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Community colleges react with 'shock, outrage'At governor's line item veto of $150 million for health insuranceCommunity college leaders throughout the state say they were stunned by the recent line item veto of more than $150 million in state funds that would help defray the costs of health insurance for faculty and administrators at the state's 50 public community colleges.
Gov. Rick Perry, in explaining why he vetoed the funding from the state budget, said General Revenue funds cannot be used for employee benefit costs associated with the payment of salaries or wages "if the salaries or wages are paid from a source other than the General Revenue Fund." He said community colleges have been going outside those bounds by paying benefits for non-state paid employees and accused the colleges of falsifying their appropriations requests to obtain those funds from the state. The reaction by community colleges was one of "shock and outrage," according to Dr. Rey Garcia, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC).
Garcia said the core of the issue is that the state is not meeting its funding obligations to community college instruction. "If the state was meeting its obligation, we wouldn't be having this discussion," he said. [more]DIR cites changes to executive management teamThree new deputy executive directors have been named to the executive management team of the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). Brian Rawson, chief technology officer for the State of Texas, this week announced that Ginger Salone (left), Cindy Reed and Casey Hoffman (right), all of whom he said have a "proven and impressive track record of success in Texas government," will begin their new duties at the agency next month.
Salone, current Deputy Director of Information Technology for Child Support in the Office of the Attorney General, will be the agency's new Deputy Executive Director for Statewide Technology Service Delivery, and will be charged with managing the state's telecommunications system, the state data center consolidation, TexasOnline and other e-government and Web services. She also previously worked for the State Comptroller. Reed will serve the agency as its new Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Statewide Technology Sourcing, with responsibility for the direction and oversight of technology supply chain management services and internal DIR business services that include finance and administration, human resources and general services. Currently the agency's interim director of the Service Delivery Division, Reed previously served as the CEO of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. She has additional state government experience with the State Auditor's Office, the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Transportation. Hoffman, who has experience in both the private and public sector, will be the new Executive First Assistant to the DIR executive director. He will have oversight of strategic partnerships, policy, customer service initiatives, performance and planning and innovative practices. He is a former Executive First Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General for Families and Children. Hoffman also is a former DIR board member. Newby named governor's chief of staffBrian Newby (left), general counsel to Gov. Rick Perry, has been named the governor's new chief of staff. Newby will replace Deirdre Delisi, the governor's current chief of staff and long-time policy and political advisor. Delisi announced her resignation earlier this week, effective July 1.
Delisi began her association with Perry during his campaign for lieutenant governor in 1998. She was named deputy chief of staff in 2004 and later became the governor's chief of staff. In addition to naming Newby as his new chief of staff, Perry also appointed Kathy Walt and Kris Heckmann (right) as deputy chiefs of staff. All three appointments are effective July 1. Newby is a former partner at Cantey & Hanger, L.L.P., where he specialized in commercial litigation, regulatory, employment and business law. A lieutenant colonel in the Texas Air National Guard, Newby serves as staff judge advocate for the 136th Airlift Wing. A graduate of Texas Tech University, he served on the Texas Tech Board of Regents from 1999 to 2004 and was a member of the board of the Tarrant Regional Water District. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech, Newby holds a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Walt has been a member of Perry's internal team since she was named press secretary in 2000. More recently, she has taken over the role of senior advisor. She holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the Ohio State University. Before joining Perry's team, she was a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Currently the governor's deputy legislative director, Heckmann began working for Perry in 2001 to advise the governor on transportation policy issues. He previously served as a policy analyst and deputy general counsel for the Sunset Advisory Commission. He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
This week's salute is to Anne Heiligenstein, Deputy Executive Commissioner for Social Services at the Texas Health and Human Services CommissionCareer highlights and education: Anne Heiligenstein is the Deputy Executive Commissioner for Social Services at the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Anne has nearly 30 years health and human services experience. Before her position with HHSC, her career included the following: White House Director of Policy and Projects for Mrs. Laura Bush, Director of Health and Human Services Policy with the Office of Governor George W. Bush, Legislative Associate for the Texas Conference of Catholic Health Facilities, Assistant Deputy Commissioner and Director of Protective Services for Children and Families with the Texas Department of Human Services. Anne's duties with HHSC include management and coordination of Eligibility Services, Family Services, Department of Family and Protective Services and Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. She holds a Master's of Science from Trinity University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. What I like best about my job is: The people...some I've had the pleasure to work with in the past and many others that I've met since returning home to Texas to accept my current job. The best advice I've received for my current job: Take it! Who better to work for in state government than Albert Hawkins? Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Think strategically by seeing the big picture, expect the unexpected and be flexible. Also, it takes just as much time to be nice to people as it takes to be unkind. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Hanging out with friends or family. People would be surprised to know that I: Flew across Iraq, Afghanistan and El Salvador in Black Hawk helicopters. I also hitchhiked from Austin to Casper, Wyoming, and back while in college. But let's not tell my kids that one. I want them to keep thinking I'm a no-nonsense nerd! Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: I devour books on history, and one of the most compelling books I've read is Bernard Lewis' What Went Wrong? The Clash between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East. But, it would be preposterous to claim that one of world's foremost Islamic scholars included my thinking in his book! I did find Lewis' theories on western impact and the Middle East response fascinating and enlightening. Lewis' book was written just before September 11th yet it sheds amazing light on the circumstances leading to the tragic events of that day. 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. TYC plans to shut down two facilities this summerOfficials of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) plan to close two of the agency's facilities this summer, only months after the agency was assigned a Conservator after allegations of abuse of inmates and a reported cover-up of those allegations was revealed. TYC officials note San Saba's John Shero State Juvenile Correctional Facility and the Marlin Orientation and Assessment Unit will no longer house juvenile offenders, but instead will be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to house adult prisoners. Because the Marlin facility is the TYC intake center for all incarcerated youth, intake of male residents after August will be performed at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Mart while intake of females will be at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood. The two facilities, which will house approximately 600 inmates each, are likely to be used as transfer facilities for TDJC, with inmates being moved from one site to another temporarily housed there. NTTA gets nod on State Highway 121 toll projectAlthough not a done deal until approval by the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC), the North Texas Tollway Authority's (NTTA) proposal to build the State Highway 121 toll project received resounding support this week from the Regional Transportation Council. The final vote by the TTC is expected later this month in Austin.
The NTTA was favored over private Spanish construction company Cintra by a 27-10 vote. Officials apparently favored a local firm with a track record over a Spanish-based firm with little experience in Texas. Dallas City Council member Bill Blaydes (pictured) said the final vote was on "whether the dollars that are made here stay in Texas." Part of NTTA's winning bid was a promise to pay $3.3 billion back to the region for other highway projects aimed at curbing traffic gridlock. NTTA would be allowed to collect tolls on the roadway for 50 years. Some concerns have been raised that if NTTA is awarded the bid, the North Texas region could owe the federal government close to $300 million as reimbursement for federal funds already spent on the SH 121 toll project. Federal Highway Administration officials previously expressed concerns regarding the bidding process, in which NTTA was allowed to bid when the bid process was reopened after TxDOT had already chosen Cintra for the project. There are questions now whether that process might have violated federal regulations. Neeley handing over reins as education commissioner
Dr. Shirley J. Neeley, named Texas Commissioner of Education by Gov. Rick Perry in 2004, has resigned her position effective July 1. In a letter this week to supporters after it was learned that she would not be reappointed by the governor, Neeley said she was sorry for the "sudden departure," adding that she thought she would have "much more time" in the position. A replacement has not yet been named. Neeley was serving as superintendent of the Galena Park ISD when she was chosen by Perry as the state's public education commissioner. In her position at the Texas Education Agency, she oversaw the more than 1,000 school districts and approximately 200 charter schools in Texas. "I leave this office sooner than I originally had hoped but with my head held high because of the enormous strides we have made in public education," said the state's first female Education Commissioner. ERS, TRS divestment in Sudan orderedThe Employees Retirement System (ERS) and the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) must divest financial holdings in companies doing business in Sudan, after Gov. Rick Perry this week signed SB 247 from the 80th Legislature. Saying Texas is "setting an example for the rest of the nation," Perry noted that the Sudanese government is responsible for mass genocide and other inhumane attacks on its own people. Texas becomes the 17th state to have adopted divestment policies. As a result of passage of the legislation, the State Comptroller's Office will compile and publish a list, to be updated quarterly, of prohibited companies. ERS and TRS will then give written notice to companies recognized as actively participating or linked to genocide, and provide a timeline for companies to discontinue business with Sudan. The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2008. Murdock nominated to head U.S. Census BureauThe man who for years has been counting heads in Texas may soon be counting heads nationwide.
