Reminder: AISD Community Forum

This is to remind all of you of the AISD Community Forum that is going to be hosted by Dr. Fred Brent on 29th May, 2012 at 7PM at the Nolan Ryan Junior High. We look forward to seeing SCR residents in full strength.

More great communication with AISD

I received a very nice note from Daniel Combs, Alvin ISD Director of Communications.  He has been very responsive and gracious and appreciates our interest and collaborative approach regarding an SCR area high school.

One question I asked centered around the demographic report that was used by the most recent Citizens Advisory Council (CAC).  Mr. Combs provided the link to the Templeton Demographic information from March 2011.    This report reflects the most up to date information at the time of the 2011 CAC. 

Templeton Demographic information from March 2011

Friendly reminder that we should all attend the meeting on the 29th with Dr. Brent for further information and discussion!

Transportation time

Currently, a Manvel HS student living in the Emerald Landing section of SCR spends 45 minutes on the bus - each way.

AISD District Performance Dashboard

Dr. Fred Brent had referenced the AISD District Performance Dashboard in his Key Communicator message on You Tube. We thought it'd be easier if we published a link to that website here for all parents to research and get more information about AISD's performance.

AISD District Performance Dashboard

Response to emails we have received

A couple of concerns have been raised that I want to address.  This site has a very narrow focus:  to increase community awareness of AISD plans for a third high school, to encourage a more active dialogue between the residents of our community and AISD, and to advocate for an area high school to open its doors no later than 2016/2017.

My perspective on this issue has no negative reflection on Manvel HS whatsoever. I do not have children attending high school as yet, but I have neighbors who are very pleased with their childrens' experiences there. 

It is absolutely true that AISD plans to build a third high school.  The issue is timing.  When I attended last week's meeting, it was evident to me that there has been a huge amount of confusion and emotion surrounding this issue.  There were quite a few NRJH parents there who came to the meeting believing their children would have a new high school in a year or two's time.  There were also several folks who raised their hands when asked if they were considering moving to Pearland ISD because of this issue.  Because of that sentiment, we included the poll regarding Dawson versus Manvel. 

I absolutely applaud AISD's efforts to improve communication with our area and I believe the Alvin Community Forum on May 29th at 7:00 p.m. at the NRJH cafeteria will be a great start. 

My recitation of the steps to get a high school in our area is certainly a high level summary of what I learned at last week's meeting.  I am certain that Dr. Brent will fill in whatever gaps there are in my explanation. 

I realize there will be a variety of perspectives for folks on this issue.  Some will be concerned about taxes, about extracurricular activities available in a new school, and the differences between a 4A and 5A school.  I invite all to share their perspectives on this site - that is one of the reasons it was created. 

I ask all to consider how their awareness and involvement in this issue will affect our community as a whole in the years to come.  It is very common for local elections and local issues to be neglected by voters.  We have a chance to be a voice heard by AISD.  I sincerely hope that we all take this opportunity. 

Thank you to all of you who have been forwarding the original email - it is greatly appreciated!  Please subscribe on the blog site and post your comments.  It might also be a great opportunity to pose specific questions that you would like Dr. Brent to address.

Meet AISD Superintendent Dr. Fred Brent

All,
We have a message from Dr. Fred Brent, the Superintendent of Alvin ISD.  He has invited us all to a meeting at Nolan Ryan Junior High at 7:00 p.m. on May 29th.  Please view the wonderful video message and make plans to attend this meeting.  Also, please forward to everyone you know within the NRJH attendance area so we can have a big showing.  Thank you Dr. Brent!

Way to go - pls keep forwarding that email!

From what I know, my original email has now reached approximately 150 SCR area residents.  Thank you!  Please keep forwarding to others you know in our area and don't forget to make comments, subscribe, and like us on your Facebook pages.

Property Tax Fun Facts

This is a table that shows that tax rates levied by Alvin ISD are at par with nearby ISDs in the Greater Houston area. We should expect the same level of education and facilities as all the other school districts.

