Posts published in March 2008

ALDINE— Harris Academy Librarian Dixie Allen has been named the Sam Houston State University’s Distinguished Educator of the Year for her role as a support professional in a school setting.
Allen was recognized for her outstanding contributions not only at Harris Academy but also in the Aldine school district and Texas Library Association.
“Dixie serves as a magnificent librarian at Harris Academy and has an innate love for children and literature,” said Dr. Margaret Byrd, Area Superintendent for the Carver Vertical in Aldine. “She possesses a kind, maternal nature and gracefully entwines the use of books and literature to enrich our young children’s minds.”
The awards banquet offered a grand opportunity to recognize Dixie along with the four other recipients who were recognized for their work as classroom teachers, administrators, and community support.
The entire Library Science Department was there to cheer Allen on along with her family, her Principal Kathy Bacy, retired Principal Connie Leday and her husband Frederick.
In addition, Aldine Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg and a healthy contingent from Central Office came in recognition of Dr. Jamie Bryson, Director of Financial Services, who received the Administrator Award the same evening.

By Gilbert Hoffman
NORTH FOREST– The North Forest board, in a special called meeting last Saturday, voted in a short meeting to eliminate one high school and one elementary in an effort to get the finances of the district under control. The move recognizes the fact that the student population has declined greatly in recent years, helping to create the financial burden that the district is trying to resolve.
Previously, in a dramatic meeting last Monday March 10th, the North Forest ISD school board had voted 4-3 to rehire Dr. James Simpson as the Superintendent of the district. Immediately following that vote, state TEA representatives spoke to nullify the action. The board’s vote came in spite of warnings from Texas Education Agency representative Ron Rowell that the vote was overridden by the authority of the state, and had no legal status.
Members of the board all evening had hurled criticism at the TEA and its representatives, Henry Boening and Ron Rowell, who are present in North Forest as overseers for the state TEA.

The vote was seen as a defiance of the state’s intervention in the district, which faces financial and academic problems that it might not be able to solve on it’s own. Rowell cautioned that the district had been placed on an Academic Accreditation PENDING status, which could lead to more serious sanctions and even dissolution. After tempers flared, the sides cooled and agreed to have their attorneys meet to discuss the legal standing of the vote.
However, TEA’s Rowell closed the meeting with the notice that Simpson was not the new superintendent.
At Saturday’s meeting, the parties were more cordial and cooperative. However, only 5 of the board were present. Trustees Williams and Provost were absent for the discussion and vote.
Two motions were presented, namely to combine high schools into one, and to combine Tidwell and Hilliard elementaries into one. In each case the five members present voted unanimously in favor of the recommendations that had been presented at the last two meetings by interim superintendent William Jones.
After the meeting, TEA representative Ron Rowell expressed his approval of the action. “This is a step in the right direction, although much work is still to be done.”
This was a reference to the fact that the board did not vote on any reduction of the staff at this meeting. Although Jones had presented plans for cutting up to 200 staff members in the school consolidation plans, the board preferred not to act on this item until the next meeting, which is now scheduled for Tuesday night, March 25.
In a surprise move that differed from Monday’s plans, superintendent Jones said that he now felt that the combined high school should be housed in the present Smiley High School campus, because it has more facilities and more land. However, he acknowledged that some repair work is needed to get that building ready for use, and in the mean time he feels that Forest Brook could be occupied on a temporary basis.
Assistant Superintendent Paul Johnson told the Northeast News that a rough estimate to refurbish Smiley was about $6 million, and that the construction funds from the previous bond issue had about $13 million available, so this work was feasible economically. However, this money was previously designated for Kirby middle school renovations, so more decisions are obviously due.
Trustee Albert Lemons spoke about the pressing need for one good high school, to symbolize the progress of the district, and he also suggested that one good middle school would suffice. He suggested that this might end up being housed in the Forest Brook building.
Trustees McCall and Lemons called for a new name for the high school, with input from the public and students, and to serve as a symbol of a “new beginning” for North Forest.
Asst. Superintendent Carl Williams indicated the he and TEA’s Henry Boening had determined that the district could probably recover another $2.8 million from FEMA, helping to ease the deficit that the district faces, which currently stands at about $17.2 million. A total of $9 million would then be due from FEMA, when all the paperwork is finished, Boening indicated, narrowing the deficit that the district must make up by the start of classes in August.