Steve Murdock, Texas state demographer, has been nominated by President George W. Bush to become director of the U.S. Census Bureau, to replace current fellow Texan Louis Kincannon. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Murdock would face the nation's next census in 2010. As the state demographer, Murdock oversees the State Data Center, which networks 45 university, state, regional and city agencies that provide demographic and socioeconomic information from throughout the state. It also provides state population estimates. Murdock also chairs the Department of Demography and Organization Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Public Policy, and is a research fellow with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. Previously named one of the 50 most influential Texans by Texas Business, Murdock has authored nearly a dozen books and more than 150 articles and reports relating to future demographic and socioeconomic changes. He holds a Ph.D. in demography and sociology from the University of Kentucky and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. SPI hosts successful local government seminar
Billy Hamilton, former Deputy Comptroller pointed out that (excluding the new bond funding) local governments spend approximately $77.1 billion annually. "It's definitely an extremely large market place," Robert Stluka (right), director of local government consulting for SPI, pointed out repeatedly throughout the afternoon. The seminar included segments on what vendors need to know to plan and execute successful "go to market" campaigns, how to connect with decision-makers, influencers and stakeholders, finding critical information for early identification of opportunities and how marketing and visibility can differentiate a vendor from others. Local government executives Bob Space and Randy Barker were on hand to discuss obstacles vendors and service providers sometimes face in dealing with local governments. Every segment of the seminar featured former city, county and state government officials, many of whom are now SPI consultants and executives. Hamilton's keynote address – "What's Keeping Local Government Officials Up at Night" – described state government's impact on local government budgets and procurement, and he discussed new legislation that may impact local governments. "We will be offering more state and local government seminars in Austin in the near future," Nabers said. SPI launched a National Programs division last year and one part of the new division includes training at all levels of government – local, state and federal. "Dave Moss leads SPI's National Programs division and says the SPI team is currently scheduled for seminars throughout the United States. "Most of our training seminars are totally customized for particular clients, but we plan to hold a few that are open to representatives from any company," Moss said. TOP PHOTO: SPI President and CEO Mary Scott Nabers and SPI Senior Consultant Roy Hogan greeted participants before making their presentations at this week’s SPI seminar for vendors who sell to local governments.BOTTOM PHOTO: Among the speakers for SPI's "How to Do Business with Local Governments" seminar were (from left) Billy Hamilton, former Texas Deputy State Comptroller, Bob Space, purchasing agent for Williamson County and Randy Barker, purchasing supervisor for the City of Round Rock. Jordan new Tech School of Medicine regional deanDr. Richard M. Jordan has been named regional dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine's Amarillo campus. He will be responsible for academic, research and clinical administration of the campus School of Medicine activities. Jordan will take over as the campus prepares to increase the number of medical students it serves when the El Paso campus is operational.
Jordan currently serves as chief of medical services at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center and as chief of the Division of Endocrinology at James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. A professor of medicine at the university, he also is associate chairman for postgraduate education of the Department of Medicine. Dr. J. Rush Pierce, who has served as interim regional dean for the past 14 months, will assume the role of regional chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in Amarillo. Hutchison, Brady bill benefits teachers, public servantsTeachers and other public servants whose Social Security benefits are cut because they earned retirement from a substitute system such as the Teacher Retirement System would benefit from legislation filed in the U.S. Congress by Texans Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rep. Kevin Brady. The bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and replace it with a formula that provides equal treatment to public servants for the years they contributed to Social Security. It would return some $8 billion to workers impacted today. Hutchison called the legislation "the next step toward ensuring comprehensive Social Security benefits for all Americans." Brady said it will allow those who paid into Social Security to keep the Social Security they earned. "If you earn two pensions, you should receive two pensions just like everyone else," he said. Currently, a worker who has had jobs covered by both Social Security and a Social Security substitute has up to $340 per month docked from his or her Social Security check. The new bill would increase the benefit for more than 800,000 workers now affected by the WEP. Giddings named S. African Honorary ConsulState Rep. Helen Giddings (pictured) of Dallas has been commissioned as the South African Honorary Consul in Texas by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and its U.S. Ambassador to the United States Barbara Masekel. Giddings is the only consul to hold the assignment since apartheid's end in 1994.
The eight-term House member celebrated her new position with a party at the Dallas African-American Museum. Attendees included various elected officials, arts supporters, civic and community leaders, friends and family. Giddings' appointment highlights her years of involvement in the improvement of South Africa via trade, cultural exchanges and stronger bonds with the United States. Students to have access to online classesGeography will no longer be a barrier to student exposure to Texas' top teachers and classes. Online courses will soon be accessible to the state's more than 4.5 million public school students thanks to Senate Bill 1788. The Texas Legislature settled on a plan to make public and charter school teachers and university professors as close as the click of a mouse, meaning students can take extra classes or retake courses they failed the first time. It will also allow homebound students to more easily access quality schooling and give military families stationed out of state the ability to maintain ties to Texas education. Texas' 300,000 home-schooled students can participate for a fee of up to $400 per course. Guard adds volunteer unit to Medical BrigadeThirty-eight nurses, physician assistants, paramedics, police officers, medical services coordinators and a trauma surgeon from the Permian Basin area were sworn into the Texas State Guard as it added another volunteer unit to its Medical Brigade earlier this month.
