Prayer returns to Cy-Fair ISD board meetings
Board President Darcy Mingoia said the board received general counsel advice in a closed session after Thursday's board workshop on the subject of opening meetings with prayer instead of a moment of silence. Cy-Fair ISD has been opening its meetings with a moment of silence for nearly a year.
“The superintendent has recommended a change to the board’s recent practice of utilizing a moment of silence,” she said. “Based on the update guidance, the board will now begin its meetings with an opening prayer from a volunteer from one of our local faith-based leaders."
CFISD introduces new administrators
Tomicka Williams was introduced as Post Elementary School’s new principal after serving as Lee Elementary School’s assistant principal since 2010. She replaces Missy Kilday, who retired in June.
Rashad Godbolt was introduced as Alternative Learning Center-East’s new principal after serving as Cypress Creek High School’s assistant principal and associate principal since 2007. He replaces Laurie Snyder, who retired in June.
Cesar Diaz was introduced as Reed Elementary School’s new principal after serving as Bane Elementary School’s assistant principal since 2015. He replaces Kandy Bond, who accepted a position with Fort Bend ISD.
Superintendent Mark Henry also introduced new Chief of Police Eric Mendez to the board Monday night. He continues a 27-year career in law enforcement, most recently serving as Chief of Police in Austin ISD. Mendez replaces Chief Alan Bragg, who retired in June after 45 years in law enforcement.
Trustees choose to purchase daily attendance credits netting Chapter 42 funding
CFISD will maintain its Chapter 41 status this year, meaning the district will not have to make recapture payments to the state. The board approved an agreement with the Texas Education Agency to purchase average daily attendance credits—if the district becomes subject to recapture—to bring the property wealth per student numbers down to a set equalized level.
Texas Education Code Chapter 41 or Chapter 42 designations are determined by property wealth per student based on weighted average daily attendance. Under the current school finance system, property wealthy districts must make recapture payments, which are redistributed to property poor districts in Texas through equalization formulas.
“Over the last few years, the rate of our property value growth has exceeded the rate of our student enrollment growth,” CFO Stuart Snow said at Thursday’s board work session.
Snow said the district’s projected equalized wealth level for the 2017-18 year is $345,484. For the district to be subject to recapture, that number would have to exceed $514,000 or the district would have to adopt a maintenance and operations tax rate above $1.06, he said. The current M&O tax rate is $1.04, and an election would be necessary to raise it above $1.06.
At Thursday’s board work session, Snow explained that student enrollment growth would need to increase by nearly 8,000 students and the property values would have to jump from the current $52 billion to more than $79 billion before the district would be subject to recapture. He projects this will not happen until 2026-27.
CFISD board votes to hire a new chief internal auditor
After closed session discussion on Thursday and an interview with trustees Mingoia, Tom Jackson and Debbie Blackshear, the board unanimously voted to hire Blake Legler as the new chief internal auditor. He has been with the district for four years and most recently served as assistant director of bond fund accounting.
Students return to school Aug. 28
About 116,000 students will head back to classes Monday, Aug. 28. New student registration takes place on all campuses this week, Aug. 15-18. Bridgeland High School and Wells and Hoover elementary schools will open for the first time this year. Additionally, a replacement campus for Matzke Elementary School will open, and 57 renovation projects that took place over the summer will be completed.
Board elections set for Nov. 7
The board unanimously voted to approve an election order calling for a Nov. 7 election for positions No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 on the CFISD board of trustees. The trustees who currently serve in those seats, John Ogletree, Bob Covey and Don Ryan, publicly announced their re-election campaign.