NORTHEAST HOUSTON– After 9 terms in office, State Representative Kevin Bailey lost his bid for re-election in the Democratic Primary last Tuesday. The newly elected candidate, who will face no Republican challenger in the general election in November, is Armando Walle.
Although voter turnout throughout the county was heavy, it was the same 22.6 percent in this district as elsewhere. In total, 8,571 voters went to the polls in District 140, according to the Harris County clerk. Walle received 4,919 votes or 57.4%, and Bailey 3,652 or 42.6%. Although Bailey led in absentee voting and was tied in early voting, Walle and his volunteers worked the polling places on election day very heavily, and came away with 63% of the votes that day. His campaign was a grassroots type, with many street walkers as well as endorsements.
Walle had the support of several prominent local democrats, primarily because Bailey had crossed party lines in the last legislative session to support Republican Tom Craddick as house speaker. On the other hand, Bailey is credited with authoring important legislation creating the improvement districts in Greenspoint, Airline, and Aldine which have proven to be important agencies for delivering services that previously were not available. These include public safety, flood control, water and sewer, environmental quality, nuisance control, education, and healthcare.
Walle is a local Aldine native, who went to MacArthur high school, where he is remembered for playing football. After graduating, he went to the University of Houston. Later he worked for several politicians, including Rodney Ellis, Carol Mims Galloway, and for six years as a staff member for Congressman Gene Green.

His campaign stressed this hometown character, as well as issues such as better public education, improved Children’s Health Care for more children (CHIP), flood prevention, and improved public safety, with an emphasis on eliminating gangs.
Walle is endorsed by many local democrats, including Gene Green, Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia, and Carol Galloway. He recently received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle.
In other races of interest to local voters, one race that will directly impact Northeast Harris County is Precinct 3 constable. Ken Jones, the incumbent, had no trouble dispatching challengers William Norwood and Randy Rush. Jones collected approximately 70% of the vote, avoiding an April runoff. Jones draws Republican Tony Lewis in the fall.
Local Congressmen Gene Green (D-29) and Ted Poe (R-2) had no primary opponents. Green will face Republican Eric Story in the fall while Poe has no Democratic opponent.
State Rep. Joe Crabb of Humble avoiding a runoff by beating fellow Republicans Martin Basaldua and David Davenport with 57% of the vote for the House District 127 seat. Joe Montemayor faces Crabb in the fall.
Diane Trautman,who failed to unseat Crabb in the 2006 race, will be the Democratic candidate for county tax collector/ assessor. She will face Paul Bettencourt in the fall.
In other offices, incumbent Tommy Thomas won a position for sheriff, and Ed Emmett for county judge. The District Attorney’s position will require a run-off.

GREENSPOINT– The monthly chamber luncheon was held at the Sam Houston Raceway Park, and this exotic setting was perfect for a special presentation of awards and recognition to a group of women that have been successful in the business world.
The Keynote speaker was Lina Lawson, national president of the American Business Womens Association, and with her twin sister Tina, the owner of a design firm in Bryan. Her talk emphasized that many of these women were ABWA members, an organization that can offer support, training, networking, and leadership training.
She also mentioned, as did many of the women in their acceptance speeches, that they had the support of a team, and spouses, to achieve their goals and success stories.
Receiving recognition at the annual luncheon were:
Sally Bradford, Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority; Ann Franklin, Elvin Franklin Insurance Agency; Christy Wussow Hawkins, ExxonMobil; Jocklynn Keville, Greenspoint District; Gigi Lee, Houston Airport System; Tera Lightsey, Houston Marriott North Greenspoint; and Marilyn Sander, ProAction Careers.