts (directed by Sherry Frank and Rachel Seney): Hannah McClellan, seco nd p lace, Solo Pantomime; Genevieve Simmons and Victoria Teague, seco nd p lace, Duet Musical; and Kathrine Mitchell, fir st Place, Texas Super Techie;
• Cypress Ridge High School Theatre Arts (directed by Bryan Moses): Garrett Line, second place, Monologue; Lauren Kelly and Samantha Walker, second place, Duet Acting; Bradley Rheinbol dt and Mason Spellings, fir st place, Showcase; and Tabitha Plante, Ocy Robinson, Garrett Line, Bradley Rheinboldt, Samantha Walker (Best Actress), Lauren Kelly, Chelsea Wheeler, Victoria Scarmardi and Malcolm Petty (Best Actor), Chapter Select Showcase. Cypress Ridge also won All-Star Troupe honors; and
• Cypress Woods High School Theatre Arts (directed by Wendy Carrell): Sid Quisaat, second place, Solo Musical, Kaitlin Bennett and Ethan Spell, seco nd p lace, Duet Musical; Bryan Gray and Phillip Wozny, seco nd p lace, Duet Acting; and Molly Williamson, seco nd place, Publicity Design;

• Cypress Ridge High School wrestler Jessica Nguyen, for her state championship at the state wrestling meet;

• Cypress Falls High School swimmer Neil Caskey, who had two gold medals at the state swimming meet; and

• Athletes and coaches from the Cy-Fair High School girls basketball team for winning the 5A State Championship.

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

• The winner and runner-up from the annual district-wide Middle School Spelling Bee , held Feb. 13 in the ISC Board Room. Kunal Shah, a seventh-grade student at Hamilton Middle School, won first place by correctly spelling the words epiphyte and affluent in round 7. Tyler Carter, a seventh-grade student at Spillane Middle School, was the district’s runner up. Each middle school was represented at the district competition. Dr. Anthony congratulated all Spelling Bee champions, and wished luck to both Shah and Carter, who will advance to the Houston Chronicle Regional Spelling Bee on March 26, along with the winner and runner up of the Elementary School Spelling Bee;

• Students who placed in the Texas State German Contest, held Feb. 23 in Austin. Cy-Fair High School received first-place awards in Poetry Memory, Poetry Reading and Prose Memory, and received second-place awards in Spelling, Culture, Polka Band and Poetry Reading. They also received third-place awards for Duet Acting, Prose Reading, Poetry Memory, Poetry Reading, Plays and Extemporaneous Speaking; Cypress Woods received a second-place award for their Skit; Cypress Springs received a third-place award for their Research Paper; and Langham Creek received a third-place award for Extemporaneous Speaking. Dr. Anthony congratulated the German teams, and thanked the teachers and chaperones for all their hard work, and Yvonne Thomas, German Teacher at Cypress Creek who is serving as President of the Houston Metro chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German;

• The CFISD Communication Department, on winning four gold star and three silver star awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association. The gold star awards went to: Joel Weckerly and Gary Durrenberger for the brochure TSA Annual Report 2007; Gary Durrenberger for his photograph We are the Champions; the Communication Department for the district website, www.cfisd.net, and Stephanie Migl and Kelli Durham for the brochure Cypress-Fairbanks ISD: Pocket-size Initiatives for the 80 th Legislative Session. The silver stars went to: Rosario Meehan for translating the electronic newspaper, Inside Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, January 2007; Joel Weckerly for his podcast Teacher Returns from Afghanistan; and the Communication Department for the electronic newspaper, Inside Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, May 2007;

• Career and technology students who competed and qualified for state in the SkillsUSA competition on Friday, Feb. 29. Langham Creek students competing in Cosmetology, winning first place and a Superior Rating are seniors Kaitlynn Gonzales, Samantha Westerman, Ashlee Richardson, Gina Montoya and Katerin Fernandez, and juniors Enelda Cardenas and Ariyana Brooks. Cypress Ridge students competing in Auto Tech and advancing to state are: senior Khuong Tran, third place for Power Equipment Technology and junior Justin Kolenovsky, second place for Diesel Service Technology. In addition, junior Matt Mann won fifth place in Power Equipment; and an Honorable Mention in Automotive Service Technology went to juniors Dennis Caballero and Rogelio Rojas, and senior Joe Salimi;

