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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. From the 17,469 total entries submitted this year from across Texas, only 1,756 images advanced to the state level, including 52 from CFISD. Thirty-three received a superior rating (first place) and 19 received an excellent rating (second place). Seven students also received a “Gold Seal” medal. The following students were honored from Cy-Fair High School: Kyle Bidinger , freshman, Electronic Media, Superior and Gold Seal; Ian Cottle , freshman, Photography, Superior; Grant Glenewinkel , senior, Electronic Media, Excellent; Zoe Kendall , senior, Electronic Media, Excellent; Wyatt Wood, senior, Photography, Excellent; and Sculpture , Superior; Alexandra Ankney , senior, Photography, Superior; Kelsey Clements , senior, Electronic Media , Superior and Excellent; Marc Drumwright , senior, Electronic Media, Superior and Gold Seal; Emily Lopez , senior, Electronic Media, Superior and Photography, Superior; Hannah Olson , freshman, Photography, Superior (2); Adrianna Sarabia , sophomore, Photography, Excellent; and Renke Yang , sophomore, Painting, Superior. From Cypress Creek High School: Jasmine Farshchi , freshman, Mixed Media, Superior. From Cypress Falls High School: Aram Kwon, f reshman, Drawing, Excellent; Randy Pok, s ophomore, Drawing, Excellent; Morgan Underwood, s ophomore, Electronic Media, Superior; and Guilherme Verissimo, senio r, Drawing, Excellent. From Cypress Springs High School: Ashley Collignon , senior, Mixed Media, Superior (2); Samuel Wilcox , junior, Mixed Media, Superior; Aaron Benton , senior, Electronic Media, Excellent; Amber Uddin , senior, Electronic Media, Excellent; Kathryn Wilcox , junior, Sculpture, Superior. From Cypress Woods High School: Kylie Fitzgerald, junior, Mixed Media, Superior; Austin Krause, junior, Mixed Media, Superior; Camila Ruiz, sophomore, Mixed Media, Superior and Gold Seal; Eryn Williams, sophomore, Mixed Media, Excellent; Ryan Jesclard, junior, Sculpture, Superior; Elli Arave, freshman, Mixed Media, Excellent; Peggy Cong Huyen, freshman, Photography, Superior; William Hackney, junior, Photography, Superior and Gold Seal; Monica Luna, junior, Photography, Excellent; Nicholas Voyer,sophomore, Photography, Superior; Megan Colwell, sophomore, Mixed Media, Superior; Natasha Crea, junior, Mixed Media, Superior and Gold Seal; Chloe Dickinson, sophomore, Mixed Media, Excellent; Richard Ford, junior, Ceramics, Superior and Gold Seal; Mia Gibson, junior, Drawing, Superior and Gold Seal; Brad Korndorffer, junior, Mixed Media, Excellent; Kole Lugar, junior, Painting, Excellent; Mary Nielsen, junior, Mixed Media, Excellent; Garrett Powers, junior, Mixed Media, Excellent; Sadia Quddus, sophomore, Mixed Media, Superior; Lindsey Smith, sophomore, Mixed Media, Superior; Marla Sobotik, junior, Sculpture, Superior (2); and Pat Stokes, junior, Electronic Media, Superior. From Jersey Village High School: Emily Yandell, senior, Photography, Excellent. Additionally, Marc Drumright of Cy-Fair High School won a National Scholastic Art Gold Key Award in Electronic Media and Daniel Arizpe of Cypress Springs High School won second place in Photography at the Association of Texas Photography Instructors (ATPI) State Competition;

