Children's Hospital of San Antonio announces heavyweight partners

Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital to be part of downtown project

Artist's rendering of the new Children's Hospital of San Antonio.

The new Children's Hospital of San Antonio has some new partners - and with impressive credentials.

Christus Santa Rosa Health System this week announced it will partner with Texas Children's Hospital and the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) to bring the new free-standing downtown San Antonio facility to fruition by 2014.

While Christus will be responsible for covering all the development costs for the hospital and will own and operate the facility, Baylor College of Medicine's role in the partnership will be to recruit, hire and manage faculty and physicians. Texas Children's will serve as a consultant and provide clinical expertise.

"As three Texas home-grown, not-for-profit organizations, we know the needs of Texas children best. This alliance is one giant step in delivering the world-class care we set out to create last April," said Pat Carrier (middle left), president and CEO of Christus Santa Rosa Health System.

The facility will become the first and only freestanding children's hospital in downtown San Antonio and will serve the pediatric health care needs not only of children in San Antonio, but also those in South Texas.

Officials with the three entities agree that the partnership will allow Christus to trim significant time off how long it would ordinarily take a new facility to reach an acceptable level of expertise that would make the hospital a world-class facility for providing children's health care.

TxDOT Chief Information Officer Carr leaving for Nevada job

Tim Jennings, TxDOT employee since 1990, to take over as interim CIO in March

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Chief Information Officer Louis Carr (pictured) has announced that he will leave TxDOT in mid-March to become CIO of Clark County, Nevada. Clark County is one of the nation's largest counties. As the county's CIO, Carr will support more than 2 million residents and assist the county as it recovers from the national recession. Carr came to TxDOT in 2011 after four years as CIO for the City of Arlington, where he directed the IT department. His IT career spans more than 25 years.

Taking over as interim CIO when Carr leaves will be Tim Jennings, a TxDOT employee since 1990. Jennings is familiar with both the environment and the challenges facing the TxDOT IT department. He has worked closely in the past with the agency's executive team.

Jennings holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Angelo State University.

SPI compiling comprehensive bond election document

With today being the deadline for government entities to call May 11 bond elections, Strategic Partnerships Inc. is busy compiling its Texas Bond Package, a comprehensive list of entities holding elections and the projects that are part of each of those referendums. The Texas Bond Package will also include election results after May 11. The results document will include a listing of each entity holding a bond vote along with project information, details and data related to initiatives in each bond package. This research is available for purchase.

The last bond elections in Texas were in November 2012, when more than $5.6 billion in bond referendums passed. Watch next week's Texas Government Insider for information on how to purchase your copy of the Texas Bond Package.

Travis County to allow voters to decide on civil courthouse

A bond election is on the horizon in Travis County for financing a new civil courthouse estimated to cost $340 million. County commissioners have batted the idea back and forth for months over whether to allow county residents a say in the spending. At a meeting this week, they voted unanimously to put the issue before the public - but didn't say when.

The proposed downtown courthouse would replace the aging Heman Sweatt Travis County Courthouse, which is growing smaller and smaller as the county court system gets bigger. The court also will be watching how it spends taxpayer funds on the project, having already invested more than $24 million for land purchase, consultants and studies.

South Texas College eyes $159 million bond election in November

South Texas College trustees recently authorized President Shirley Reed (pictured) to move forward with plans for a $159 million bond election in November to pay for capital improvements. Trustees also plan to ask voters to approve a 3-cent increase in the tax rate for maintenance and operations in November.

College staff are now working to prioritize projects in the 2010 master plan, which includes plans for 10 new academic buildings, four student service/activity expansion projects, two library expansions and a child care center, Reed said.

Before trustees decide to schedule a November bond election, college officials plan to release a list of the prioritized projects from the master plan and to schedule public meetings to gather community opinion on the recommended campus upgrades, Reed said.

TWDB announces funding for water-related projects statewide

The Texas Water Development Board this week announced financial assistance totaling $109,094,303, awarded as follows:

• City of Edcouch -- $3,468,600 loan consisting of a loan in the amount of $1.055 million and $2,413,600 in loan forgiveness to replace and rehabilitate its wastewater collection system.
• City of Falfurrias - $385,000 loan to repair and replace components in the Falfurrias Utility Board's wastewater collection system.
• City of Grand Prairie - $2,079,431 loan consisting of a loan in the amount of $1.805 million and $274,431 in loan forgiveness to replace 10 old and deteriorated gravity pipeline segments owned by the city in its wastewater system.
• City of Houston - $65 million loan to rehabilitate approximately 600,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer line within the Sims Bayou, Almeda Sims, Keegan's Bayou and Southwest service areas.

