|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another Texas tollway controversy brewingTxDOT proposal could result in fees on existing interstates
As the state faces increasing traffic and dwindling resources for new highway construction due in part to over-reliance on gas taxes, TxDOT officials are looking for creative and innovative ways to put more money into state transportation coffers not only for new construction, but also for never-ending maintenance of existing roadways.
Five of state's best vie for Superintendent of YearFive Texas public school superintendents have been named state finalists for the Superintendent of the Year award presented annually by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The award has been in place since 1984 and honors a Texas superintendent for excellence and achievement in educational leadership. The winner will be named Saturday, Sept. 29, at the annual TASB/Texas Association of School Administrators Convention in Dallas. This year's finalists include (photos below, left to right): Sandra Mossman, Clear Creek ISD; Joseph Burns, Kirbyville CISD; Donald J. Stockton, Conroe ISD; Tom Bailey, Olney ISD; and Richard A. Middleton, North East ISD.
The five finalists were selected from a list of regional winners, all of whom were interviewed by a state selection committee earlier this month. The interviews focused on such issues as staff support, program evaluation, financial challenges, advocacy and the role of a superintendent as a change agent. School boards from any of the more than 1,000 school districts in Texas were eligible to nominate their superintendent. Those names then went to a regional selection committee which presented one nominee per region to the state selection committee. The five finalists were chosen from the 17 regional winners. [more]Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
This week's salute is to Linda Fernandez, manager of the Texas Tomorrow Funds, State Comptroller's OfficeCareer highlights and education: I have worked for the state for over 30 years and loved almost every minute of it! I have been fortunate to work for a number of talented and innovative individuals who both mentored and guided my career and made my work productive and interesting. While attending The University of Texas at Austin, I worked for Lyda, Boyd, Starr and Wilson, a public accounting firm. My state career began at the State Bar of Texas in 1973 where I served for 16 years beginning as a Special Revenue Accountant and ultimately serving as the Director of Accounting. I worked as the Financial Manager for the newly created Texas Lottery during program start-up. The next 15 years were spent at the Department of Information Resources where I served as Chief Financial Officer. In May 2007, I began working for the Comptroller as Manager of the Texas Tomorrow Funds. What I like best about my job is: Educating Texans is critical to our state's future and its ongoing success. Being a part of the Texas Tomorrow Funds, a program that has helped so many people attain a higher education, is something that I find extremely rewarding. To date, approximately 175,000 individuals have participated in the Texas Tomorrow Funds, which include the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan and Tomorrow's College Investment Plan. The Texas Tomorrow Fund II, a new plan that will assist Texans in saving for college expenses, was established during the last legislative session by House Bill 3900. It will be available beginning Sept. 1, 2008. Watch for more information from the Comptroller's office on this plan. The best advice I've received for my current job: Never accept the status quo - there is always room for improvement. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Read! Read! Listen! There is a lot to learn about the various programs and legislation. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: I love riding my Cannondale Bad Boy bike! I recently rode in my first long distance bike ride out in West Texas. While I love the hills of Austin, it was great riding on flat ground! People would be surprised to know that I: am a tomboy, having grown up with three brothers, all of whom played college football. I am a big fan of high school and college football. Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: I just returned from Europe and it was incredible to study the history and realize what a profound and lasting impact a single individual can have on history, such as Napoleon or Winston Churchill. 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. Simmons named TxDOT interim executive director
On the same day that they named Simmons to the interim post, the Commission members began interviewing candidates for the executive director slot, but have not set a time frame for selecting a new person to head the agency. Simmons began his career with TxDOT in Houston in 1983 as a project manager in the Northwest Harris/Waller Area Office. After becoming a licensed professional engineer, he began to work his way up the executive ladder in the Houston District, being named deputy district engineer there in 1993. He became Fort Worth district engineer in 1988, serving on the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The new interim director earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Houston. He has served on the civil engineering advisory boards for both the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Arlington. Moreno TABC's new Chief of Enforcement
