FBISD Board Casts Big Vote Of Confidence For Science Center
June 9th, 2009 | by Bob Dunn | Published in News | 30 Comments
Casting aside any past doubts, Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustees unanimously directed Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney to move forward with a proposed Global Science and Technology Center.
The board acted Monday night, approving a resolution directing district administrators to “pursue funding sources that will not increase taxes, nor take away current resources for other district programs” but will include enough outside money to cover at least 20% of total project costs.
Also, the resolution directs the administration to find outside partners to cover at least half of the projected $572,000 annual operating costs of the building, for at least three years.
In unveiling the proposal in February, district administrators offered the science center as a method of “bridging the divide between theory and practice” in order to boost student science grades.
Accompanying construction of the facility would be a “standards-based” science program for elementary and middle school students whose components would dovetail with interactive labs that could be used throughout the school year on a classroom by classroom basis.
Laying the foundation for a new emphasis on science instruction would be a three-year program of professional development for science teachers, which in the third year would include lessons on teaching in an “interactive environment.”
Trustee Susan Hohnbaum, who had expressed stronger reservations about the project than anyone else on the board, said Monday night she remains concerned that the administration won’t be able to make good on a claim that all student science classes in grades 2 through 8 will visit the new center four to six times per school year.
But those, and other worries by Trustee Bob Broxson that the district might be pushing the project forward too quickly, apparently were addressed sufficiently in the resolution - or a 20-minute administrative pitch for the science center, delivered by Secondary Science Coordinator Melissa Stadfeld between the time a motion on the resolution was made and the unanimous vote was taken.
Board President Sonal Bhuchar said before that vote that the 20% figure in the resolution was increased from 15% at her direction, as was a clause in the resolution telling the administration to create a building design resulting in total construction costs of no more than $22 million.
Bhuchar, who urged board members to be “leaders” in a “changing world,” has a big stake in seeing that the science center succeeds; her opponent in last month’s board election made the center’s cost a political issue.
So did Bruce Albright, who opposed new Trustee Marilyn Glover. Albright was one of two people who spoke against the science center Monday evening.
“We have an operating budget running $10 million in the red, and now you’re looking at a capital expenditure of $26 million and maybe more. While this might be a worthwhile project, it duplicates an effort about two miles down the road,” he said, referring to a natural science museum being built in Sugar Land’s Telfair neighborhood.
Three FBISD science teachers spoke in favor of the science center. One of them, Mira McCray, at Christa McAuliffe Junior High School, said she believes the center “will give all the schools an equal opportunity to bridge the gap” and will put “all the schools on the same playing field.”
Glover said she believed that statement overcame an argument once put forward by Hohnbaum, that money being used on the center would be better put to use by equipping each of the district’s campuses with science labs.
With Tuesday’s vote in hand, Jenney now will pursue potential funding partnerships and design work for the new center.
Under terms of the resolution, Jenney is required to provide the board with monthly “progress reports” from August through December.
If the board is unhappy at that point with progress on funding partnerships or other aspects of the project, “the board may reconsider its commitment.”
June 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pm (#)
Higher teacher wage pay, FBISD needs higher skill teachers for K-5 students to
improve mathetics class first and reading, thence to lead for grow with good healthy life and higher future science careers.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pm (#)
well la de da… Don’t forget folks, they will still have about $60 million left over from the 2003 bond referendum they need to blow. What will they build next? And for the TAJ MAHAL the state requires these lump sum contracts to be followed, enforced, inspected by an independent third party. Wonder who they will get to watch PBK? Anyone want to bet on who that’s going to be?
Carlos Cain
June 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm (#)
When members of the public speak, Sonal Buchar insults them by telling them to stay on topic. On topic? The speaker is there to say what is important to them. Sonal should not attempt to censor the speakers. She is supposed to serve the public.
She also quoted from a “study” justifying the GTSC but this study was requested under the Texas Open Records Act and the board will not release it.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm (#)
I give up. I “cannot call it”. I am at a loss for words, but not surprised.
