FBISD FAVORS ZONING OPTION THAT KEEPS ALL NEW TERRITORY STUDENTS AT SARTARTIA MS
It was good news at an FBISD workshop last night for New Territory residents who have been lobbying the board for a new rezoning plan that would allow students on the west side of Hwy. 99 to stay at Sartartia rather than being bused to Middle School 14 on Harlem Road next year when it opens. Although they did not take a formal vote, the board agreed they were “in consensus” to adopt the 4C edited option that keeps all New Territory students at Sartartia Middle School. 4C Edited also keeps Telfair at Sartartia and zones Pecan Grove, Waterside Estates, Fieldstone, Waterview, Aliana, Chelsea Harbour and the apartments on FM 1464 to Middle School 14.
“Are we of the consensus that 4C edited is something we are all comfortable with?” asked Board President Sonal Buchar at the November 30 workshop. “Yes”, they all replied. Parents in the audience were surprised but pleased by the statement. “We are cautiously optimistic and think it’s a positive sign that the board has provided guidance to the administration to move forward with 4C edited. We need to keep the pressure up in a positive way,” commented Jon Sturgis who has been leading the New Territory effort in objecting to a previously presented option that divides the community by sending students on the west side of Hwy. 99 to Middle School 14.
The 2.5 hour workshop started with a prologue by Buchar about the financial cuts the board will have to make next year in the face of a $6 billion deficit in the state’s education budget. Depending on the budget adopted by the Texas Legislature next year, FBISD would receive $15 to $27 million less from the state, said Buchar. “We will be faced with passing a budget where there is a deficit,” she said. “When we look at zoning….the board is trying very hard to not break up communities. You have to understand that’s the framework we are operating in. We may have to look at cutting programs and we don’t want to do that. We just became a Recognized District and we are very proud of that. These are not random, malicious lines we are drawing, “ she said of the zoning process.
“Education is not the priority for the State Legislator. They already said Redistricting is their priority and that has nothing to do with children,” said Trustee Marilyn Glover. “We need to look at what we are going to do, facing severe cuts.”
Not only does this mean that the district may not be able to move forward with the construction of new schools, like Middle School 15 in Rosaharon that was approved in the 2007 bond referendum, it also means closing schools, according to board discussions. “Middle School 15 cannot be a reality” for the forseeable future, said Buchar. “Not until the Texas Legislators pass a balanced budget and impose their cuts on us and we see what we are left with,” she said. Middle School 15 is necessary to alleviate severe overcrowding of Baines Middle School in the Sienna Plantation area. The 4C edited plan sends a portion of Sienna Plantation to First Colony Middle School. Superintendent Tim Jenney took the opportunity during the workshop to remind the public that the district planned for growth in this area with the construction of Middle School 15 but the economic downturn and loss of state revenue does not leave them with enough funds to open the school. “We could build it but we can’t operate it,” he said, noting that middle schools cost about $1.5 million a year to run.
The board also discussed closing Colony Bend Elementary School in First Colony which has low enrollment and rezoning students to either Highlands or Commonwealth Elementary Schools. Eliminating one elementary school campus will save the district about $750,000 a year, said Ben Copeland who is the district’s Chief Auxiliary Officer.
Additionally, they may dissolve either McAuliffe Middle or Willowridge High School. In lieu of closing McAuliffe Middle, they could make it into a Technical Education Center or Administrative building for the district, said Copeland.
If they close Willowridge High School, they would send those students to Marshall High School which has the capacity to absorb extra students, said Copeland. Then, they would also have to add a grade level to Missouri City and McAuliffe Middle Schools. Currently, these campuses are only 7th and 8th grades but they would add 9th grades, he said.
Those campuses were housing just two grade levels as a way to reduce class sizes and provide more instructional support to the students who were not performing well, said Superintendent of Middle Schools, Lance Hindt. Scores on recent standardized tests have improved, indicating a positive result, he noted.
“When you have schools that have capacities for 1227 and they are under enrolled by 500 students, it’s time to make some tough decisions and cost is going to be a prevailing factor,” said Glover. “We need to take some bold steps…” she said.
The next workshop will be on December 13, before the regular board meeting. Public Input sessions regarding the recommended zoning options will follow – probably in January, said Jenney. The board will vote on the zoning plans in either their second meeting of January or in February, he said.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
New Territory Resident Meeting on Sunday, November 7
BBEZONE/NEW TERRITORY COMMUNITY MEETING
Sunday, November 7th
3 p.m.