Moreno holds a bachelor's degree from Pan American University in Edinburg and has been awarded a Master Peace Officer Certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. TABC Administrator Alan Steen called Moreno a "dedicated public servant" who worked his way from an entry-level agent trainee to lead the enforcement division. "I am excited to have his help leading our agency to new heights and proud that he has chosen to dedicate his career to TABC and to the people of Texas," said Steen. DPS to step up traffic enforcement for holidaySummer's last hurrah - the long Labor Day weekend - will once again bring out thousands of state troopers and local law enforcement officers who will be closely monitoring traffic in an attempt to prevent motor vehicle accidents and traffic-related fatalities. They will be paying particular attention in their efforts to ensure drunk drivers are not on the roadways. The Texas Department of Transportation's "Drink. Drive. Go to Jail." campaign will double the number of troopers and officers on Texas highways as part of a national mobilization effort. Anyone who needs incentive for not getting behind the wheel while drinking should know that a conviction for first-time DWI offenders can include a fine of up to $2,000, loss of driver's license for up to a year and up to 180 days of jail time. TxDOT director moving to mobility authority
Burford has been with TxDOT since 1977, with a brief stint in the 1980s working for Travis County. An engineer with more than 30 years of experience, Burford helped develop the region's toll program. Mike Heiligenstein, executive director of the Mobility Authority, said Burford will be a "critical member" of the CAMPO organization because of his previous relationships with the Federal Highway Administration, TxDOT and local government. While at TxDOT, Burford served as Director of Maintenance, Director of Engineering and Surveying Systems and District Design Engineer. Arriaga, Day named to Real Estate CommissionAdrian Arriaga of McAllen and Chris Day of Jacksonville have been named by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Real Estate Commission, which regulates and licenses real estate brokers and real estate salespeople. The terms for both will expire Jan. 31, 2013. Arriaga is owner of a real estate and investment firm and is the former chair of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Education Committee. He is national director of the National Association of Realtors, committee chair of the Texas Association of Realtors and a member of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute Executive Committee. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Texas A&M University. Day is a partner in a Jacksonville law firm. He is past president of the Cherokee County Bar Association and Jacksonville Lions Club. Additionally, Day is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Jacksonville Economic Development Advisory Board. He earned his bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin University and his law degree from Baylor University. Heldenfels appointed to Higher Ed Coordinating Board
Heldenfels is a member of the Associated General Contractors of Texas and is a senior advisory director of Frost National Bank of Corpus Christi. He is a member of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi President's Council. Heldenfels earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. TPWD budget includes additional money for parksThe more than $405 million budget recently approved for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department includes additional park funding approved by the Texas Legislature. That funding will allow for more than 200 new employee positions at state parks across the state. The parks funding also includes money for new equipment as well as for repairs and updates at existing parks. The funds may allow some parks to reinstate tours and programs that were cut previously because of dwindling funds and loss of staff positions. The budget includes $26 million for a new East Texas fish hatchery and for additional game wardens. More than $53 million will be available for grants for city and county parks and other programs. Wood to serve Prepaid Higher Education Tuition BoardDonald E. Wood of Odessa has been appointed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board, which administers the state's tax deferred college savings plan. The board consists of six appointed members, two each of whom are appointed by the governor and lieutenant governor and two of whom are appointed by the lieutenant governor on recommendation of the House Speaker. Wood was recommended by House Speaker Tom Craddick. The board administers the state's prepaid higher education tuition program and they administer the state's tax deferred college savings plan. The programs assist Texas students with funding their college education. Wood is secretary-treasurer and director of Southwest Energy Distributors, Inc., and president of Permian Enterprises, LTD. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. Hood selected UT-Arlington VP for human resourcesJean Hood (pictured), who currently serves as vice president for human resources at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, has been named the new vice president for human resources at the University of Texas at Arlington. She will begin her new role at UT-Arlington on Sept. 24.
