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RECOGNITIONS

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

• The state Texas Association of Partners in Education (TAPE) gold award winners. The three winners were Holbrook Elementary School volunteer Demitria Wright of CH2MHill Engineering, Lowery Elementary School volunteer Abhay Mars and Watkins Middle School business partner Mustang Engineering;

• Mapra Gentry, CFISD coordinator for elementary social studies, for being awarded the Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association Supervisor of the Year Award; and

• High school students participating in the Board Shadowing Project. The following students participated: Wil Hampton, Cypress Creek; Erin Dickson, Langham Creek; Mark Goloby, Cypress Falls; Kimberly Ekholm, Cypress Springs; Kelvin Garrido, Jersey Village; Samantha Katsounas, Cypress Woods; Chelsey Forrest, Windfern; David Hornbeak, Cy-Fair; and Laura Marczak, Cypress Ridge.

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

• District winners of the Volunteer and Business Partner of the Year Awards for 2009-2010:
• Business Partnership – Career Education Award – TexasOne Community Credit Union, Holbrook Elementary School Partner;
• Business Partnership – Academic Impact Award – Mustang Engineering, Watkins Middle School Partner;
• Community Partnership – Academic Impact Award – Cypress Bible Church – Loving Lamkin, Lamkin Elementary School Partner;
• Community Partnership – STEM – Dynergy, Lieder Elementary School Partner;
• Individual Partnership – Partnership Advocate – Demitria Wright, Holbrook Elementary School volunteer;
• Individual Partnership – Role Model – Abhay Mars, Lowery Elementary School volunteer; and
• Community Partnership – Health Award – Willbern PTO – Track Planning and Construction, Willbern Elementary School Partner; and

• Boys and girls soccer teams who advanced to playoffs. In boys’ soccer, Cypress Falls was the district champion and ended its season as regional quarterfinalist. Cypress Woods placed second in district and ended its season as area finalist, Cy-Fair was third and Langham Creek was fourth place in district. Both the Cy-Fair and Langham Creek teams finished their seasons as bi-district finalists. In girls’ soccer, Cy-Fair was the district champion, Cypress Creek placed second, Cypress Woods was third and Langham Creek was fourth place in district. All teams completed their season as bi-district finalists.

NEW PRINCIPALS
The district announced principals for two elementary schools:

• Crystal Romero-Mueller, the assistant principal at Emmott Elementary School, has been named the new principal for Fiest Elementary School. Mueller replaces Ronda Rickett, who will retire in June; and

• Heather Motzny, the assistant principal at Swenke Elementary School, was named the principal at Sampson Elementary School. Motzny replaces Cindy O’Brien, who will retire in June.

2010-2011 BUDGET
The Board approved the adoption of the 2010-2011 budget as presented by the administration. The budget includes salary increases for all employees, new teachers for student enrollment growth and costs associated with new schools. For further budget details, please visit www.cfisd.net.

BERRY CENTER REVIEW

The Board approved a contract with Stafford Sports, LLC for a management review of the fiscal and operational policies and procedures of the Berry Center and authorized the superintendent, respective associate superintendent or designee to execute all necessary documents related to this contract.

BOND UPDATE

The Board approved an order authorizing the issuance of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Unlimited Tax Qualified School Construction (QSC) Bonds, Taxable Series 2010A and Taxable Series 2010B. QSC Bonds were created as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). QSCBs are taxable bonds, sold at either low interest or zero interest rates. A general allocation for the QSCB program consists of $538 million to Texas School districts and a direct allocation of $466 million to 18 school districts selected by the U.S. Department of Education. Of the $538 million general allocation, CFISD was authorized $55,142,000.  Series 2010-A for $30 million was sold at zero interest rate and will fund the construction of Middle School No. 17.  Series 2010-B for the remaining $25.142 million will sold at a future date and will fund the 2010 renovation projects.