In the accompanying Guard photo, Maj. Gen. Christopher Powers (left), of San Antonio, commanding general of the Texas State Guard, and Brig. Gen. Marshall Scantlin, Texas State Guard Medical Brigade commander, stand at attention during a portion of the ceremony inaugurating the Midland Medical Response Group. High school athletes face random steroid testingRandom steroid testing for Texas public high school athletes will become standard operating procedure beginning this fall. A bill mandating the testing was recently signed by the governor. The University Interscholastic League plans to test 20,000-25,000 of the state's approximately 740,000 student-athletes for $3 million. A randomly selected pool of 30 percent of the state's 1,246 public high schools will be selected for testing. Athletes testing positive for steroids will receive a 30-day suspension from sports. Failing the test a second time will result in a one-year ban, and the third strike will result in the athlete's permanent prohibition from competition. The UIL is looking for labs to perform the testing and a contract is expected to be arranged by mid-July. Goodfellow expansion will have economic impactThe November expansion of San Angelo's Goodfellow Air Force Base could bring more than $3 million each year to the city's economy. Growth in the base's intelligence-training program is predicted to bring 60 permanent staff positions and a rotation of 250 to 400 Air National Guard trainees per year. Each Goodfellow student is expected to introduce $25,000 into the local economy. The new squadron will more than compensate for the approaching absence of the base's Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, which employs 11 staff members and teaches approximately 400 students per year in shorter courses. The four- to six-month training program is expected to be fully functional between 2009 and 2011. Texan nominated for Secretary of the ArmyFort Worth's Preston M. "Pete" Geren (pictured) this week was introduced at his nomination hearing by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. Geren has been nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of the Army.
"He's a proven leader, and the Army needs his depth, his experience and his commitment," said Cornyn in his remarks. Geren is a former four-term member of the U.S. House of Representative and is currently serving as Acting Secretary of the Army. In 2001, he was named Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Acting Secretary of the Air Force and Acting Secretary of the Army. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and the UT Law School. 'Managed lanes' on tap for Houston freewaysPaying to drive on "managed lanes" may mitigate some of Houston's gridlock within the next 10 years. The Texas Department of Transportation plans to add lanes in both directions on the Gulf Freeway for those willing to pay a traffic-volume-based fee to pass other cars. Though the project won't be completed until 2017, managed lanes are under construction on the Katy Freeway. The lanes are predicted to reach from FM 518 in League City to downtown, and will cost approximately $5 million per mile to build. The roads will probably use the EZ Tag so drivers don't have to stop at toll plazas. The toll fee is electronically deducted from a driver's pre-paid balance each time he or she drives though a toll plaza. Huge 290 expansion could be in worksA massive expansion of U.S. 290 may be in the works by the Texas Department of Transportation thanks to the 41 percent population growth expected in portions of the highway's corridor between the years 2000 and 2025. Three public hearings will be held next month to determine what to do with the 38-mile corridor stretching from the I-10 and Loop 610 interchanges to FM 2920 near Waller. Ideas include three general-purpose lanes in each direction on proposed Highway 99/Grand Parkway; three-lane frontage roads in each direction; a four-lane, two-way toll road along Hempstead Highway; and bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start on the proposed Hempstead Highway toll road by 2011, while work on the I-10-Loop 610 area could begin sooner. UT-Arlington considering research facilityThe University of Texas at Arlington is considering constructing a $30 million research facility off Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie that would permit engineers to see how full-size bridge beams perform during earthquakes. Land for the structural-testing site was donated and is located approximately 11 miles east of UT-Arlington. It would include 53,000 square feet for testing and an additional 31,000 square feet for faculty, staff, students and professional organizations. Clients would be global concrete firms seeking to examine structures under actual-load conditions. Project financing remains in the planning stages, but is projected to proceed from fundraising rather than bonds. A construction target date has not been established. Angelo State names transition teamAngelo State University has chosen 11 transition team members to assist with changes that will result from ASU leaving the Texas State University System on Sept. 1 to become part of the Texas Tech University System. The team will assist with issues relating to the budget, technology and athletic issues, facilities planning, institutional research, fundraising, personnel, university policies, publications and ASU Web sites.
