From the TEA website, posted this morning:

The latest version of the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are now available for review. The changes to Chapter 113 of the Texas Administrative Code reflect amendments made by the State Board of Education during its January and March meetings. The official public comment period begins Friday. A public hearing on the rules is scheduled for May 19 with a committee vote on the TEKS scheduled for May 20 and a final board vote expected May 21.

The social studies changes are located at the bottom of the TEA page, HERE.

Also available are color-coded documents, which clearly show the changes that have been made, and where the change originated. These are available for ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, and HIGH SCHOOL curriculum.

Interesting items this month include a proposed change of meeting dates to the second Monday of the month, approval of construction documents for the $105 million summer phase of the Klein High renovation, and approval of free breakfasts for all students in the Klein Forest High School feeder pattern.

A summary of the Klein High construction proposal can be found HERE.

The full agenda packet, with supporting documentation for agenda items, can be found HERE.

In a vote split along party lines, the board approved new standards which are being described as everything from “adding balance” to a “whitewashing” by the board members. What is certain is that there will be a lot of interest when the Board posts the new standards on their website in mid-April, which will officially begin a 30-day public comment period before the final vote in May. During that period, the public may contact TSBoE at rules@tea.state.tx.us to submit comments and suggest changes.

The Texas State Board of Education has further resources at its website, and we will be posting an update when the revised standards are made available. It is important that your voice is heard!

Have an opinion? Visit our forum topic where you can discuss the board’s decision.

Tax increases over the next four years are a certainty following the 2008 bond, but what now looks likely is that in addition to these increases, Klein ISD will call an election in the 2011-2012 school year to approve collection of the remaining two “super pennies”. If approved, the 2-cent (per $100 appraised value) tax increase will be matched penny for penny by the government, effectively doubling district revenues from those two cents.

Full story, with more figures, after the jump.

Current district plans call for tax rates over the next four years to increase as follows:

Klein ISD Associate Superintendent of Finance, Mr. Thomas Petrek, stated at the meeting that with current bleak district growth projections, and an annual deficit of millions of dollars set to eat into the district’s general fund reserves over the next four years, a tax election for the super-pennies would be necessary in the school year 2011-2012. Klein’s cost-cutting in recent years has led to efficient operation, but leaves little room for further cuts in the event a tax increase is denied; Mr. Petrek indicated that at 88% of current costs, staffing represented the main area for potential cuts in that case, with reduction of special programs being another option.

After the emotions of the 2008 bond election, and the recent public outcries over the plans for Klein High School, a tax election will certainly face a hard time – but if the financial climate does not improve, it will be one of the tough choices Klein residents will have to make.

• Summer 2010: temporary buildings will be set up, and some students will be moved into the Annex building. (picture)
• Fall 2010: demolition of original classrooms, administration, and second gym. Students will be moved to remaining original buildings, Annex, and temporary buildings. (picture)
• Storm water detention area will be constructed. (picture)
• Over 18 months: two new buildings to be constructed, housing Athletics, CTE, Administration, Media Center and classrooms. (picture)
• Students will be moved into new buildings, allowing demolition of Annex, Career Center, Natatorium, Lifetime Sports and Pavilion. T-buildings removed. (picture)
• Over 18 months: remaining portion of new KHS will be built, housing Music/Fine Arts, CTE, Auditorium and Dining. New practice fields will be constructed on the site of the Annex. (picture)
• Students will occupy new KHS, allowing demolition of remaining original buildings. (picture)

For images of the plans, continue to the full post.

Stage 1: Preparation

Stage 2: Demolition

Stage 3: Water Detention

Stage 4: Construction

Stage 5: Demolition

Stage 6: Construction

Stage 7: Final Demolition

The agenda for tomorrow’s Klein ISD Board of Trustees meeting is available for viewing on Klein ISD’s website.

The link is: http://www.boardbook.org/apps/bbv2/public/detail_wrapper.cfm?MeetingKey=MjAwNDUzNDY%3D

The public portion of the meeting commences at 7pm, and there will be an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions.

The Board voted 5-2 in favor of the plan recommended by the Superintendent, which was Preferred Plan Draft Three. Details and a map of this plan are available at the Klein ISD website. (link)

We have a forum topic open for discussion on this subject here.

The link is: http://www.boardbook.org/apps/bbv2/public/detail_wrapper.cfm?MeetingKey=MjAwNDQyMjA%3D

The public portion of the meeting commences at 7pm, and there will be an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions.

This meeting will feature the decision on rezoning of the district’s intermediate schools following completion of the new Ulrich Intermediate; three drafts of the preferred zoning plan have been made public on the Klein ISD website, and Dr. Cain will present the administration’s recommended action plan to the board. Klein ISD is still accepting public comment, and can be contacted at zoning@kleinisd.net .

Klein board meetings allow for up to twenty minutes of public comment with individual speakers limited to five minutes; persons wishing to speak can register with the board secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

The Culture Fest is a great opportunity to explore Klein’s cultural diversity, with food samples, exhibits and performances celebrating the richness of our district!

Link to Klein ISD Flyer