VOL 2 No. 45
Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Money crunch: FBISD may delay some academy programs
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS. The Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club 2010-2011 college scholarship applications are now available for Fort Bend County students currently attending Texas A&M University College Station, Galveston and Blinn TEAM. Completed applications including transcripts with Fall 2009 grades must be received by Feb. 8, 2010.Scholarship amounts ranging from $500 to $1500 will be awarded in May 2010.Electronic applications can be found online at www.fortbendaggiemoms.com. For more information contact scholarshipchairman@gmail.com or Linda Casey, at 281980-3189. Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club executive board members pictured front row (L-R): Marilyn Conger, Debbie Jacobson, Linda Casey, Mary Ann Dolezal. Second row (L-R): Liz Darden, Mary Beth Morris , Pam Dishberger, Tina Gibson, Anne Pencak, Sharon Jamison, Cindy Grillo. Back row (L-R): Suzette Peoples, Jane Hackemack, Christa Frey, Merry Adamcik, Kathy Stautberg, and Aline Pepping.
By SESHADRI KUMAR The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees is in a predicament over the proposed academies in various high schools in light of the $18 million deficit in the 2009-10 budget. The school board at a workshop on Monday labored hard over the much publicized academies, designed to be the magnets for advanced academic achievements. While the looming funding shortage forced the board to take a fresh look at the proposed academies, the trustees were reluctant to abandon the academies as a whole. Superintendent Timothy Jenney came up with a recommendation that envisioned a gradual implementation of the program instead of doing all at once as planned. Four new academies at Willowridge High School, Elkins High School, Dulles High School and the High School
No. 11 and an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at the Missouri City Middle School are scheduled to be opened next year. Jenney said not implementing any academy program would halt the current momentum and that is not desirable. Instead two or three of the proposed academies can be introduced next year, if not all, he said. The board appeared to be in favor of Jenney’s recommendation, but the debate continued on which of the proposed academies would be implemented first. The Emerging Technology Academy at Willowridge seemed to be on the priority list, with a near consensus that it should be opened next year. However, there is still a divided opinion on the proposed relocation of the engineering academy from Hightower to Elkins and the math and sci-
ence academy at Dulles High School. Each of the high school academies would require $125,000. Some start up money has been allocated in the current budget to prepare for the academies. The IB program at Missouri City Middle School drew considerable discussion. The school is a candidate for the IB program and is already offering the courses as a “candidate” school for the IB program. Out of the $168,000 earmarked for the project this year, the school has already hired two teachers at a cost of $100,000 for the IB program. As the preparation has advanced considerably, the program at the middle school is near certain to escape the chopping block. Before making a final choice, the administration is expected to provide the board with a cost-benefit analysis of each program.
Oil equipment company moves headquarters to Missouri City
The City of Missouri City and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council announced Nov. 9 the sale of 6.2 acres in Trammell Crow Company’s new Lakeview Business Park where Lufkin Automation will construct a 40,000-square-foot company headquarters building. This new $4 million project will relocate an estimated 45 jobs to Missouri City when completed. The City of Missouri City and Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court approved tax abatements for the project. Lufkin Automation currently is located on Beltway 8 in Houston. Dewayne Atwell, Lufkin Automation General Manager, said “we look forward to working in our new facility. File picture of a prospective student with an adviser at the UH The Missouri City/Fort Bend Sugar Land campus. County location we selected “This event offers a great grams offered. Financial Aid, is accessible not only for our opportunity to learn more Admissions and Student Ser- employees, but also for our about the University of Hous- vices staff will also be on hand customers and vendors. We ton System’s many bachelors to answer questions. anticipate that the Lakeview This Fall semester, WCJC Business Park will provide and masters degree programs and the joint admissions agree- and UHSSL experienced un- Lufkin Automation with an ment we share with Wharton precented enrollment with more than 3,600 students in County Junior College.” The open house will give combined attendence. “Our own tremendous participants a one-stop opportunity to have their questions growth is just another indicaanswered by college experts. tion of the region’s overall Instructional staff from both expansion and the increasing institutions will be available demand for higher education to provide information about in Fort Bend County,” said academic programs, as well Dick Phillips, associate vice as a shared joint admissions chancellor of UHSS. The event at the UHSSL agreement which makes for a seamless transfer from Whar- and WCJC campus in Brazos ton County Junior College to Hall, 14004 University Blvd. the University of Houston. in Sugar Land is free and open Staff will also be available to to the public. For information about discuss admissions, testing requirements, and financial aid. WCJC offerings call 281-242Prospective students can 8412 or visit wcjc.edu. For meet with academic advisers information about UHSSL ofrepresenting more than 60 as- ferings call 281-275-3300 or sociate’s, bachelor’s, master’s visit sugarland.uh.edu. degrees and certificate proShah
UHSSL, WCJC schedule joint open house The University of Houston System-Sugar Land and the Wharton County Junior College will hold joint Open House and Advising Night on Nov. 12, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is a comprehensive event designed to provide participants with as much or as little information as they require in regards to admissions, financial aid, entrance exams, career counseling, and academic programs. “We encourage people of all ages to attend the Joint Open House and Advising Night,” said Betty McCrohan, president of WCJC. “The event is helpful to parents of high school students, students trying to find their way through the college entrance process, adults who are returning to college to make career changes, and currently enrolled students who may have an interest in changing their major or applying for financial aid for the first time. Anyone who is close to completing their associate’s degree may want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the University of Houston’s faculty about continuing their education.” “The University of Houston System will have representatives available to speak to the many programs offered at the Sugar Land campus,” explained Dick Phillips, UHSSL associate vice chancellor.
An artist’s impression of the proposed building excellent environment to conduct its business.” “We are all very excited to welcome this growing company to our City,” said Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen. “Lakeview Business Park offers the ideal setting for their business. Its convenient access to Beltway 8, US Highway 90A and the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road positions it to effectively and efficiently serve the entire Houston metro area. We have a great story to tell and welcome the opportunity for other companies
FBISD student to serve on Federal Reserve Student Board of Directors Hemal Shah, a senior at Hightower High School, was selected to serve on the Dallas branch of the 20092010 Federal Reserve Student Board of Directors. He is among 24 Houston-area students selected to serve on the board. As a member of the board, he will meet with financial advisors to discuss monetary policy and financial literacy, and participate in a financial literacy community project. He is the first student to represent Fort Bend ISD and Hightower High School as a member of the board.
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It’s time to start experiencing relief with a personalized treatment plan from our new comprehensive Back Pain program. Our skilled health team specializes in joint and back pain, offering both minimally invasive surgical techniques and non invasive treatments. To learn more, call 281.725.5225 or visit SugarLandBackPain.com.
like Lufkin to become a part of our growing city.” “The 157 acre Lakeview Business Park represents what companies expect to find in Fort Bend County—a pro business atmosphere, an amenity-rich environment, excellent access to all of Greater Houston, and a perfect answer to the question of how to maximize value without sacrificing quality,” Barkley Peschel, vice president of development/operations at the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council. “Lufkin Automation is a perfect fit for Lakeview and Fort Bend County.” Bob Graf, the city’s Economic Development Coordinator, said Lufkin is the type of growing company that the city looks to attract to Missouri City. “Lufkin’s project will be the catalyst for companies to take a look at relocating to this great new development with sites that are shovelready for development.” Lufkin Automation manufactures technically advanced, electronic well automation equipment and supplies artificial lift optimization and training. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010.