Suzy Whittenon (center) accepts the TSABBA Administrator of the Year Award from TSABAA President Cecilia Whitley and Deputy Comptroller Martin Hubert.

Suzy B. Whittenton, fiscal management director for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, has been named the Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association's (TSABAA) 2011 State Administrator of the Year. The annual award recognizes a state employee who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and has made notable contributions to the administration of state agencies. First presented in 1984, the award also recognizes the recipient for innovative ideas and tenure within state government.

Whittenton has held executive leadership positions with the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in addition to her service with the Comptroller's Office. She has more than 24 years of service with the state.

"Suzy Whittenton is well known and highly regarded throughout Texas state government for her innovative and visionary leadership," said TSABAA President Cecilia Whitley. "She is very deserving of this prestigious award and we are proud to include her among the prior awardees of state agency administrators making an impact on Texas state government."

Whittenton is a long-time supporter of the TSABAA organization and a special guest speaker at multiple TSABAA events. She was presented the award during the 42nd Annual Summer Conference on July 30 by Whitley and Martin Hubert, deputy comptroller of the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Gerber resigns position as executive director of TDHCA

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Executive Director Michael Gerber (pictured) has resigned his post as head of the state's housing agency, effective Aug. 31. Timothy Irvine has been named interim chief. The resignation follows Gov. Rick Perry's moving nearly $3 billion in federal disaster and stimulus bill funding designated for rebuilding after Hurricane Ike damages from TDHCA and put it under the umbrella of the Texas General Land Office.

After three years, TDHCA still has $92 million of the $327 million it was allocated for a Weatherization Assistance Program and is scrambling to get it spent.

Prior to being named to lead TDHCA, Gerber served as an advisor in the Governor's Office of Budget, Policy and Planning, was a senior advisor in the Office of Public and Indian Housing for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was legislative assistant to a member of the U.S. Senate and special assistant to another U.S. Senator.

Spaw elected staff vice chair at NCSL legislative summit

Texas Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw (pictured) was elected staff vice chair at the recent National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) legislative summit. She will serve for 2011-2012 and then become staff chair in 2012.

Spaw was elected Secretary of the Senate in 2001. She boasts more than 30 years of public service with the state.

Spaw served on NCSL's Executive Committee from 2008-2011, and was staff vice chair of the Budget, Finance and Rules Subcommittee. She is an active member of NCSL's Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee and chaired the Professional Development Work Group in 2010-2011. Spaw holds a bachelor's degree from St. Edwards University and a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Noble, Tomlinson to retire from TxDOT at end of month           

Two Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) veterans - Dianna Noble (right), director of the Environmental Affairs Division, and Mark Tomlinson (left), director of the Texas Turnpike Authority Division - recently announced their retirements, effective Aug. 31.

Noble, who earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, began at TxDOT 27 years ago as an engineering assistant in the regional planning office in Arlington.

Tomlinson, who holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin, has spent 29 years at the agency and has led the agency's development and operation of toll road projects since 2008.

Reminder: Texans to enjoy tax-free shopping this weekend

This weekend - Aug. 19, 20 and 21 - marks the state's annual Sales Tax Holiday, a day shoppers can stock up on school supplies and clothes without the added state and local sales taxes.

This holiday, now in its 13th year, shoppers are expected to save $62.1 million, said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.

To see lists of apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax free, click here.

Grant funds available to Texas fire, EMS groups 

Texas fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations can draw from approximately $404.2 million in federal funds available in grant funds. The money is part of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

The money can be used to purchase new vehicles and equipment and to conduct training exercises. The funding is awarded directly to professional and volunteer fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations to enhance their capabilities to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. For additional information on the program, click here.

Sager stepping down as dean of UT law school

The dean of The University of Texas School of Law, Larry Sager (pictured), recently notified colleagues he plans to leave that post at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. Sager joined the UT law school in 2002 and became dean in 2006.

Sager previously served at the New York University School of Law, where he co-founded the Program in Law. He has also taught at Harvard, Princeton, Boston universities, the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Michigan.

West Rusk ISD may ask voters to approve $15 million bond package

Board members for the West Rusk Independent School District are expected to decide at their meeting on Monday whether to call a $15 million bond election.

