Exclusive: According To Several Reliable Sources Another Trustee Is Pulling Out Of The School Board Race!

Chron update 3-16: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/fbisd-board-incumbent-quits-reelection-bid

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/03/16/44561

FB Indep update 3-19: http://fbindependent.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=2384&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2531&hn=fbindependent&he=.com

According to several strong sources, it has been reported to FBISDWatch that the current position 7 incumbent, David Reitz, will not be seeking re-election. This leaves James Babb and Gerald Hawkins still in. As many of you know the district declared a financial emergency after 3 years of consecutive record budget deficits and nearly 1.7 billion in bond debt. Ranking it in the top ten in the state for this unwanted list. This is breaking news so we will update it as it comes in.

Update: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/03/15/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_david_reitz_315.txt

....stay tuned for more!

Chron: Richard Raymond Endorses Nina Schaefer In Fort Bend County District Attorneys Race!

Get update here: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/endorsement-schaefer

FB Star: Covers Local Municipal and School Board Elections

http://www.fortbendstar.com/031010/n_candidate.htm

and projected transportation cuts


http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/fbisd-less-bus-service-more-walking-saver

Chron: Template For Job Cuts On The Table For FBISD-

Fort Bend ISD OKs blueprint for job cuts
March 9, 2010 7:39 am Zen T.C. Zheng

The Fort Bend school board Monday night voted 6-1 to pass a resolution to declare “financial exigency,” a bureaucratic term for financial emergency that calls for immediate remedies.

It came after a lengthy afternoon workshop and an extended debate during the evening business meeting.

Daniel Menendez was the only dissenter on the board, insisting on delaying making that decision to allow for thorough evaluation of the district’s plan to trim its workforce.

The resolution was drafted by David Feldman, an attorney hired by the district who told trustees that the resolution is a blueprint for personnel cuts and is necessary before any cut is made so as to reduce the chances of costly legal hearings on employee non-renewals...

Article: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/fbisd-okd-blueprint-job-cuts

More: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/03/09/44411

Also: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/five-vy-two-fbisd-seats

From MCC: Surprising Number Of Candidates File For Mo-City Elections

http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/lenton-gary-files-against-longtime-mayor-owen-missouri-city

Mo City mayor to face opposition in election
March 9, 2010 6:47 am Karen Hastings:

Missouri City District B Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary filed Monday to challenge incumbent Mayor Allen Owen in what promises to be a busy May 8 City Council race.

By the 5 p.m. deadline, four candidates were signed up to vie for the open At Large Position 2 spot to be vacated by Councilman Buddy Jimerson.

Insurance executive Judith Dupre, 64; planner Yolanda P. Ford, 36; real estate developer Danny Nguyen, 43; and health care administrator Kevin Tunstall, 45, an unsuccessful candidate for the seat in 2008, will be on the Position 2 ballot.

Longtime At-Large Position 1 Councilman Jerry Wyatt, 62, also drew an opponent, Anthony Maroulis, 42, who listed his occupation as service manager. Wyatt is seeking his seventh term...

MCC: Rumor has it that only a week ago Owen and city manager Frank Simpson removed the planned ballot initiative to allow voters to decide if the city should adopt a universal homeowners exemption. Owen followed up with a media statement challenging anyone who didn't like it could run for office. It looks like many heeded his call.

Related:

http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/five-vy-two-fbisd-seats

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/03/09/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_mc_candidate_filings_38.txt

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/03/09/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_maroulis_files_position_2.txt

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/03/09/44402

http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/2010/03/chron-shocking-number-of-last-minute.html

FBISD Administration & BOT Continue To Point The Finger At The State For Budget Woes-

As the district elections approach, Tim Jenney and the BOT continue to point their collective fingers at the state legislature in an attempt to defer blame for the current (3rd consecutive RECORD) budget deficit. Much of which has been impacted by increased spending, record bond debt (and service on that debt) which this board approved, under Jenney, in 2007.

See chron report: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/state-blamed-school-finance-now-what

See Complete TASB Study--(YES YOU PAID FOR THIS)--

See: http://www.fortbendisd.com/Finance/documents/Challenges/TASB%20Salay%20Study.pdf

FBW: Although these information links from the "Budget Challenges" area of FBISD main site are an improvement over past attempts at transparency they are far from a school district "online cash register" that gives the public access to budget line items and details needed during financial crisis. Closer public scrutiny is warranted and desired. Many school districts in Texas utilize such a service but not FBISD currently.

The district also put out their own summary on the S&P bond ratings stating that "AA" was an indicator of the districts quality. Follow the links on the right hand side of this page to further determine for yourselves if a "AA" rating is a "high" standard or just mediocre in comparison to other districts in our category.