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El Paso ISD's challenge to commissioner appointees denied

An appointed designee of Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams has denied the El Paso Independent School District's challenge to Williams' appointment of a board of managers and conservator for the district. Thus, Williams' previous appointments are now final.

Last December, Williams appointed five individuals as a board of managers, replacing the elected school board. TEA's Dr. Judy Castleberry was moved from monitor to conservator. The hearing on the challenge was held Feb. 7 in Austin with both TEA and EPISD making their case in the hearing.

Names of the appointees to the board of managers - mostly El Paso community members - must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for pre-clearance before they can assume their responsibilities. If cleared, they will assume the responsibilities of the board for up to two years.

UNT-Dallas picks Brown as lone finalist for presidency

 Wayne State University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald T. Brown (pictured) has been named the lone finalist to fill the post of president of the University of North Texas at Dallas. Before joining the Detroit university where he currently works, Brown was dean of the College of Health Professional and Social Work and interim dean of the School of Dentistry at Temple University.

Brown, a pediatric psychologist, also was on the faculty at Emory University in Atlanta and the University of Illinois. By law, he must wait 21 days before signing a contract with UNT-Dallas. He will become only the second president of the Dallas campus. He replaces President John Ellis Price, who has announced his retirement.

Brown graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Emory University and received a doctorate from Georgia State University. He completed the Management Development Program and the Institute for Management Leadership in Education at Harvard University.

Four finalists chosen for next president of Lamar University

Four finalists have been named for the presidency of Lamar University, and only one is an internal candidate. The finalists include: John R. English, Ph.D. (top left), dean, College of Engineering, Kansas State University; Kenneth R. Evans, Ph.D. (top right), dean, College of Business, University of Oklahoma; Gregg Lassen, J.D., Ph.D. (bottom right), vice president for Finance and Operations, Lamar University; and Carl Stockton, Ph.D. (bottom left), provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, University of Houston Clear Lake.

The four finalists are scheduled to visit Lamar University March 7 and 8 to participate in several forums with students, faculty and staff and for a public reception on March 7 at 5 p.m. in the University Reception Center on the 8th floor of the Mary and John Gray Library.

More than 75 applications and nominations were received by the Advisory Search Committee. The result was that the committee invited 10 individuals for face-to-face interviews. From that 10, four were named finalists and invited to visit the campus.

Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall is expected to recommend a sole finalist to the System Board of Regents by the end of March. Current Lamar University President Jimmy Simmons, who announced his retirement last year, will remain in his position until the new president takes office.

Brigade headquarters moving to Fort Hood from Arizona

The Army's 11th Signal Brigade is moving its headquarters from Fort Huachuca in Arizona to Fort Hood in Texas. A tentative date of July has been set for moving the 100-soldier headquarters. The brigade headquarters returned from a deployment to Afghanistan late last year and now will be located with the headquarters of III Corps at Fort Hood.

One of the brigade's four expeditionary signal battalions will remain at Fort Huachuca. Two other battalions are at Fort Hood and one is at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Two finalists interview for Texas State transportation job

The field of candidates for the head of Transportation Services at Texas State University-San Marcos has been narrowed to two. The person named to the post will replace former director Joe Richmond, who has left that post.

The two candidates vying for the position are Scott Lansing (left), a director with First Transit, and Jane Wilcox (right), current parking director at Stephen F. Austin State University. There were numerous applicants for the position, according to Texas State officials. To qualify, candidates must have had experience with transit system operations, knowledge of parking systems and effective communication skills.

Lansing has 35 years of experience in transit positions, beginning at the University of Virginia. He has held various director positions within First Transit, which operates the Texas State Tram service. Wilcox has 15 years of experience working with parking at SFA, The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Texas Southmost College hires two new administrators

Lily Tercero, president of Texas Southmost College, recently announced the filling of two administrative positions at the college. Arnold Trejo has been named director of financial aid and Angela Wolf will serve as director of educational technology and curricular innovation.

Trejo is the former assistant provost and executive director of financial aid at Texas A&M University and has held a variety of posts at The University of Texas-Pan American.

Wolf will work with Pearson Group, a technology provider on campus. Her start date has not yet been announced.

Slater chosen as interim president of Our Lady of the Lake

Sister Jane Ann Slater, Ph.D. (pictured), has been named interim president of Our Lady of the Lake University. She will succeed Dr. Tessa Martinez Pollack, who is stepping down after having served as president since 2002. Slater's appointment is effective March 12.