A needs assessment committee urged the district to seek about $15 million in bonds to pay for renovations to the cafeteria, a multi-purpose events center, a new football/track stadium and a new cafeteria. Plans also call for remodeling the existing cafeteria into four or five large classrooms, restrooms and a storage area, said Superintendent Tommy Alexander. Plans also call for adding two to three new science labs to that area, he said.

A new 9,000-square-foot cafeteria with seating for 750 will replace the existing cafeteria that had room for only 472 diners, Alexander said. District officials also would like to demolish the gymnasium at the junior high school and build a new multi-purpose events center at that location.

Travis County calls November bond referendum for roads, parks

Travis County leaders recently decided to hold a $214.9 million November bond referendum for $214.9 million for roads and parks projects.

Voters will see two propositions on the ballot: $132.8 million for road and drainage projects and another for $82.1 million in parks projects.

A third proposition, which would have put $20 million toward acquisition of 800 acres in western Travis County, will likely not be on the ballot.

Pasadena Independent School District trustees recently agreed to ask voters to approve a $270.1 million bond proposal in November. If approved, the bonds will be used to pay for a new career and technical high school, three new middle schools, replacement campuses for five existing schools, technology upgrades and improvements to schools and athletic facilities.

The bond proposal calls for voters to approve funding for a sixth high school in the district, a career and technical high school with about 1,500 students enrolled in various programs, noted Dr. Kirk Lewis (pictured), superintendent. The proposal also calls for building three new middle schools to complete the district's recently adopted middle school concept, he said. The cost of the new high school and four middle schools is an estimated $101.8 million.

Replacing all or portions of five existing campuses carries an estimated cost of about $80.3 million, he said. If approved, the bonds also would pay about $49 million to upgrade 30 campuses and athletic facilities with new heating and air conditioning systems, air quality controls, security systems new roofs and a new indoor-outdoor competitive swimming pool. The district also plans to spend about $30 million for new technology, including interactive whiteboards, new laptop computers and document cameras. The bond proposal also includes $2 million to replace school buses and $5 million to buy property for future expansion.

UT Arlington selects new provost, vice president for academic affairs

Officials at The University of Texas at Arlington recently named Ronald L. Elsenbaumer (pictured) provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective Oct. 24.

Elsenbaumer, vice president for research and federal relations, will succeed Donald R. Bobbitt, who will step down to become president of the University of Arkansas System.

Elsenbaumer, who joined UTA in 1991 as chairman and director of the engineering department, holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. In his new role, Elsenbaumer will oversee all colleges, schools, research and academic programs.

Dayton seeks emergency preparedness grants for drainage projects

Dayton City Council members recently agreed that city staff should pursue additional emergency preparedness grant funding the state is expected to award in late August. The city currently is using $920,000 in grant funds for drainage improvements, but will seek more grant funding to pay for five additional projects, said City Manager David Douglas.

The drainage projects recommended by city staff working with engineers to be included in the grant application are:

• Installing 11 standby power generators at some lift stations and water production facilities;
• Extending Lovers Lane to Highway 146; Extending Cherry Creek Road to intersection with Stover;
• Providing first time fire protection to Ladd, Friery and Ross street; and
• Providing first-time fire protection for East Kay, East Flowers and East Seacamp streets.

Plans made to convert HOV lanes in DFW to tollways        

Transportation planners in the Dallas area have plans to convert high-occupancy-vehicle lanes into hybrid toll lanes that would cost drivers of single-occupant vehicles more than carpoolers.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit manages the city's 84 miles of HOV lanes, which require at least two occupants per vehicle. DART officials have estimated the change could eventually bring in an estimated $19 million a year.

Bill Meadows (pictured), a Texas Transportation Commission member from Fort Worth, supports a complete makeover of the system within the next three years. 

$1 billion renovation of Bush Intercontinental being planned

United Airlines and Houston city officials recently OK'd a $1 billion plan to renovate Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The changes - at a cost of $686 million to United and $288 million to the Houston Airport System - will turn the commuter gates into a massive terminal of wide-body airliners outside and bigger lounges and more food choices inside. The airport system is part of city government, but is run as a separate business that will not use tax money for the renovations.

The Terminal B deal was part of United's lease, which also extended United's occupancy at Terminal C to 2027 and gave up the company's rights ay Terminal D, Bush's international terminal.