The Board approved construction proposals and contracts paid from bonds funds to the recommended contractors and authorized the superintendent or designee to execute all necessary documents related to such contracts as follows:

• Package B-2010 Renovations at Labay Middle School; and
• Package C-2010 Renovations at Holmsley Elementary School.

The Board approved the granting of a 0.0115-acre (500 sq. ft.) tract for a water meter easement and utility deed to the Harris County Municipal Utility District 501 for permanent water service to Rennell Elementary School (No. 52) and authorized the superintendent or designee to negotiate the final terms and execute all related documents.

The Board approved the granting of a 0.0161-acre (770 sq. ft.) tract for a waterline easement to Harris County Municipal District No. 501 for permanent water service to Rennell Elementary School (No. 52) and authorized the superintendent or designee to negotiate the final terms and execute all related documents.

The Board approved execution of the plat for Rennell Elementary School (No. 52).

The Board approved the Amendment to Special Warranty Deed documents for the Swap and Option Tracts of the 30-acre middle school site in Fairfield.

SUPERINTENDENT’S BRIEFING
Throughout the year, CFISD’s Board of Trustees, parents and community business partners provide valuable volunteer services to the district’s students, teachers and support staff. Dr. Anthony thanked all district volunteers in anticipation of National Volunteer Week scheduled for April 18-24. 

The 2010 state TAKS testing continues April 26-30 in grades 3-11 for Reading, Math, English/Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.  Check the district website at www.cfisd.net for the testing dates by grade and subject matter. Dr. Anthony thanked all parents for supporting their children and encouraging them to do their best.

CFISD will participate in “Take Our Child to Work” Day on Wednesday, June 16. Although the national event is scheduled for this month, students will not be excused from classes on April 22.  The district opted for June 16 so students can maximize their instructional days and utilize a summer day to accompany their parent to work.

The Employees’ Retirement Banquet, generously sponsored by the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, is scheduled for Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m.  The banquet will be held at the Berry Center at 8877 Barker-Cypress Road.  Honorees include district employees who are retiring during this school year.

The district will recognize Spotlight teachers on Monday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Berry Center. Spotlight teachers were selected because of their high expectations for student success during the 2009-2010 school year.  The paraprofessional and ancillary Spotlight employees will also be recognized for their contributions to the district in their respective positions.

The 2010 Census is important to the residents of CFISD, and a complete count means more funding for schools, transportation improvements, medical care and housing. More funding makes CFISD a better place to raise a family, work and retire. Dr. Anthony encouraged residents to take the time to complete and mail their Census forms if they haven’t done so already.

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

• bids and contracts to the recommended vendors and authorized the superintendent, respective associate superintendent or designee to execute all necessary documents related to such bids and contracts;
• approved tax refunds of $500 or greater for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The Texas Property Tax Code requires that refunds of property taxes to taxpayers which exceed $500 be approved by the Board of Trustees. Refunds result from overpayment of property taxes, taxes paid in error, correction of errors on the tax rolls and settlement of lawsuits filed against the Harris County Appraisal District. Refunds to taxpayers for these reasons is a usual and customary item on the Board agenda each month;
• on second reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policy:
• DC (LOCAL): Employment Practices;
• on first reading additions, deletions or revisions to district policy:
• CV (LOCAL): Facilities Construction;
• the superintendent’s contract recommendations for school year 2010-2011 of administrators and non-teaching professionals to 1) renew term contract; 2) issue one-year term and probationary contracts; and 3) issue one-year (annual) contracts as presented in the Administrative Staff Recommendation Report (April 2010);
• the superintendent’s contract recommendations for school year 2010-2011 to teachers to 1) issue probationary and term contracts for teachers; 2) issue probationary contracts for a fourth consecutive school year for teachers; and 3) terminate probationary contracts for teachers as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (April 2010), and the superintendent’s memorandum of April 5, 2010; and
• the superintendent’s recommendation to issue one-year annual contracts to paraprofessionals for the 2010-2011 school year as presented in the Staff Recommendation Report (April 2010).