• Students who won first or second place at the State Science Olympiad, held April 25-26 at Texas A&M. The following students were honored: Nathan Hinton, Goodson MS, second place, Tower Building; Cecilia Cesar and Chintan Patel, Spillane MS, second place, Bio Process Lab; John Fortner, Cypress Falls HS, first place, Herpetology and second place, Ecology; Angela Li, Cypress Falls HS, first place, Sound of Music and second place, Disease Detectives; Rachel Lewis, Cypress Falls HS, first place, Herpetology; Travis Hinton, Cypress Falls HS, second place, Oceanography; Peter Lee, Cypress Falls HS, first place, Sound of Music and second place, Circuit Lab; Andy Liao, Cypress Falls HS, second place, Disease Detectives; Katherine Mitchell, Cypress Falls HS, second place, Ecology, Forensics, Oceanography; Shilen Patel, Cypress Falls, second place, Forensics; Avik Som, Cypress Falls HS, second place, Circuit Lab; Huy Huynh, Jersey Village HS, second place, Cell Biology; Alice Joe, Jersey Village HS, first place, Ecology; Ankit Rajgariah, Jersey Village HS, first place, Ecology and second place, Cell Biology; Christopher Chan and Daniel Lam, Cypress Ridge HS, second place, Wright Stuff; Arshiya Baig and Snigdha Peddireddy, Cypress Woods HS, second place, Health Science; Ruben Rodriguez and Zack Sledge, Cypress Woods HS, first place, Wright Stuff;

• Mike Jarrar of Jarrar & Co. , the top volume buyer from the 2008 CFISD Livestock Show and Sale. Jarrar invested $110,125 in student projects at the show and also earned the first annual 2007 Top Volume Buyer Buckle;

• Cypress Falls High School student Alex Benito , for being named the Journalism Education Association National High School Journalist of the Year. The award was presented to Benito in April in Anaheim, Calif., at the JEA National Convention;

• Cypress Woods High School student Katherine Nguyen , for winning a 2008 National Gold Scholastic Writing Award. The 14 winners from Harris County will be honored at a reception at an area Barnes & Noble later this spring. This summer, all National Award winners will be honored at a high-profile national event in New York City;

• Students who placed first in the State Destination ImagiNation Competition , and those continuing on to the Global Competition. CFISD teams came home with two first-place awards, one third-place award, two fourth-place awards and two fifth-place awards. Three of these teams will compete at the Global Destination ImagiNation Tournament that will be held in Knoxville, Tenn., from May 21-24: Middle Division, Obstacles Of Course! Challenge, First Place: KIAW from Hamilton Middle School. Team members are Drew Allen, Eddie Bruccaleri, Nathalie Charlton, Hayden Passon, Daniel Schlomer and Michael Sliva; the team manager is Cathy Sliva and the school sponsor is Mary Young-Miller. Hit or Myth? Challenge, Third Place/Wildcard: WilDImagination from Bleyl Middle School. Team Members are Andrew Boushka, Alex Cook, Grant Cook, Cameron Frederick, Avery Mueller-Jarosh, Alex Mudd and Kirsten Thomas; team managers are Molly Cook and Julie Boushka and the school sponsor is Renee Mai. Senior Division, DI Extreme, First Place : The Velcro Masters from Jersey Village High School . Team Members are Kurt Bilanoski, Matt Caughman, Jordan Fauser, Sarah Wisterman, Kim Griffin and Taylor Channing; team managers are Curtis Haverty and Theresa Fauser and the school sponsor is Christina Reif; and

• Students who were selected and participated in All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra . The following students were named to All-State Band: Cinjin Casillas, Zach Crow and Charlie Keifer, Cy-Fair HS; Daniel Cruz, Liam Ripley, Ryan Sovereign and Alex Trujillo, Cypress Creek HS; Katie Bailey, Lindsey Kresta, Andrew Collins, Jacob Small, Ryan Townsley and Detlef von Sehrwald, Cypress Falls HS; Elaine Lowery, Cypress Ridge HS; Amanda Mendieta, Alan McAda, Robert Pimentel, Jaren Reyes and Joseph Rollins, Cypress Springs HS; Robert Lares and Ashley Scambray, Cypress Woods HS; Mauri Cash and Holly Marchant, Jersey Village HS; and Megan Moscoso, Caroline Young and Daniel Rubio, Langham Creek HS. The following students were named to All-State Choir: John Dorin, Robert Douglas, Evan Key and Aaron Turner, Cy-Fair HS; Erin Hardy, Krystal Hargrove, Samantha Rickard, Raquel Schafer and Kevin Smith, Cypress Creek HS; Megan Hunt and Rachel Pitman, Cypress Falls HS; Sean Stultz, Cypress Ridge HS; Sierah Ayala and Adam Mata, Cypress Springs HS; Jasmine Reed, Alex Bruce and Matt Mazzola, Jersey Village HS; and Nina Garcia, Jennifer Maul, Katherine Meinke, Remmington Belford, Andrew Burns, Cameron Mousighi and Kenneth Rivera, Langham Creek HS.