Apogee gets naming rights to University of North Texas' stadium

University of North Texas officials recently announced a 20-year naming rights sponsorship agreement with Apogee for the campus' new 31,000-capacity football stadium.

Apogee Stadium, which features 21 luxury suites and a team spirit apparel store, will replace the 59-year-old Fouts Field. The $20-million deal with Apogee, a provider of residential networks for higher education, is the second largest naming-rights agreement for college football stadiums to date.

"To say we are excited to have Apogee on our team would be an understatement," said UNT Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal (pictured). 

Three finalists named to become next Blinn president

Leaders at Blinn College recently announced the top three picks for college president, a position trustees want to fill by the fall.

The trio, who were selected from 35 candidates, includes Warren R. Nichols (left), president of Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee, Harold E. Nolte Jr. (center), president of Ellis County campuses for Navarro College and Edward E. Raspiller (right), provost for Blinn's Brazos County campuses.

The finalists will attend forums, where faculty, staff and community members can ask questions of the candidates. Dates for the forums have not yet been set.

Eddie Sanchez to head major project office for TxDOT

Former Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employee Eddie Sanchez was recently named director of the new Major Project Office, effective Sept. 1.

Sanchez, who returns to TxDOT after 13 years in the private sector, will oversee the development and implementation of major projects in the Houston area.

Sanchez, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University, previously spent 17 years with the agency and served in a number of positions that included El Paso District engineer and San Antonio deputy district engineer.

UT-El Paso interim vice president of student affairs named

Officials at The University of Texas at El Paso recently named graduate and long-time employee Gary Edens (pictured) interim vice president of student affairs, effective Sept. 1. He succeeds the retiring Richard Padilla.

Edens, a 1990 UTEP graduate, has worked for the university for 21 years, most recently as associate vice president and dean of students for student affairs.

In his new role, Edens will oversee 18 student service departments and programs, 420 employees and a grant portfolio of about $27.5 million.

Chair, vice chair of VIA's streetcar commission resign

Leaders of a commission appointed to study the feasibility of urban rail in San Antonio recently resigned because the public transit authority did not consult the group about planning decisions.

Commission Chairman Marty Wender (left) and vice chairman Mike Novak (right) resigned Monday after VIA officials planned to officially pursue downtown streetcars and to commit much of five years' worth of transportation district funds to the project.

Agency officials said they did not deliberately cut the commission out of discussions and want to continue working with the group.

USDA, EPA partner to improve water systems, rural workforce

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a national partnership to improve rural drinking water and wastewater systems.

As part of the agreement, the agencies will recruit and train a specific group of people to become a new generation of water professionals.

The initiative is part of the first White House Rural Council, started by President Barack Obama, that aims to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.

UNT alumnus pledges largest gift in university history

The University of North Texas recently received a $22 million donation (pictured) from entrepreneur and alumnus Charn Uswachoke - the largest gift in UNT's history.

The money, some of which is expected to qualify for matching state funds, will be divided among the College of Music ($10 million), College of Engineering ($6.5 million) and College of Business ($5.5 million).

"I wanted to help the next generation have a better education so that we all can have a better world," said Uswachoke, who holds a master's degree from UNT. In the accompanying photo, Harry and Elizabeth Joe, Martha Len Nelson and Georgia Caraway (closest to camera) react to the announcement of the $22 million pledged gift.

TCEQ Web site offers Texans options for recycling computers

A Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Web site - TexasRecyclesComputers.org - now lists resources available to help to recycle old computers. As students start back to school and trade old computers for new ones, TCEQ is encouraging their recycling.

At the site, consumers select their computer and manufacturer from a list, and are then redirected to the manufacturer's recycling Web page. Under state law, manufacturers that sell in Texas must offer their consumers a free and convenient recycling program for personal and home-business computers.

If a manufacturer is not on the list, the Web site provides other resources. 

Port Aransas ferry projects awarded $1.5 million in grant funding 

Ten state projects were awarded more than $6.7 million in federal grants for an array of highway-related efforts, including the development of the San Antonio Trade Corridor and two Port Aransas ferry projects.

The ferries, which run between Port Aransas and Aransas Pass, attracted $790,000 for improved bulkheads and another $730,000 for the installation of lead pilings that will support new and longer boats.