Hood boasts more than 20 years of human resources experience in higher education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Lesley College, the Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives from Harvard Law School and a program on Mediation of Legal Disputes, J.A.M.S., from Endispute Mediation Services in Boston. She is a certified senior professional in human resources by the Human Resource Certification Institute. She is also a member of the Northeast Human Resource Association and the Society of Human Resource Management. She served as associate vice president for human resources at the Rhode Island School of Design, a position she held since 2001. Prior to that, she was associate dean for human resources for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. TWDB selects Water Conservation Advisory CouncilTwenty-three members have been appointed by the Texas Water Development Board to the Water Conservation Advisory Council. Newly appointed council members and the interest group they represent include: Bill Billingsley, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Gary Walker, Texas Department of Agriculture; Cindy Loeffler, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Richard Egg, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board; Comer Tuck, Texas Water Development Board; C.E. Williams, regional water planning groups; Steven Bednarz, federal agencies; Karen Guz, municipalities; Luana Buckner, groundwater conservation districts; James Parks, river authorities; Ken Kramer, environmental groups; and Wayne Halbert, irrigation districts. Also H.W. "Bill" Hoffman, institutional water users; Carole Baker, professional organizations focused on water conservation; Vivien Allen, higher education; Wilson Scaling, agricultural groups; Karl Fennessey, refining and chemical manufacturing; Greg Carter, electric generation; Gene Montgomery, mining and recovery of minerals; Kelly Hall, landscape irrigation and horticulture; Ken Peterson, water control and improvement districts; and Donna Howe, municipal utility districts. Members are charged with monitoring trends in water conservation and new technologies; monitoring the effectiveness of the statewide water conservation public awareness program; developing and implementing a state water management resource library; developing and implementing a public recognition program for water conservation; monitoring the implementation of water conservation strategies by water users included in regional water plans; and monitoring target and goal guidelines for water conservation to be considered by the TWDB and TCEQ. Three new members for Social Worker Examiners BoardThree new members of the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, the nine-member board that regulates the social work profession in the state, were appointed this week by Gov. Rick Perry. Jody Anne Armstrong of Abilene is retired as program director of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and earned her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech and her master's from Our Lady of the Lake University. Denise Pratt of Baytown is a family law attorney in private practice. Pratt is a member of the American and Houston Bar associations, and the State Bar of Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law. Mark Talbot of McAllen is an attorney in private practice. He is a member of the Federal and Hidalgo County Bar associations and the State Bar of Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. UH creating endowed chair in biomedical imagingAided by a $1 million gift from the John S. Dunn Research Foundation, the University of Houston will create the John S. Dunn Chair in Biomedical Imaging Sciences, to be filled by a scientist who will lead research initiatives at the university and assist with the Institute for Biomedical Imaging Science (IBIS). The institute is a research partnership among UH, the Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College.
"Today, imaging sciences require the involvement of high-caliber professionals from a range of disciplines, including physical scientists, life scientists, computational scientists, engineers, radiologists and pharmacologists," said Donald J. Foss (pictured), senior vice president for academic affairs and provost for UH. Biomedical imaging includes such procedures as MRI and CAT scans and other advanced technologies, from molecular imaging to nanotechnology to computer science. Officials hope the program will help develop Houston as a national center for work related to imaging. The John S. Dunn Research Foundation supports biomedical research and education that benefit Texans primarily in the Greater Houston area. UT-Tyler names Wickham to advancement staff
Wickham will be charged with developing a planned giving program that offers opportunities for current and potential donors to give gifts to the university through their estates. A certified fundraising executive, Wickham holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He is president-elect of the Dallas chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Lewis to serve UT-Arlington as VP for communications
While at the University of Miami, he managed all aspects of communications and marketing, from guest visits by such notables as President Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama, and also managed crisis communications as numerous major hurricanes impacted South Florida and the university's campuses. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He will begin his new job on Sept. 17. Cities try to beat deadline on red-light camera contractsAlthough the Baytown and Southlake City Councils recently agreed to contract with red-light camera providers, just when the cameras will be put into action is still up for debate. In Baytown, Interim City Manager Bob Leiper (left) said contracting for the system does not mean it has to be installed just yet.
A new law from the 80th Legislature set a Sept. 1 deadline for cities to enter into agreements with providers of the red-light cameras or face stricter regulations if they contract after that date. Thus many cities are trying to at least enter into contracts by that date. Under some scenarios, the cities would not be out any money for the systems, as they pay for themselves - collecting a part of the fine issued to motorists who run red lights and have their license plates photographed by the camera system. Other cities may pay a monthly per-camera fee. Southlake Mayor Andy Wambsganss (right) said his city will not install the cameras anytime soon either. Given the Sept. 1 deadline, Wambsganss said the city is simply trying to preserve its options regarding the use of the cameras. The Beaumont City Council this week approved contracting for the red-light cameras, as did the city of Amarillo. And Houston is installing an additional 20 cameras at intersections already monitored by the camera system, which allows them to issue citations for motorists traveling in both directions at those lights. Elsewhere around the state, Brownwood city officials this week tabled action on contracting for red-light cameras, Nederland City Council members approved a contract and the city of Seguin said no to installing the cameras there. Arlington ISD advertises for new superintendent