Sports Complex
PAVILION
PLease submit your questions IN ADVANCE to: bbezone@googlegroups.com -- ***Make sure you enter "QUESTIONS" in the Subject line so it is not missed!!!
A few guidelines:
1. Questions should be clear & detailed, but concise.
Also, consider whether it has already been addressed on the site!
2. Bring a PEN & PAPER to take notes on HOW YOU CAN HELP!
3. Come with solutions in hand to the problems YOU see and meet with our CORE TEAM LEADERS to VOLUNTEER!
4. Most IMPORTANTLY, Please remember we are all Moms & Dads volunteering in this effort! Please be respectful when
addressing volunteers and other parents, even if you don't agree with them.
5. Show your support by getting involved in our petition drive! - We have foot soldiers out going door to door, but not ENOUGH! If you can help with petitions, let me or Becky Zaffuta know ASAP! JoeandBecky21@comcast.net Conniejwc@earthlink.net Don't let someone else be the reason YOUR kid stays at SARTARTIA...MAKE YOURSELF PART OF THE SOLUTION AND VOLUNTEER.
6. We are working on possibly selling community t-shirts! $10.00 each. If we can get them done, they will be available for sale at the meeting. Please bring cash!
Don't let someone else be the reason YOUR kid stays at SARTARTIA...
MAKE YOURSELF PART OF THE SOLUTION AND VOLUNTEER!
Don't forget our Community slogan,
"FBISD, Don't Divide New Territory!"
on your rear windshield!
WE CAN WIN THIS THING TOGETHER!
SEE YOU THERE!!!!
Sunday, November 7th
3 p.m.
Sports Complex
PAVILION
PLease submit your questions IN ADVANCE to: bbezone@googlegroups.com -- ***Make sure you enter "QUESTIONS" in the Subject line so it is not missed!!!
A few guidelines:
1. Questions should be clear & detailed, but concise.
Also, consider whether it has already been addressed on the site!
2. Bring a PEN & PAPER to take notes on HOW YOU CAN HELP!
3. Come with solutions in hand to the problems YOU see and meet with our CORE TEAM LEADERS to VOLUNTEER!
4. Most IMPORTANTLY, Please remember we are all Moms & Dads volunteering in this effort! Please be respectful when
addressing volunteers and other parents, even if you don't agree with them.
5. Show your support by getting involved in our petition drive! - We have foot soldiers out going door to door, but not ENOUGH! If you can help with petitions, let me or Becky Zaffuta know ASAP! JoeandBecky21@comcast.net Conniejwc@earthlink.net Don't let someone else be the reason YOUR kid stays at SARTARTIA...MAKE YOURSELF PART OF THE SOLUTION AND VOLUNTEER.
6. We are working on possibly selling community t-shirts! $10.00 each. If we can get them done, they will be available for sale at the meeting. Please bring cash!
Don't let someone else be the reason YOUR kid stays at SARTARTIA...
MAKE YOURSELF PART OF THE SOLUTION AND VOLUNTEER!
Don't forget our Community slogan,
"FBISD, Don't Divide New Territory!"
on your rear windshield!
WE CAN WIN THIS THING TOGETHER!
SEE YOU THERE!!!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
FBISD: Changing It's Tune on Busing?
In March, FBISD announced the need to cut bus routes as well as the need for students to walk greater distances to bus stops in order to reduce the deficit. New Territory is a master-planned community whose kids can already conveniently walk or bike to it's elementary schools and middle school. Now FBISD is changing it's tune. In 2011, middle schoolers from the west half of New Territory could be bused out of the neighborhood (between 5- 9 miles away) to middle school #14 in Pecan Grove. So now, how is increasing busing throughout the district going to reduce the FBISD deficit?
This article was posted on the Ultimate Fort Bend site on March 13, 2010.
Less bus service, more walking in FBISD?
by Zen T.C. Zheng, published March 13, 2010 6:34 am
It seems innovation and creativity is needed now more than ever in the financially distressed Fort Bend school district.
As officials scramble to look for fat to trim to remedy a $21 million budget deficit, they have discovered a 2.2 million potential savings in transportation operations if they cut back on routes, size up the bus load, let kids take longer walks, and get rid of paid transportation services.
District Chief Financial Officer Tracy Hoke said the state's funding for school transportation has remained flat since 1984.