Slater, a member of the Congregation of Divine Providence, has served the university as a member of the OLLU chemistry faculty from 1970-1981, was dean of students in 1974 and was the chair of the Academic Affairs Committee in 1972. Most recently, she served on the Board of Trustees from 1987-1993 and from 2005-2011.

Slater will become the eighth president in OLLU history. She joined the Congregation of Divine Providence more than 50 years ago. Slater holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and a bachelor's degree from OLLU. In addition, Slater spent more than 20 years as a teacher in elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. OLLU officials note that the search for a permanent university president will begin in the next several months.

Texas A&M students say no to fees benefitting stadium renovation

Students at Texas A&M University recently turned down a non-binding referendum on increasing some student fees to help defray the cost of $425 million in planned renovations to Kyle Field. More than 65 percent of those voting were against the fee increases.

Had the referendum been successful, the University Advancement Fee would have been increased by $1.55 per credit hour and student sports passes would have seen an increase of $139.20. The students were being asked to pay for $75 million of the $425 million total. The students instead favored paying for their share of the renovation from revenue currently generated by the University Advancement Fee.

Austin ISD taking $892 million bond election to voters

Voters in the Austin Independent School District will face the largest school district bond package in Central Texas history, after AISD trustees this week approved placing an $892 million bond on the May 11 ballot.

Austin ISD voters will face four propositions: $233.9 million for safety, security and to alleviate overcrowding; $140.6 million to pay for health, environment, equipment and technology; $168.6 million for academic initiatives, fine arts and athletics; and $349.2 million for academic and building infrastructure renovations and maintenance.

Clear Creek ISD trustees approve May bond election

The largest bond issue in the history of the Clear Creek School District has been approved by the district's school board.

Voters in the district will go to the polls May 11 to decide the fate of a $367 million bond issue that would provide for construction and improvement projects throughout the district.

Lone Star College Systems sets $498 million bond election

Trustees for the Lone Star College System (LSCS) recently agreed to ask voters to approve $498 million in bonds on May 11 to build new facilities and upgrade current infrastructure throughout the system.

The new and expanded facilities at LSCS are needed for the unprecedented enrollment growth throughout the system in recent years, said Chancellor Dr. Richard Carpenter (pictured). LSCS has added more than 30,000 students since 2009 when voters last approved bonds to expand and upgrade facilities, Carpenter said.

LSCS officials plan to add about 1 million square feet of building space for academics and support buildings to its colleges and centers and to renovate about 255,000 square feet of existing facilities.

Trustees for Sinton Independent School District recently called a bond election on May 11 to ask voters to approve $18 million in bonds to build a larger and more secure middle school.

District officials said the open-style campus of Smith Middle School, built in 1956, presents a problem for administrators to regulate visitors to that campus. Superintendent Steve VanMatre proposed building a new, closed-campus school on the same 52-acre site to provide more security for students and staff. The new middle school also will accommodate about 150 more students and be more capable of handling technology now essential to education, VanMatre said.

Henderson school district seeking approval of $27 million in bonds

Citing the need for a new middle school, Henderson Independent School District trustees recently agreed to schedule a $27 million bond election in May. Voters defeated similar bond proposals in 2010 and in 2011.

The new middle school will replace a facility built in 1953 that cannot adequately support the security and technology needed by the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, board members said. Plans call for kicking off construction of the new campus in January 2014 and opening the new school for classes in August 2015 if voters approve the bonds.
 

San Marcos CISD schedule $77 million bond proposal

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District board members recently called a $77 million bond vote for May with two separate propositions for voters to consider.

The first proposition will ask for approval of $58.6 million in bonds to pay for 10 capital improvement projects, including a renovation of an elementary campus and a middle school campus as well as building a new prekindergarten center and a student activity complex at San Marcos High School.

The second proposition for $18.4 million is to pay construction of a new football stadium.

Huntsville ISD schedules $65.5 million bond issue in May

Huntsville Independent School District trustees recently voted to schedule a $65.5 million bond election in May to upgrade aging facilities and build a new middle school.

The largest project included in the bond proposition is a $50.3 million plan to build a new middle school with an auditorium, noted Superintendent Steve Johnson (pictured).

District staff and a citizens group made 13 presentations in the community and eight presentations to school district officials to gain community support for the proposed bond proposal, Johnson said.

