Former State Representative for TX HD 27 Sends Appreciation Note To Community Supporters--

Chron: FBISD Proposed School Closings Hot Topic!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7374443.html

As Bond-Debt Election Time Approaches: See this George Scott Report On An Often Used Strategy In Selling The Latest & Greatest

See:

http://georgescottreports.com/2011/01/09/galveston-superintendent-larry-nichols-hero-must-be-elmer-gantry-his-stunt-on-taks-the-chronicles-wickedly-incompetent-education-reporting-give-false-picture/

--Didn't this tactic sound familiar? Perhaps because a similar effort was tried here in FBISD a few months ago. Does anyone remember the "Texas Projection Measure" (our magic solution to low tests scores)?

We will update this as the need arises!

FBN: Behind The Scenes Of School Board Campaigns (or how does the superintendent always get his board)--follow the link below for more--

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2011/01/06/49801

(exert)...I agree that the community needs to know that Board members are able to work together; however, the community also wants to see respectful debate, discussion and occasional dissenting votes.

As a presidential candidate once said, “If we both (all) agree on everything, then only one of us is doing the thinking.” Basically, we can disagree and still be agreeable. The community needs to know that their School Board is acting as a system of “checks and balances” and that any superintendent is not just being given “carte blanche” to do whatever he or she wants.

Now for the irony I promised. The same anonymous friend (mentioned earlier) advised me that he had recently been contacted by a prominent member of the current Board, who attempted to recruit or encourage him to become a candidate in the upcoming BOT election, thus fueling speculation that there may be an open seat, should an incumbent decide not to seek re-election. The call was received prior to the holidays. In any campaign, such advance notice provides a significant advantage to the forewarned candidate.

Such strategies are not unique to FBISD. During recent training, we learned of another Texas school district that has a tradition of the retiring incumbent resigning his seat in mid-term, so that a preferred replacement could be selected, giving the appointee a tremendous advantage in the upcoming election.

It will be nice to see a day when such strategies are no longer employed and the average citizen had just as even a chance of winning as any other candidate...

UPDATE OF EARLIER WATCH RELEASE:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2011/01/06/49809

Good News, According To One Current Trustee

This has been cut/pasted from current FBISD board member Jim Babb's facebook website:

"Jim Babb For FBISD: To all who have been concerned about the possibility of FBISD building a Global Science & Technology Center structure (GSTC); I have good news. Although I do not speak for the Board and am not at liberty to reveal details at this time, it will NOT be built without another public Board vote, mandating its construction. AND I don't see that happening."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Babb-For-FBISD/272950882709?ref=nf

Nothing was mentioned about the $20-30 million dollars the superintendent was setting aside for this project or whether or not it would be released for use on other much needed campus based projects. No original source is mentioned either in the release and the public should be concerned about the other BOT members who have supported this spending project during several budget short-falls, severe RIFs and increased debt but for now this is good news!

MORE:

Closed meetings being used to evaluate criteria and assessment of superintendent-

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2011/01/04/49763

Happy New Year! --See District Calendar Below--

Date/Event

Jan. 10 School Board Meeting
Jan. 17 Martin L. King Day - Holiday
Jan. 24 Budget Workshop
Jan. 24 School Board Meeting
Feb. 14 School Board Meeting (FIRST DAY TO FILE FOR BOT & LOCAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS)
Feb. 21 President's Day - Holiday
Feb. 26 Education Foundation Gala