Chief Auxiliary Services Officer Ben Copeland said low school bus ridership, designation of more hazardous routes than necessary, as well as a heavy task to transport students to and from after-school activities are among the costly concerns.
Proposal to eliminate routes
He proposed eliminating 42 of the 331 regular bus routes those that don't include the 86 routes for special education students to save $1.6 million.
The route reduction could be achieved by ending bus service in areas within two miles of schools, which are designated as hazardous but in fact not meeting hazardous criteria. Officials have identified safe walk paths in service areas for about 10 campuses.
Also, increasing average bus load to 50 secondary-level students per run and 60 elementary-level pupils per run also would result in fewer routes needed.
No more after-school activity runs?
In addition, Copeland proposed doing away with busing for general after-school activities, which currently requires 46 runs for 728 high school riders and 46 runs for middle school riders. Those eliminations would yield $622,000 in savings.
However, he recommended continuing bus service for after-school tutorial programs.
More saving could be attained by cutting back on route mileage while letting students walk longer to bus stops.
In Copeland's proposal, the maximum walking distance for secondary students would be increased from 1,000 feet to a half mile, or 2,640 feet, while elementary pupils would walk up to 1,000 feet to a stop, compared to the current limit of 500 feet.
Bell schedules could change
Another idea is to shift bell schedules - stretching the timeframe in which a driver is able to make trips to more campuses during each run.
Under the proposal, elementary schools will start 8:10 a.m. and terminates at 3:10 p.m. while middle schools' day runs from 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. High schools' schedule would remain unchanged.
Copeland also suggested canceling a paid transportation program service to students who don't qualify for free transportation but pay a $27 monthly fee to ride school buses.
He said the fee isn't enough to cover the cost of service. Doing away with the program would save the district $20,000, he said.
Some school board trustees expressed concerns about the proposed changes during a recent workshop.
Susan Hohnbaum said she is worried about pupils having to walk more.
Kids are riding the bus obviously they need a ride to the school," she said. If they don't, their neighbors will have to take them or their mom and dad have to take them if their schedule allows that."
Trustee Sonal Bhuchar said safety is a concern.
Hoke suggested enhance campus education on safe walking and practice safe walking.
But trustee Marilyn Glover urged parental involvement.
Parents have the same role in teaching safety. Schools can not do everything," she said.
Copeland said more crossing guards would have to be enlisted if his proposal is adopted.
This article was posted on the Ultimate Fort Bend site on March 13, 2010.
Less bus service, more walking in FBISD?
by Zen T.C. Zheng, published March 13, 2010 6:34 am
It seems innovation and creativity is needed now more than ever in the financially distressed Fort Bend school district.
As officials scramble to look for fat to trim to remedy a $21 million budget deficit, they have discovered a 2.2 million potential savings in transportation operations if they cut back on routes, size up the bus load, let kids take longer walks, and get rid of paid transportation services.
District Chief Financial Officer Tracy Hoke said the state's funding for school transportation has remained flat since 1984.
Chief Auxiliary Services Officer Ben Copeland said low school bus ridership, designation of more hazardous routes than necessary, as well as a heavy task to transport students to and from after-school activities are among the costly concerns.
Proposal to eliminate routes
He proposed eliminating 42 of the 331 regular bus routes those that don't include the 86 routes for special education students to save $1.6 million.
The route reduction could be achieved by ending bus service in areas within two miles of schools, which are designated as hazardous but in fact not meeting hazardous criteria. Officials have identified safe walk paths in service areas for about 10 campuses.
Also, increasing average bus load to 50 secondary-level students per run and 60 elementary-level pupils per run also would result in fewer routes needed.
No more after-school activity runs?
In addition, Copeland proposed doing away with busing for general after-school activities, which currently requires 46 runs for 728 high school riders and 46 runs for middle school riders. Those eliminations would yield $622,000 in savings.
However, he recommended continuing bus service for after-school tutorial programs.
More saving could be attained by cutting back on route mileage while letting students walk longer to bus stops.
In Copeland's proposal, the maximum walking distance for secondary students would be increased from 1,000 feet to a half mile, or 2,640 feet, while elementary pupils would walk up to 1,000 feet to a stop, compared to the current limit of 500 feet.
Bell schedules could change
Another idea is to shift bell schedules - stretching the timeframe in which a driver is able to make trips to more campuses during each run.