Lewisville looking to P3 for hotel, conference center

A three-phase, public-private development plan has been recommended for the $161 million resort hotel and convention center complex on a wish list for the city of Lewisville. To be located on Lewisville Lake, the project is part of a redevelopment plan. The project would include a 300-room, full-service hotel and an adjoining 56,000-square-foot conference center. Also part of the plan is a possible restaurant complex.

The first phase of the project would include a multi-family housing complex on private property north of the hotel-convention center. The second phase would include a resort lodge with cabins, with a transit-oriented residential project in the final phase. Officials are expecting $137 million of the cost to be furnished by private developers. Roads, infrastructure and dredging of a cove - totaling $24 million - would be borne by the public partner. In addition to the possibility of using a public-private partnership, another finance option is creation of a tax increment financing district. Officials estimate such a district could raise $91 million for the city and $10 million for Denton County over the next 30 years. Because the peninsular property is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an application would have to be filed to redevelop the land.

Panola College seeking approval of $35 million in bonds

Trustees for Panola College recently agreed to ask voters to approve $35 million in bonds to pay for construction of two new buildings and renovations to other facilities.

If voters approve, college officials plan to build a new science and health sciences building and a new student life center. Other projects are some building renovations and demolitions.

Projects worth $56 million on Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD ballot

Capital improvement projects totaling $56 million are included on a bond election recently scheduled on May 11 by board members of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated Independent School District.

Trustees are asking voters to approve funding to pay for security upgrades, including new secured entrances at the high school, junior high school and intermediate school, the middle school and two elementary schools. Some of the other projects being proposed are to renovate and equip most classrooms in the main building of the high school, demolish the library building and replace it with an enclosed area with new classrooms and a library. New buildings or new additions also are planned on some campuses.

Tyler ISD asking voters to approve $160.5 million in bonds

Board members for Tyler Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve $160.5 million in bonds on May 11.

If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to build three new middle schools, create a career and technology center and remodel two elementary schools. This is intended to provide well-built and secure buildings to improve the learning environment for students, said Rev. Orenthia Mason (pictured), vice president of the board of trustees.

Construction could begin as early as August or September and the improved facilities should open by the fall of 2015 if the bonds win voter approval, Mason added.

Lee College calls bond election for up to $40 million

Upgrades to existing facilities, increased classroom and lab space to meet the demand for skilled workers are part of a proposed bond issue of up to $40 million being called for May 11 by the Lee College Board of Regents.

If successful, the bond proceeds would be used for upgrades to Rundell Hall, including a University Center where students can attend classes leading to a bachelor's degree or higher. Labs will be upgraded and modernized and the administration building will be converted into the Center for Workforce and Community Development.

The bond issue also includes upgrades and the demolition of older buildings and other campus-wide improvements.

Weatherford ISD calls first bond referendum since 1999

Voters in the Weatherford ISD will decide the fate of a $107.3 million bond election on May 11, the first bond proposal in the district since 1999. "The district and community have grown significantly since the last bond election," said Weatherford ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hanks (pictured). Hanks said the bond issue will address safety and security, building capacity, capital improvements and technology needs.

Some of the proposed security enhancements include exterior lighting, fencing, additional security cameras and building access control systems. Technology improvements would include purchase of new equipment. Capacity issues would be addressed through building additions and buildings being repurposed. Among the capital improvements would be such issues as roofing and HVAC equipment. Bond proceeds also would add more cafeteria space and upgrades to athletic facilities.

SCUC ISD calls for $92 million May bond referendum

A $92 million bond election has been called for May 11 by the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District. The bond issue calls for a new elementary school at a cost of $34 million and work on both the Steele High School and Dobie Junior High.

Land acquisition also is part of the bond issue, as is technology spending, new buses and HVAC replacement.

Ascend Performance Materials Texas gets TEF funding

Ascend Performance Materials Texas Inc. has been awarded $1 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to construct a new propane dehydrogenation facility in Alvin. The funding award is contingent on finalization of a local incentive package. The firm is expected to create 100 new jobs and to invest more than $1 billion worth of capital investment.

Ascend is a global leader in proprietary technologies central to the production of chemicals, and Nylon 6,6 plastics and fibers. Nylon 6,6 is the material of choice for high-performance applications in the engineering plastics and fibers industries globally, and can be found in thousands of commercial and industrial products such as apparel, automotive, building and industrial, chemicals, consumer goods, electronic and military industries. The company has five manufacturing facilities in this country. The Alvin facility will focus on propane dehydrogenation, a method of producing propylene, which is a common chemical building block for plastic and synthetic fiber products.