The grants come through the Federal Highway Administration, which awarded a total $417.3 million for projects all over the country.

Noriega awarded brigade command in Texas National Guard

Col. Rick Noriega (pictured), former Texas state legislator and Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2008, has been named brigade commander of the 71st Theater Information Operations Group in the Texas Army National Guard.  On his new role, Noriega will oversee about 400 men and women serving in units in Iraq, Afghanistan, along the Texas border and in disaster operations.  

Noriega, who has served more than 30 years in the National Guard and Army Reserves, was most recently posted at the U.S. Army War College for one year to receive additional education as a senior-level officer.

Noriega holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a master's from The Kennedy School at Harvard University.

Dallas County hires new CIO to increase data, information efficiency

Dallas County officials recently named information technology expert Stanley Victrum (pictured) the new chief information officer, effective Aug. 22.

Victrum, who has more than 30 years of information technology experience, most recently served as CIO for the City of Fayetteville in North Carolina. He has worked in a similar role for the governments of Albany, N.Y.; Dougherty County, Ga.; and Gaston County, N.C.

Victrum, who earned a bachelor's from The Citadel and a master's from the Naval Postgraduate School, began his career with the Marine Corps in radio communications and data systems.

Two interim replacements appointed for Blinn Board of Trustees

Two new members of the Blinn College Board of Trustees were recently sworn in and will serve out unexpired terms.

Businessman David Sommer (right) takes over the spot formerly held by Steve Westbrook, who resigned last month. Sommer, a Brenham native and Blinn honors graduate, earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and retired in July.

Carolyn Miller (left), chief financial officer for the City of Brenham, will serve out the term formerly held by L.J. "Johnny" Lacina. Miller, who also earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, has worked for the city since 2005 and previously worked in the private sector as an accountant.

Taylor may ask voters to decide on demolishing former city hall

Taylor City Council members may ask voters to decide on whether to renovate and save or demolish the former city hall, a brick building built in 1935 as a Works Progress Administration project. The Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society opposes demolition because the building represents part of the town's history. The group plans to ask council to give them until Sept. 1, 2012, to raise funds to pay for renovating the building.

Council members are expected to decide on Aug. 24, whether to ask voters to approve a bond proposal asking for $3.1 million to renovate the former city hall, another proposal for $250,000 in bonds to demolish the former city hall or a bond proposal for $2.4 million to build a new city hall and demolish the old facility.

The 11,000-square-foot building on Main Street could be an attraction for the more than 400 people who attended a tour of historic homes and buildings in Taylor this past December, said a board member of the heritage group. The art deco city hall building was occupied until 2005, but is now surrounded by a fence to deter trespassers because of structural concerns. That includes shifting beams in the foundation, major cracking of walls and water leakage in the basement.

The board of directors of Arts of Collin County (ACC) recently adopted an amended budget for 2011-2012 and a plan to take the proposed 124-acre performing arts hall and art park through the next six months. During that six-month period, a consultant hired by the organization will help raise funds and negotiate a naming rights agreement for the public/private project owned by three cities - Allen, Frisco and Plano - said Bobby Baggett (pictured), president of the ACC board.

Voters in the owner cities approved $57 million in bonds for the project and private donors have pledged $10 million to pay for the arts complex. In May of this year, however, voters in Frisco revoked the authority of the city to issue its remaining $16.4 million in bonds to build the public-private project, raising questions about the future of the project. Two member cities, Fairview and Melissa, also are participating in the project.

If ACC does not meet fundraising goals and other objectives after six months, board members could decide to suspend the arts complex project, roll the project into a new nonprofit organization or liquidate and dissolve the assets of the ACC organization, Baggett said. Board members believe, however, that fundraising efforts will be successful and the arts complex will be built.

While the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) still has about $250 million available this year for grants to help hire new law enforcement officers, the federal funding that pays the salaries and benefits of newly hired officers for three years and the program are on the federal chopping block.

The COPS program has funding to pay for grants awarded this current fiscal year to law enforcement agencies, a COPS spokesman said. Grants for the next year and the COPS grant program itself may be cut as the House Appropriation Committee approved a federal spending bill with no funding provided for the COPS program. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the proposed spending bill after lawmakers return from their August vacations.