Under the proposal, elementary schools will start 8:10 a.m. and terminates at 3:10 p.m. while middle schools' day runs from 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. High schools' schedule would remain unchanged.
Copeland also suggested canceling a paid transportation program service to students who don't qualify for free transportation but pay a $27 monthly fee to ride school buses.
He said the fee isn't enough to cover the cost of service. Doing away with the program would save the district $20,000, he said.
Some school board trustees expressed concerns about the proposed changes during a recent workshop.
Susan Hohnbaum said she is worried about pupils having to walk more.
Kids are riding the bus obviously they need a ride to the school," she said. If they don't, their neighbors will have to take them or their mom and dad have to take them if their schedule allows that."
Trustee Sonal Bhuchar said safety is a concern.
Hoke suggested enhance campus education on safe walking and practice safe walking.
But trustee Marilyn Glover urged parental involvement.
Parents have the same role in teaching safety. Schools can not do everything," she said.
Copeland said more crossing guards would have to be enlisted if his proposal is adopted.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
New Territory Rallies Against Proposed FBISD Zoning Plan
New Territory residents have geared up for a community wide initiative to try to keep Brazos Bend Elementary students zoned to Sartartia Middle School instead of a new middle school that opens in Pecan Grove next year. That’s the plan proposed by Fort Bend Independent School District in their efforts to best utilize middle school #14 on Plantation Drive.
In an effort to persuade FBISD to consider another option to keep Brazos Bend zoned to Sartartia, residents have started a google group (http://groups.google.com/group/bbezone) and started a petition which can be found posted at the Club.
Also, they have planned a “Walk or Bike to School Day” for Friday, October 29 whereby students from the west side of New Territory will forego riding the bus to and from school that day to demonstrate how close they live to Sartartia. Students will start walking at 8 a.m. and converge at the underpass at New Territory Blvd. on the east side of 99. To further emphasize their close proximity to the school, they will print and wear the number of miles they live from Sartartia on their t-shirts. All subdivisions in the southwest section of New Territory are less than 2 miles from Sartartia Middle School and all subdivisions in the northwest section are within 3 miles of the school.
At an FBISD workshop on October 25, FBISD’s Chief Auxiliary Services Officer Ben Copeland presented three “A” plans, all of which showed the west side of New Territory zoned to the new middle school. “We were blindsided,” commented New Territory Connie Chastain who lives in River Glen. “We really didn’t expect that there would be no options presented to keep Brazos Bend at Sartartia. It seems like they feel this part of New Territory is expendable,” she said.
When Trustee Laurie Caldwell acknowledged that students in New Territory are being displaced and “people are upset”, Copeland suggested that they could “go back and consider other options” if she wanted. The crowd yelled “yes!”, but Caldwell did not direct him to do so.
Of the six board members present, Daniel Menendez said he was in favor of considering another plan that keep Sartartia’s zone “closer to where it is now”.
“I don’t see a choice,” said Trustee Susan Hohnbaum. “I feel strongly in going through this process this year that we equalize our campuses.”
The district staff said that the 471 students currently residing on the west side of New Territory are needed to help fill the new middle school which might be significantly underutilized if not. Plus, schools like Baines Middle School in Missouri City are currently overcrowded and rezoning is necessary to bring relief, said Copeland. “There are a dozen different ways to skin a cat...we attempted to balance the western side of the district,” he said. “If we start rezoning First Colony and Fort Settlement, this crowd will just be replaced by a different crowd,” he said of the New Territory residents who filled the board room.
Copeland’s main argument for rezoning the west side of New Territory to middle school #14 was that they already go to Travis High School which is off US 99 on Harlem Road. “This plan follows the high school path. Middle School 14 is a feeder for Travis,” he said. In addition, students on the west side of New Territory are already bused across 99, even though they are less than three miles away, because crossing the busy freeway is considered a hazard. “They would just be bused a little further than they are now. In the long term, this provides balance and meets our objectives for efficient use of our facilities,” said Copeland.
But some New Territory residents fiercely objected to that argument, pointing out that a pedestrian path exists from the west side of New Territory Blvd. to the east side.
Zoning Plan Option 2A, favored by most of the trustees, buses students from subdivisions several miles down Hwy. 90, including old Sugar Land (south of 90), Hall Lake, Venetian Estates and Alkire Lakes. Also included is the Lakes and Meadow Lakes along First Colony Blvd. and an apartment complex along Fluor Daniel Drive. Another apartment complex along FM 1464 would also go to Sartartia, according to the proposed plan. Chelsea Harbour, too, would be zoned to Sartartia.