Bernd leaves AISD after a 10-year stint with the district. He plans to attend law school. McKinney rolls out welcome mat for 'green' business
According to MEDC President David Pitstick (pictured), a recent report recommended that because the area already has businesses that manufacture environmentally friendly building materials, adding more will allow the area to market itself as one that supports environmentally friendly building. McKinney is the second-fastest-growing city in America and the report notes that its ability to attract residents can be furthered with an environmentally friendly business base. Mendez named Ector County ISD interim headHector Mendez, who has previously been serving as temporary superintendent of the Ector County ISD, has been promoted to interim superintendent. He is replacing former Superintendent Wendell Sollis. He will serve until a new superintendent is chosen. Lampe leaving UTSA for A&M System
Lampe, a graduate of Texas A&M University and a registered architect, has served in the UT System for 31 years. Twenty of those years were as assistant director for planning and design at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Texas law enforcement agencies to share $4.3 millionMore than $4.3 million in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice will be shared by law enforcement agencies in Texas to support equipment and infrastructure needs that will enable them to protect the public and fight crime. The funds come from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, which was established to aid local and state law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies and organizations, the amount they received and the purpose for which the funds will be used include:
In addition, the city of Longview received a $165,553 grant under the DOJ's Partners in Prevention program to support community policing activities. Argyle ISD turf issue could stymie bond passageOfficials in the Argyle ISD are trying to rally support for a two-proposition, $20.75 million bond election in November. However, they admit that the proposition seeking $800,000 for field turf could be a hard sell. The remainder of the bonds would support renovations, future facilities preparation and improvements at existing facilities. It is expected that if this bond issue passes, voters in the district could face another bond vote in May 2009 for $39 million to construct the schools that would be planned and designed with money from passage of this year's bond. Proposition one for $18.5 million includes $3 million for renovations and $15.5 million for land acquisition and preparation for future campuses. Proposition two is for $2.25 million and includes the turf, $300,000 for renovations to the stadium, $150,000 for band furniture and instruments, $500,000 for technology that includes computers, printers, projectors, screens, etc. and $500,000 for transportation, including five new buses. Multi-purpose arena on agenda for Gregg County
Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt (pictured) has established a financial advisory committee to study the capital improvement projects and establish the five-year plan. The county's reserve fund has almost quadrupled in five years, because of expanded sales tax revenue, increased property values and an oil and gas boom. Commissioners have identified in previous meetings a host of projects that would involve partnerships with other entities, including highway safety and widening projects with the Texas Department of Transportation. Rice research center to help predict storm impactPrediction of damages that could be caused by flooding from tropical events such as storms and hurricanes and their impact on the Gulf Coast is the goal of the Rice University Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster Center (SSPEED). The center is hopeful to be able to provide information to emergency personnel to help improve on evacuation and sheltering plans as storms are identified. As the center studies a storm surge model for Houston, it eventually should be able to use that information and data from the National Hurricane Center to estimate rainfall and determine what highways in the city are likely to flood. The center is a partnership with seven other universities, local government and businesses. A $500,000 grant from the Texas Medical Center and the Houston-Galveston Area Council led to the startup of the center. Officials will ask $3 million in funding from the 81st Texas Legislature when it convenes in 2009. UT Health Science Center garners $5 million donation
Dr. Francisco Cigarroa (pictured), president of the Health Science Center and a transplant surgeon, said the new chair will point out the "lifesaving benefits" transplant surgeons can provide. The $5 million will be split up in $1 million pieces to create a Distinguished Chair in Transplantation, an Excellence Fund in Transplantation Biology, an Excellence Fund in Oral Health, an M.D./Ph.D. Excellence Fund and an Excellence Fund in Medical Humanities and Ethics. Cost of Smith County jail referendum up to $125 millionAfter months of wrangling over location and size, the Smith County commissioners court earlier this week finally called a more than $109 million November bond election for a new jail. The facility will feature more than 1,100 beds with the capacity to add more beds in the future. In a last minute decision, commissioners came back and added $15 million to the jail bond referendum, bringing the total bond amount to $125 million. Commissioners said the additional money would cover the costs of a new office building to house the offices that would be displaced by the new jail. If the referendum passes, the new jail tower will be located on property just to the west of the existing downtown jail. A low-risk wing will be constructed behind the existing jail. Bryant lone finalist for Clarksville superintendentPam Bryant (pictured), who has been serving as interim superintendent of the Clarksville ISD, has been name lone finalist for the position to replace former Superintendent Joe Oliver, who resigned in May.