One House member argued that federal budget writers will restore at least some of the funding as the program has a record of helping police and sheriff's departments hire new law enforcement officers.

Clear Creek school district to expand advertising venues

With an eye toward raising more local revenue to cope with reduced state funding, Clear Creek Independent School District plans to expand opportunities for advertisers to include the Web site maintained by the school district and the football stadium.

The CommUNITY Education Partner Program will assume control of procuring ads for bus and stadium advertising after officials decided against using the services of a media agency to secure advertising for school buses.

Rates for the advertising will range from $500 to $20,000 for stadium advertising and $65 to $215 per month for bus ads, depending on the number and size of the ad. The pricing structure for advertising on the district Web site will be announced on Aug. 22. Last year, CCISD earned about $35,000 by placing ads on 20 of its 120 school buses. With advertising now planned for all buses in addition to the stadium and Web site, district officials set a goal of bringing in $400,000 in revenue from the expanded advertising program.

Kilgore City Council members recently agreed to pay $103,796 to buy about 32 acres of land near two parks as the site for the new Kilgore Sports Complex.

The new sports complex will feature facilities for little league baseball and soccer, said Harvey McClendon (pictured), a council member who pushed for the new facility. While plans are still preliminary, McClendon said city officials have set a goal of retaining as many trees on the property as possible. The challenge, he added, will be fitting the facilities inside the 32 acres of wooded and hilly property. The hills within the property, for instance, could be used for dugouts or to seat spectators, he said. Plans call for retaining the five existing ball fields and then adding six or seven more ball fields in the complex to accommodate older children, McClendon said.

The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, which has been setting aside about $300,000 a year to pay for park infrastructure, will pay most of the cost of the new complex.

Houston Airport System officials recently announced a new name and a large expansion of Ellington Airport that includes both public and private projects ranging from $300 million to $450 billion in cost.

Combined with the expansion, the new name, Ellington International Airport, will signal that domestic and noncommercial international flights will be able to land at the facility, said Brian Rinehart (pictured), general manager. A total of six projects expected to create as many as 600 jobs are on the drawing board for the airfield located in southeast Harris County, Rinehart said. Airport officials recently began construction on a new $10 million project that includes building a new $4 million terminal, $3.9 million tower and $2.9 million federal inspection station. The U.S. Coast Guard is building a new 100,000-square-foot, six-story regional facility costing from $50 million to $57 million. And military officials also plan a new training center, a logistics center, a battle command center and a new hangar that is expected to cost $30 million to $40 million.

A private developer also is planning a mixed-use business development on the north side of the airport. The privately funded project includes a cargo facility, warehouses, a tarmac and parking for aircraft. The project will be done in phases and be completed in about five years, Rinehart said. The $17 million expansion of the aircraft museum includes building two new hangars measuring from 30,000 square feet. Federal Aviation Administration grant funds and enterprise funds for capital improvement are paying for the public projects by the Houston Airport System, he added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently finalized a $7.5 million award to pay for repair and replacement of the marina near Port Arthur. Texas Homeland Security Department officials also must approve the award to pay for restoring various areas of the marina to their pre-disaster condition, function and capacity, said Stephanie Moffett, spokesperson for the Region VI office of FEMA in Denton.

Pleasure Island Commission officials have spent $3.5 million of FEMA Public Assistance program funds to rebuild bulkheads and replace water and electricity, but ran out of money before completing all restorations and repairs needed, said Jimmy Dike, commission director. Commissioners then requested additional funding from FEMA to complete the marina project at a total cost of $8.3 million and FEMA agreed to advance to the commission 80 percent of the 90 percent share, leaving the commission to pay 10 percent of the cost for restoring the marina and docks at Pleasure Island.

Port Arthur city officials also agreed to loan the commission that 10 percent match portion required by FEMA and the difference between the 90 percent match and the 80 percent advance. Once the project is completed, FEMA plans to reimburse the commission for the difference, Dike said.

Trustees for the Bonham Independent School District recently called a bond election in November to ask voters to approve $27.2 million in bonds to upgrade district facilities.

If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to renovate an intermediate school and Bonham High School as well as build a barn for agriculture students and improve facilities for drama and band students.

