VOL 4 No.4
Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Global Science and Technology Center ‘changes direction’ By SESHADRI KUMAR The Fort Bend ISD has abandoned the idea of the proposed multi-million dollar, Global Science and Technology Center. At least that is the inference one can draw from a statement attributed to Superintendent Tim Jenney. In a Jan. 21 e-mail sent to FBISD staff Jenney announced that a plan will be developed that utilizes technology to deliver daily innovative science content to students through lessons at their home campus site.
This concept will replace the original idea of a “brick and mortar” science facility. The school district revealed this in a press release issued last week. “In response to the economic challenges the district continues to experience and concerns related to the cost of maintenance and utilities for the facility, too little access by students, and transportation expenses, the Board of Trustees chose the new direction for science instruction by adopting a Board/Superintendent goal to make the most of the principles
of the proposed science and technology center via technology and distance learning. “ By not building the facility the district will be able to redirect some Bond interest money for more pressing capital improvement projects rather than perhaps holding a Bond referendum next November. “It is important to note that the district cannot use bond interest money for employee salaries. “Meanwhile the district will continue to focus on instruc See GLOBAl, Page 2
FBISD faces $74 million cut By SESHADRI KUMAR Because of the proposed state budget reductions, Fort Bend ISD may lose as much as $74 million for 2011-12. This $74 million cut in funding will return FBISD to the 2005-06 spending levels, Chief Financial Officer Tracy Hoke told the school board at a budget workshop on Monday. Since 2006, the district has opened 13 campuses with a student population of 11,500 and 1,180 employees, Hoke
said. In FBISD’s 2010-11 budget, salaries alone accounted for 87 percent of the budget at about $360 million and benefits accounted for another $64 million. The district cannot reduce the utility costs significantly from its present level of $19 million and there can be no significant reduction in other contracted services including maintenance, which have already been cut to the bone.
Fort Bend Education Foundation Sponsors toast the upcoming Gala – Sally Imig, left, Aetna; Deb Farley, United Healthcare; Don Comer, NALCO; Lina Sabouni, AutoArch Architects; Laura Winters, Gala Co-Chair; Emily Agis-Wahl, BMC Software; Bouche Micky, Sugar Land Rotary Club; Gabriella Cone, Gala Co-Chair; Michael Siwierka, Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott; not pictured; Jim and Elaine Babb, Top Shelf Wine & Spirits, The Day Foundation, and Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation. (Story on Page 2)
The district is likely to lose the state’s technology allotment of $1.9 million, instructional facilities allotment of $545,000 and new building allotment of $300,000 and student success initiative fund of $500,000, besides the foundation school funding ranging from $53 million to $74 million. Also, there is no likelihood of getting the federal stabilization fund which was See BUDGET, Page 2
Toll road authority reconsiders security contract By SESHADRI KUMAR The Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority is reviewing its toll road patrol policy in light of the dozens of cameras being operated on the toll roads by Houston TransStar. That the cameras provide a round the clock live image of the toll roads is being factored into the number of patrol deputies needed to supervise the toll roads. Consequently the toll road authority is expected to stick to its existing plan of having three deputies patrol the toll roads instead of raising the number to six as was recently
proposed. Pct. 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers initially raised the question if the commissioners court acted properly in authoriizing Pct. 4 Constable Troy Nehls to hire deputies to patrol the toll roads which were not in his precinct. Meyers said his point of view is being misinterpreted and published reports misquoted him. “I never said Pct. 4 Constable cannot provide security for toll roads or that his actions would be illegal,” Meyers said. I did not say that a constable can only patrol within his pre-
cinct, but can’t handle business that originates from outside the precinct, he said. The constables have wide law enforcement power and that is not in doubt, he said. However, Meyers said his concern was about the legality of the commissioners court’s action in hiring deputies for a job “not originating” in the respective precinct. Meyers cited the following Local Government Code § 86.011. APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CONSTABLE. (a) provides that “…The commissioners court shall approve See PATROL Page 2
FBJSL CHARITY BALL. Standing, L to R: Pam Spencer (FBJSL President), Jenn Marker (Charity Ball CoChair), Robin Alston (Charity Ball Co-Chair), Raquel Smith (FBJSL Board Member), Shayne Newell (Charity Ball Co-Chair) and Shannon Bloesch (Charity Ball CoChair). Kneeling, L to R: Peter Strohmer (General Manager, Sterling McCall Lexus) and Marvin Marcell (Director of Public Affairs, Group 1 Automotive, Inc.) (See Page 2.)
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
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Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.