School District (ISD)	Current Tax Rate per $100 of assessed Value
Alvin	$1.34100
Pearland	$1.4194
Fort Bend	$1.34
Clear Creek	$1.36
Cypress Fairbanks	$1.43

Meeting with Alvin ISD Director of Communications, Daniel Combs

I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you about a meeting that took place on 15-May-2012 between some SCR area parents and an official with Alvin ISD. The reason for the meeting was to discuss the need for an SCR area High School and what Alvin ISD is planning for our area.

Here are some nuggets that I took away from the meeting:

1. Alvin ISD has purchased the land necessary to house a high school for our area. This land is across Kirby from Pearland Town Center and it was purchased as a result of a bond election in 2009.
2. There are currently two high schools in Alvin ISD: Alvin High School and Manvel High School. SCR area children currently attend Manvel High School, which as you may know if approximately 10 miles from Shadow Creek Ranch. 
3. Alvin ISD has no current plans to build a new high school. We were told that a Citizens Advisory Council this past year determined that there was not enough district wide support necessary to pass a bond election to build a new high school. As a result, this issue cannot be presented to voters during this fall’s election.
4. We were told that the following process must be followed:
a. Citizens Advisory Council determines support in the district to pass a bond.
b. Bond is issued by Alvin ISD.
c. Bond is passed by Alvin ISD electorate.
d. SCR area high school is then designed and built (two year process best case scenario). 
5. After speaking with several Alvin ISD board members, it is my understanding that the soonest a high school could open its doors to the children of our community would by 2016-2017 and that is if we can get the bond on next year’s (2013) ballot.
6. This year, Manvel High School has 2,150 students. Every year, Nolan Ryan sends approximately 350 students to Manvel High School. If you do the math, then the SCR area children make up more than ½ the population. By the way, Alvin ISD was very excited to announce that in 2012/2013 Manvel High School will be a 5A school.
7. Manvel High School was built for a capacity of 2,500 students. The district seems prepared to argue that they can support several hundred more students with temporary buildings.

I believe that an SCR area high school will be beneficial for our entire community as a whole. I also believe that our children will be much better served by a more local high school that will be more accessible to them – from a basic to and from perspective and from the ability to fully participate in extra-curricular activities. Additionally, an SCR area high school will promote our property values and the community as a whole in a variety of ways.

Update

Because of the high turnout and passion demonstrated at last week’s meeting, the Alvin ISD official has communicated that there will be a meeting with the Alvin ISD Superintendent during the first few weeks of June.

Call to Action:

• If you are interested in helping drive this effort, please reply to me and I will add you to an email distribution list, which I will use to communicate upcoming meetings with the school districts, milestones, a possible petition drive, etc.
•  Please forward this post to your neighbors and invite them to reply to me and join the distribution list.
•  Please make every effort to attend meetings that will be communicated – they are responding to numbers.

Message from AISD Superintendent, Fred Brent

Following is a message from the Director of Communications, Daniel Combs to the residents of Shadow Creek Ranch, Pearland.

I appreciate your enthusiasm for education and likewise for having a high school in your immediate community. I have personally been in contact with a few folks from the Shadow Creek Ranch area about their desires. We are in the preliminary phase of setting up some times for Dr. Brent, Superintendent of Alvin ISD, and myself to come speak with community members from the Pearland side of our district. One of these meetings has been set for 7:00 p.m. on May 15th at Nolan Ryan Jr. High. I encourage you to engage with us that evening so that we can best meet your needs and the needs of your children.
You will find my contact information listed below. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance. Additionally, please feel free to send me any information discussed on your SCR mailing list that would assist Alvin ISD in understanding the concerns of your community.

I look forward to working with you in the future,
Daniel Combs
Director of Communications
Alvin Independent School District
(281)245-2460
DCombs@alvinisd.net