“FBISD’s zoning plan A gets an F from New Territory parents,” says a flyer recently distributed by parents.
. The next FBISD meeting is November 8 at 4:30 at the administration building on Lexington. Watch the google group postings for constant updates on community meetings.
In an effort to persuade FBISD to consider another option to keep Brazos Bend zoned to Sartartia, residents have started a google group (http://groups.google.com/group/bbezone) and started a petition which can be found posted at the Club.
Also, they have planned a “Walk or Bike to School Day” for Friday, October 29 whereby students from the west side of New Territory will forego riding the bus to and from school that day to demonstrate how close they live to Sartartia. Students will start walking at 8 a.m. and converge at the underpass at New Territory Blvd. on the east side of 99. To further emphasize their close proximity to the school, they will print and wear the number of miles they live from Sartartia on their t-shirts. All subdivisions in the southwest section of New Territory are less than 2 miles from Sartartia Middle School and all subdivisions in the northwest section are within 3 miles of the school.
At an FBISD workshop on October 25, FBISD’s Chief Auxiliary Services Officer Ben Copeland presented three “A” plans, all of which showed the west side of New Territory zoned to the new middle school. “We were blindsided,” commented New Territory Connie Chastain who lives in River Glen. “We really didn’t expect that there would be no options presented to keep Brazos Bend at Sartartia. It seems like they feel this part of New Territory is expendable,” she said.
When Trustee Laurie Caldwell acknowledged that students in New Territory are being displaced and “people are upset”, Copeland suggested that they could “go back and consider other options” if she wanted. The crowd yelled “yes!”, but Caldwell did not direct him to do so.
Of the six board members present, Daniel Menendez said he was in favor of considering another plan that keep Sartartia’s zone “closer to where it is now”.
“I don’t see a choice,” said Trustee Susan Hohnbaum. “I feel strongly in going through this process this year that we equalize our campuses.”
The district staff said that the 471 students currently residing on the west side of New Territory are needed to help fill the new middle school which might be significantly underutilized if not. Plus, schools like Baines Middle School in Missouri City are currently overcrowded and rezoning is necessary to bring relief, said Copeland. “There are a dozen different ways to skin a cat...we attempted to balance the western side of the district,” he said. “If we start rezoning First Colony and Fort Settlement, this crowd will just be replaced by a different crowd,” he said of the New Territory residents who filled the board room.
Copeland’s main argument for rezoning the west side of New Territory to middle school #14 was that they already go to Travis High School which is off US 99 on Harlem Road. “This plan follows the high school path. Middle School 14 is a feeder for Travis,” he said. In addition, students on the west side of New Territory are already bused across 99, even though they are less than three miles away, because crossing the busy freeway is considered a hazard. “They would just be bused a little further than they are now. In the long term, this provides balance and meets our objectives for efficient use of our facilities,” said Copeland.
But some New Territory residents fiercely objected to that argument, pointing out that a pedestrian path exists from the west side of New Territory Blvd. to the east side.
Zoning Plan Option 2A, favored by most of the trustees, buses students from subdivisions several miles down Hwy. 90, including old Sugar Land (south of 90), Hall Lake, Venetian Estates and Alkire Lakes. Also included is the Lakes and Meadow Lakes along First Colony Blvd. and an apartment complex along Fluor Daniel Drive. Another apartment complex along FM 1464 would also go to Sartartia, according to the proposed plan. Chelsea Harbour, too, would be zoned to Sartartia.
“FBISD’s zoning plan A gets an F from New Territory parents,” says a flyer recently distributed by parents.
. The next FBISD meeting is November 8 at 4:30 at the administration building on Lexington. Watch the google group postings for constant updates on community meetings.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Workshop to Discuss New Zones for Middle School #14
FBISD Board of Trustees to hold a workshop to discuss the proposed new zones for Middle School #14 for the 2011-2012 school year
FORT BEND ISD ― The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to discuss the District’s plans for developing a new attendance zone for Middle School #14 for the 2011-2012 school year on Monday, October 25, at 4:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the FBISD Administration Building, 16431 Lexington Blvd., in Sugar Land. Middle School #14 is located at 700 Plantation Dr., in Richmond near Pecan Grove, and will provide relief to middle schools on the west side of the District.