The members are Chair Sharon Meyer (pictured), vice president for finance and administration; Don Coers, vice president of academic and student affairs; Rich Beck, associate vice president of academic and student affairs; Doug Fox, associate vice president and chief information officer; Angie Wright, assistant vice president for finance and administration; Denise Brodnax, controller; John Russell, director of facilities planning and construction; Rhonda McClung, director of development; Skip Bolding, risk management specialist; Shirley Morton, coordinator of advancement and university relations; and Preston Lewis, director of news and publications. Schools facing mandated safety trainingLast week, the governor signed a bill into law requiring safety training for coaches, students and sponsors at every Texas public high school involved in University Interscholastic League activities. Approximately 6,000 school officials will receive training on safety regulations, costing the school districts approximately $300,000. Training will include identification of the indications of concussions, head and neck injuries, emergencies related to second impact syndrome, asthma attacks, heat stroke, cardiac arrest and injuries mandating defibrillator use. The bill also requires the provision of special lanes for emergency vehicles to have easy access to sports fields. The Texas Education Agency will oversee the program, certifying those who complete the course for two years. The bill is not binding on private schools. Burke reappointed to Port of HoustonJimmy Burke has been reappointed to a fifth term on the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) Commission. The Deer Park resident and former nine-term Deer Park mayor has served on the commission since 1999.
Burke chairs the PHA's community relations committee, which includes optimizing opportunities for small businesses in the community - a significant role considering Houston's status as the tenth largest port in the world. Previous posts held by Burke include 13 years of city council service, and serving as a board member for the Texas Municipal League, the National League of Cities and the Small Cities Council. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and worked in manufacturing for Shell Oil Co. for 35 years. DPS troopers inspect commercial vehiclesTexas Department of Public Safety troopers inspected 6,051 commercial vehicles from June 5-7 on behalf of Roadcheck 2007. Twenty-seven percent of the vehicles inspected were placed out of service for equipment violations and 259 drivers were removed from service due to inappropriate safety standards. Roadcheck is conducted annually from Canada to Mexico and was created to curb commercial vehicle highway fatalities through improved automotive safety. The program is run by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which reports a reduced rate of commercial vehicle crashes in North America since its inception in 1988. Vehicle violations included 1,123 trucks needing a brake adjustment, 922 with brake-system problems, 188 with tire or wheel issues and 273 with light malfunctions. Driver infractions involved false log violations, suspended or expired licenses, improper endorsements, drug or alcohol violations and 42 seatbelt violations. When vehicles pass inspection they receive a CVSA emblem exempting them from examination for a 90- day period, unless possessing an obvious safety problem. Smith County gets update on jail proposalSmith County Sheriff J.B. Smith (pictured) says he needs more jail beds than the 1,100 recommended by a jail and master planning firm. The county has had a hard time selling taxpayers on approving construction of a new jail and the proposed master plan recommends an 1,100-bed facility adjacent to the current jail downtown.
The planning report also recommends a new $77 million courthouse and a $13.5 million parking garage. The existing courthouse could be remodeled for $6.25 million and used as a law enforcement center. Harris County toll fees likely to increaseOver the next two decades, Harris County's toll fees are likely to increase by more than 2 percent annually to pay for road maintenance and construction of six toll segments valued at $4.4 billion. Improvements involve expanding the Hardy Toll Road to downtown and the Sam Houston Tollway into northeast Harris County, turning the Hempstead Highway into a toll road, creating the second segment of the Fort Bend Parkway, attaching toll lanes to Texas 288 and constructing the Fairmont Parkway. The immediate implications of the toll increase involve drivers paying 25 additional cents by summer's end, which would increase revenue by an estimated $65 million over 12 months. During non-peak hours, rates on the Westpark Tollway will increase from $1 to $1.25. During the peak hours of 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., drivers will pay $2.50. TxDOT Web site makes paying tolls easierPaying tolls on Texas roads just got easier with the creation of www.TxTag.org. The Web site allows customers choosing the Pay by Mail option to manage their toll invoices and create a TxTag account, which decreases toll fees by up to 33 percent.
The Web site is significant because of the copious construction of toll roads created recently. Last year, 57 miles of toll roads were opened in Dallas, Forth Worth, Tyler and Central Texas. By the end of 2007, some 22 more miles of tolls are expected to open in the Austin area, as well as another segment of Tyler's Loop 49. Bus could run from Arlington to Fort WorthBus service from Arlington to Fort Worth may become a reality in October if the Arlington City Council approves the plan. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, commonly called "The T," would provide service for the one-year contract. The six-ride-per-day schedule would benefit the estimated 50 percent of Arlington's residents who work outside the city. Predictions of potential passengers riding from Arlington to Fort Worth each day are approximately 140. The fare each way would be $1.25. Arlington residents have voted against public transportation three times in the past; however, officials say the potential contract isn't the beginning of a bus system - just an effort to be environmentally friendly and efficient. Some are concerned, however, that Arlington's affluent residents will be the beneficiaries of the proposed plan instead of the poor who tend to work in Arlington and thus don't need the system. Strike to fill position at Carroll ISDDr. Lowell Strike has been named Assistant Superintendent for Student Services at the Carroll ISD. Strike currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Northwest ISD.