UTMB holds groundbreaking for Victory Lake facility

A groundbreaking was held this week for the new $90 million building expansion of The University of Texas Medical Branch's expansion of its Victory Lake facilities (as seen in accompanying artist's rendering).

The new addition will include an emergency department and beds to accommodate overnight patients.

The project will include 142,000 square feet of clinical space that will have room for 39 additional patient beds. A central-plant facility to provide utilities for the Victory Lake campus will also be built.

The $82 million clinical space is expected to be completed in 2015 and the $8 million central-plant facility in 2014. The Specialty Care Center's ambulatory surgery and complex diagnostic services will expand to provide 39 inpatient beds, 17 emergency/urgent care treatment rooms, four operating rooms, endoscopy rooms and 25,000 square feet of shell space for future development. 

Texoma transit system expanding services, adding buses

Using a $4.2 million grant, Texoma Area Paratransit System officials recently announced plans to buy 37 new buses to help provide bus service to two new park-and-ride centers at Midway Mall in Sherman and Morton Street Plaza in Denison. The transit agency, which currently operates 94 buses, plans to increase to 120 buses by June.

The transit agency also plans to demolish its current 15,000-square-foot Texoma Parkway facility and begin construction soon on the North Texas Regional Transportation Center, said Executive Director Brad Underwood.

Plans call for the Morton Street Plaza park-and-ride center to serve passengers in Denison and the Go Red River Route between Texas and Oklahoma. The new 2,600-square-foot Midway Mall park-and-ride facility also provides more than 300 parking spaces for commuters and is accessible from both inside and outside the mall, Underwood said.

Bond proposal for $51.5 million set for May by Greenwood ISD

A $51.5 million bond proposal seeking funding to build two new schools will be on the ballot for voters in the Greenwood Independent School District as a result of a recent vote by trustees.

District officials plan to build a new intermediate and middle school at a cost of about $37.4 million and to spend about $2.79 million to upgrade technology throughout the district if voters approve the bonds.

Sugar Land City Council members recently named Dr. Betty Bairland and Jarvis Hollingsworth as co-chairs of a citizen bond committee created to help prioritize projects for a proposed bond election in November. Officials are expecting to ask voters to approve $50 million to fund a variety of quality-of-life projects. Council members also appointed citizens to serve on subcommittees to focus on each of the proposals.

Projects being considered for the bond proposal are to develop land along the Brazos River into a park with kayak launches and other features, build hike and bike trails throughout the city and to develop a festival site to host cultural and entertainment events to benefit the local economy. Council members also discussed building a multi-use sports park featuring areas for lacrosse, tennis, cricket and other sports.

Bairland was superintendent at Fort Bend Independent School District and left in 2006 after five years in that job and then served as interim superintendent for the Stafford Municipal School District in 2011. Hollingsworth is an attorney for a law firm that provides counsel to government agencies, educational institutions and private companies on their duties, liability matters and corporate governance. Committee members have agreed to meet every two to three weeks through May to prioritize projects, consider the timelines and evaluate funding before making a recommendation to the city council on which projects to include in a proposed November election.

Killeen city manager recommends new fire station, street expansion

City Manager Glenn Morrison (pictured) of Killeen recently urged city council members to agree to begin the design phase of two capital improvement projects, an extension of Trimmier Road and construction of a new fire station.

Expanding Trimmier Road between Elms Road and US190, also known as the Central Texas Expressway, is needed to relieve problems expected when a $55.4 million Texas Department of Transportation project to expand the expressway from four lanes to six lanes is completed in the fall of 2015, Morrison said.

The TxDOT project also includes the intersection of Trimmier Road and the access road to the Central Texas Expressway that has a history of traffic congestion, he added. The city manager also recommended building the new fire station in the southwest area of the city.

Jonesboro ISD schedules $700,000 bond election

Jonesboro Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $700,000 bond election in May. District officials plan to use the proposed bond funding to pay for transportation upgrades, maintenance and technology projects.

Hutto wastewater plant design accepted by Council

Citizens of Hutto are preparing for wastewater rates to rise after the City Council this week approved the design of a new wastewater treatment plant - the Lower Brushy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant - for the city.

Hutto Assistant City Manager Michael Grau (pictured) said study results to show the exact amount of the increase will be presented at a March 21 Council meeting.

The $1.7 million design of the 2-million gallon plant was approved in early February. The cost of the plant is estimated at $13.5 million. Construction could begin in 2014 and be completed in 12-15 months.