We must admit that we are beaten. Superior intelligence has surpassed the rest of us, and somehow, we do not get it because the logic of it is too far above our intellectual range. I guess I’ll put my common sense back on the shelf because it has, surely, failed me.
Or then, again, perhaps, we are like the highly intelligent children who sometimes fail to learn to read, and get placed in special classes because the method presented in teaching them to read is “too illogical and confusing” for the intelligent mind to wrap itself around.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:10 pm (#)
Hope you’ve all read about Cy Fair ISD planning to do away with their homestead exemption so they can pay for their boondoggle spending over the past few years. Taxes will go up 30% in that district.
Take a look and read how outraged the citizens are: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6467096.html
Feckless board members funding financial follies got Cy Fair to this point. Ft. Bend and Katy ISD will have to do the same thing sooner or later.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm (#)
This board never had a “reservation” about anything involving selling taxpayers on “science education” with the probable intention of switching to unfunded office space for more administration. Anyone can see that the transportation and logistical cost of transporting 800 students a day, back and forth between one FBISD real estate and another, can not possibly be sustainable, even if the building was totally free, unless this building project was never intended to be a science center for any length of time.
For this reason, please also note that the vast majority of the people AGAINST this quasi-discovery museum are educators, “real science” enthusiasts, and strong museum supporters. There are far better ways to teach science than chasing off a real discovery museum (HMNS satellite in Telfair) with a hard sell bait and switch campaign.
This board should turn every taxpayer, educator, and science enthusiast into a “FBISD Watchdog.”
June 10th, 2009 at 7:00 am (#)
When people constantly attack/criticize the school board trustees it make being a trustee a civic duty that many who are qualified avoid. In other words why put up with this?
Some and I do applaud them choose to serve in spite of the needless and constant attacks.
What we need is for taxpayers to educate themselves and become informed, that will not only hold down the constant attacks on the school board trustees it will also encourage more qualified candidates to run and serve.
Sadly, its easier to complain than become involved.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:38 am (#)
Dear Conservative, this is truly not an issue of attacking the board, it is, however, an alert to people that the “overwhelming support” from their own survey, was instead an overwhelming support AGAINST a poorer quality and redundant project.
After considerable effort to get open records from the feasibility committee, this online survey was finally released. As anyone can see, it is a strong mandate against the GSC. The other requests for information were stalled. I can only speculate as to why. Meanwhile, others should review the Feasibility’s survey for themselves. It has a great deal of good advice for improving real science education for our students. Also the answers to the “leading” survey questions are truly interesting.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:42 am (#)
Dear Fort Bend Conservative:
It’s very obvious that you are the one who is not informed on the issue. Anyone with the facts would know what a “big load of hooey” and fruad has been perpatrated upon the taxpayers of FBISD concerning the Gloabl Taj Mahal.
It’s a real shame some people can be fooled so easily. However, the truth will come out and it may even bite some BOT members right in their rubber stamp, when election time rolls around in March.
Anytime elected officals go against the “will of the electorate” they not only need to be taken to task, they should be recalled in a Recall Election.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:40 am (#)
Joe I don’t see the survey you referenced in the article. Can you tell what kind of a survey it was, subjective or quantitative?
Once again I fail to see how constant complaining helps.
Want to make changes? Run for trustee and get elected or at the very least know who you’re voting for and vote.
Once the votes are tallied too late for crying.
For many its easier to find fault than it is to involved.
I’m obviously not referring to the involved and informed my comment was directed to the chronic complainers. Sounds like it struck a nerve or two.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:44 am (#)
Those who have complained have been involved and are very well informed.
It is quite hypocritical to call yourself a “conservative.” As I recall you have never failed to cheerlead for more taxes and more spending.
Tell me, would you promote a state income tax as well?
June 10th, 2009 at 11:24 am (#)
“I’m obviously not referring to the involved and informed my comment was directed to the chronic complainers.”