After the Board Workshop, the presentation and maps will be available for viewing on the District website at www.fortbendisd.com. An attendance zone recommendation will not be placed on a Board agenda for approval until after a public hearing is held, and the public has the opportunity to provide feedback. The date of the public hearing will be publicized once it has been confirmed.
© 2010 Fort Bend Independent School District
FORT BEND ISD ― The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to discuss the District’s plans for developing a new attendance zone for Middle School #14 for the 2011-2012 school year on Monday, October 25, at 4:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the FBISD Administration Building, 16431 Lexington Blvd., in Sugar Land. Middle School #14 is located at 700 Plantation Dr., in Richmond near Pecan Grove, and will provide relief to middle schools on the west side of the District.
After the Board Workshop, the presentation and maps will be available for viewing on the District website at www.fortbendisd.com. An attendance zone recommendation will not be placed on a Board agenda for approval until after a public hearing is held, and the public has the opportunity to provide feedback. The date of the public hearing will be publicized once it has been confirmed.
© 2010 Fort Bend Independent School District
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sugar Land Selects Preferred Site for Minor League Baseball Stadium
Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sugar Land, TX - Sugar Land City Council identified a preferred site near the northeast corner of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A for a minor league baseball stadium.
The preferred location is part of the Imperial Redevelopment/Tract 3 site proposed by Johnson Development Corporation, Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the Texas General Land Office.
The City will now begin a detailed process to confirm the site's development capabilities and suitability prior to a final decision by City Council that's expected by the end of the summer.
The preferred location for the stadium was made after careful consideration of four site options. An extensive site evaluation ensured the most cost effective and beneficial site to the community for the future professional minor league baseball stadium.
A comparative site analysis reviewed with City Council on June 22 provided an overview of the proposals submitted by interested developers, land purchase options and existing lease agreements held by the City.
The stadium is expected to result in nearby commercial development, so the City considered several locations to ensure the greatest quality of life and economic benefit to the community.
Other sites considered were near the intersections of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard and State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A.
Another site that was explored was at U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard where the City leases land from the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. The City submitted a Facility Development Agreement (FDA) detailing the development of the baseball stadium per the terms of a ground lease with University of Houston System (UHS); however, UHS formally rejected the FDA to develop the stadium.
The City remains committed to selecting a final site that minimizes and/or eliminates any adverse impact to residents with respect to traffic, noise and safety. Protecting the quality of life for the residents of Sugar Land will be a critical component in the due diligence performed over the next 60 days and in the final site determination.
The initial vision for minor league baseball was developed by citizens serving on the Visioning Task Force, a group that established a goal to enhance entertainment and family-oriented opportunities within the community. Voters approved in November 2008 specific sales tax and venue taxes to fund the project -- no general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium.
Sugar Land City Council approved on May 18 an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land.
Sugar Land, TX - Sugar Land City Council identified a preferred site near the northeast corner of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A for a minor league baseball stadium.
The preferred location is part of the Imperial Redevelopment/Tract 3 site proposed by Johnson Development Corporation, Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the Texas General Land Office.
The City will now begin a detailed process to confirm the site's development capabilities and suitability prior to a final decision by City Council that's expected by the end of the summer.
The preferred location for the stadium was made after careful consideration of four site options. An extensive site evaluation ensured the most cost effective and beneficial site to the community for the future professional minor league baseball stadium.
A comparative site analysis reviewed with City Council on June 22 provided an overview of the proposals submitted by interested developers, land purchase options and existing lease agreements held by the City.
The stadium is expected to result in nearby commercial development, so the City considered several locations to ensure the greatest quality of life and economic benefit to the community.
Other sites considered were near the intersections of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard and State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A.
Another site that was explored was at U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard where the City leases land from the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. The City submitted a Facility Development Agreement (FDA) detailing the development of the baseball stadium per the terms of a ground lease with University of Houston System (UHS); however, UHS formally rejected the FDA to develop the stadium.
The City remains committed to selecting a final site that minimizes and/or eliminates any adverse impact to residents with respect to traffic, noise and safety. Protecting the quality of life for the residents of Sugar Land will be a critical component in the due diligence performed over the next 60 days and in the final site determination.
The initial vision for minor league baseball was developed by citizens serving on the Visioning Task Force, a group that established a goal to enhance entertainment and family-oriented opportunities within the community. Voters approved in November 2008 specific sales tax and venue taxes to fund the project -- no general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium.