Board members for the Coppell Independent School District recently scheduled a $79 million bond election on May 11 to ask voters to approve funding for a new elementary school and upgrades for several campus facilities

Some of the projects the bond proposal calls for are spending $21 million to build and equip a new elementary school, $27.1 million to expand and upgrade Coppell High School and $12 million to upgrade technology infrastructure throughout the district.

Forsan ISD asking voters to approve $23.8 million in bonds

With plans to build a new elementary school and upgrading technology, trustees for Forsan Independent School District recently agreed to schedule a $23.8 million bond election on May 11.

District officials also plan upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant after being found in violation of wastewater standards by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Plans also include adding a lab, an additional classroom and storage space at the secondary campus to provide the junior high portion of the shared building a more self-contained area, said Superintendent Randy Johnson.

Eagle Ford Consortium plans second annual conference in March

"Shaping a Sustainable Pathway" is the theme for the Second Annual Conference of the Eagle Ford Consortium. The event is planned for Thursday and Friday, March 7-8, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 600 E. Market, in San Antonio. Keynote speaker is Clarence Cazalot, CEO of Marathon Oil Co. Key topics for the event include South Texas Energy Triangle, Global Outlook and Markets, Community and Workforce Development, How to Do Business with Industry, Managing Road Safety Through Collaboration and Best Practices. Registration is now open. More information is available on the Consortium Web site or at info@eaglefordconsortium.org.

TxDOT to host Small Business Briefings across Texas

DISD approves $4.65 million

in school security upgrades

Security upgrades totaling $4.65 million have been approved for more than 150 campuses in the Dallas Independent School District. The project approved by the board of trustees will include upgrades at secondary schools in the district and the first major safety projects at elementary schools.

The upgrades range from video recording systems to buzzer entry systems to card readers that only allow DISD personnel to enter school buildings.

Dallas police chief lists technology his department needs

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has given City Council members a list of technology items the department needs to address the city's crime rate. Among the items on Brown's list: at least 11 more three-wheel standing electric vehicles; an additional 400 surveillance cameras; 42 additional Bait Cars equipped with cameras to help catch auto thieves; and 28 new license tag-reading cameras to help find and stop wanted vehicles.

Haddad appointed to North

Texas Tollway Authority board

Mojy Haddad, an architect from Arlington, has joined the North Texas Tollway Authority board. He succeeds Victor Vandergriff, who had served on the board since 2007.

Haddad was appointed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court on Jan. 29 and was recently sworn in. He is a former member of the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission, having served as chair.

His term on the Tollway Authority expires Aug. 31, 2014.

Falls City to seek bids

to repair, replace streets

City council members in Falls City recently instructed the city manager to seek bids to replace and repair several busy streets. The mayor recommended replacing Terrell Street from US181 to FM 791 and to repair Merchants Alley to support businesses in that area.

Korby, Hamlett resign

from Dallas school district

Two executives with the Dallas Independent School District have announced their resignations. Steve Korby, DISD's executive director of financial services, has resigned, effective March 31. Korby, an employee of DISD since 2008, said he will assist with the transition of a new financial services director until his retirement date. Accounting Services Director Marian Hamlett has also tendered her resignation.

Both resignations follow the resignation in October of Alan King, former chief financial officer and chief of staff.

Vidor selects Kunst as its

next city manager

Vidor city officials recently selected Mike Kunst as the new city manager. A former member of the Vidor city council, Kunst will replace former City Manager Ricky Jorgensen, who resigned almost a year ago to serve as city manager in Giddings.

Council members failed to find a candidate in the first round of applications, reopened the application process and then selected Kunst as one of the three finalists for the top job. The city's finance director, Lorrie Taylor, served as interim city manager during the two search efforts.

Deer Park ISD taps Harrell

as assistant superintendent

Deer Park Independent School District board members recently tapped Stephen Harrell (pictured) as the new assistant superintendent for administration. Harrell will be in charge of discipline for students and district employees, safety and security, facility maintenance and operations, attendance and student services such as handbooks.

A junior high principal since 2005, he will replace Don Dean, the current deputy superintendent for administration, who is retiring. Harrell was a teacher and coach at Pasadena ISD before joining the Deer Park district in 1996.

Harrell has a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and a master's degree from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

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on the newly launched SPI blog?

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Lubbock looking for new

city planning director, COO

Lubbock City Council members recently learned that Planning Director Randy Henson is retiring from that post only a week after Marsha Reed, the chief operating officer, told council she is resigning to become an assistant city manager in Chandler, Arizona.

City officials appointed Matthew Perkins, a planner, as the new director of planning to replace Henson. Perkins previously worked as a planner in Walla Walla, Washington, and had worked with Henson for a year to train for the new post.