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

• Two teams of drivers who placed in the Gulf Coast Regional School Bus Safety Road-e-o competition , Special Needs division. The winning teams are: first place, Linda Hair of Eldridge Transportation and attendant Shelley Johnson of Telge Transportation; second place, Clayton Terry and attendant Noraina Lutz, both of Eldridge Transportation. These teams will advance to the state Road-e-o finals in Corpus Christi in June;

• Winners of the 2008 Tommy Tune Awards, which rewards excellence in the production of musical theatre by high school students and their teachers in the Houston area. Cypress Falls High School was nominated for Best Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Supporting Actress Haley Hussey for their production of Zombie Prom. In addition, eight scholarships were awarded, and CFISD students received two of the eight. Katherine Mitchell and Victoria Teague, both seniors at Cypress Falls, were the scholarship winners;

• Several other CFISD winners at the 2008 Texas Destination ImagiNation Tournament . From Hamilton Elementary, Team Lime Green Lunatics won fourth place in the Chorific! Challenge. Third- and fifth-grade team members are: Grayson Walker, Tate Walker, Will Davis, Elizabeth Isaly, Kendall Thurston, Luke Hurley and Reghan Conrey. The school sponsor is Betty Collette and team managers are Amy Walker and Patty Davis. From Spillane Middle School, Team FDI won fifth place in the DI’ve Got a Secret challenge. Sixth-grade team members are: Hudson La Plant, Logan Hamilton, Erica Swain, Kali Grau, Patrick Finnerty, Melissa Hall and Kyndal Irwin. The school sponsor is Leanna Dent and team managers are Robert La Plant and Ian Hamilton. From Jersey Village High School , Team Velcro Masters won fourth place in the DI’ve Got a Secret challenge, senior division. Tenth, 11th and 12th-grade team members are: Kurt Bilanoski, Matt Caughman, Jordan Fauser, Sarah Wisterman, Kim Griffin and Taylor Channing. The school sponsor is Christina Reif and team managers are Curtis Haverty and Theresa Fauser. From Cypress Woods High School, Team Cy Woods Number One won fifth place in the Chorific! Challenge, senior division. Eleventh-grade team members are Bryan Gray, Kelsey Sallade, Matt Wheeler and Phillip Wozny. The school sponsor is Trina Powers and the team manager is Becky Sallade;

• Several other student teams who placed third and fourth in the Science Olympiad competition . Kymberly Torres and Jackie Kingsley from Hopper Middle School won fourth place in Naked Egg Drop, and Chintan Patel and Kyle Thompson from Spillane Middle School won fourth place in Tower Building. In addition, Spillane won the overall Spirit award. From Cypress Falls, John Fornter and Jasneet Singh won third place in History of Science; Angela Li, Rachel Lewis and Cathy Phan won third place in Experimental Design; Franco Gallastegui and Andy Liao won third place in Fermi Questions; Travis Hinton and Kathrine Mitchell won third place in Remote Sensing; Shilen Patel and Avik Som won third place in Five Star Science; and Andy Liao and Avik Som won fourth place in Cell Biology. From Jersey Village, Sean Crain and Raj Kankaria won third place in Get Your Bearing; Samantha Fleitman and Mandy Hogan won fourth place in Disease Detectives; Julie Nguyen and Mandy Hogan won fourth place in Forensics; Johnny Sompholphardy and Peter Turner won fourth place in Five Star Science; and Raj Kankaria and Peter Turner won fourth place in Astronomy. From Cypress Springs, Timothy Earles and Rebecca Kusko won third place in Sound of Music and Alex Almanza and Frank Sebastianelli won fourth place in Robot Ramble. In addition, Team Cy Falls took third place overall in state. Team members are: seniors Avik Som, Shilen Patel, Kathrine Mitchell, Travis Hinton, Peter Lee, Andy Liao and Corey Fuller; juniors Cathy Phan, Rachel Lewis, Aurash Ismail, Franco Gallastegui, sophomores Angela Li, Mihir Bedre and Jasneet Singh; and freshmen John Fortner and Michelle Lai. The team coach is Jennifer Wuellner;