Strike brings nearly three decades of education experience as a teacher, principal and central office administrator to his new job. The district created the new Student Services division to increase customer service and support campus principals, parents and students. Strike will supervise and evaluate campus principals, oversee technology, athletics and extra-curricular programs, handle parent and student discipline issues and serve as the central office liaison to the PTO and Booster Club. Strike holds a bachelor's degree from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and a master's and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He previously served in administrative roles in the Brownfield, Bryan and Katy school districts. |
Voters to decide fate of 16 amendments in November
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Facing proposals ranging from "letting the sun shine" on state government to abolishing statewide the county office of Inspector of Hides and Animals, Texas voters will go to the polls Nov. 6 to decide the fate of more than a dozen proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. The amendments are the result of legislation that passed during the recently completed 80th Legislature. Rarely does a Texas legislative session go by without passage of one or two - or in this case 16 - joint resolutions that seek to amend the constitution. Since the Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876, lawmakers have put 615 proposed amendments on statewide ballots. However, through the close of the 79th Legislature in 2005, only 439 of those proposals were approved by voters, while 176 were defeated. While it may seem like a long time until November, with 16 constitutional amendments on the ballot, Texas voters may need that much time to study each of the propositions and make educated voting decisions. [more]Cy-Fair bond proposal largest in school's historyA recommended $807.1 million bond issue for the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is the largest in the school's history. It would provide for new schools, buses, technology and renovation work at several existing schools and facilities in the next five years.
Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent David Anthony (pictured) is looking at expansions that will accommodate 115,000 students in the ever-growing district. At the end of this school year, the student population in the district was more than 92,000. "If we don't build it, they will still come," said Anthony of the burgeoning student population. Bludau new superintendent at HalletsvilleJoAnn Bludau, who has been superintendent of the Sweet Home ISD for the last eight years, has been hired to fill that same position in the Halletsville ISD. She replaces Joe Patek, who is leaving Halletsville to become assistant superintendent in the Aransas County school district in Rockport. Bludau will begin her new job in July. During her eight years in the Sweet Home district, Bludau also served as a school principal and teacher. Some no-pass, no-play exemptions to endSome exemptions to the 'no-pass, no-play' laws will soon be coming to an end. The long-standing law requires that public school students must maintain a 70 grade average in their courses to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities. Many schools have been taking advantage of exemptions that were allowed for "advanced" classes. However, some of those schools exempted dozens of classes they were calling "advanced," when they were determined to be non-academic. The new law allows for the exclusion only of advanced placement or honors classes in core academic subjects. The new law could sideline many students from participating in sports and other extracurricular activities. Houston ISD could face $1 billion in repairsHouston ISD officials are weighing their options over whether to ask district voters to approve a bond issue in November to make needed repairs at campuses throughout the district. A recent analysis estimates that repairs, renovations and replacement of many of the district's buildings could cost close to $1 billion.
In the past decade, HISD voters have approved close to $1.5 billion in bonds to renovate existing structures and build new ones. HISD Superintendent Aberlado Saavedra (pictured) said he will roll out a comprehensive plan in August related to facility needs. Because the district's population has been dwindling in recent years, Saavedra said his plan could include recommendations to close some schools with small student populations and merge them into new facilities. McCormick to head Brazosport College programSusan McCormick was recently appointed director of the new Associate Degree Nursing Program and Health Professions Division at Brazosport College. She is responsible for forming the foundation of the program, scheduled to start in fall 2008. Program graduates will be qualified to take the national test to become registered nurses, which works with the college's master plan to add a Science and Technology Corridor, fostering growth in cutting-edge health science programs to fulfill community workforce needs. McCormick's employment background involves such settings as cardiology, critical care and cardiovascular surgery. Before joining Brazosport, she was professor of nursing at Wellmont campus of King College School of Nursing in Kingsport, Tenn. She holds a master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Guard participates in Operation EndeavorThe Texas, Nebraska and Czech Republic State Partnership Program brought members of the Texas Army National Guard and the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic to rural West Texas recently to engage in cooperative training exercises as part of European Command's Country Campaign Plan. Known as Operation Endeavor, the two-week event has taken place three times in the last three years. It included nuclear, biological and chemical treatment triage training in cases of mass casualties and classes on weaponry and urban combat. The joint training is significant because the Czech Army is an essential NATO ally for the United States in the global war on terror. TAMU-San Antonio campus timeline alteredThe timeframe for Texas A&M University San Antonio becoming an independent university was set back last week by the governor's veto pen. The bill would have lowered the number of students necessary for status as a free-standing university from 1,500 to 1,000 and permitted universities to count all students, not just full-time students. This would have allowed the creation of Texas A&M-San Antonio by this fall or spring. The veto puts the school back on its original timeline of breaking ground in 2009. Mossman named Region IV Superintendent of YearClear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Mossman (pictured) has been named the 2007 Regional IV "Superintendent of the Year" by the Texas Education Agency. The Region IV Education Service Center area includes more than 50 school districts and seven counties along the Texas Gulf Coast area.
