Leaders appoint members to school accountability panel

To address improving state's system of standardized tests

Texas public education will go under the microscope when the recently appointed Select Committee on Public School Accountability begins hearings into improving the state's system of standardized tests. The panel, created by the 80th Texas Legislature, is charged with changing the state's current method of assessing high school student performance by transitioning from the traditional exit-level tests to end-of-course examinations.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick recently named a group of citizens and legislators to serve on the panel. The committee was authorized by SB 1031 and it will report its findings to the 81st Legislature, which convenes in January 2009. Dewhurst said the panel is a good mix of education experts and lawmakers.

Committee members and their affiliations include: Rep. Rob Eissler (co-chair); Sen. Florence Shapiro (co-chair); Education Commissioner Robert P. Scott; Higher Education Commissioner Raymund A. Paredes; Rep. Diane Patrick; Sen. Tommy Williams; Dr. David Splitek, superintendent, Lackland ISD; Susan Lewis, elementary math teacher, Northside ISD; Dalia Benevides, principal, Midland ISD; Dr. Thomas Randle, superintendent, Lamar Consolidated ISD; Beto Gonzalez, deputy superintendent, Brownsville ISD; Ron Steinhart, former CEO, Bank One Commercial Banking Group; Salem Abraham, president and owner, Abraham Trading Company; Sandy Kress, Commission for College Ready Texas; and Larry Kellner, Chairman and CEO, Continental Airlines.

Givens to serve as TEA deputy associate commissioner

Anita Givens (pictured) has been named deputy associate commissioner for standards and alignment for the Texas Education Agency. The appointment is effective Feb. 1.

Givens will oversee several policy development areas, including curriculum, textbooks and educational technology under the direction of Associate Commissioner Sharon Jackson. She previously was senior director for Instructional Materials and Educational Technology at TEA, where she was responsible for review, adoption and distribution of electronic instructional materials as well as traditional textbooks.

Givens, a 26-year veteran of public education, is a former kindergarten and second grade teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree from Houston Baptist University and a master's degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She has been with TEA for 17 years.

Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

This week's salute is to Cecile Young, Associate Commissioner for the Office of Health Coordination and Consumer Services, HHSC

Career highlights and education: I have served in state government for well over 20 years, including a teaching stint at my alma mater Texas Tech University. I have been privileged to serve three governors for a total of 15 years, most of that time in the Governor's Office of Budget, Planning and Policy, as variously, budget analyst, group director, assistant director and special assistant. My last major project in Gov. (Rick) Perry's office was working with state, local and federal officials to secure funds for the state and local response to recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In between times working in the governor's office, I worked for Rep. Jack Vowell of El Paso and at the newly-established Health and Human Services Commission. Prior to rejoining HHSC this time, I served as director of the Office of Medical Support Initiatives for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, working on his new medical support initiatives.

What I like best about my job is: I love public service. I am pleased to be establishing a new office within the Health and Human Services Commission and like the challenge of system improvement with an emphasis on excellent customer service.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: Don't forget to sign up for remote access to your desktop; you'll love it (as I write this at 12:17 at night)!

Advice I would give a new hire in my office: A little rest and then the world is full of work to do.

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: at home with my wonderful family.

People would be surprised to know that I: was the conference committee clerk for House Bill 7, First Called Session, Seventy-Second Legislature, the original health and human services reorganization bill that created the Health and Human Services Commission back in 1991. I helped with the implementation of the bill and was one of the first 10 people hired at the Health and Human Services Commission back in 1992.

Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: Though for no other cause, yet for this; that posterity may know that I have not loosely through silence permitted these things to pass away as in a dream. (Richard Hooker, Laws of Ecclesiastical Policy)

Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com.

Andrade to head up Texas Transportation Commission

Gov. Rick Perry has named Esperanza "Hope" Andrade (pictured) of San Antonio as the interim chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

Andrade, who has been on the commission since 2003, also was appointed to the Texas Turnpike Commission, which was merged into TxDOT. Andrade, who co-founded five personnel service companies, replaces former chair Ric Williamson, who died suddenly late last year.

Garcia's 20-year state career leads to division head title

In 1988, Joe A. Garcia (pictured) was hired as a "temp" filling in for an employee on maternity leave at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. He probably never dreamed that he'd have a career in Texas state government that would span two decades and eventually have him heading up a full division in a state agency.

This week, Garcia was named executive director of the Manufactured Housing Division of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which regulates the manufacturing, selling, brokering or installing of manufactured homes in Texas. Garcia's resume rose to the top of more than 30 candidates for the job, garnering praise from Board member Michael Bray for his "high level of service and professionalism."

Garcia had been serving the agency as interim executive director since last September, and previously served as deputy executive director. In his 20 years with the state, he has worked in customer service, then was promoted to licensing supervisor, exams administrator and finally Manufactured Housing titling supervisor. When the division was merged with TDHCA, Garcia was promoted to a series of positions and in 2006 was named deputy executive director. In his new role, he will supervise a staff of more than 60 and be responsible for overseeing field offices in Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Tyler, Waco and Edinburg.

Funding, deadline extended for REAL ID program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has increased the total amount of funding available for REAL ID implementation and extended the deadline for 2008 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program applications. REAL ID sets uniform standards that enhance the integrity and reliability of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, strengthens issuance capabilities and increases security at driver's license and identification card production facilities.

DHS is making an additional $48.5 million available to assist states with REAL ID implementation. Originally funded at $31.3 million, additional grant funds were authorized late last year with the signing of the Omnibus appropriations bill. DHS is extending the REAL ID grant applications deadline until March 7. States competing for REAL ID grants are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate how other states will benefit from REAL ID compliance.

Higher education board officials named to task force

Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Raymund Paredes and two members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - Robert Shepard and A.W. "Whit" Riter, III - have been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the governor's Task Force on Higher Education Incentive Funding. The three will serve with a group of at least four other advisors to study and make recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor and House Speaker regarding guidelines for implementing higher education incentive funding programs. The other members of the task force are Kern Wildenthal of Dallas, Bernie Francis of Carrollton, Woody L. Hunt of El Paso and Roberto Zárate of San Antonio.

