Those interested in the school calendar for 2010 please make your voice heard by going to:
http://www.conroeisd.net/
Or Go Directly By Clicking on
2010-2011 School Calendar Options
We are encouraging parents, community,teachers, etc. to provide us feedback on the two drafts. The Committee will meet in February to review the feedback and make a recommendation to the Board at the March board meeting.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Since our election in November, we have stayed true to our principles by continually driving home the message that we need fiscal discipline, transparency, and increased communication. I have started this blog to speak directly to parents, teachers, and the citizens of our community about issues facing the school board. Please post comments, participate in polls, and let me know your thoughts on the issues we discuss here.
One of the items we discussed in the last meeting was a request for sewing machines costing up to $1,200 each. I did my due diligence, asked about the reasoning for the machines, and was told it was to help our children be competitive in the fashion and textile industry upon graduation. While I support our students' need to learn sewing and other skills, I question whether it is wise to go further into debt for such expenditures. As it currently stands, our district has over 1.2 billion dollars of debt. In the face of such enormous debt, is it wise to spend $1,200 on a sewing machine?
Second, the district requested additional buses to accommodate three new schools and to replace existing buses that are at the end of their lifespan. Although this is a very large expense, I support it, since I believe it is a necessity for the district.
As an elected representative, I want to hear from you. Please leave your comments about these expenses and our district's debt. Let us do what it right for our community and our children.
One of the items we discussed in the last meeting was a request for sewing machines costing up to $1,200 each. I did my due diligence, asked about the reasoning for the machines, and was told it was to help our children be competitive in the fashion and textile industry upon graduation. While I support our students' need to learn sewing and other skills, I question whether it is wise to go further into debt for such expenditures. As it currently stands, our district has over 1.2 billion dollars of debt. In the face of such enormous debt, is it wise to spend $1,200 on a sewing machine?
Second, the district requested additional buses to accommodate three new schools and to replace existing buses that are at the end of their lifespan. Although this is a very large expense, I support it, since I believe it is a necessity for the district.
As an elected representative, I want to hear from you. Please leave your comments about these expenses and our district's debt. Let us do what it right for our community and our children.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
In the teaching of our children, we need to avoid indoctrination tactics within the classroom. The scientific approach to learning should be to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of any position. Respond to our poll and let us know what you think. Should both the strengths and the weaknesses be taught when teaching evolution?
From the THE CARGILL CONNECTION, March 2009
It is critical that we continue to hear from parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders about how science is taught in our state.
You may e-mail the Board at sboeteks@tea.state.tx.us. For your information, this is the January vote tally concerning TEKS 3A.
The final vote is March 27th.
These State Board members voted FOR retaining the "strengths and weaknesses" language:David Bradley (Republican)Barbara Cargill (Republican)Cynthia Dunbar(Republican)Terri Leo (Republican)Gail Lowe (Republican)Ken Mercer (Republican)Don McLeroy (Republican)
These State Board members voted AGAINST retaining the "strengths and weaknesses" language:Bob Craig (Republican)Pat Hardy (Republican)Tincy Miller (Republican)Rick Agosto (Democrat)Lawrence Allen (Democrat)Mary Helen Berlanga (Democrat)Mavis Knight (Democrat) (Rene Nunez [Democrat] was not present for the vote.)
Another way for you to take action is to testify before the Board.
A six-hour public hearing is scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday, March 25th in the William B. Travis Building in Austin. Testifiers are given three minutes; if you were at the January meeting and did not have a turn due to time constraints, you will be scheduled at the top of the list.
Please sign up by calling TEA early on Friday, March 20th. The number is 512-463-9007.
From The Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RIGOROUS EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SCIENCE IN TEXAS
WHEREAS, The State Board of Education is charged with oversight of the publiceducation system of Texas in accordance with the Texas Education Code;
WHEREAS, For twenty years, the State Board of Education has promulgated a science standard mandating the teaching of the “strengths and weaknesses” of all scientific theories and hypotheses in the curriculum;
WHEREAS, the long-standing “strengths and weaknesses” standard has recently come under attack by Darwinists as unscientific;
WHEREAS, Even Charles Darwin endorsed a “strengths and weaknesses” standard for evaluating theories, stating, “A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts on both sides of each question....” Darwin, C., Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life; therefore
RESOLVED, The Republican Party of Texas, consistent with the 2008 State Republican Platform, opposes abandonment of the longstanding “strengths and weaknesses” science standard and calls upon the Republican members of the State Board of Education to support the retention of the “strengths and weaknesses” standard in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to each Republican member of the State Board of Education. Adopted by the Republican Party of Texas this 7th day of March, 2009.
From the THE CARGILL CONNECTION, March 2009
It is critical that we continue to hear from parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders about how science is taught in our state.
You may e-mail the Board at sboeteks@tea.state.tx.us. For your information, this is the January vote tally concerning TEKS 3A.
The final vote is March 27th.
These State Board members voted FOR retaining the "strengths and weaknesses" language:David Bradley (Republican)Barbara Cargill (Republican)Cynthia Dunbar(Republican)Terri Leo (Republican)Gail Lowe (Republican)Ken Mercer (Republican)Don McLeroy (Republican)
These State Board members voted AGAINST retaining the "strengths and weaknesses" language:Bob Craig (Republican)Pat Hardy (Republican)Tincy Miller (Republican)Rick Agosto (Democrat)Lawrence Allen (Democrat)Mary Helen Berlanga (Democrat)Mavis Knight (Democrat) (Rene Nunez [Democrat] was not present for the vote.)
Another way for you to take action is to testify before the Board.
A six-hour public hearing is scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday, March 25th in the William B. Travis Building in Austin. Testifiers are given three minutes; if you were at the January meeting and did not have a turn due to time constraints, you will be scheduled at the top of the list.
Please sign up by calling TEA early on Friday, March 20th. The number is 512-463-9007.
From The Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RIGOROUS EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SCIENCE IN TEXAS
WHEREAS, The State Board of Education is charged with oversight of the publiceducation system of Texas in accordance with the Texas Education Code;
WHEREAS, For twenty years, the State Board of Education has promulgated a science standard mandating the teaching of the “strengths and weaknesses” of all scientific theories and hypotheses in the curriculum;
WHEREAS, the long-standing “strengths and weaknesses” standard has recently come under attack by Darwinists as unscientific;
WHEREAS, Even Charles Darwin endorsed a “strengths and weaknesses” standard for evaluating theories, stating, “A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts on both sides of each question....” Darwin, C., Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life; therefore
RESOLVED, The Republican Party of Texas, consistent with the 2008 State Republican Platform, opposes abandonment of the longstanding “strengths and weaknesses” science standard and calls upon the Republican members of the State Board of Education to support the retention of the “strengths and weaknesses” standard in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to each Republican member of the State Board of Education. Adopted by the Republican Party of Texas this 7th day of March, 2009.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Welcome
I have decided to share some of my thoughts about how things are going as I have an opportunity to serve our community on our school board. If you have any thoughts regarding the board or just something you feel passionately about, please feel free to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from the citizens I am privileged to serve.
Chris Irish
Chris Irish
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