• Cy-Fair High School swimmer Jennifer Lamb, who placed third in the 500-yard freestyle event at the state swim meet;

• Cypress Ridge High School wrestler Kendra Lewis, who placed third in the 165 weight class at the state wrestling tournament; and

• The Cypress Springs, Cypress Ridge and Langham Creek high school boys basketball teams, who qualified for the postseason. The playoffs began Feb. 19 and the Cypress Springs Panthers beat Morton Ranch to advance to area playoffs, and then beat Bellaire to advance to quarterfinals, where they ended their season as regional quarterfinalists. Dr. Anthony c ongratulated Cy-Fair ISD’s talented athletes and their coaches.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

The administration reported on the following administrative assignments and/or promotion:

• Jodi Matteson , an assistant principal at Lee Elementary School, was named the new principal at Millsap Elementary School for the 2008-2009 school year. Matteson replaces Rhonda Frewin, who will open Hemmenway Elementary School in the fall;
• Louanne Shaffer , the instructional specialist at Reed Elementary School, was named the new principal at Hancock Elementary School. Shaffer replaces Kathy Dickson, who will open M. Robinson Elementary School in the fall;
• Gene Johnson , the former campus athletic coordinator at Hightower High School in Fort Bend ISD, was named the first athletic coordinator and football coach at Cypress Ranch High School for 2008-2009; and
• Roland Gonzalez , the former campus athletic coordinator at Ray High School in Corpus Christi ISD, was named the new athletic coordinator and football coach at Cypress Springs High School. Gonzalez takes over for Robert Blackshear, who announced his transfer to Cypress Lakes on Jan. 25.

GED TEST CENTER

The administration provided a written report on the district’s GED Test Center, including the number of tests administered and fees received for administering the tests during 2007. A total of 368 examinees were tested, and $15,918 in fees were collected from Jan. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2007 .

DISTRICT AWARDS FOR TEACHER EXCELLENCE GRANT

The Board approved an incentive plan aimed at specific campuses and funded through TEA’s District Awards for Teacher Excellence Grant (DATE).

Created by the 79 th Texas Legislature in 2006, the DATE grant’s purpose was to provide financial awards for teachers who improve student achievement and support district goals such as the recruitment and retention of quality teachers. Projected state allocation is $4,340,156, and district matching funds (at 15 percent) is $651,023. Part I of the grant is to award teachers who improve student achievement, while Part II is to provide other incentives that support increased student achievement.

The DATE grant will be implemented for specified targeted campuses. By grant requirements, target campuses must meet two of the following criteria: 2007 academically unacceptable rating; ranks within the top quartile of campuses enrolling high percentages of economically disadvantaged students; receives comparable improvement ratings in the bottom quartile relative to other campus types in the district; experiences above average dropout/non-completion rates relative to other campus types in the district; or performs lower than the district’s average proficiency on TAKS.

The Board approved the contract award for the construction of Elementary School No. 50, to be located at Fairfield Place Drive and Schiel Road.

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors as follows: Package I-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 4; Package J-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 3; Package M-2007, Nature Trails Pavilion; Package G-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Copeland and Fiest Elementary Schools; and Package L-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Telge Transportation, Science Resource Center and Exhibit Center.

The Boardauthorized the superintendent or designee to enter into miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the following projects up to the amounts listed below: Pkg I-2007, District Wide Paving – Precinct 4; Pkj J-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 3; Pkg G-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Copeland and Fiest Elementary Schools; Pkg H-2008 Miscellaneous Renovations at Adam, Horne and Moore Elementary Schools; and Elementary School No. 50.

BOND UPDATE

The Board approved the contract award for the construction of Elementary School No. 50, to be located at Fairfield Place Drive and Schiel Road.

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors as follows: Package I-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 4; Package J-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 3; Package M-2007, Nature Trails Pavilion; Package G-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Copeland and Fiest Elementary Schools; and Package L-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Telge Transportation, Science Resource Center and Exhibit Center.

The Boardauthorized the superintendent or designee to enter into miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the following projects up to the amounts listed below: Pkg I-2007, District Wide Paving – Precinct 4; Pkj J-2007, Districtwide Paving – Precinct 3; Pkg G-2008, Miscellaneous Renovations to Copeland and Fiest Elementary Schools; Pkg H-2008 Miscellaneous Renovations at Adam, Horne and Moore Elementary Schools; and Elementary School No. 50.