"As we work toward closing the gaps in education for all Texans by 2015, it is imperative that we create incentives for institutions of higher learning as well as for students to ensure we are rewarding those who are meeting Texas' increasing standards of excellence in higher education," said Paredes. The task force must submit its report that outlines its recommendations no later than July 15.

Texas Youth Commission hires training managers

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) has named Floyd Hall, Billy Duncan and Forest Hanna as Regional Training Managers to work directly with TYC high restriction facilities, halfway houses and district offices to study the agency's training needs and assess the quality and effectiveness of training provided for the agency's employees.

Hall (left) has a 26-year career with TYC, beginning with the agency as community relations coordinator for a Dallas facility. He later was promoted to assistant superintendent in a Fort Worth facility and followed as superintendent of a facility in Corpus Christi. He also previously served as training administrator in the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center and as manager of the TYC Training Academy and Conference Center. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University.

Duncan (right) has spent the last 11 years as a training specialist in the Staff Development Division of TYC, where he was involved in conducting a variety of training events and helped develop and coordinate training issues and programs. He holds a bachelor's degree from North Georgia College and a master's from Kansas State University.

Hanna brings more than 25 years experience in working with youth as a counselor, teacher and administrator for a number of juvenile programs and facilities. He earned his bachelor's degree from North Texas State University and his master's from the University of Southern Illinois.

Rep. Chisum named Bob Bullock Award winner

State Rep. Warren Chisum (pictured) of Pampa has been named this year's recipient of the Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship.

The award is presented annually and honors outstanding public stewards who have a personal and dedicated commitment to public service, as did the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, for whom the award is named. Sponsors of the award note the recipients are chosen for having "shown untiring participation and contribution toward a more effective government" and for promoting "innovations that will improve the future well being of all Texans."

Chisum was first elected as a member of the Texas House in 1988. During the last legislative session, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee and was also a member of the Energy Resources Committee.

Texas voters can check registration status online

Monday is the deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming March Primary Election in Texas. To help would-be Texas voters check their voter registration status, Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson (pictured) has launched a new Web tool that will enable Texans to check their registration status online.

"Now, Texans can check their registration status from their computers in plenty of time to address any possible issues before the registration deadline on February 4," said Wilson. The Secretary of State's Office now maintains a statewide voter list and Texans who registered to vote using their driver's license can check their voter registration status using their driver's license number. Others can enter their Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) found on their voter registration cards to check both their voting status and their polling places.

Voter registration applications are available on the Secretary of State's Web site, in county voter registrar offices and in many libraries, post offices and high schools in Texas.

Criminal justice fund awards grants to reduce crime

The State Criminal Justice Planning Fund has awarded more than $195,000 to two programs focused on catching child predators and rehabilitating juvenile offenders.

The fund, part of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division, awarded $145,000 to BeyondMissing Inc. Texas Amber Alert Network and $50,000 to the Wood County Prosecutor Project. CJD awards more than $112 million in grants each year for juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.

Texan hopes to boost Hurricane Center morale

The National Weather Service has named veteran Texas forecaster Bill Read (pictured) to take over as director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Reed said his top priority will be to restore morale in the wake of a staff revolt and other problems that sparked the ouster of his predecessor, who lasted only six months.

Read - with 30 years of Weather Service experience - has been director of the Houston-Galveston office for the past 15 years, where he dealt with numerous Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, conducted research aboard hurricane hunter aircraft and occasionally augmented the staff of the hurricane center.

Read had been deputy director at the Miami center since August, when turmoil brought about the departure of then-director Bill Proenza. Read said he believes the center staff can now concentrate on its main mission: delivering forecasts, and working with emergency managers, the media and the public.

Two nominees vie for president-elect of State Bar

Claude Ducloux (left) of Austin and Roland K. Johnson (right) of Fort Worth were recently selected as the two nominees to lead the state's 80,000 lawyers as president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. The winner will serve as the president of the State Bar of Texas from June 2009 through May 2010.

Ducloux, a principal at Hill, Ducloux, Carnes & Hopper in Austin, is certified in civil trial law and civil appellate law. He specializes in business formation, transactions, trial and appellate law and mediation and arbitration. He has served as president of the Austin Bar Association and chaired the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Texas Bar Foundation and Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism. Decloux holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas and a J.D. from St. Mary's University.

Johnson, who practices with Harris, Finley & Bogie, P.C. in Fort Worth, is board certified in civil trial law and practices primarily in commercial litigation, professional liability litigation and arbitration. He has served as president of the Tarrant County Bar Association and on the board of directors of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and on the City of Fort Worth Civil Service Commission. He earned his bachelor's degree and his law degree from Baylor University.

TDHCA official testifies before congressional committee

With concern growing over health problems related to formaldehyde, members of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee questioned federal officials and a Texas housing department director this week about the large number of Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims still living in trailers more than two years after the storms hit the Gulf Coast.

Texas has built and restored housing for victims, rather than cut checks for housing as Louisiana and Mississippi have done. Texas officials said they took this route to avoid fraud and abuse and assure the money went to qualified residents. Texas got $74.5 million in federal money for rebuilding in May 2006 and another $428.6 million in October 2006.

Michael Gerber (pictured), executive director of Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, told committee members that ensuring residents qualify has been challenging. Many of those needing help are "the poorest of the poor" who need intense casework that requires the state to work with faith based and local organizations to reach people. Environmental, historic preservation and flood plain laws also have slowed some of the construction, he said. Texas should have distributed all of the $74.5 million by Labor Day. Gerber said $40.3 million of that money will rebuild or replace 550 homes.

Historical Commission awards courthouse grants

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently awarded $56 million in grants to 17 Texas counties to help preserve their historic courthouses. The awards include 14 construction projects totaling $53.2 million and three emergency grants totaling almost $2.6 million.

A total of 47 grants applications requesting more than $200 million were submitted to the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, which was created by the Texas Legislature in 1999 with an initial appropriation of $50 million.