Reed, who joined the city in February 1993, previously served as the public works director for the city before becoming COO in 2009. A former employee of the Texas Department of Transportation, Reed has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas Tech University.

McCamey Hospital Board asking voters to approve $20M in bonds

McCamey Hospital Board members recently agreed to schedule a $20-million bond election in May to pay for a new 6,000-square-foot facility featuring a hospital and a nursing home.

The current hospital building is almost 45 years old and cannot support current technologies needed to treat patients, hospital administrators said.

Pleasanton ISD seeking approval of $85 million in bonds in May

Trustees for the Pleasanton Independent School District recently agreed to schedule an $85 million bond election on May 11 to pay for facility upgrades.

Following months of meeting with staff, parents, business owners and other community members, trustees proposed building a new high school and football stadium, upgrading technology and providing facilities for learning programs such as agricultural sciences, an oil and gas academy, management of business and technology and health and human services.

The bond proposal also asks for approval to upgrade security at other campuses in the district by adding more secure entrances and play areas.

Massey named as lone finalist

for superintendent at Dalhart ISD

John Massey (pictured) recently won selection as the lone finalist for superintendent at Dalhart Independent School District.

Previously a superintendent at Eden Consolidated Independent School District, Massey served as a teacher at Hereford ISD, a director at Ingram ISD and a principal at Coahoma ISD.

Massey holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree from Texas Tech University. Board members in Dalhart expect to finalize the contract with Massey in mid-March.

Holliday ISD seeking approval

of $15 million in bonds

Trustees for Holliday Independent School District recently scheduled a $15 million bond proposal in May to pay for new, multi-purpose classrooms, science labs and a new gymnasium.

Voters last approved bonds in 2005, but a survey last year indicated 90 percent of the 300 voters who responded favored passing bonds to provide the number of science labs needed and to eliminate three portable buildings currently in use, said Superintendent Kevin Dyes.

Kilgore ISD selects Cooke as

sole finalist for superintendent

Trustees for Kilgore Independent School District recently selected Cara Cooke as the lone finalist for superintendent. Cook will replace former Superintendent Jody Clements, who resigned in August to serve as an assistant superintendent for Longview ISD.

Selected from a field of 32 candidates, Cooke previously served as an assistant superintendent for the West Oso school district and Industrial ISD as well as a teacher and a principal for Palestine ISD. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Turpin announces retirement

as Mexia superintendent

John Turpin (pictured), who has been superintendent of the Mexia ISD since 2010, when he replaced Dr. Jason Ceyanes, has announced his retirement.

Turpin has previously served the district as an assistant superintendent, coach and principal. His career in the MISD spans 25 years, having begun working with the district in 1988.

Mont Belvieu voters to decide in May on $2M in bonds for library

Voters in Mont Belvieu will vote in May whether to approve $2 million in bond funding to use in a partnership with Chambers County and the friends of the library organization to build a new library in that city.

A county library located in the county courthouse annex now serves Mont Belvieu residents.

Cristoval ISD asking approval

of $13.9 million in bonds

With plans to build a new elementary school and a new band hall, upgrade security and renovate other facilities, trustees for Cristoval Independent School District recently agreed to hold a $13.9 million bond election in May.

District officials also plan to expand the agriculture shop, renovate the old band hall into an art room and upgrade the surface of the football field if voters approve the proposed bonds.

Batts is selected lone finalist

to lead Throckmorton ISD

Troy Batts, who is currently in his second year as principal of the Throckmorton ISD Pre-K through 12th grade, has been named the lone superintendent finalist for Throckmorton ISD.

Throckmorton's school board now has to wait 21 days to officially hire Batts. Batts will succeed Clay Tarpley, who resigned from the Throckmorton ISD superintendent post to accept the superintendent's job at Hamilton ISD.

Athens ISD selects Sims as assistant superintendent

Athens Independent School District recently selected Dr. Janie Sims (pictured) as an assistant superintendent. She replaces Dr. Blake Skiles, the former assistant superintendent who took over as superintendent when Robert Steeber stepped down in October 2012.

A curriculum director since 2011 and a district employee since 2000, Sims also served as a principal at an intermediate and elementary school in Athens.

Sims has a bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University, a master's degree from The University of Texas at Tyler and a Ph.D. from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Nabers addresses future of P3s

in 'McCombs Today' interview

Public-private partnerships are catching on throughout the country. "This area is probably the hottest new business trend that we will see in the next two decades, and here's the reason - it will spur economic activity more than anything else." That's what Strategic Partnerships, Inc. President and CEO Mary Scott Nabers says in a recent interview with McCombs Today, an online publication of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Read the complete interview and see what Nabers thinks the future holds for public-private partnerships involving government entities from cities and counties to college campuses.