Ollie Grant (pictured), the chief appraiser of the Nueces County Appraisal District, recently announced plans to retire from that post because of health reasons.

Grant and appraisal office staff have faced criticism in the past few months following reports that agency personnel made errors in the certified tax roll for the city of Port Aransas and miscalculated homestead exemptions for the city of Corpus Christi. Appraisal district board members have not yet appointed a new chief appraiser.

Regents for North Central Texas College recently reviewed two options for campus improvements to help make a decision on whether to call a bond election in November. Voters in May rejected a proposed $32.5 million bond package calling for a major renovation of 100 existing buildings and three new buildings.

Following that defeat, college officials asked the architect to prepare two less expensive options. Option A is a $31.2 million plan including many upgrades in the original bond package, including a new health sciences center, a new student services and academic support building, new agriculture building and a major renovation of existing buildings. Option B is a $26.9 million option without the agriculture building and reduces from 47,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet and provides renovations to existing buildings, but includes a health sciences center. Regents are expecting to call a bond election for November 8 at a special meeting on Aug. 23.

University of Houston System hikes facilities budget for 2012

While adopting a $1.36 billion budget for fiscal year 2012, regents for the University of Houston System included $1 billion to the University of Houston. That funding increases by $8.4 million the facilities budget for the University of Houston main campus. The increased funding is needed to address infrastructure concerns and maintain new facilities such as the Energy Research Park, UH officials said.

Tuloso-Midway ISD mulling

$36 million bond proposal

Tuloso-Midway Independent School District trustees are considering asking voters to approve a $36 million bond proposal recommended by district staff.

The proposed bond package calls for removing mold inside the walls of eight high school classrooms, installing new air conditioning units at a primary and intermediate schools, a new baseball field, a classroom addition to the intermediate school and a performing arts center. The eight high school classroom buildings are not being used and the mold must be removed before students and teachers can return to the classroom or the walls of the mold-infested building could be torn down and replaced by the performing arts center, said Sue Nelson, interim superintendent.

La Feria building $1.25 million gym/recreation center

La Feria city officials recently approved construction to begin in October on a new $1.25 million, 17,000-square-foot gym and recreation center. The new indoor recreation center will be located on seven acres of city-owned land south of the Veterans Memorial Park and sports complex.

The project is being funded by $973,673 in grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city will need to spend only $276,327 in local funds for the gymnasium and recreation center project, said City Manager Sunny Phillip.

By winning $60 million in state and federal grants, the city will need to spend only $5.5 million on several major projects during the next year, Philip said. In addition to the new indoor recreation center, the city plans $1.12 million in improvements to the water treatment plant, $18 million for drainage improvements, $400,000 to upgrade low-income housing and a $1.09 million expansion of the library.

Simpson retiring as Fort Bend communications chief

After a 38-year career in public education, Mary Ann Simpson (pictured), chief communications officer for the Fort Bend Independent School District, recently announced she is retiring on Nov. 11.

Simpson, who joined the district in 1995, is responsible for the district's major communication programs, events and activities and oversees the Community Relations and Partnerships Department. She previously worked for the Region IV Education Service Center.

She has a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of Houston.

Hunt ISD to hire consultant

to seek new superintendent

The Hunt school board will hire a consultant to help search for a new superintendent to replace David Kelm, who will step down in December.

Kelm, who announced his resignation last month, has led the small Kerr County district for 13 years.

He decided to leave after the board decided to merge the jobs of superintendent and principal of the district's one campus, which serves about 200 children in prekindergarten through eighth grade.

Melody Johnson (pictured), the former superintendent of Fort Worth Independent School District, recently accepted a post on the faculty and as scholar-in-residence at the College of Education of Texas Christian University.

As part of her duties, Johnson will design a master's and doctorate program to prepare students to serve as superintendents, principals and in other administrative positions in education.

Irving ISD gets 1,000 new flash drives for middle school students

An Irving-based health care technology company recently donated 1,000 new flash drives branded with the school name and mascot to help students at an Irving Independent School District middle school become more automated in their studies.

The new flash drives will help students use less paper and keep the district's newest school the largest net-zero school in the country, said the principal of the Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving.

Abilene ISD may seek grant for upgrades to air-conditioning

Abilene school district officials are eyeing a new grant program that would help replace old heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, said Scott McLean (pictured), associate superintendent for operations.