The THC distributed $42.4 million in matching grants to 19 counties in Round I of the program in May 2000; an additional $7 million to 28 counties for planning and stabilization during Round II in October 2000; $48 million to 25 counties for full restorations during Round III from April 2002 through January 2003; and $43 million for construction, planning and emergency funding to 28 counties in Round IV of the program in May 2004. Since its inception, the courthouse preservation program has created more than 4,692 thousand jobs and almost $130 million in local income.

Receiving Round V construction awards are:

• Cass County - $4,404,765
• Cooks County - $4,085.904
• Hood County - $5,000,000
• Hamilton County - $2,250,000
• Harris County - $5,000,000
• Kendall County - $1,285,409
• Lavaca County - $2,863,200
• La Salle County - $2,250,00
• McCulloch County - $4,696,756
• Mills County - $5,000,000
• Potter County - $5,000,000
• Roberts County - $2,642,906
• San Augustine County - $3,727,131
• Trinity County - $5,000,000
• Fannin County - $400,000 (emergency award)
• Hall County - $291,374 (emergency award)
• Randall County - $1,900,000 (emergency award)

Coordinating Board approves new college of nursing

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved the establishment of a Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.

The new college is in Bryan-College Station and initially will offer the B.S.N. later this year. Projections are 40 B.S.N. full-time students the first year, growing to a total of 250 students in less than 10 years.

The new HSC-College of Nursing will help alleviate the severe nursing shortage across Texas, compounded by an existing nursing work force that is aging and ready to retire. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, more than a million new and replacement nurses will be needed to fill vacancies during the next 10 years, and the U.S. Department of Labor has identified registered nursing as the top occupation in terms of growth through the year 2012.

Four boating projects receive state grant funding

Four projects designed to enhance boating access to Texas waters (such as in the accompanying Texas Parks and Wildlife Lake Brownwood photo by Rob McCorkle) will share more than $1.4 million in matching federal grants through the State Boating Access Program. Boat ramp facility improvement projects were approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for Lake Buchanan, Cameron Park in Waco, Port Aransas and Surfside Beach.

Projects receiving matching grant funds include:

• Lake Buchanan - $403,100, replace a boat ramp at Black Rock Park on Lake Buchanan that will be useable at lower water levels
• Waco - $500,000, replacement of a boat ramp, parking lot improvements, new docks, lighting, an access road and signs at Cameron Park East.
• Port Aransas - $112,000, renovation of two lanes of boat ramps, fish cleaning station, shade structure, security lighting and signs at the Municipal Harbor ramp.
• Surfside - $125,174, construction of a new restroom, security lighting, fish cleaning station and expanded parking area at a newly constructed boat ramp.

Texas Tech El Paso medical school decision due soon

El Paso officials are anxiously awaiting a decision next week on whether the Texas Tech medical school in El Paso can open its doors to its first class of four-year medical students in 2009.

Dr. Jose Manuel de la Rosa (pictured), dean of the Texas Tech Health Science Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, said he is optimistic the Liaison Committee on Medical Education will approve the El Paso campus becoming a full-fledged four-year medical school. If so, he expects the school to immediately begin recruiting 40 students for its first class. A negative decision would be very disappointing to El Paso and state officials, said de la Rosa. If negative, school officials will decide whether to appeal or try again next year, delaying the opening until 2010.

Legislators in 2003 approved money to expand the two-year medical campus to a four-year school, but only provided money for building construction. Last year legislators approved $48 million to Texas Tech to recruit faculty and staff needed to complete the accreditation process.

State awards $5.85 million in grants to 15 communities

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved $5.85 million in grants for 15 Texas communities to acquire or develop city park outdoor and indoor recreational sites.

The commission awarded outdoor recreation grants to the following cities:

• Angelina County - Diboll, $400,000, development of sports complex, renovation of sporting facilities, pavilions, wildlife viewing platform, playgrounds.
• Cameron County - Laureles, $400,000, development of regional park to include several lighted sports facilities, a 0.75-mile trail, community garden.
• Denton County - Justin, $400,000, development of park with new trail, two overlooks, lighted baseball field, two soccer fields, playground equipment.
• Grayson County - Pottsboro, $400,000, development of park to include a 0.7 mile trail with six exercise stations, a skateboard park, a playground, multiple sporting fields and facilities and a 2.5-acre pond.
• Guadalupe County - Cibolo, $400,000, development of 40 acres of land for open space and a 1.5-mile trail with educational and historical signs.
• Jefferson County - Port Arthur, $400,000, development of 20 acres of land for a wetland restoration with plantings, an outdoor learning center, a boardwalk, a soccer field and a 1-mile trail with exercise stations.
• Kimble County - Junction, $400,000, development of park with splash pad, gazebo; playground equipment; a 2-mile trail with benches and exercise stations.
• Kleberg County - Kingsville, $184,898, development of a park with bird/wildlife observation station, a hummingbird/butterfly garden, sports facilities.
• Limestone County - Groesbeck, $400,000, development of park to include a 2-acre open space, a 1.14-mile trail, lighted baseball fields and two playgrounds.
• Williamson County - Hutto, $400,000, development of a park with new trails, fishing access, bird-watching platforms and environmental-historical educational signs.

The commission approved indoor recreation grants to the following cities:

• Coryell County - Copperas Cove, $417,563, development of a recreation center with a natatorium, leisure pool, weight room, gymnasium and several multi-purpose rooms.
• Frio County - Dilley, $416, 000, development of a recreation facility to include new rooms for exercise, weightlifting and multipurpose use.
• Jefferson County - Port Arthur, $417,563, development of a recreation center with a gym, track, climbing wall, exercise room and multi-purpose rooms.
• LaSalle County - Cotulla, $417,500, development of convention center to renovate auditorium, offices and a new space for nature displays and exhibits.
• Williamson County - Cedar Park, $400,000, development of community recreational facility with track, a double gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms.

Texas Tech receives grant to recruit more nurses

The Texas Higher Education Coordinator Board recently granted $298,411 to Texas Tech to develop a database of nursing school applicants to increase enrollment and retention.

