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Saturday, April 13, 2019 • Vol. 64 • No. 15
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TEA official addresses ongoing investigation into HISD By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Those who follow public education closely in Houston may have been surprised by the Texas Education Agency’s directive that the Houston ISD Board of Trustees cease its search for a permanent superintendent until the TEA has completed its special accreditation investigation of the board. The state is reportedly investigating possible violations of the Open Meetings Act and
improprieties in how HISD vendors are selected. A local group called Supporters of HISD Magnets and Budget Accountability organized a meeting last Saturday with AJ Crabill, the TEA’s deputy commissioner for governance, to talk about the possible outcomes of the investigation as well as the timing of the TEA’s directive. Crabill expressed concern that details of the investigation were already known, stating that the state’s docu-
ments were privileged, but said a final public report would be months away. Possible sanctions for HISD, in order of severity from least to greatest, include a corrective action plan, a TEA monitor who observes and can give advice, a conservator who gives directives to the superintendent or the board (one already is in place) or a board of managers that would temporarily replace all of the current trustees. See TEA P. 4A
Contributed photo Texas Education Agency official AJ Crabilll, center, speaks last weekend. He is flanked by Tracy Lisewsky, left, and LaTrice Ferguson of Supporters of HISD Magnets and Budget Accountability.
If you build it... Jason Knebel (713)232-9712
By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
jasonk@greenwoodking.com GREENWOOD KING
PROPERTIES
the community didn’t really fit with what I was looking for,” founder Mike Schaad said. “I thought I could find a
A federal bankruptcy court judge ruled in August that the Garden Oaks Maintenance Organization (GOMO) had to stop collecting transfer fees, its primary source of revenue since forming in the early 2000s. Judge David Jones also asked GOMO to exclude transfer fees from its Chapter 11 restructuring plan, which was presented to current and former homeowners for a neighborhood-wide vote. The people of Garden Oaks apparently like transfer fees a lot more than the judge. GOMO did not seek confirmation of its bankruptcy plan in a Tuesday court hearing because not nearly enough homeowners supported it. While conducting a vote that essentially ended up even, GOMO office manager Pam Parks said homeowners made it clear they preferred a transfer fee – a onetime payment upon completion of a home sale – to the annual mandatory fee of $80 that was included in the Chapter 11 plan. “People wrote on their ballots that they would have voted for it if it would have been a transfer fee instead of a maintenance fee,” Parks said. “We put that annual maintenance fee in there because the judge basically painted a picture that we needed to go in that direction. So we tried and lost.” Parks said a continued hearing has been set for May 9. Between now and then, GOMO can modify its plan for another potential vote or pursue a joint plan with the court-appointed committee of unsecured creditors, which represents the interests of nearly 400 claimants, many of whom are seeking the return of their .75 percent transfer fees. Doubt about GOMO’s authority to collect transfer fees precipitated its
See Rugby P. 4A
See GOMO P. 4A
CONCIERGE MEDICINE
Dr. Ana M. Torres Internal Medicine & Pediatrics 713-863-9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste. 503 Houston, TX 77008 WWW.THETORRESCENTER.COM
BREAKING.
Driver charged in pedestrian deaths
Photo by Ralph Parrott/Sui Generis Photography Norm Dillon, right, makes his way up the field flanked by Matthew Provost during an Arrows Rugy Club match against the Kingwood Crusaders. The currently 50-member club is looking to build a field and facility in Independence Heights.
Rugby club looking to plant roots in Independence Heights By Landan Kuhlmann landan@thleadernews.com
From Staff Reports The driver of the car that struck and killed two pedestrians in the Heights late last month has been arrested and charged with two counts of failing to stop and render aid involving death, according to the Houston Police Department. HPD said in a news release that Jada Mimms, 20, was arrested without Jada Mimms incident Tuesday and charged in the 183rd State District Court. Mimms’ blue Chevrolet Cruze was traveling north on North Shepherd Drive on the night of March 30, when it struck and killed Jesse Perez, 64, and Lesha Adams, 55. Adams had stopped and gotten out of her own vehicle to help Perez, who was confined to a wheelchair, cross Shepherd south of 10th Street. According to HPD, Mimms allegedly left the scene and returned a short time later. Police say she did not show signs of intoxication and was questioned and released at the time.
A rugby ball may look like a larger verision of a football, but the two sports are far from garnering the same level of recognition in the United States. However, a local club is looking to make its mark in the Houston sports and rugby scene while cultivating a greater love of the game through the undertaking of a transformative project in Independence Heights. The Houston Arrows Rugby Football Club, a 50-member Catholic adult team which has utilized the football fields at St. Pius X High School and St. Thomas High School for practices as well as matches over the past three seasons, has begun
Contributed rendering Shown here is the proposed site near Crosstimbers Road and Interstate 45 in Independence Heights where the Arrows want to build their field and facility.
work on a project for a dedicated field it can call its own. The Arrows are seeking to secure land for their own facility through a fundraising drive called “Into The Breach.” “A lot of the clubs and cultures in
Space-themed trip to Rice helps area kids reach for stars By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Contributed photo Roger Capuchino Jr., right, helps his son, Roger Capuchino III, launch a stomp rocket during a field trip to Rice University on April 6.
EASTER PORTRAIT Complimentary Easter portraits for the kiddos. Complimentary p y snacks and drinks for everyone.
Location: 1803 W. 43rd St Houston, TX 77018
10am - 1pm
Hosted by: Harley Hedgpeth & Raul Garcia
Going to college wasn’t exactly the expectation for Roger Capuchino Jr., whose parents did not attend college and were of modest means. He took classes at Houston Community College after graduating from Waltrip High School, but never completed a degree. Capuchino wants his 9-year-old son to aim higher academically, and his son is well on his way. Roger Capuchino III, a
third-grader at Sinclair Elementary in Timbergrove, got a taste of one of the best colleges in the country last weekend. He participated in the second annual Space Day in Space City at Rice University, where he sat in on a lecture by a college professor, attended a baseball game, toured the campus and got to build a toy rocket. “I’m excited,” said the elder Capuchino, who accompanied his son. “I had never seen a college campus when I was his age. It never crossed my mind. Me being able to do
Backyard Garden Tour T our ou
Please Join Us April 13th!!
Time:
Transfer fee back in play as GOMO plan rejected
that with my son at a young age, it will put that in his mind and increase his eagerness to push forward.” Fostering that sort of sentiment is one of the objectives of the National College Readiness Institute (NCRI), a Houston-based nonprofit founded in 2016. It was selected by Houston City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen to receive a $15,000 grant from the Harris County Department of Education’s Case for Kids program. See Space P. 4A
Donna Hood TOP LISTER
benefitting the SPP Constable Program, Durham Elementary PTA, and SPP Garden Club beautification projects
Sunday S und day April Apriil 1 14, 4 2 2019 019
Kelley Banks TOP SALES
11 aa.m. .m. to 4 p p.m. .m.
Tour: Join us for a tour of S.P.P. backyard gardens, g den gar dens, s,, a pplant lantt sale, lan sale, aand sale nd lem lemonade mona onade de sta stands stands. nds ds.. ds Tickets: $10 ($15 day of event)
Purchase tickets online at shepherdparkplaza.com, from Garden Club Members or Julie Hetrick at 281-748-8126
A NAME YOU CAN TRUST 713-686-5454
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Top Agents for March
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Janet Schmidt TOP PRODUCER
1803 W. 43rd • Houston, TX 77018
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