• CFISD high schools that competed in the TCEA State Programming Contest at UT-Tyler in April along with 32 other area schools, and Cypress Falls Team #34 tied for first place overall. Team members are Laura Austin, captain, Ali Mogadham and Timmy Lee. In addition, Cypress Falls senior Julian Borrego placed fifth in the UIL State Computer Science meet, posting the second-highest score in the state, with a four-way tie for first;

• Cypress Ridge High School juniors Brett Gray and Nick Cugini, as well as senior Erica Pratt, who advanced to the UIL Academic State Meet for Speech and Debate. Cugini won the state championship in Persuasive Speaking. In addition, Cugini won first place in the Texas Forensic Association’s Extemporaneous Speaking category and traveled to Chicago this past weekend to compete in the highly prestigious Extemporaneous Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University, where he placed in the top 12. Also from Cypress Ridge, Brett Gray and Bradley Rheinboldt placed second in Duet Acting at the Texas Forensic Association State Meet. Tasnoba Nusrat of Cypress Falls placed second in Feature Writing;

• Cypress Falls Air Force Junior ROTC Unit TX-20003 , for earning the Distinguished Unit Award for 2007-2008. This award recognizes the accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructors and support of the school and community, and is awarded to the best of the best of the nation’s 879 ROTC units;

• Service honorees, retiring employees and guests, who were honored during the 69th annual employee service banquet on Monday, April 21, at the Berry Center. Throughout the evening, guests were treated to music performed by some of CFISD’s very own talented students. Jonathan Alford of Cypress Falls sang “Achy Breaky Heart” along with his backup line dancers; JR Peña of Jersey Village revved things up with “La Bamba”; Erin Hardy of Cypress Creek rocked the house with “I Love Rock and Roll”; the Cypress Springs Chamber Choir gave a lively version of “Boogie Shoes”; a Broadway style group from Cypress Woods took it back with “Lean on Me” and Malyndi Tillis from Jersey Village ended the evening with “Respect.” After retiring employees were honored, Loretta Bourn, district elementary music coordinator, serenaded attendees with a song she wrote, “Thanks for the Memories.” Dr. Anthony thanked each of the students and employees for their participation in this event;

• District tennis players who advanced to the postseason . In boys singles, Austin Brooks of Cypress Creek defeated Memorial’s Jonathan Chang at regionals to advance to state, where he finished his season as state semifinalist. Kourtney Howell from Cypress Woods ended her season as first place in district and Hannah Witherspoon from Langham Creek was second in district. In doubles, Cy-Fair’s team of Stephanie Barriero and Meredith Miller placed first in district and Cypress Woods’ team of Emily Charlton and Kristi Parrot placed second in district. Langham Creek’s boys’ doubles team of Austin Harper and Dave Hoffman advanced to regional quarterfinals before ending their season. In mixed doubles, Cy-Fair’s team of Dani Curcio and Cameron Pavluk were first in district, and Langham Creek’s Juno Ju and Olivia Lamaster won second in district;