Sharon Cannon (pictured), regional dean of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin School of Nursing, said the funding will be used to provide the West Texas Nursing Education Portal Project with funds to pay the salary of a project coordinator who will oversee development of the database. It is one of 12 grants distributed throughout Texas to integrate nursing school applications into a database available to nursing schools throughout the state.

Recruiting more nurses is critical as many nurses retire and nursing shortages continue to grow as the population ages. Last year Texas lost 11,000 qualified applicants within the current system, Cannon said. Some may have been double applicants, but many were the result of not being matched with a Texas school.

Construction under way for San Antonio reserve center

Construction has begun on a new $40 million Armed Forces Reserve Center at Camp Bullis in northwest San Antonio. The reserve center and the $92 million Joint Center of Excellence for Battlefield Health and Trauma at Fort Sam Houston are a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision.

Fred Grant of the Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, said the two new buildings will provide 171,000 square feet of space for the U.S. Army and U.S. National Guard. The Reserve Center will provide training facilities, conference facilities, administrative offices and storage. The Corps of Engineers chose a partnership of firms based in San Antonio and Detroit to manage the design-build project slated for completion in August 2009. The partnership selected a Pennsylvania-based construction company to provide architectural and engineering services.

USDA offers grant programs for rural communities

The USDA Rural Development Administration is seeking applications for six programs to help small towns and rural residents finance infrastructure improvements. The loans, grants and loan/grant combinations are designed to help communities provide essential services and maintain infrastructure in rural areas.

The six programs under which applications are being accepted include:

• Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program
• Public Television Digital Conversion Grant Program
• Community Connect Grant Program
• High Energy Cost Grant Program
• Revolving Fund Grant Program
• Household Water Well Grant Program

Most of the programs application deadlines are in March, April and May. Contact the USDA at www.usda.gov and go to "Rural Development" tab for more information.

Breslin will serve as dean of School of Nursing

Eileen T. Breslin (pictured), Ph.D., R.N., has been named dean of the School of Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She will begin her duties on April 1, succeeding Dean Robin Froman, who is retiring in March.

Breslin is currently professor and dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass). also held the dual position of dean of the School of Nursing and interim dean of the School of Public Health & Health Sciences during a time of fiscal crisis at UMass. She began her career as a registered nurse at Flagstaff Community Hospital and began her academic career as a teaching assistant at the University of Arizona. She also was a member of the faculty and chair of the Department of Nursing at Northern Arizona University before moving to UMass. She holds a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University, a master's from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Loss of state road funds may not take toll on Dallas

Despite a shortage of state highway and road construction funds, several Dallas County projects could continue on schedule due to revenue coming in from the State Highway 121 toll road, officials recently told members of the Dallas City Council.

Michael Morris of the North Central Texas Council of Governments briefed a city council committee on a plan to use about $335 million from Highway 121 revenues to pay for projects that the Texas Department of Transportation doesn't have the money to fund in the near term.

The Regional Transportation Council and TxDOT must approve the plan before several large construction projects can continue. If the plan is not approved, Morris said it will keep major projects like the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge at the Trinity River and the reconstruction of Loop 12 from West Lawther Drive to Goforth Road on schedule.

Barrett selected director of UTMB center

Dr. Alan Barrett (pictured) has been selected as director of the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. His appointment is effective immediately. A virologist, Barrett also holds the John S. Dunn Distinguished Chair in Biodefense.

Barrett has served UTMB since 1993. He helped create UTMB's Center for Tropical Diseases and the Robert E. Shope BSL4 Laboratory, and was the first director of the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories. He has been the associate director for basic science in this Sealy Center since 2001. Barrett holds a Ph.D. from the University of Warwick, Coventry, U.K. He completed postdoctoral training in arbovirology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Grant to develop Texas Clean Energy Park in Austin

The Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities has awarded a $600,000 grant for the development of a Texas Clean Energy Park in Austin. The park, a first of its kind in Texas, is planned to be one of the most advanced clean energy business, research, education and training facilities in the nation.

Federal funds for workforce training, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, will be used to help establish the first phase of the park. The Texas Clean Energy Park will be a mixed-use campus designed to provide tenants, researchers, students and research institutions an opportunity to work in close proximity with one another toward the goal of creating innovative energy solutions. The initial phases will serve as a workforce development initiative by providing opportunities to learn skills in the field of clean energy technology.

Saavedra will fill new position at UTMB

Dr. Rebecca Saavedra (pictured) will serve the University of Texas Medical Branch in the newly created position of Associate Vice President for Strategic Management, effective today. In her new role, she will provide counsel and support to fellow members of the Executive Leadership team to develop, manage and implement UTMB's strategic plan. She will also spearhead efforts to enhance accountability, assessment and performance studies, will initiate, lead and support institutional performance improvement initiatives and oversee the institutional policy review process.

While at UTMB, Saavedra has served as Director of Campus Life and as UTMB Student Ombudsman. In 2001, she was named Associate Vice President for Student Services, with responsibility for enrollment services, student wellness, student life and the Jamail Student Center. She has served as the co-chair of the UTMB Professionalism Committee since 2002. Before joining UTMB, she worked at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and the UTMB School of Allied Health Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Houston.

Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock team up for water

Three Williamson County cities recently won approval of a $309 million loan to help pump up to 141 million gallons of water a day from Lake Travis, which officials say will meet the region's growing water needs for 50 years.

The cities of Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock will use the loan from the Texas Water Development Fund for the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority, and are expected to begin pumping water by 2010. The first phase includes expanding a water pump on Lake Travis, building a water treatment plant in Cedar Park and building an 8-foot-wide pipe through the Trails End neighborhood outside of Cedar Park.

The second phase will be completed in 2016 and includes construction of a water pumping station and a pipe system and expansion of the new Cedar Park water treatment plant. The final phase will expand the plant by 2023 so that it can treat up to 105 million gallons of water a day. The cities will not be able to receive the money, however, until the project gets approval and environmental permits from state and federal agencies in the coming months and years.

Austin trustees question larger bond proposal

Several trustees for Austin Independent School District recently questioned whether to move forward on a May bond vote citing the need for more examination of the proposed projects. The questions arose following a final recommendation from the district's bond committee that the district call for a $233.4 million bond issue, almost $8 million more than its preliminary recommendation.

