VOL 5 No. 25
Phone: 281-980-6745
www.fbindependent.com .fbindependent.com ww
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
FBISD board votes 4-3 on zoning changes; iPad project survives
Birds of Fort Bend: Night Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Herons range from coastal Central and South America as well as the coastal areas of the Southeastern Gulf and Mexico and all of Florida year round. Nesting high in trees, often over water, these birds take 11 days to construct their elaborately built nests, often from large sticks up to inch in diameter that the male and female break from trees and line with leaves and Spanish Moss. They have been known to nest as far north as southern Illinois, and mostly east of the Mississippi River. These beautifully pale yellow crowned birds were once hunted for the lovely head feathers seen during breeding. While the immature and juveniles are speckled brown, the mature and nesting birds are a velvety medium gray, with a black face, white cheek and pale yellow crown. The Yellow-crowned love crustaceans including crayfish and crabs, but also eat insects and occasionally snakes and small mammals. Besides wading to fish, you’ll often see them sunning to dry their feathers as well as near lakes, streams near forested areas. Visit http://traction.typepad. com/birds to view more photographs by international birder and photographer Margaret Sloan.
By SESHADRI KUMAR Three newly elected Fort Bend ISD trustees voted against the proposed attendance boundary changes and opening of a new elementary school no. 46 at the June 11 meeting. The proposal passed with the support of board president Jim Rice and other trustees Bruce Albright, Patsy Taylor and Susan Hohnbaum. Trustees Grayle James, David Rosenthal and Jenny Bailey cast their first dissenting votes. The trustees were opposed to the piecemeal zoning and preferred a long-term, comprehensive zoning. Bailey said the zoning proposals did not meet any of the goals set by the board. She was opposed to changing the feeding pattern from elementary to middle and high schools and questioned the need for a new elementary school at this time. Rosenthal was opposed to building elementary school no. 46 in the Aliana subdivision, while the Riverstone area is bursting at the seems. James inquired about the rationale behind moving elementary kids in Stonebrook at Riverstone from Schiff to Palmer Elementary instead of Austin Parkway Elementary. She also asked why the proposal to build the new
elementary school was not included in the BUC report. The Building Utilization Committee (BUC) reviewed data in consideration with enrollment levels, building capacities, and current/future population growth or decline. The committee recommending the following four areas for attendance boundary changes: A. Long Meadow Farms – Move from Oakland ES to Pecan Grove ES B. Telfair Apartment Reserve and Central Prison Unit site – Move the Telfair Apartment Reserve from Cornerstone ES to Colony Meadows ES and the Central Prison Unit site from Cornerstone ES to Lakeview ES C. Central Prison Unit site – Move from Sartartia MS to Garcia MS D. Stonebrook at Riverstone – Move from Schiff ES to Palmer ES The proposed attendance boundary changes is expected to address future growth at the campuses of Oakland ES, Cornerstone ES, and Schiff ES. On November 14, 2011, the Board of Trustees approved a policy establishing the new process concerning school attendance boundaries. On January 23, 2012, the Board of Trustees selected the seven community members to serve with district administrators and board members for the BUC. The purpose of the BUC was to gather and process data that would result in a proposal to the Board of Trustees for optimum building utilization within the district, according to Ben Copeland, chief auxiliary services officer. The district also held three town hall meetings on the proposed boundary changes.
The bond money was meant for new construction and the money should be kept for its original intended purpose, the trustees said. The district has already procured 6,500 iPads. The project is half-way through and if it is scrapped, some federal funds received by the district may have to be refunded, according to the administration. The administration and the district’s attorney said that by utilizing the interest earned on the bond funds, the district is not violating any laws. Also, it is permissible to use the bond proceeds for any of the purpose listed in the bond referendum. Rosenthal and Bailey felt that the bond proceeds should not be used for purchasing equipment with short life span, but Also, there has been no demonstrated benefit from introducing iPads in classrooms. The motion to cease fund-
ing for the project failed as five trustees voted against the motion. Only Rosenthal and Bailey voted in favor. The two trustees withdrew another motion to temporarily suspend the iACHIEVE initiative. Officials agreed to present a report on the implementation of the first phase of the project, known as Wave 1, before proceeding with Wave 2. Earlier, the board unanimously adopted the 2012-13 general operating budget of $481. 38 million. The budget includes staffing necessary for anticipated student growth, class sizes of 22:1 for grades K-1, additional staffing units to reduce class sizes at the high school level, and a three percent pay increase for employees. The food service budget reflects an increase in the number of students participating along with the price increase required by the Department of Agriculture.
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745
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.
iPads
SUPERSTAR. Sugar Land Town Square recently hosted the first round of its seventh annual Sugar Land Superstar competition. The evening featured local talent, and five contestants were selected to advance to the final round to be held on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Pictured (L-R): Savannah Schakett, Mason Bynes, Lauryn Harris, Alicia Pace, and Jana Packard. These finalists will join five more to be named at the next round of Superstar on July 7, who will compete for the title of 2012 Sugar Land Superstar on Aug. 11. For more information on Town Square events, visit www.SugarLandTownSquare.com.
In another far reaching move, the new trustees sought to scrap the controversial i-Pad project. Their election platform included opposition to the iACHIEVE project, involving procurement of iPads. Rosenthal and Bailey offered a motion to “cease utilization of 2003 bond proceeds for the purchase of computer technology equipment.”
NO SMOKING. A public hearing on prohibiting smoking in public places in Stafford will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 7 p.m. at the Stafford Civic Center, 1415 Constitution in Stafford. Showing support to keep the air safe to breathe for everyone in all workplaces are top row, Delbert Niemann, left, Sofia Valdez, Matthew Davila with baby, Anita Davila, Raquel Martinez, Morgan Shelton and Linda Munoz. Bottom row L-R: Joseph and Sophia Davila, Graciela Martinez.
VETERAN CONSERVATIVE LEADER
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Why Rick Miller is the right choice for House District 26
Republican for Texas State Representative District 26
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f you agree that we need a conservative State Representative who will be unwavering in their support of our traditional American values, then I ask for your vote in the Republican Primary. I will fight tirelessly to cut taxes, protect our borders, defend our 2nd Amendment rights and protect the sanctity of life in all forms.” Vote 4 Rick Miller
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Runoff Election Day: July 31, 2012
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