Minutes from first Meeting

Student Growth/Instructional Facilities Sub-Committee
Facility Study Committee
Tomball Independent School District
August 7, 2006

Chairman: Brent Lapsley
Co-Chairman: Rocky Fischer
Co-secretaries: SueAnne Wake and Anne Miesen
Facilitators: Dr. Darlene Blair and Huey Kinchen

The meeting was conducted by Brent Lapsley. Meeting minutes were taken by SueAnne Wake.

1. The schedule for meetings was presented. Most meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Two meetings were changed to Wednesday (August 23 and August 30) due to orientation meetings at the elementary schools Meetings are expected to be held either at the Bus Barn or at the high school auditorium. Locations for meetings are tentative and will be confirmed in the individual meeting agendas. A final schedule will be sent to all committee members.

2. The next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, August 15 at 7:30 PM, will include the three sub-committees. It will take place in the high school auditorium where growth projections will be presented by David Schuelke, Assistant Superintendent for Ancillary Services.

3. The committee decided that email is the preferred way to communicate subcommittee business.

4. Given the large size of the sub-committee, it is possible that smaller groups may be formed to explore specific matters of interest.

5. A question was raised as to the origins of the growth projections. Mr. Lapsley stated that it was his understanding that the school district had contracted with an independent consultant for this information. An additional question related to whether all new housing developments have been incorporated into current projection figures.

6. The primary focus of the sub-committee is the growth of the district. To this end, the sub-committee will examine, among other factors, location of schools, attendance zones, consideration of state-mandated programs and requirements and size of classrooms.

7. A sub-committee member suggested that the Tomball Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Department of Transportation have websites containing growth projections within the district.

8. A request was made for maps of the school district, to include all new housing developments. Mr. Lapsley stated that this information would be provided in future meetings.

9. The minutes and agendas will be provided to all committee members via email. A suggestion was made to establish a website for the committee. Mr. Lapsley and Mr. Kinchen agreed to explore the possibility of placing sub-committee materials on a website. Magda Craige volunteered to assist in creating and/or maintaining the website. This issue will be discussed at further meetings.

10. The committee was reminded that all meetings will be open to the public.