While the majority of the recommendation is for districtwide renovations of science classrooms and technology upgrades, the advisory committee added money for projects including renovations and replacements of the auditoriums at Lanier and McCallum high schools and science laboratory renovations at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Zilker and Joslin elementary schools.

The committee's new recommendation, however, does not include money for a performing arts center, relief for crowded Linder Elementary School or an elementary school in the Mueller neighborhood. The board will meet Monday to discuss the bond proposal.

Denton increases funding for administrative complex

Denton County Commissioners have approved more than $2 million to add a two-story building to the administrative complex the county is building in east Denton County. Judge Mary Horn (pictured) said by approving a two-story building instead of a single-story structure, the county is getting ahead of an expected population boom.

The two-story building will cost the county $2.2 million more than the estimated $17.9 million budgeted for the project. To cover the cost, commissioners redistributed funds and issued tax notes.

The tax notes will also be used to pay for eight other projects, including the construction of a parking lot for the Sandy Jacobs Government Center. According to the project's master design timeline, construction will begin this summer and to be complete by 2009.

Customs may combine border fence, levee repairs

Federal officials said last week they are planning to combine work on the border fence and levee repair projects in the Rio Grande Valley as a cost-saving measure. Barry Morrissey with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a final announcement on the plan is expected in the next few weeks after logistics have been worked out.

However, a Washington, D.C.-based Customs spokesman was less optimistic, saying the agency is still discussing whether a combined levee-fence project is the best option. Repairs are needed throughout the Rio Grande Valley's 180-mile levee system to protect the area from major flooding. Congress, meanwhile, has mandated that almost 700 miles of fencing be built from San Diego to Brownsville to secure the U.S. border with Mexico.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, which owns and operates the 180-mile levee system from Penitas to Brownsville, said the repairs needed on 112 miles of the system would cost approximately $125 million.

Dallas recognized as a leading buyer of green power

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has listed the City of Dallas on its Top 10 Local Governments List and its National Top 25 list of the nation's largest green power purchasers. Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro.

Dallas purchases total nearly 334 million kilowatt-hours of green power in 2008 - enough green power to meet 40 percent of its purchased electricity use. This places Dallas in the number one spot on the Top 10 Local Government List and number nine on the National Top 26 List. The National Top 25 List includes leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, local, state and federal governments and colleges and universities.

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert (pictured) said the ranking demonstrates that Dallas is committed to improving the environment and to being the greenest city in America. According to the EPA, the City of Dallas' purchase of nearly 334 million kilowatt-hours is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 48,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 33,000 average American homes annually.

Birdville to build career and technology center

The Birdville Independent School District is expected to begin construction in late spring on a $14.5 million career and technology center featuring a student-run coffee and sandwich bar and a small theater where media technology students can show their films and videos. The center, approved in 2006 as part of a $128.6 million bond issue, is on the western edge of the city and will serve as a central location for advanced classes for juniors and seniors. Courses offered at the facility due to open in fall 2009 include culinary arts, criminal justice, engineering, construction technology, automotive technology, business and marketing, media technology, computer maintenance, health systems and cosmetology.

About 1,000 students from each of the district's three high schools are expected to attend classes at the center when it opens in fall 2009. Approximately 4,600 of the district's 22,500 students enrolled at BISD are taking career and technology classes.

Rusk County Commissioners unveil jail expansion plans

Rusk County Commissioners this week unveiled plans for a proposed three-story jail facility that would house 294 inmates, including those from other jurisdictions. Earlier this month, commissioners hired an architect, approved preliminary plans and hired a financial advisor to oversee certificates of obligation to pay for the jail expansion. Current estimates for completing the building range from $14 million to $16 million, though a portion of those costs can be recouped from rental of extra beds, said the Rusk County sheriff. He told commissioners the county will eventually need the expanded space for its growing inmate population but until then, the $4 to $10 per head per day profit for housing inmates from other jurisdictions could contribute significantly toward the jail expansion.

Responding to comments on the shortage of parking around the courthouse and jail area, County Judge Sandra Hodges (pictured) said the court is working to alleviate the problem, including meeting with churches in the adjacent areas to allow county employees to park in their lots.

Waco ISD seeking public input on facilities plan

In an effort to get public input on a long-range facility plan before proposing a bond election, Waco Independent School District officials have added a link to their Web site to help gather comment from parents and the community on the district's buildings.

Board member David Schleicher said that even though the district has already retained an architectural firm to assess the facilities needs and rank them in order of priorities, trustees would like more public input to help prioritize the projects on the $160 million list. While high school science labs are a top priority, he said he would like to hear what parents and community members say are the most needed projects. A facilities committee is meeting throughout February to review suggestions made by the public on the Web site and costs of the recommended repairs. To hold a May bond election, the board would have to vote on whether to hold that election by March 10.

Lewisville ISD mulling bonds for events center, schools

Administrators for Lewisville Independent School District are reviewing the need for a new $79 million special events center, a stadium for Marcus High School, another aquatics center and building and renovating several schools to determine whether to ask voters in May to approve bonds of up to $770 million to pay for the facilities.

Lewisville ISD Superintendent Jerry Roy (pictured) said he supports building a 191,000-square-foot event center that would host graduation ceremonies, basketball games, concerts and other special events.

Roy also proposed a 9,000-seat stadium with a track, synthetic field and parking expansion; a new aquatics center; construction of three ninth-grade centers; a ninth-10th grade campus, two middle schools and three elementary schools; and for additions at one middle school, five elementary schools and the Lina Milliken Education Center. He estimated the district would have to issue bonds ranging from $670 million to $700 million to pay for the recommended projects. If trustees decide to have a bond election, they are expected to take that vote on Feb. 11.

Sugar Land council OKs museum satellite lease

Sugar Land City Council members have approved a design contract and lease agreement for the new Houston Museum of Natural Science satellite. Along with the $403,000 design contract, the council also approved a conveyance agreement with the firm donating the Central State Farm Building and land for the museum. The building and 5.5 acres of surrounding property with an estimated value of $2.5 million will be transferred to the city for $10. This action followed approval by the city's 4B corporation of $6 million in funding for the satellite museum project.

