EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Cy-Fair ISD
QUOTE OF NOTE
Superintendent Mark Henry announces retirement CY FAIR ISD Superintendent Mark Henry will retire at the end of 2023 after 12 years in the district, accord- ing to a May 8 message to community members. Doctor of Education in administra- tion. He has been an educator for 42 years—32 of which were as a superin- Although the school board will begin their search for a new superin- tendent, Cy-Fair will be his “forever home” following his departure from district leadership, he said. BY DANICA LLOYD
HIGHLIGHTS CY FAIR ISD The Cy-Fair ISD human resources department announced May 8 progress on the number of bilingual teachers, recruiting from local colleges and teacher turnover rates. But the retention rate is still an issue; the board set a target of ensuring teacher turnover is 4% lower than the state average. The department reported a decrease in teachers leaving the district, but the rate was 14.3% in 2021-22—lower than the state average of 17.7%, but higher than CFISD’s 12.2% the prior year. CY FAIR ISD Virginia Flores was named the district’s new athletic director May 15. She will replace Ray Zepeda, who was named director of athletics for the University Interscholastic League in April. Flores was previously CFISD’s associate athletic director and has 20 years of experience in the district, according to a news release. “IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE A REALISTIC OVERVIEW WHEN THERE ARE QUITE A FEW FINANCE RELATED BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED.” KAREN SMITH, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CY FAIR ISD Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees will meet at 9 a.m. June 20 at 11440 Matzke Road, Cypress. 281-897-4000. www.c sd.net Lone Star College System board of trustees will meet at 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. 832-813-6500. www.lonestar.edu MEETINGS WE COVER
tendent. He joined CFISD in 2011. During his time in CFISD, he was named Region 4 Education Service Center Superintendent of the Year and was a nalist for Texas Super- intendent of the year. Henry has been heavily involved in the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce and has served as a trustee for the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation Leadership Committee as well as for HCA Hous- ton Healthcare. In late 2021, the board unani- mously voted to name the newly opened administration building after Henry.
“This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” he said in an email statement. “To be superintendent of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has been the capstone of a blessed career. The friends I’ve made, being involved in the community and seeing so many dedicated educators guide our students to reach their goals has been a blessing.” Henry has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, a Master of Education in administration and a
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING “This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. To be superintendent of Cypress- Fairbanks ISD has
been the capstone of a blessed career.” MARK HENRY, SUPERINTENDENT, CY FAIR ISD
Cy-Fair ISD prepares for 2023 24 budget amid legislative uncertainty
BY DAVE MANNING
FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION If approved, House Bill 100 could increase the basic allotment given to school districts. As of press time, the bill was still being debated.
CY FAIR ISD During a May 8 Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, district o cials discussed how proposed state legislation could impact the district’s 2023-24 budget. “It’s very di cult to provide a realistic overview when there are quite a few nance-related bills that have been led,” Chief Financial O cer Karen Smith said. At the time of her presentation May 8, Smith said House Bill 100, authored by state Rep. Ken King, R Canadian, was possibly the only avenue school districts had to see an increase in the basic allotment for public education. The district advocated for a $1,000 increase in the basic allot- ment, which is currently $6,160 per student. As of May 8, HB 100 proposed a $140 increase in the basic allotment over the next two years, which Smith said would have provided the district about $20.4 million. “To just recover from 14.5% in ation, they would need to increase the basic allotment by $900,” Smith said. However, in late May, lawmakers in the Texas Senate
$13,679 Average per-student spending nationwide
$6,160 Current basic allotment per student statewide $9,833 Average per-student spending in Cy-Fair ISD
$900 Amount of increase needed to recover from in ation
SOURCES: CY FAIR ISD, EDUCATION WEEK'S 2021 SCHOOL FINANCE RANKINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT
amended HB 100 to include a school voucher provision and reduce the proposed basic allotment increase. The bill was still being debated as of press time. The last day of the regular legislative session was May 29, and a special session had not been called as of press time. CFISD board President Tom Jackson said the board would meet June 20 at 9 a.m. to approve a 2023-24 budget.
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CYPRESS EDITION • JUNE 2023
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