• Softball teams that advanced to the playoffs . The district champions were the Cypress Woods Wildcats, and the runners-up were the Cypress Creek Cougars. Third place went to Cy-Fair and fourth to Cypress Springs. Playoffs began May 2 and Cypress Woods lost to Bellaire in the area playoffs, ending its season as area finalists. The Cy-Fair Lady Bobcats advanced to play Bellaire where they ended their season in the third game of a best-of-three series as regional quarterfinalists;

• Baseball teams that advanced to the playoffs . The district champions were the Cy-Fair Bobcats and second place were the Langham Creek Lobos. Third place was Cypress Creek and fourth place was Cypress Woods. The playoffs began last Thursday and Cy-Fair, Langham Creek and Cypress Creek all won their bi-district playoffs and advanced to area playoffs, ending their seasons as area finalists;

• District golf teams that advanced to regionals . In boys golf, Cypress Falls placed second to Strake Jesuit, and both advanced to regionals. Cy-Fair High School golfer Jordan Rumora was the second place individual golfer and also advanced to regionals, finishing 18th overall. Cypress Falls placed sixth overall. In girls golf, Cypress Woods won the district championship, Cypress Falls finished second, and both advanced to regionals. Jersey Village’s Audrey Koncaba was the first place individual girls golfer, and Taylor Sprague of Cy-Fair was second. At regionals, Audrey placed 17th overall and team Cypress Woods placed sixth overall; and

• Track and field state qualifiers and medalists . Three CFISD students qualified for state in track and field events: Cypress Falls senior Blake Shaw placed first in the 800-meter run at regionals and also won the gold at state; Jersey Village senior Michael Barbas finished first in shot put at regionals and won the silver at state. Barbas was also third in regionals for discus and is ranked No. 2 in his graduating class, and Jersey Village senior Michael Preble finished second at regionals in the 400-meter and qualified for state.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

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

• Vicki McComas , the principal at Aragon Middle School, was named the new assistant superintendent for secondary school administration. McComas replaces Roy Garcia, who was named the new associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction and school administration in April.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SCREENING PROGRAM

The administration provided a report on a cardiovascular screening program for life-threatening heart conditions.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is providing the opportunity for student athletes to receive an electrocardiogram (ECG)—which can identify most individuals who are at risk for life-threatening heart conditions—at no cost. The initial phase of the screening program will target incoming ninth-grade athletes. The screening will be provided at the school by the school nurse or an athletic trainer. The ECG will then be reviewed by a cardiologist.

CFISD is the first school district in the state of Texas to initiate this type of screening program. American Heart Association data indicates that approximately 90 percent of students tested will have normal ECG screens, approximately 9 percent will have minor abnormalities that will not interfere with further participation in strenuous activity and approximately 1 percent of screened students will have cardiac abnormalities that will limit or curtail further participation in strenuous physical exercise. Discovery of students at risk for sudden cardiac death should reduce the tragic loss of life in district students participating in the screening program by 90 percent.

BOND UPDATE

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bond funds to the recommended contractors as follows: Package E-2008, Renovations to Jowell, Metcalf and Sheridan elementary schools.

The Board authorized the superintendent or designee to enter into miscellaneous professional service contracts related to the following projects up to the amounts listed below: Package E-2008, Renovations to Jowell, Metcalf and Sheridan elementary schools.

The Board authorized the superintendent or designee to negotiate the final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) with Satterfield & Pontikes, Inc., and execute all documents for the additions and renovations at Cypress Creek High School, Jersey Village High School, Bleyl Middle School and Post Elementary School.

The Board considered the proposed action to declare as surplus approximately 15 acres of land just south of Willbern Elementary School at the northwest corner of Legacy Park Drive and Round Up Drive.

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

The board approved the district’s Annual Action Plan designed to carry out the goal priorities established for the 2008-2009 school year. The Annual Action Plan contains: (a) the priorities derived from identified needs; (b) the performance targets for student achievement; and (c) the activities developed to address these needs.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING

May 7 was proclaimed School Nurses Day by the governor, and Dr. Anthony extended his appreciation to this group of education professionals who provide dedicated and caring medical support to CFISD students. Along with teachers, counselors and administrators, the school nurses provide their expertise to further a healthy learning environment essential to our children’s success. Dr. Anthony said the appreciation for school nurses should be shown not just on this official day of recognition but throughout the entire year.