Hogue will become Electra

ISD superintendent in April

Scott Hogue, former superintendent of the Meridian Independent School District, has been named the new superintendent of the Electra ISD.

Hogue began his education career in Throckmorton ISD, where he served as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He will begin his new charge on April 1.

Check the GOVERNMENT NEWS section of the SPI Web site for these and other press releases.

• Hassan named nuclear engineering department head

• TWU Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award goes to Drake provost

• Laura W. Bush Institute names new chairwoman

• UNT names Reid senior associate vice president

Grimes County delays vote on proposed $6.6M justice center

Grimes County commissioners recently delayed a vote on a proposed $6.6 million justice center and decided to schedule a workshop in March to explore the proposal more closely.

Current plans are to construct a 30,000-square-foot to 33,000-square-foot facility to house all county departments now located in the current courthouse and Anderson annex. The new building would include the district courtroom, adult probation, the county clerk's office, district attorney's office and the commissioner's courtroom. The $6.6 million cost estimate, however, does not include the cost of such necessary additions such as parking, lighting or any landscaping, the county judge noted.

Shrinking clay soils from the drought have resulted in structural damage to the Anderson annex and led to numerous building code violations and health and safety concerns. That led to the proposal to build a new justice center, county officials said.

Jones is lone finalist for superintendent at Paris ISD

Superintendent Paul Jones (pictured) of Saltillo Independent School District recently was named the lone finalist for superintendent at Paris ISD. Jones will replace Superintendent Paul Trull, who retired from his post at Paris ISD.

Trustees also appointed Deputy Superintendent Mark Hudson to serve as interim superintendent until trustees finalize the contract with Jones as expected on March 18.

Jones previously was a teacher at Greenville ISD and holds a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Batts selected as lone finalist for superintendent at Throckmorton

Throckmorton Independent School District trustees recently selected Troy Batts as the lone finalist for superintendent. He previously served as a principal for the school district located northeast of Abilene.

Batts will replace former Superintendent Clay Tarpley, who resigned to become superintendent at Hamilton ISD in December.

• Starr Bauer of Beeville, judge of the 36th Judicial District Court in San Patricio, Aransas, Bee, Live Oak and McMullen counties;
• Roman Chavez of Spring, Board of Pardons and Paroles;
• Cynthia Tauss of League City, Board of Pardons and Paroles;
• Rod Bordelon Jr. of Austin, commissioner of Workers' Compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance;
• Carol Bush of Waxahachie, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Scott Fisher of Bedford, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Becky Gregory of Dallas, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• David "Scott" Matthew of Georgetown. Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Mary Lou Mendoza of San Antonio, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• E. Delbert Horton III of Cooper, presiding officer of the Sulphur River Regional Mobility Authority;
• Scott McLaughlin of El Paso, presiding officer of the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority;
• Ray A. Wilkerson of Austin, presiding officer of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Goose Creek CISD selects Martinez asst. superintendent

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District trustees recently selected Dr. Melissa Martinez (pictured) as the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Currently the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Sharyland ISD in the Rio Grande Valley, Martinez previously taught at Harlingen CISD, Mission CISD and La Joya ISD before joining the Sharyland district in 1996 as elementary curriculum coordinator.

Martinez has a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and Ph.D. from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Rockport taps Brown

as interim city secretary

Rockport City Council members recently tapped Pat Brown, a nine-year city employee, as the interim city secretary. An assistant city secretary for more than a year, Brown will replace Irma Parker, the former city secretary who left that post on Feb. 22.

Walker chosen as Missouri City director of communications

Stacie Walker, Missouri City's public information manager since August 2009, has been named the new director of communications for the city. Walker is a 23-year veteran communications expert whose experience includes news media, public relations, team management, mentoring and volunteerism.

Walker will serve as a senior member of the city's executive team and provide guidance regarding community outreach. She holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University and a master's degree from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York.

Mann takes over as transportation director in Pine Tree ISD

Scott Mann, a former Pine Tree Junior High School history teacher, is the district's new director of transportation. Mann also taught at the Pine Tree Middle School for four years, where he assisted with administrative duties.

Before joining the Pine Tree district, Mann taught in the Houston, Katy and Nacogdoches school districts. He replaces Jack Davis, who retired from the transportation director post earlier this year.