Sugar Land City Council approved on May 18 an historic agreement with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Mary Ellen Edge named new principal of Austin High School
From the FBISD website:
Mary Ellen Edge named new principal of Austin High School
At its May 24 Board Meeting, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees named Mary Ellen Edge as the new principal of Austin High School. Edge is an experienced educational leader and has served in public education for 20 years. She has been the Associate Principal at Clements High School since July 2006. Before serving at Clements, she was the Dean of Instruction and an assistant principal at Bush High School. She was also at Austin High School for seven years where she served as an assistant principal, a special education department head and a special education teacher. She began her educational career as a special education teacher and worked in Rice Consolidated ISD, Sealy ISD and Port Arthur ISD.
Edge received her Bachelor of Education degree from Mississippi State University and her Master of Education in Administration from Houston Baptist University. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Education at Texas A&M University and expects to graduate in the summer of 2011. Edge is a graduate of Fort Bend ISD's LEAD Principal's Academy and was part of the Academy's first cohort of aspiring administrators.
Current Austin High School Principal, Mike Leach, is retiring from Fort Bend ISD after 39 years in education with 34 of those in Fort Bend ISD. Leach has been the principal of Austin High School since it opened in 1995. In 2008-2009, Austin High School was named as one of the top high schools in the nation, state and Houston area.
Mary Ellen Edge named new principal of Austin High School
At its May 24 Board Meeting, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees named Mary Ellen Edge as the new principal of Austin High School. Edge is an experienced educational leader and has served in public education for 20 years. She has been the Associate Principal at Clements High School since July 2006. Before serving at Clements, she was the Dean of Instruction and an assistant principal at Bush High School. She was also at Austin High School for seven years where she served as an assistant principal, a special education department head and a special education teacher. She began her educational career as a special education teacher and worked in Rice Consolidated ISD, Sealy ISD and Port Arthur ISD.
Edge received her Bachelor of Education degree from Mississippi State University and her Master of Education in Administration from Houston Baptist University. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Education at Texas A&M University and expects to graduate in the summer of 2011. Edge is a graduate of Fort Bend ISD's LEAD Principal's Academy and was part of the Academy's first cohort of aspiring administrators.
Current Austin High School Principal, Mike Leach, is retiring from Fort Bend ISD after 39 years in education with 34 of those in Fort Bend ISD. Leach has been the principal of Austin High School since it opened in 1995. In 2008-2009, Austin High School was named as one of the top high schools in the nation, state and Houston area.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
May 8, 2010 Election Results for FBISD School Board and Mud 111
Results are in for the May 8 election for FBISD school board and MUD 111.
For MUD 111, there were five candidates vying for three seats. Incumbents Matt Shepard and Louis Manuel were unseated by residents Charles Swihart and James Owen. Incumbent Rosemary Ruths held on to her position on the MUD 111 board. Manuel barely lost the election, with just three votes seperating him from James Owen. 348 people voted in the election.
Charles Swihart - 26.72% (93 votes)
Rosemary Ruths - 22.99% (80 votes)
James Owen - 18.97% (66 votes)
Louis Manuel - 18.10% (63 votes)
Matt Shepard - 13.22% (46 votes)
The MUD 111 terms are four years. No other New Territory MUD had an election as they were uncontested.
For FBISD Position 3, Jim Rice beat Clay Alumbaugh. Rice won 66% of the vote with Alumbaugh garnering 33.94%
For FBISD Position 7, Jim Babb won over Gerald Hawkins, with 63.59% of the vote vs. 36.41%.
See more details at fortbendcountygov.com
For MUD 111, there were five candidates vying for three seats. Incumbents Matt Shepard and Louis Manuel were unseated by residents Charles Swihart and James Owen. Incumbent Rosemary Ruths held on to her position on the MUD 111 board. Manuel barely lost the election, with just three votes seperating him from James Owen. 348 people voted in the election.
Charles Swihart - 26.72% (93 votes)
Rosemary Ruths - 22.99% (80 votes)
James Owen - 18.97% (66 votes)
Louis Manuel - 18.10% (63 votes)
Matt Shepard - 13.22% (46 votes)
The MUD 111 terms are four years. No other New Territory MUD had an election as they were uncontested.
For FBISD Position 3, Jim Rice beat Clay Alumbaugh. Rice won 66% of the vote with Alumbaugh garnering 33.94%
For FBISD Position 7, Jim Babb won over Gerald Hawkins, with 63.59% of the vote vs. 36.41%.