Oliver boasts a 31-year career with CISD, beginning as a sixth-grade math teacher in 1977. She later was named Gifted and Talented Program facilitator and teacher and then moved to Special Programs facilitator. She also has served as a school principal in the district and Federal and Special Programs administrator. She was named assistant superintendent in 2006, in charge of federal programs, staff development and technology. Bryant holds a bachelor's degree from East Texas State University and two master's degrees from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Willacy County's 'tent city' detention center to expandThe 2,000-bed detention center in Willacy County that houses illegal immigrants will soon be expanding. County commissioners recently approved the sale of bonds for the expansion, adding $50.1 million to the county's debt for the facility. The new 1,000-bed addition will make the facility the nation's largest. To facilitate the expansion, the county approved a refinancing plan for the $60.6 million "tent city" portion of the detention center that opened last year. Officials say increasing the size of the facility could create 200-250 jobs. Additionally, the federal government pays the county $78 per day for each illegal immigrant housed in the facility. Some $48 of each $78 payment will be used to retire the debt. Kephart to work at Baylor Advanced Research InstituteJim Kephart (pictured) has been named director of program development for the newly created Baylor Advanced Research Institute (BARI). The BARI's mission is to strengthen Baylor's research environment by providing new research opportunities for faculty, student internships and graduate faculty funding to help meet the scientific challenges of the future.
Kephart will work toward bringing new research opportunities with industry and government to Baylor students and faculty. He will also lead an effort to provide businesses with the personnel, training and infrastructure needed for financially stable, high-growth business. Before coming to Baylor, Kephart worked for Universities Space Research Association, managing NASA's $600 million Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy development program. He also served as the U.S. Air Force Doctrine and Operations Chair, German General Staff Officer College in Hamburg, Germany, and managed several large-scale Department of Defense programs. He holds bachelor's degrees from Central Washington State University and a master's from Webster University. San Angelo prepares for projects from tax revenueThe City of San Angelo Development Corporation's next half-cent sales tax project will be a mile-long street extension. Corporation officials are hopeful the bids for the project don't rise significantly over time, as they have on other projects such as improvements to the city coliseum, renovations to the convention center and renovation of a multi-sport athletic complex. Rising construction costs have caused officials to put off some projects. Fortunately, rising sales tax receipts have helped offset some of the overruns on current projects. In 2009, the corporation plans creation of a trail system, construction of a treatment plant and pipelines for a groundwater supply and improvements to city parks and sports and recreation venues. Razzaghi to head up UT-Pan American library
Razzaghi, who has been a member of the UTPA staff since 1990, is originally from Iran but has called Texas home for more than three decades. She will oversee 58 professional and support employees and the overall daily operations of the library facilities, budget, personnel, services and collection. The new library director holds a master's and Ph.D. from Texas Woman's University. Community health centers share $7.1 million in fundsThirteen community health centers in Texas will share $7.1 million in federal funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The centers are intended to provide assistance to those who cannot afford medical care or don't have health insurance or for those in areas where there are few hospitals and doctors to serve them. There are 63 of these clinics in Texas. The funds are part of a $2 billion FY 2007 appropriation to support the Health Center Program. Individuals who use the clinics pay based on their ability to pay. In addition to the grants for the clinics, the Heart of Texas Community Health Center in Waco received $77,772 to start a new clinic. Clinics receiving grants and the amounts are:
Topliff promoted to associate dean at WTAMUAfter serving as professor of animal science and head of the West Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture for nearly 10 years, Dr. Don Topliff (left) has been promoted to associate dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering. Dr. John Pipkin (right), professor of animal science and director of the university's Equine Industry Program, will serve as interim head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences.
Topliff taught and conducted equine research at Oklahoma State University before coming to WTAMU. As associate dean, he will assume some of the workload of Dr. Jim Clark, dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering. Topliff holds a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University, and a master's and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Pipkin has served on the WTAMU agriculture faculty for 14 years. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University and his Ph.D. from Texas Tech. New city hall part of Cedar Park bond issueConstruction of a new city hall is one of the four bond propositions voters in Cedar Park will face on a November ballot. The city council recently approved putting four issues before voters. They include the $19.1 million city hall proposition, a $36.2 million streets and roads proposition, a $17.9 million parks and recreation proposition and a $7.8 million public safety proposition. Highway, recreation projects eyed in New Braunfels