Mossman will now compete with other regional winners for the State Superintendent of the Year award, which will be presented during the annual Texas Association of School Boards and Texas Association of School Administrators conference in September. The regional award is the second "Superintendent of the Year" award for Mossman, who also recently earned that honor from the Texas Computer Education Association. The first female superintendent in the district, Mossman took over that role in the CCISD in 2003. Harris County facing nearly $1 billion bond issueA bond issue that Harris County officials originally thought would be in the neighborhood of $500-$600 million could be closer to $1 billion. With the county's adult jails and juvenile detention facilities already declared by state jail inspectors as understaffed and overcrowded, county officials are facing the possibility of having to build a new $245 million, 2,500-bed jail and booking area and a $110 million juvenile detention center. Other projects on the drawing board in the county are a $100 million Family Law Center and a $100 million Medical Examiner's Office. Another $76 million might be sought to renovate the former adult jail for use of part of the facility as a juvenile detention center. An $84 million expansion and renovation of the current courthouse is also under consideration, as is a new $94-$97 million courthouse. Frisco approves local bond salesSale of more than $44 million in general obligation bonds has been approved by the city of Frisco for construction and upgrades to fire stations, park improvements and land acquisition, road work and a regional performing arts center. Most of the bonds are part of a nearly $200 million bond issue approved last year by voters. The $2.6 million for a joint arts center project among the cities of Frisco, Allen and Plano was part of that bond issue. Williamson County seeks highway agreementWilliamson County officials this week applied for a multi-million dollar highway funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The application comes on the heels of the Hays County Commissioners Court choosing not to cancel its contract with TxDOT. In November, Williamson County voters approved $276 million for improvements to state highways and county roads. The TxDOT agreement was not a part of that voting package; however, officials allocated a portion of the funds to a pass-through financing arrangement with TxDOT. Hays County's compact with TxDOT involves $133 million in reimbursements for $172 million in road projects. Unless the county is able to convince TxDOT of its ability to complete the construction projects promptly, the money won't necessarily be awarded. Gentzel resigns as S&S school superintendentBill Gentzel, who has served as superintendent of the S&S school district since 2001, has resigned his position, effective Aug. 31. S&S serves the cities of Sadler and Southmayd and rural areas of Grayson County. An educational consulting firm has been hired to conduct a search for a new superintendent.
Gentzel began his career in education as a teacher in Perryton and later was named principal and then superintendent. Dr. Wayne King, former superintendent of Howe ISD, has been named interim superintendent until Gentzel's replacement is hired. Three new SFA regents appointedThree persons have been appointed to serve on the Board of Regents at Stephen F. Austin State University - Carlos Z. Amaral of Plano, James Hinton Dickerson, Jr. of New Braunfels and John R. "Bob" Garrett of Tyler. All three will began serving their terms this month, with their terms to expire on Jan. 31, 2013. Daly named Sugar Land assistant city managerFormer Greenville City Manager Karen Daley has accepted the assistant city manager job in Sugar Land, effective July 2. She will oversee human resources, information technology, administrative services and finance. Daly began her public service career in 1985 with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, eventually becoming assistant to the executive director. She later served as assistant to the city manager for the city of Arlington and assistant city manager in Longview. She took on the city manager position in Greenville in 2003. SPI announces job opportunitiesFederal expertsStrategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) has immediate needs and is conducting a search to find subject matter experts with a high level understanding of the Federal Government procurement process. To apply, please e-mail a resume and cover letter explaining your background and qualifications to jobs@spartnerships.com and type "Federal" in the subject line. K-12 and local government consultantsSPI has additional needs for individuals with well-established credentials who are interested in assisting its consulting teams throughout Texas. SPI has immediate openings for subject matter experts who can assist part-time in the K-12 education arena in Texas. SPI also is seeking part-time consultants who have strong connections to local government in the state, particularly the San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston areas. To apply for these part-time 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 (either) K-12 Consultant or Local Government Consultant" in the subject line, or for more information, send an e-mail to the same address. Hospital consultantsSPI is seeking individuals with well-established credentials, healthcare industry expertise and strong connections and relationships at hospitals throughout Texas who are interested in assisting its consulting teams. To apply for this part-time consulting position, please send a brief cover letter and a copy of your resume to J. Lyn Carl at jcarl@spartnerships.com and put "Application for Hospital Consultant" in the subject line, or for more information, send an e-mail to the same address. Recent Reports
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Texas Government Insider ArchivesVolume 1 - 5 Archives · 11/7/03 - 6/7/07 Resources