To qualify for the program, which uses funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the air systems must be at least 10 years old.

Each district is eligible for $100,000 to $2 million, which can be used for projects that affect classrooms on multiple campuses.

SAISD chooses construction manager-at-risk  for projects

The San Antonio school board decided to use the construction manager at risk process - a system than allows the district to rank contractors in several areas - to select contractors for a majority of the 2010 bond projects.

Using this process, the construction manager comes into the process early and gives input during the design stage.

For four of the 23 projects, the district will select contractors using competitive sealed proposals, a one-step process than could open the field to more contractors.

Gillespie County, Fredericksburg announce shared services pact

The Gillespie County commissioners and Fredericksburg City Council recently decided to split the costs of shared services in the next fiscal year.

Each will pay $840,000 for the city's emergency medical services, fire department, health services and emergency management. They will also each pay $403,000 for the county's law enforcement center and for rural fire fighting.

Beeville officials gearing

up for overhaul of parks

Leaders in Beeville recently decided to move forward with a $3.5 million parks improvement plan that includes a skate park, youth football complex and renovations to Little League and softball facilities. The Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation will sell $3.5 million in bonds to finance the projects.

The project's centerpiece is a large centrally located park that includes a playground, water pad, picnic areas, restrooms, butterfly garden and skate park. Another big-ticket item is the $1.1 million football complex that will include two new fields, restrooms, a concession stand and additional parking.

Kaufman County expects to earn $800,000 for housing inmates

Kaufman County officials recently estimated the county should receive about $800,000 in revenue during the next fiscal year beginning October 1 for housing inmates from two other counties in the Kaufman County Jail.

According to the chief deputy in the sheriff's office, inmates from Hunt and Smith counties being housed in the county jail are earning the county an average of about $80,000 per month. Smith County is expected to continue housing inmates in the Kaufman County jail for about two years, when a new jail facility in Smith County is complete, county officials said. Even so, commissioners reduced the expected yearly revenue from $896,000 if population projects are reached to a lower $800,000 after expressing the need to be conservative.

Taylor County officials discuss repairs to Expo Center

The Taylor County Expo Center and surrounding buildings will receive about $650,000 in repairs following damage from an April 24 hailstorm, according to a recent inspection.

The Expo Center's roof and side panels as well as the entire covered outdoor arena need to be replaced. Several other buildings, including the livestock barn, concession stands and the caretaker's home also need repairs. The county will soon advertise for bids for the repairs.

Athens ISD's top pick for superintendent withdraws name

Athens school district officials were recently disappointed when the top pick for superintendent decided to stay in his current district.

That district's board members made a generous counter offer that swayed the candidate, whose name has not been released.

To fill the spot, Athens trustees can continue combing through the 62 resumes they already received, or they can restart the process.

Sullivan City preparing to hire permanent city manager

Sullivan City commissioners will soon take applications for the city manager position, which Rolando Gonzalez retired from in February. Commissioners will meet this week to discuss the desired qualifications of applicants. When finalized, the city will place advertisements. Nestor Mata has served in the position on an interim basis since Gonzales retired. He has not decided if he will apply for the permanent position. 

College Station adding ads

to buses to generate revenue

The College Station school district has sold ad space on the side of 25 route buses for about $44,000 - the price of one teaching position. Each bus of the 36-vehicle fleet could generate up to $700, with one sign selling for $350 and two others at $175 each, according to Superintendent Eddie Coulson (pictured).

The ads are sold, designed and installed by a Houston company that specializes in mobile advertisements. Under contract, that company takes 40 percent of the revenue.

Lake Travis ISD may extend search for new superintendent

Lake Travis Independent School District trustees recently agreed that finding a highly qualified superintendent to lead the district is more important than rushing the hiring process. Board members originally set a goal to replace Dr. Rocky Kirk with a new superintendent by October - before a $158.5 million bond election planned in November. Kirk resigned in July.

The decision to take more time in the search came after consultants for a search firm advised trustees that they could name a finalist for superintendent to replace Kirk by September or October. To meet that deadline, trustees would have to skip some critical steps in the search process, the consultants said. He also urged board members to appoint focus groups to gather more information on the qualities in a new superintendent that the community believes are needed in the district.