Projects total approximately $17.5 million, and include $94,000 for purchase of right-of-way on a project to widen Texas 46 as well as a number of other infrastructure projects. Another $2.5 million is dedicated for improvements to the city's skate park, improvements to a city athletic field, playground renovations and improvements to the city golf course. Also included is a new fire station, with $2.2 million dedicated to construction of the facility and $800,000 for equipment. Six-year revitalization plan cited by San Angelo ISDA six-year cycle of revitalization of campuses within the district has been announced by the San Angelo ISD. One of the revitalization plans is strictly for the Central High School, while the others include three or four campuses per year. At the end of the sixth year, the cycle will begin again - resulting in every campus having renovations and repairs every seven years. The first two years of the plans, including work at the high school, would cost approximately $50 million. El Campo's Northside Education Center director leavingIrene Barr, executive director of the Northside Education Center in El Campo, has resigned her post at the center, effective in September. Northside provides area residents with credit college courses, continuing education courses and workforce development training. The organization partners with Wharton County Junior College and the University of Houston-Victoria to provide these educational services to all age groups in the community. Barr will return to the public schools, where she last was head counselor for the El Campo High School. She will now serve as associate principal at Foster High School in the Lamar Consolidated School District. Northside is a distance-learning center that hosts numerous adult education programs and workforce training seminars. Get your free copy of the Texas Government InsiderThe Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, or if you would like to sign up your friends or co-workers to receive a free copy, click here. |
Security firms inundated with demands from educational campuses
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. In light of recent tragic occurrences, student security is a critical concern at every educational campus. Gone are the days when school safety measures focused on hiring school crossing guards or increasing the security detail on university campuses. In our world of high tech, schools can choose from hundreds of security options. The reality is, however, that there are many fronts to be covered when it comes to campus security. Danger can lurk in dozens of areas and covering it all becomes extremely costly. The Katy ISD will implement a pilot program next month to provide e-mail alerts called "Stranger Danger" to parents in targeted locations. Subscribers to the service will receive e-mails about suspicious activity that has been reported. The notification service will be part of the district's online Parent Center that distributes campus information. [more]'Selling to Government' workshop in Austin Sept. 12 A&M selects Calvin interim vice president for research
Calvin joined TAMU's statistics department in 1991 and served as professor and department head. He was named executive associate vice president for research in 2001. He will begin his new assignment this week. Friendswood ISD voters to decide $99.4 million bondVoters in the Friendswood ISD will face a nearly $100 million bond election in November that includes a $45.7 million new junior high school and improvements and upgrades district-wide. The bond proposal will be in three propositions: $91.1 million for improvements throughout the district, a new junior high and auditorium and conversion of a junior high into an early childhood center; $6.5 million for a new natatorium; and $1.8 million for upgrades to the football stadium. Texas students outscore national average on SATTexas students in public and private schools scored better than the national average on the SAT college entrance exams, according to the Texas Education Agency. Texas' senior class of 2007 buoyed its ranking by earning increased scores on the math and critical reading sections of the test. Writing scores fell both in Texas and nationally. "More Texas students than ever before are college bound. It's a positive sign that more students took the college entrance test in 2007 than did in 2006 and they are earning higher math scores," said Robert Scott, acting commissioner of education. The results on the SAT are similar in Texas to those reported earlier this month on the ACT, another college entrance exam. Texas students had higher scores on that test as well, although it covers reading, English, math and science. Fifty-two percent of the Texas students in the Class of 2007 took the SAT, compared to 48 percent nationally. San Angelo ISD seeking assistant superintendentApproximately 20 applications have been received by the San Angelo ISD for the assistant superintendent positions being vacated by Joanne Rice, who will retire at the end of the semester. School officials hope to have a successor named before the end of the semester so the applicant can cross-train with Rice before she leaves. Rice is one of two assistant superintendents in the district. She has more than 35 years experience in education, the last 23 of which have been spent in San Angelo. She has served the district as a teacher, assistant principal, director of mathematics, principal, assistant superintendent and interim superintendent. She leaves the SAISD to become an education consultant. Rice's position oversees curriculum and instruction, the athletics department, technology and staff development. City of Temple bond issue includes parks, aquaticsResidents in the city of Temple will face a $9.75 million bond election in November that addresses parks and recreation projects in the city. The bond election will include a $4.1 million family aquatics center, a $1.9 million indoor pool, $350,000 in improvements to the golf course, $1.6 million for the city recreation center expansion and $475,000 for a spray park. Officials decided not to include proposed fire department projects with the parks proposition, but expect they could instead be on a May 2008 referendum in the city. New Braunfels ISD awarded Dept. of Education grantA Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative grant of more than $1.7 million has been awarded to the New Braunfels ISD by the U.S. Department of Education. The funds will allow the district to promote healthy childhood development while preventing violence and substance abuse. The grant, which likely will be renewed annually over the next three years, will allow the school district to initiate programs and services that target the development of social skills and assist students in handling peer pressure that could help them avoid drug abuse and violent behavior. Big ticket items ahead for residents of BoerneAn increase in taxable values has left the city of Boerne able to make capital improvements without asking taxpayers for a tax increase. Among the items planned in the upcoming year are a $7 million public safety center, $3 million in expenditures for park land, $650,000 to expand the downtown fire station and $300,000 for design work for a new library. Smith named Clear Creek's new superintendentAlvin ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith (pictured) has been named to take over the superintendent's post in the Clear Creek ISD. He will replace former Superintendent Sandra Mossman, who announced her retirement in July. Smith will start as the new superintendent in late September.