Grant will buy equipment to protect ERCOTA $172,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be used by the Taylor Police Department to purchase anti-terrorism equipment to provide protection to facilities of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The funds, part of the Buffer Zone Protection Program, are dedicated to assist local law enforcement in equipment purchases that will help them protect key infrastructure and resource sites. ERCOT, with offices near Taylor, operates the state's electric grid and manages the market for 75 percent of the state. The equipment purchase will be used to help prevent terrorists from conducting surveillance or launching attacks at high priority critical infrastructure targets such as ERCOT. The funds will be used for planning activities and equipment additions and upgrades, with the equipment also eligible for use in the community and the region. Spring Branch looking at $596 million bond issueReplacement of five elementary schools is part of a $596 million November bond issue being studied by officials of the Spring Branch ISD. Cost of the school replacements will be more than $105 million, with system upgrades of more than $360 million planned as well as more than $100 million for renovations and improvements throughout the district. System upgrades would include new roofs, heating and air conditioning systems, gutters and flooring, while other expenditures would be for replacement of buses, $39.2 million in technology needs and $7 million for increased security measures. Elkhart ISD hopes third time's the charmAfter back-to-back bond failures that would have included construction of a new elementary campus, officials of the Elkhart ISD are again considering going to voters for approval of projects within the district. This time officials are looking at construction of a new high school campus, which would allow relocating the middle school to the current high school and expanding the elementary into the current middle school campus. That, say school officials, would provide for classroom growth, parking areas and gymnasiums. A recent survey of district residents showed they were more amenable to the construction of a new high school than an elementary school. Roberts sole finalist for Commerce superintendentMike Roberts has been named the lone finalist for the superintendent's spot in the Commerce ISD.
Roberts is currently superintendent of the Sinton school district, where he has served in that capacity since 2001. Taking over the reins of the Commerce district will be a homecoming of sorts for Roberts, who earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University-Commerce. Alice names five city manager finalistsThe city of Alice is looking at five finalists to fill the city manager position there. The five include Scott L. Albert of Garland, current interim city manager Ruben Maldonado of Alice, Oscar E. Ramirez of Laredo, Florence Sauceda of Marfa and Albert Uresti of San Antonio. Albert has 17 years of experience in city government, including being a city administrator in Celina, Fairview and Springtown. Maldonado is a former human resources director for the city of Alice. He is also a former city manager and a former school superintendent. Ramirez has served as South Texas Development Council of Governments Homeland Security/Emergency Management Senior Planner since 2002. He has also served Laredo as recycling program coordinator and water quality investigator. Sauceda is a former Marfa, Taft and Del Rio city manager and held an administrative position with the city of Corpus Christi. Uresti currently works with a public relations firm in San Antonio, but has city manager experience in both Pearsall and Pleasanton.
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San Antonio to host BRAC-related procurement fairThe city of San Antonio's Office of Military Transformation, in conjunction with Bexar County, the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other community partners, will host a procurement fair for all local businesses seeking to bid on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)-related contracts. The fair will be on Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. This one-day event will feature one-on-one meetings to connect pre-qualified small businesses with federal procurement professionals and prime contractors seeking to meet their small business contracting goals. Attorney General's Office hosts fatherhood conferenceThe Texas Attorney General's Office is hosting a national conference on "The First Nine Months of Fatherhood: Paternal Contributions to Maternal and Infant Outcomes" August 20-21 in Houston. The conference is designed to present a sampling of the emerging research findings on the impact of paternal involvement and promising field practices. Legislative and policy staff, Health & Human Services/Administration for Children & Families administrators, health, social science, and public policy researchers, public agency administrators and others are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.oag.state.tx.us/conferences/fatherhood/. |
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"We are stunned that the governor would remove half of the state support for the health insurance for our faculty and administrators," said Dr. John Pickelman (pictured), chair of the Board of Directors of TACC. "With this veto of essential funding, the governor has fractured the historic relationship between local communities and the state."
Strategic Partnerships Inc.'s "How to Do Business with Local Governments" seminar in Austin this week was hailed as highly successful by both participants and SPI executives. While one participant called the seminar "very informative," comments of "excellent," and "exceeded my expectations" also followed the half-day seminar.
The group is known as the Midland Medical Response Group, which joins six statewide medical response units that will aid local authorities with medical needs during crises. The Midland group will focus its efforts on emergencies in West Texas.
Smith says the jail population already has been more than 1,000 inmates on numerous occasions and if the jail construction for an 1,110-bed facility were started today, it would be out of compliance by the time it is completed in three years.
"This is part of our plan to keep Texans moving and provide quality customer service," said Phillip Russell, turnpike division director of the Texas Department of Transportation.