CFISD third-, fifth- and eighth-grade students recently took reading TAKS tests, and the district expects those results to arrive by the end of March. Students who were not successful will have two other opportunities to pass. These students will receive small-group instruction in groups of 10 or less students with a teacher who has received specialized training. The teachers will study their students’ results and will address any areas of weakness prior to the second administration of the test, scheduled to be given on April 30.

Testing for students identified as limited English proficient (LEP) in grades 2-12 will occur on March 24-April 4. During this time, teachers will also be observing and rating their LEP students in English language proficiency in all subject areas.

The next TAKS testing date is scheduled for April 8 when fifth- and eighth-grade students are tested in math.

Governor Perry signed a Proclamation setting aside the week of March 3-7, 2008 as Educational Diagnosticians’ Week. Dr. Anthony added his appreciation by thanking the district’s Educational Diagnosticians who work diligently to evaluate and create personalized learning programs addressing the unique educational needs of students in the Special Education program. He also thanked the diagnosticians for the valued service they provide to our students in this area.

The Eldridge Transportation Center will host this year’s Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District's School Bus Safety Road-e-o on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. until noon. Contestants will hone their driving skills through competitions that include diminishing clearance, parallel parking and offset alley events. Drivers begin their competition Friday afternoon with a written exam that will test their knowledge of traffic safety laws as well as the bus maintenance check. We invite our community to come and join in the fun.

Spring break is the week of March 17-21. All schools will be closed and classes will resume on Monday, March 24. To contact the CFISD security department in case of emergency call 281-897-4337. Dr. Anthony wished CFISD students and employees a safe, enjoyable and well-deserved vacation.

The spring follow-up for the Superintendent Student Leadership Conferences (SSLC) were held recently with 384 student leaders from district middle and high schools convening at the Berry Center. The theme of this year’s conference was “Believe-Achieve-Succeed.” The students were able to share thoughts and ideas on different challenges they will face on their campus in the upcoming school year. They gave Dr. Anthony input on important topics, such as the seven-period day schedule, 4x4 and how schools could strengthen a college-going culture. Dr. Anthony said both days were enjoyable as he was able to interact and observe an outstanding group of students who represent campuses throughout the district.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• approved the District Textbook Committee’s recommendation for 2008-2009;
• approved the following additional summer opportunities for students: Student Success Initiative (eighth-grade math and reading), ESL Enrichment, New Arrival Program Summer School, TAKS Remediation, Accelerate to Algebra, Moving Up in Math, Scholars’ Program (PSAT Prep), Carverdale Tutoring Program, Willow Green Apartment Tutoring Program, Somerset Apartment Tutoring Program, SAT Prep, and Special Education Reading and Math Program;
• approved applications for Air Force Junior ROTC courses to be offered at Cypress Lakes and Cypress Ranch high schools;
• approved bids and contracts to the recommended vendors;
• approved the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Educational District;
• approved on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• DGBA (LOCAL) PERSONNEL-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS: Employee Complaints/Grievances
• GKC (LOCAL) COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Visitors to the Schools
• GKG (LOCAL) COMMUNITY RELATIONS: School Volunteer Program;
• approved the student transfer status of district schools for the 2008-2009 school year;
• approved the long-range plan priorities for 2008-2009;
• approved the superintendent’s contract recommendations for school year 2008-2009 of teachers to 1) issue probationary and term contracts for teachers; 2) issue probationary contracts for a fourth consecutive school year for teachers; 3) terminate probationary contracts for teachers; 4) non-renew term contracts for teachers; 5) give notice of proposed discharge from continuing contracts, with the intent of returning teacher(s) to probationary contract status; 6) discharge teachers on continuing contracts; and 7) accept resignations and/or retirements of teachers on probationary, term, or continuing contracts as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (March 2008), and the superintendent’s memorandum of March 6, 2008; and
• approved the superintendent’s contract recommendations for school year 2008-2009 of paraprofessionals to 1) issue one-year (annual) contracts for paraprofessionals; 2) non-renew one-year (annual) contracts to paraprofessionals; and 3) accept resignations and/or retirements of paraprofessionals on one-year (annual) contracts as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (March 2008) and the superintendent’s memorandum of March 6, 2008.

ADDENDUM

The Board discussed and received legal advice from the general counsel regarding the duties of public employees and public officials, and a matter on which the general counsel’s duty to the District under the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act.