Project funding is divided into two phases. In the first phase, $4.5 million will be used for construction, renovation and modernization of the Central State Farm building. In the second phase, $1.5 million is budgeted for site work such as parking and landscape.

Sewer work approved for North Central College

Alamo Community Colleges trustees recently took the first step in turning raw land into the district's sixth college by approving $1.5 million for design of a sewage system for the campus of North Central College. While the district does not have funding to build the campus near Interstate 10 and Kendall County, Bruce Leslie (pictured), the district's chancellor, said the district likely will ask voters to approve projects for all five existing colleges and the North Central campus in the future.

First, however, Leslie said the district must finish projects from a $450 million bond package approved by voters in 2005, including $125 million to build the district's fifth college in Live Oak. This will push the earliest date for a new bond to 2010 or 2011, he said.

Grants awarded to clean up Guadalupe swimming holes

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality awarded a $198,000 grant to the Upper Guadalupe River Authority for a three-year project to reduce bacteria levels in the Guadalupe River. The river authority will supply labor for the project, bringing its total cost of the project to $330,000. It also will develop a Watershed Protection Plan for the river at Louise Hays Park and Flat Rock Lake to combat rising E. coli concentrations at the two popular swimming areas. The plan is to specifically determine the source of river contamination in the two swimming areas.

Contracting opportunities abound as new federal funding heads to Texas

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Congress has passed the Omnibus Appropriation Bill as well as the Defense Appropriation Bill, and as a result, millions of federal dollars are expected to make their way south to Texas for a wide variety of projects.

During each congressional session, members of Congress "earmark" funds in various appropriation bills. These monies go directly to their home states for specific initiatives such as infrastructure projects, equipment purchases, construction, roadway work or specialized training for law enforcement agencies.

The new funding opens up a diverse array of contracting opportunities, so it is wise to watch the revenue flows.

UT-Tyler names Hill
as interim director

The University of Texas at Tyler has named David Hill (pictured) as the interim director for student development. Hill is the director of residence life and judicial affairs and will serve as interim director until a permanent director is named. Hill takes over the position formerly held by Mindy Sutton, who left to serve as assistant dean of students at The University of Texas at Austin.

Hill previously served at Texas Tech University, the University of Southern Indiana and Baylor University before joining UT-Tyler in 2004. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University.

Fred Hays joins SPI consulting team

Fred Hays (pictured), one of the newest members of the SPI consulting staff, brings to the SPI team years of local government experience in city governments in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia and Ohio. Hays has worked in a variety of sizes of Texas cities in executive roles managing multi-million-dollar budgets.

His experience ranges from being a former city manager of Glenn Heights, a city with a population of 8,700, to administrative assistant to the city manager for the city of Wichita Falls with a population of 95,000. He also is a former city manager of the city of Vernon, an assistant city manager for the city of Marshall and an urban planner for the city of Baytown. He is well versed in local government training, organizational and operations analysis, business and economic development, bond issue involvement, risk management and safety programs. He also has years of experience in local government budgeting and revenue analysis.

Tyler school district prepares for bond election

With the final project of its Phase 1 bond issue complete, trustees in the Tyler Independent School District are getting ready for Phase 2. Last week, Tyler trustees hired two firms for $195,000 to conduct pre-bond development work. Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid (pictured) said the pre-bond team would study the conditions of facilities in the district. The team will help the district compile information to share with the bond planning committee and help educate the public, Reid said.

Tyler ISD has completed the first phase of a 12-year, $95.9 million master facilities improvement plan approved in 2004. It included the construction of six replacement schools and one new campus. Though trustees have not yet called a new bond election, officials said they are considering one for November.

Anderson and Cherokee counties receive grants

The Anderson and Cherokee County ACCESS program has won $530,000 in grants for 2008 and 2009 from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to improve mental health services in those counties. The DSHS grants are provided to increase access to crisis response services, reduce the need for hospitalizations and provide alternatives to incarceration for those in mental health crises.

DSHS recently provided $21 million to 38 Texas mental health centers to help pay for mobile outreach units, crisis hotline improvements and other crisis services in fiscal year 2008. The money also can be used to develop additional crisis services such as walk-in services, children's outpatient services or residential services, or to pay for specially trained mental health law enforcement officers.

Pleasant Grove ISD approves $15 million plan

Trustees of the Pleasant Grove Independent School District recently approved a $15 million design plan for a new two-story gymnasium, a multipurpose building, art building and football stadium at Pleasant Grove High School. This renovation project is scheduled for completion in August 2009.

Superintendent Margaret Davis said district wide renovations and improvements to the middle school and elementary school and construction on a new intermediate school will cost approximately $32.4 million.

Carrollton asks school to create intern program

Carrollton City Manager Leonard Martin (pictured) this week asked the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Board of Trustees to implement an internship program for high school students interested in working for the city.

The request was first on the list of the city's priorities outlined in a joint meeting of the Carrollton City Council and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, where officials from both entities outlined their priorities for the coming year. The internships would help the city, Martin said, because some city positions remain vacant for a year and internships would help students learn more about public service. Superintendent Annette Griffin agreed with Martin, especially if the city encouraged future interns to work toward an associate's degree.

Harlingen superintendent Linda Wade to retire in June

Linda Wade, superintendent of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District for seven years, will retire from that position in June. She has worked for the Harlingen District for 21 years. The school board will soon start its search for her successor, Wade said.

Longview highway officials hope to begin loop project

Longview highway officials are hoping to open construction bids on the long-awaited $35.8 million Loop 281 widening project in December if Congress approves highway funding. The project, which will increase a three-mile section of the loop from two to four lanes, was postponed to 2009 after the Texas Department of Transportation reduced funding for projects throughout the state because of cuts in federal highway funding.

Longview Mayor Jay Dean (pictured) suggested that the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization consider moving state and federal funds to other local highway projects, such as the $48.2 million George Richey Road project slated for 2012. Mary Owen, head of TxDOT's Tyler Division and Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt advised against the move. Owen said postponing the project could risk future funding as other projects discussed were not ready to begin construction.