As part of the Student Success Initiative, fifth- and eighth-grade students who did not pass the first administration of the grades 5 and 8 TAKS test, taken in early April, will have a second opportunity to do so on May 13. Fifth- and eighth-grade students in Texas public schools must pass both the math and reading TAKS tests in order to be promoted to sixth and ninth grade. For students who have not passed either test, a third and final opportunity will be held July 1 for math and July 2 for reading.

District facilities will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday as we remember those who have given their lives for our freedom.

The last day of classes for the 2007-2008 academic year is Thursday, May 29. A professional day for district employees is scheduled for May 30. Dr. Anthony wished district students, teachers, administrators and support personnel a well-deserved, restful, healthy and fun-filled summer vacation. Although the district has faced many challenges, he said district and school personnel, as well as many volunteer community members, have shown that dedication to educational excellence continues as the CFISD standard.

All CFISD graduation ceremonies will be held at the Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker Cypress Road. There is no charge for graduation parking. Dr. Anthony said CFISD is proud of its more than 5,700 graduating seniors, and wishes them the best as they pursue their college and career aspirations. The schedule for this year’s high school graduation ceremonies is as follows:

• Thursday, May 29 – 7 p.m., Windfern
• Friday, May 30 – 7 p.m., Cy-Fair
• Saturday, May 31 – 8:30 a.m., Jersey Village
  Noon, Cypress Creek
  3:30 p.m., Cypress Ridge
  7:30 p.m., Langham Creek
• Sunday, June 1 – 1 p.m., Cypress Springs
  5:30 p.m., Cypress Falls

Tickets are required and will be issued through the graduating seniors. The district encourages parents and guests to carpool due to the large attendance expected. Traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be very heavy in the Barker-Cypress area. For those participating in the graduations, please allow extra time for travel and parking. For those family members who will not attend, the graduations will be broadcast live on CFTV Channel 16.

The first summer school session begins June 11 through July 1 and the second session will run July 14 through Aug. 1. High School locations are Cy-Fair and Cypress Ridge, and middle school locations are Hopper, Labay, Spillane and Watkins. 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 Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Berry Center.

AGENDA ITEMS

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

• approved bids and contracts to the recommended vendors;
• approved budget amendments for the period of January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008;
• approved the tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and/or Harris County Education District;
• authorized the superintendent to execute an amendment to the current tax collection contract with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLC;
• approved discharging employees pursuant to a reduction in force due to proposed programmatic changes necessary for redirection of financial resources to meet the educational needs of the district’s students;
• approved the Superintendent’s recommended employment areas to be reduced or eliminated as a result of the reduction in force;
• approved on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• BJCF (LOCAL) SUPERINTENDENT: Renewal
• DC (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
• DCE (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: Other Types of Contracts
• DEA (LOCAL) COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salaries, Wages and Stipends
• FEC (LOCAL) ATTENDANCE: Attendance for Credit
• FFH (LOCAL) STUDENT WELFARE: Freedom from Harassment
• GKDA (LOCAL) NONSCHOOL USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES: Distribution of Nonschool Literature; and
• approved on first reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policies:
• BBB (LOCAL) BOARD MEMBERS ELECTION
• CDA (LOCAL) OTHER REVENUES: Investments
• DCB (LOCAL) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: Educator Term Contracts
• EED (LOCAL) INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Student Schedules
• EHDD (LOCAL) EXTNEDED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS: College Course Work/Dual Credit
• FN (LOCAL) STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
• FNF (LOCAL) STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES: Interrogations and Searches.

ADDENDUM

The Board discussed the superintendent’s final formative review evaluation for the 2007-2008 school year.