Smith began his education career as both an elementary and junior high teacher. He is a former Clear Creek executive director and was principal of the Pearland High School and three Galveston ISD schools. Prior to his six-year affiliation with the Alvin schools, Smith served as deputy superintendent in the Pearland ISD. He holds a bachelor's degree from Oakland University, a master's from the University of Houston at Clear Lake and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Dickinson task force pushing $107 million bondA citizens facility task force has recommended a $107 million bond election in the Dickinson ISD. A successful bond election would allow the district to expand the capacity of the high school, add new science labs, build a new elementary school, administration building, transportation center and ag-science facility. The bond would also seek $10 million for maintenance needs and school buses and another $5 million could be dedicated to land purchases. Some $11.5 million would address athletic projects such as dressing room additions, tennis facility renovations, football stadium additions and improvements to the baseball stadium, press box and stands. School officials this week decided to postpone for at least a week their decision on whether to call the bond election. Construction, renovation
|
 |
|
BioTexas Summit slated Sept. 24-25 in AustinThe fourth annual BioTexas Summit, co-sponsored by the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, will be held Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 24 and 25, at the Sheraton Austin Hotel. This year's summit, Vaccines and Global Health Issues: All You Never Wanted to Know about Vaccines and How One Could Change Your Life, will be highlighted by keynote addresses by Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and Mauro Ferrari, professor at the Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Registration for the summit ends on Thursday, Sept. 20. The focus of this year's summit is vaccine development and global health and it will also feature panel discussions. To view the agenda, click here. To register, click here. Executive Women in Texas Government sets conferenceCommissioner Hope Andrade of the Texas Transportation Commission and Claudia Stravato, executive director of Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle, will be keynote speakers for the upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government 21st Annual Professional Development Conference. The conference will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. During lunch, attendees will hear from businesswoman Linda Larsen on "The 7 Principles of Powerful Persuasion: Mastering the Art of Getting to 'Yes!'" Other activities during the conference will include a silent auction, more than two-dozen exhibits and numerous networking opportunities. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the EWTG scholarship program. There also will be some 30 workshops that will provide participants with opportunities for hands-on learning and development of leadership skills for multiple career levels. The 2007 Woman of the Year presentation and reception will begin at 3:30 p.m. The conference is open to all professionals and is designed for those who work in Texas government at all levels or those in affiliated organizations that support the purposes of EWTG. For more information, click here. To register, click here. TDA to celebrate with Centennial FestivalIn the spring of 1907, the 30th Texas Legislature created the Texas Department of Agriculture. TDA this year will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a two-day Centennial Festival celebration. The events, most of which will be held at the Fort Worth Stockyards, will kick off Friday, Sept. 14, with a reception and gala. Other events include a fun run and breakfast, cooking demonstrations and a centennial concert featuring country western star Clay Walker. For more information and to view the full agenda for the events, click here. Biodiesel Coalition of Texas hosts conference, expoMore than 70 exhibitors will be on hand for the annual Texas Biodiesel Conference and Expo, hosted by the Biodiesel Coalition of Texas (BCOT), scheduled for the Renaissance Hotel in Austin on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 5-6. Leaders in the biodiesel industry will discuss commodity trading, biodiesel marketing, regulatory, economic development strategies and tax incentives. Dr. Perry McNeil, mayor of Denton, will deliver the keynote address. The conference provides networking opportunities for industry leaders, regulators and interested end-users. To view the conference schedule, click here. For more information and to register, click here. TARC Conference on Regionalism set in SeptemberThe 2007 Texas Association of Regional Councils' Conference on Regionalism is set for Sept. 5-7 at the Omni Southpark Hotel in Austin. Among the confirmed speakers for the annual event are: Texas State Sen. Kirk Watson; Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples; Dr. Ray Perryman, president of the Perryman Group; Texas State Rep. Mike Krusee; Austin Mayor Will Winn; and Billy Ray Hall, founding president of the Rural Economic Development Center. Some of the discussion sessions will center on topics that include school emergency preparedness and response, critical infrastructure protection, recycling and waste minimization and statewide interoperability. To view the agenda for the conference, click here. Exhibitor registration ends Aug. 3. To register online to attend the conference, click here. E-records conference offered in OctoberThose hoping to reach up to 300 Texas government officials involved in the management of electronic records and compliance can exhibit at the annual e-Records Conference on Oct. 30, 2007 at the Pickle Center in Austin. Hosted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Department of Information Resources, this one-day event provides an opportunity to meet staff from Texas agencies and universities who may be interested in content and records management products and services. The cost to exhibit is $350. The agenda focuses on implementing a program for effectively managing electronic records, including e-mail, instant messaging, wikis and blogs. The featured speaker is Jesse Wilkins, who has worked in the document industry for 12 years as a vendor, user and consultant. He has worked with public and private sector clients to develop strategies, design processes and implement systems to manage electronic records, e-mail and collaboration tools more effectively. For more information and to register, click here. |
|
 |
|
Texas voters will eventually have the last word, but the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has asked the U.S. Congress to pass a law that would allow the state to buy back portions of interstate highways and make them into toll roads. The proposal already is drawing the ire of some Texas legislators and the term "double taxation" is making its way into some of their conversations.
