[ EDUCATION ]
New CCISD trustees sworn in By Mary Alys Cherry
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he Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees welcomed two new faces at its May meeting after Chris Reed, representing District 2, and Arturo Sanchez, representing District 3, were sworn in before the start of the meeting. Reed ran unopposed for the District 2 seat formerly occupied by Win Weber, who chose not to seek reelection. Sanchez won the District 3 seat in a race with incumbent Ken Baliker. Earlier, trustees elected new officers for the coming year with Dr. Laura DuPont passing the gavel to new President Page Rander, who formerly served as vice president. Dr. DuPont was elected vice president and Jay Cunningham secretary. Much of the meeting was devoted to shining the spotlight on outstanding students such as the
New CCISD Trustees Arturo Sanchez, left, and Chris Reed
several dozen who are Robonauts and who won Second Place in the World in the 2017 FIRST World Championship after taking First Place in the Texas FIRST competition for the second year in a row. Others included Clear Lake High student Nicholas Glaze, who earned a perfect score on his ACT Test; Clear Creek High’s Isabel Hu took first place in the Letters About Literature state writing competition; artwork by Jeffrey Lin and Dominic Nguyen
2017 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
were selected for display in the offices of Congressmen Brian Babin and Randy Weber; and Izyan Maredia of Ed White Elementary earned first place in the Robots of the Future Contest. In other action, trustees: Increased the price of school lunches for the coming year from $2.25 to $2.35; Approved a number of capital projects including $2.7 million for renovations at Clear Path Alternative School; $30,000 for asbestos abatement and flooring in the Clear Lake Intermediate art rooms; $221,000 for renovation of the Spring Sports Building and Band Hall foundation at Clear Creek High; Renewed contracts totaling $700,000 with a number of air conditioning and heating contractors; OK’d expenditure of $69,400 for the renewal of the contract for the GPS system for school buses; Agreed to spend $3.5 million for 2017 instruction materials, such as new, replacement and used textbooks, workbooks, digital and hardcopy textbooks and other related materials; Voted to spend $284,200 to contract with the Harris County Education Department to provide services at Academic and Behavior Schools for students with disabilities,
to meet the significant needs of the most behaviorally involved students; Awarded to a $62,000 contract with Whitley Penn LLP for the annual financial audit and a $60,000 contract to SouthWaste Disposal for Grease Trap Cleaning services; Voted to spend $615,000 for repairs to the Education Support Center, and to replace windows and install waterproofing; Approved a $178,000 contract with Generocity Services to construct a Spark Park behind Wedgewood Elementary using Spark Park grant funds, PTA donations and those from other fundraising efforts; OK’d several architectural contracts for renovations and repairs listed in the 2017 bond referendum including $260,000 to IBI Group for work at Armand Bayou Elementary and $507,000 for work at Clear Lake Intermediate; $842,000 to Joiner Architects for work at Clear Lake City Elementary; $19,500 to PBK Architects to improve security systems at all schools and $439,000 for surveillance cameras; $4.3 million to VLK Architects for three projects -- construction of the new elementary school, the rebuild of League City Elementary and additions and renovations to Stewart Elementary in Clear Lake Shores.
Whitcomb Elementary student wins prestigious Hero Award
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The 2017 CCISD Teachers of the Year receive congratulations from Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith at the annual Rotary Teachers of the Year Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort. They are, Elementary Teacher of the Year Magali Gutierrez, left, a 4th grade math and science teacher at Brookwood Elementary, and Secondary Teacher of the Year Lauren Means, a robotics and audio/video production teacher at Bayside Intermediate.
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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2017
e may only be in third grade, but Dylan Keen is a walking role model of CCISD’s Core Values, which is why the youngster was presented with the prestigious Student Hero Award by the State Board of Education. The Whitcomb Elementary student provided academic, social and physical support to a classmate with special needs throughout the school year, and did so without prompting from an adult. “He saw a classmate in need and chose to be most kind, loving friend he could be,” said Whitcomb Principal Diana Kattner. “Dylan took his friend to lunch, recess, and physical education or to special events. After lunch, he escorted her to the nurse’s office for her checkup. He made sure she was included in conversations and games and helped her with her school work.” Only 15 students across Texas are honored with the Student Hero Award. The State Board of Education
Whitcomb student Dylan Keen is presented the award by Barbara Cargill, right, the District 8 Texas State Board of Education representative, as Whitcomb Principal Diane Kattner and a classmate help him celebrate.
created the award to celebrate and highlight students who voluntarily perform acts of kindness that benefit their classmates, school and community. “One person can make a difference and 15 Student Heroes prove it. Their work is inspirational and uplifting” the Board of Education stated. Barbara Cargill, the District 8 Texas State Board of Education representative, surprised Keen with the award on the last day of school.