No I do not support a state income tax, legalizing marijuana or legalizing prostitution, sorry. Guess that makes me a just plain ol’ conservative.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:41 am (#)
Yet you support more tax spending? Did anyone ask you if you supported legalizing marijuana or prostitution? Why are you misdirecting? Hitting a nerve as you would say?
Ron Paul is a conservative.
You’re no conservative.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm (#)
Actually I don’t support more taxes or spending as I am a conservative.
Apparently I did hit a nerve as you seem unable to control your anger.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:51 pm (#)
In the old days it was said that “patriotism was the last bastion of a scoundrel,” now it seems that “conservative” has been hyjacked by the same scoundrels.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:54 pm (#)
Joe name calling is beneath conservatives, we usually leave that to the angry or in your case confused.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pm (#)
“Casting aside any past doubts, Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustees unanimously directed Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney to move forward with a proposed Global Science and Technology Center.”
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Wow. Imagine that. The FBISD school board votes unanimously to reinvent the wheel. I’m totally shocked (and yes I’m being sarcastic.)
June 10th, 2009 at 3:46 pm (#)
“Now that Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney has the green light to pursue his Global Science and Technology Center vision, his next challenge will be to design it within financial parameters set by his school board.
The total capital cost of the center - which is to include a planetarium, giant rotating lobby globe, interactive labs and a “Sci-Max” theater - have been estimated by a district-appointed feasibility committee at $26.4 million, while annual operating costs are estimated at $572,000.”
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Dr. Jenney needs to take a 75% pay cut to help fund this.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:59 pm (#)
Joe you are absolutely correct.
I see FBC can only misdirect.
Notice he claims I am angry, though I simply made an observation?
It is an attempt to hide his predisposition to tax and spend.
A grand prevaricator and master of equivocal language no doubt.
Only in government can you spend beyond your means and continue to thrive. As long as you have the power to plunder, you cannot go broke.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm (#)
Kevin lets leave it at this you are no Ron Paul.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Oops it’s a fumble down the 30 yard line….aaaaaand it’s “SayWhat” winning by a smile =)
Today’s diversion was brought to you today by “Plunders Anonymous”. LOL or not you guys need to loosen up, whatchasay hum?
June 10th, 2009 at 6:20 pm (#)
This Board is a rubber stamp for the administration. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves. The flunkies up on the dias merely raise there hands and nod when told to by Dr. J and the rest of the administration.
If we are going to build this thing let’s add in the biggest ferris wheel in the world and a people mover between each school. Then truly, we can have some quiet teachable moments!
If we are so behind everyone else or in danger of falling behind the rest of the state, let’s build science centers just like theirs!
Oh wait- they don’t have science centers they actually teach the children in classrooms with enriching lessons! Ha! What a concept!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm (#)
Food for thought: Monopolies are bad. Conservatives don’t like monopolies. Almost nobody likes monopolies. Yet, FBISD is a monopoly. If you defend FBISD, you are defending a monopoly and therefore you cannot be a conservative.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pm (#)
moral suasion and civility changes minds, constantly complaining gets tuned out. Ask any parent.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm (#)
Dr. Paul endorsed Mr. Tunstall last year or did “conservative” (sic) / Bobby M. forget?
Bobby, this is not a forum that allows abuse of other bloggers, so I ask that you show the same restraint for others as I am now showing for you.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:07 pm (#)
“Did anyone ask if you supported legalizing marijuana or prostitution”…”Notice he claims I am angry, though I simply made an observation?” ~ ktunstall
Seems to me, FtBendConservative merely was issuing a statement from his own viewpoint. kt, not really understanding why he isn’t allowed that.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm (#)
Whose Bobby?
June 10th, 2009 at 9:43 pm (#)
Joe you are now dazed and confused I’m not Bobby.
Kevin doesn’t need your help making a fool of himself.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:50 am (#)
I never make a fool of myself FBC.
You however have a long history of distortions and provocations. Everyone knows your modus operandi.
How many times must you change your login?
June 11th, 2009 at 7:46 am (#)
moral suasion and civility or persuasion builds trust and changes minds, the effrontery of personal insults or constantly attacking/complaining gets tuned out.