Steve Simmons (pictured) has been named interim executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Texas Transportation Commission members Wednesday named Simmons to the position while they seek a replacement for former TxDOT Executive Director Michael Behrens, who retired effective today, Friday. Simmons has served as TxDOT's deputy executive director since 2001.
Joel Moreno (pictured), a 27-year veteran peace officer who has worked for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) since 1985, has been named the agency's Chief of Enforcement. Moreno began his career with TABC as an agent in Laredo, McAllen and Harlingen. He was promoted to sergeant and served in Houston and McAllen and was a lieutenant in Corpus Christi. He was named captain of the West Region in Odessa and then promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief of Enforcement in Austin in 2004. He began his peace officer work in 1980 with the McAllen Police Department.
Wesley Burford (pictured), who currently serves as director of Transportation Planning and Development for the Austin District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will begin his new job Sept. 1 as Director of Engineering for the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CAMPO).
Fred W. Heldenfels, IV (pictured) of Austin has been named by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which sets policies and coordinates efforts to improve higher education in Texas. His term will expire Aug. 31, 2013. Heldenfels is president and CEO of Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc.
After serving as East Texas Baptist University's director of development for five years, Larry E. Wickham (pictured) has been named Director of Planned Giving at the University of Texas at Tyler. He replaces P.J. Gary, who announced her retirement effective Aug. 31.
The University of Texas at Arlington has hired Jerry Lewis (pictured) as its new vice president for communications. Lewis has more than 20 years experience in higher education communications and marketing, the last five of which have been as vice president of communications at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. In his nearly 20 years at the University of Miami, he served as assistant vice president for communications at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and was executive director of communications for the university.
With the announced retirement of Superintendent Mac Bernd (pictured) from the Arlington ISD, school officials have officially posted the job opening. The posting was listed with the Texas Association of School Administrators a couple of weeks ago, and screenings for applicants are expected to begin Sept. 20.
The McKinney Economic Development Corp. is attempting to involve the area in a "green-building" movement, seeking to have businesses that make environmentally friendly building products move to the area.
Charles Lampe (pictured), who has served as director of facilities planning and development at the University of Texas at San Antonio for the last 11 years, has accepted the position of area manager with the Texas A&M System. He will assume his new duties Sept. 3.
With a reserve fund of $27 million expected next year, the Gregg County commissioners are looking at numerous projects that could be funded from that money as part of a five-year plan. Chief among them is the possibility of partnering with the city of Longview to built a multi-purpose arena. The multi-million-dollar arena would be used to host regional sports, fine arts and cultural events.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has received one of the center's largest gifts - a $5 million donation from the Valero Energy Corp. to create a distinguished chair for a transplant surgeon and to support transplant research and other programs.
Dr. Farzaneh Razzaghi (pictured) has been named director of the University of Texas-Pan American University Library. She has served as interim library director since 2006 and was named associate library director for research services in 2005 after former library director Lawrence Caylor retired. She also previously served as interim director in the late 1990s and was an assistant library director for research services from 1998 to 2004.
The city of New Braunfels is planning to sell certificates of obligation for a number of recreational and infrastructure projects. Most of the projects have already gone through a public hearing process, said New Braunfels City Manager Mike Morrison (pictured) and that input "has varied."
James Calvin (pictured), executive associate vice president for research at Texas A&M University, has been named to temporarily fill the university's vacancy as vice president of research. The position became vacant earlier this month with the resignation of Richard Ewing.
Marble Falls City Manager George Russell (pictured) has announced his retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2008. Russell has served as city manager since March 2002.