See more details at fortbendcountygov.com
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
ELLIS CREEK BLVD. SCHEDULED TO OPEN TUESDAY, MARCH 9
After several months of lane closures on Ellis Creek Blvd. due to a LID 7 project which entailed raising the roadway to complete the levee system around New Territory, this New Territory entrance street is scheduled for opening on Tuesday, March 9. The lanes are expected to be open to traffic following final paving inspection by the City of Sugar Land on Tuesday, the LID 7 engineer reported to the board on March 4.
Raising Ellis Creek Blvd. was one of the final steps in the LID 7 project to raise the levee as required by FEMA. Costello Engineering will submit an appeal to Fort Bend County and FEMA by April 2 so that the final flood plain maps do not show New Territory to be in a 100 year floodplain.
Raising Ellis Creek Blvd. was one of the final steps in the LID 7 project to raise the levee as required by FEMA. Costello Engineering will submit an appeal to Fort Bend County and FEMA by April 2 so that the final flood plain maps do not show New Territory to be in a 100 year floodplain.
ELLIS CREEK BLVD. SCHEDULED TO OPEN TUESDAY, MARCH 9
After several months of lane closures on Ellis Creek Blvd. due to a LID 7 project which entailed raising the roadway to complete the levee system around New Territory, this New Territory entrance street is scheduled for opening on Tuesday, March 9. The lanes are expected to be open to traffic following final paving inspection by the City of Sugar Land on Tuesday, the LID 7 engineer reported to the board on March 4.
Raising Ellis Creek Blvd. was one of the final steps in the LID 7 project to raise the levee as required by FEMA. Costello Engineering will submit an appeal to Fort Bend County and FEMA by April 2 so that the final flood plain maps do not show New Territory to be in a 100 year floodplain.
Raising Ellis Creek Blvd. was one of the final steps in the LID 7 project to raise the levee as required by FEMA. Costello Engineering will submit an appeal to Fort Bend County and FEMA by April 2 so that the final flood plain maps do not show New Territory to be in a 100 year floodplain.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NTRCA Board Directors Elected
In an unprecedented action at the NTRCA annual meeting on January 18, Neighborhood Representatives elected a nominee from the floor to serve as a new director on the Board. They also re-elected incumbents Marcel Theriot and Charles Swihart. Incumbent Evan Reindl was unseated and former Director Bart Hatfield also lost his bid for a position on the board.
Cindy Picazo, the new director, is a 12 year resident of Robinsons Landing in New Territory and works as a bank manager for Wells Fargo. She has a BA from University of Texas at Austin. Picazo, in her two minute speech, described herself as “fiscally conservative” and said her strengths include “making tough Human Resource and budget decisions.”
The results of the election were as follows:
Marcel Theriot—2800 votes
Charles Swihart—2420 votes
Cindy Picazo—2329 votes
The directors serve two year terms.
Theriot , who is serving his third term on the NTRCA board, said his main goals as director are maintaining fiscal responsibility, accountability, structure and transparency in regards to policies and resolutions set by the board.
Swihart has also served four years on the board and said he is encouraged by recent, positive changes which include improved customer service at the Club and an increase in participation in Club programs by residents. Swihart remarked that this election was “heated” and apologized if any of his statements offended others. “I have known Marcel, Bart, and Evan for several years and consider them to be my friends….I know they all want what’s best for New Territory,” he said.
Cindy Picazo, the new director, is a 12 year resident of Robinsons Landing in New Territory and works as a bank manager for Wells Fargo. She has a BA from University of Texas at Austin. Picazo, in her two minute speech, described herself as “fiscally conservative” and said her strengths include “making tough Human Resource and budget decisions.”
The results of the election were as follows:
Marcel Theriot—2800 votes
Charles Swihart—2420 votes
Cindy Picazo—2329 votes
The directors serve two year terms.
Theriot , who is serving his third term on the NTRCA board, said his main goals as director are maintaining fiscal responsibility, accountability, structure and transparency in regards to policies and resolutions set by the board.
Swihart has also served four years on the board and said he is encouraged by recent, positive changes which include improved customer service at the Club and an increase in participation in Club programs by residents. Swihart remarked that this election was “heated” and apologized if any of his statements offended others. “I have known Marcel, Bart, and Evan for several years and consider them to be my friends….I know they all want what’s best for New Territory,” he said.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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