Klein school panel recommends bond issue

A bond steering committee for Klein Independent School District has recommended trustees ask voters to approve $638 million in bonds that should meet the district's needs for the next four years. The project list, which was cut from $712 million since the committee met Jan. 14, includes new schools and sites for future schools; renovations to existing schools and district facilities; new buses; and technology infrastructure, equipment and software.

Marchia Baulch, member of the steering committee, said educating the community on needs will be crucial as passage of the bonds could translate to an 18- to 20-cent tax increase. Superintendent Jim Cain said he will continue to gather input from the board of trustees, community and staff over the next several weeks before taking a final bond issue recommendation to the board on March 4.

SPI opportunities

Healthcare consultants

SPI is in need of individuals with subject matter expertise and well-established credentials in the healthcare arena (particularly in the Dallas and Houston areas). Applicants should have well-maintained relationships and a strong background in healthcare, either as a former top-level decision-maker for a hospital (such as an administrator, CEO, CFO, COO, etc.), or through experience in other venues such as statewide hospital or healthcare associations or agencies that deal with healthcare entities throughout the state. To apply for these consulting positions at SPI, please send a brief cover letter and a copy of your resume to J. Lyn Carl at jcarl@spartnerships.com and put "Application for Healthcare Consultant" in the subject line, or for more information, send an e-mail to the same address.

Sheppard AFB gets go-ahead on ramp project

Officials at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls won $7 million for the first phase of a construction project to build a ramp allowing aircraft to park next to its new flight control center. Funding for the new flight center was included in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act signed by President George W. Bush.

Funding for the new flight control center did not include money for ramps allowing planes to park near it. The new ramp should cut down on mixing of military and civilian operations at the base as well as provide a sturdier ramp that can serve larger aircraft.

Governor's appointments

Gov. Rick Perry recently made the following appointments:

• Craig Keeland of Frisco, Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Scott Cary of Buda, Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Rick Hayley of Corpus Christi, Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Frank Ashley of College Station, Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Lucy Buencamino of Spring, Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Allan Shulkin of Dallas, Texas Medical Board
• Mary Jane Salgado of Eagle Pass, Texas Board of Nursing
• Sheri Crosby of Mesquite, Texas Board of Nursing
• Richard Gibbs of Mesquite, Texas Board of Nursing
• Marilyn J. Davis of Sugar Land, Texas Board of Nursing
• Kristin K. Benton of Austin, Texas Board of Nursing
• Linda Kinney of Dripping Springs, Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority
• Margaret "Jerry" Wright of El Paso, Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority
• James Earl Toups of League City, Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County
• John Chism of Irving, presiding officer, Texas Private Security Board
• Mark Smith of Dallas, Texas Private Security Board
• Charles Crenshaw of Austin, Texas Private Security Board
• Doris Davis Washington of Arlington, Texas Private Security Board

Recent Reports

• Senate Interim Charges
• Texas External Quality Review Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2006, Medicaid Managed Care and Children's Health Insurance Program
• SPI's Defense Appropriations Bill Earmarks Report
• SPI's November 2007 Bond Election Results Report

Event Links

• Texas Public Purchasing Assn. Spring Workshop 2008
• Texas State University Small Business Development Center training schedule
• Texas Distance Learning 11th Annual Conference
• TWC Texas Business Conferences
• LBJ School Professional Development Calendar
• Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1 - 5 Archives · 11/7/03 - 1/25/08

Sherman nears decision on land for new county jail

The City of Sherman is discussing whether to transfer 95 acres of city-owned land for a county correctional facility to house up to 1,500 inmate beds.

Sherman city officials also are near a decision whether to transfer money from the Sherman Economic Development Corporation to fund a $200,000 study to determine if the property is suitable for the correctional facility to be operated by Grayson County and a private company, said Sherman Mayor Bill Magers.

El Paso County to hire architect for health facility

The El Paso County Commissioners Court has hired an architect to design a new children's health facility, expand the juvenile detention center and reconfigure the golf course at Ascarate Park parcel.

County Judge Anthony Cobos (pictured) said the 11.7-acre parcel of land is ideal for the Youth Services Facility because it is centrally located and adjacent to recreational facilities. The center, which will house the Border Children's Mental Health Collaborative, will be built using $10 million from the $72.9 million bond plan passed last fall.

Kim appointed as interim superintendent at Manor

Trustees for Manor Independent School District have appointed Andrew Kim as interim superintendent to replace Mark Diaz, who recently resigned.

Kim, who recently left his position as deputy superintendent in Manor to serve as an assistant superintendent in Austin, has not decided whether to accept the position in Manor.

San Marcos begins search for new city manager

San Marcos city officials began their search for a new city manager Thursday with a public meeting to gather citizen input on the characteristics and qualifications they want in a city manager.

The recruiting firm conducting the national search also held a series of meetings with council members, city directors and city employees to gather their ideas for a profile of the ideal candidate. The search became necessary when City Manager Dan O'Leary resigned to become the city manager in Keller. The council then appointed Collette Jamison (pictured) as the interim city manager.

Anderson County approves bid process for renovations

Anderson County commissioners recently authorized the architect and county auditor to set the dates for the bid process to begin renovations later this year on its historic county courthouse. While the 2008 county budget includes $500,000 for renovations and repairs to the historic structure, the architect said that going ahead with the renovations and repairs this year is contingent on the county receiving a grant from the Texas Historical Commission.

Santa Fe school district leader to step down

Jon Whittemore, superintendent of the Santa Fe Independent School District, has told board members he will resign at the end of the school year. Board President Trey Cabe said the district extended Whittemore a one-year contract extension, but he declined the offer.

Whittemore, who has held the job for six years, said it was time to move on, but added that he was pleased that half of the district's campuses were academically recognized by the state during his tenure.

Rusk ISD to build new $4.3 million gym complex

Trustees of the Rusk Independent School District recently voted to fund a new $4.3 million gymnasium complex. Dr. Jim Largent, superintendent of Rusk ISD, said the facility will include a $3.7 million gymnasium that seats 1,200, a half-court practice gym with wooden flooring, a hospitality room and parking lot for about 15 vehicles. Cost of the project will be paid through building fund monies and the district will not have to borrow money to finance its cost.

