Q: What is your biggest goal for FBISD in 2017?

Our No. 1 goal is to continuously improve teaching and learning. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment for all students.

Big decisions made in 2016

  • Bond programs progress Anne Sullivan Elementary School—part of Fort Bend ISD’s 2014 bond program—opened in Sugar Land in August. The district broke ground on Elementary School No. 48 and Middle School No. 15 in Missouri City in August.
  • EDGE program launched Briargate and Ridgemont elementary schools were rated “improvement needed” by the Texas Education Agency for the 2015-16 academic year, requiring the district to craft campus improvement plans for each school. FBISD also started a new program at these schools called Educators Dedicated to Growing Excellence, or EDGE.
  • Career and technical education center FBISD approved $59.4 million in funding a 65-acre location for the future James Reese Career and Technical Center, which will open in Sugar Land for the 2018-19 academic year.
  • Fort Bend ISD The 2015–16 -2016-17 school board, from left to right: (back row) Dave Rosenthal, Jason Burdine, Grayle James, Kristin Tassin, Superintendent Charles Dupre, (front row) KP George, Jim Rice, Addie Heyliger.[/caption] Detachment petition rejected Parents in the Shadow Creek Ranch master-planned community in Pearland petitioned to detach from FBISD and join Alvin ISD. The petition was opposed by FBISD in September due to what the district called a disproportionate loss of tax revenue. The petition was dropped before AISD could vote.

Top issues for 2017

  • District of Innovation FBISD will continue working toward achieving District of Innovation status, which can give the district more flexibility when adhering to state education mandates. FBISD trustees said in November that an attempt to repeal the law creating districts of innovation could be proposed in 2017.
  • New schools ES Nos. 48, 49 and 50 are scheduled to open for the 2017-18 school year. ES No. 49 and 50 are located in Harvest Green and Grand Vista, respectively, in Richmond. ES 48 is located in Missouri City. The school district will finalize attendance boundaries for the schools in 2017.
  • SB 507 funding FBISD will seek either state funding or legislative guidance for implementing SB 507, which calls for the installation of security cameras in special education classrooms if requested by a parent. FBISD said in February that it would cost about $4 million to install cameras districtwide and $1 million annually to maintain the devices.
  • School funding FBISD has pledged to advocate for improved public education funding in 2017 after losing a lawsuit against the state in May. School leaders have appealed to the community to contact state representatives in support of increased education funding.