Yates to retire as Palo
Pinto ISD superintendent

Palo Pinto ISD Superintendent Norma Yates (pictured) is planning to retire at the end of the school year after an 18-year career with the district. Yates served the district for seven years as a teacher, one as principal and the last 10 as superintendent.

In addition to superintendent, Yates said that she has served as the district's chief financial officer, human resources manager, public relations officer, federal and state grant and program administrator, food service coordinator, facilities manager and safety coordinator.

Fort Bend County to link regional Web sites

Fort Bend County Commissioners have approved the use of $587,000 to link a series of Web sites to local cities, counties and emergency workers. County Judge Bob Hebert said he would post his own campaign finance reports online through the service. The project will be funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant, which will be used to purchase software to create 30 virtual "centers" for emergency responders throughout the region. The centers will feature tools for governments to post information such as news releases and emergency notifications.

Hebert added that the software can also be used for emergency communications between cities and counties, and will allow local governments to avoid some of the glitches that occurred in 2005 with hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Marshall to serve UTHSC-Tyler as vice president, COO

Rob Marshall (pictured) has been chosen vice president and chief operating officer for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, where he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility. Marshall previously served as vice president and chief operating officer at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark. He also was president and chief executive officer of Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada, Okla., assistant administrator of professional services at Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford, Ore., and vice president of operations at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, La.

Marshall holds a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Sugar Land Regional Airport gets $3.28 million grant

The Sugar Land Regional Airport has received a $3.28 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to expand the terminal apron. The Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division will administer the loan that will pay for 90 percent of the project cost.

Brownsville approves $3 million loan for sports park

Brownsville city commissioners have agreed to a $3 million loan to the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation to continue development of the Brownsville Sports Park.

BCIC Finance Director said BCIC sought the loan from the city rather than issuing sales tax revenue bonds because the bonds would require that BCIC establish a reserve account to set aside one-year's debt service. Although originally estimated to cost $12 million, the sports park is now expected to cost $26 million.

Corpus Christi schedule continues on road projects

Responding to questions about the status of several unfinished road projects approved in a 2004 bond issue, Angel Escobar, the city engineer for the City of Corpus Christi, said that Bond 2004 projects will not be pushed aside for Bond 2008 projects. Work on Bond 2004 projects is within budget, Escobar said, despite rising costs.

For instance, work on the Laguna Shores street project has yet to begin. Other delayed projects are Doddridge from Ocean Drive to Staples; Cimarron from Saratoga to Yorktown and Wooldridge between Staples and Airline. City council also is stilling trying to iron out problems with Phase 1 of the Bayfront Master Plan. Voters in 2004 approved $95 million in improvements. Of that, $55 million has been spent, leaving the city with $40 million to fund remaining projects. While he will not know the cost of the remaining projects until the bids are awarded, Escobar said Bond 2004 projects will not be pushed aside to make room for Bond 2008.

Ingram ISD cites design
for shell for auditorium

Trustees for the Ingram Independent School District have approved designs for an exterior shell for the new theater auditorium at Tom Moore High School. The board approved $58,000 to add to the $100,000 in construction funds previously approved by the board. These funds will be combined with a gift from Jack Moore and Virginia Moore Johnson to cover the cost of the $708,000 superstructure.

The shell will be in proportion to optimum sound, sight lines and options that will house the high school theater space, said Gary Priour, the project chairman. The district plans to raise $2 million to $3 million in donations and grants during the next 12 months to pay for finishing the interior of the building.

Zavala announces retirement at Harlandale

Harlandale ISD Superintendent Guillermo Zavala Jr. (pictured) has announced his retirement plans, scheduled for the end of June. His retirement will end a career of more than three decades at HISD, the last six as superintendent.

The district's board of trustees has not finalized a plan yet for choosing Zavala's replacement.

Angelo State gets $1.27 million grant for nursing

Angelo State University's nursing department has been awarded a $1.27 million grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It will fund a three-year pilot program to increase the number of registered nurses working at four West Texas hospitals.

With the funding, the ASU nursing department will launch a program this summer that will reduce the costs and time commitment for licensed vocational nurses to become registered nurses. Partner hospitals are Shannon Medical Center, San Angelo Community Medical Center, Brownwood Regional Medical Center and Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring.

TAMU-Corpus Christi gifted with $5 million endowment

The largest single gift for scholarships in Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi history has been announced following a $5 million donation from the estate of the late Lawrence Atkins. University officials note that the gift creates a new level in the university's Presidential Scholarship program, and will allow for the addition of 15 new students each year to the program. Those receiving the scholarships will be awarded $3,000 per year for four years. After four years, there will be 60 students served at this level.

The gift will also create the Islander Scholars program, which will offer $2,500 per year scholarships for four years for eight new students per year, bringing the total under scholarship after four years to 32.

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Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers

The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.

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Texas Public Purchasing Assn. plans spring workshop

The newly formed Texas Public Purchasing Association will meet Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 26-28, for its Spring Workshop 2008. The event will be at the Thompson Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Legislative objectives and initiatives are on the Tuesday agenda with project management, construction Ts and Cs, alternative procurement methods for construction and contract management the topics for Wednesday. Thursday's agenda includes a session on "Winning Public Trust through Performance Leadership." For more information on the workshop, click here. To download a registration form, click here. To register online, click here.

Texas Distance Learning Assn. conference set for March

The 11th annual Texas Distance Learning Association Conference will be held March 24-27 at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Keynote speakers for the conference, "Sail Into Distance Learning," include Alan November, who will discuss the importance of how distance learning technology is used, motivational speaker Dave Carey and Gary Stager, who will offer real-life examples of educational technology learning. In addition to these speakers, the conference also will feature exhibits, breakout sessions, hands-on sessions, meetings and focused gatherings for not only distance learning professionals, but also those new to distance learning. To register, click here. For sponsorship information, click here. To view the conference program, click here.