Northgate vs. The World - Part Deux

[mrfootball]

KISD denies Northgate petition, Matthews files new claim

By KENTESHEIA DOCKERY, kdockery@hcnonline.com04/18/2007

http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?new...32256&rfi=6

The board of trustees from Klein Independent School District followed their neighbors to the east and declined the petition for detachment and annexation authored by Northgate Forest resident Thomas Matthews on April 10.

All opposed the petition except for trustee Jerry Courtney, who abstained.

Based on claims re-search-ed by Spring ISD, Klein ISD's attorney David Feldman found it was in the district's best interests to dismiss the issue upon accepting that the petition did not fulfill Texas Education Agency legal requirements.

Matthews left the school board meeting feeling "stuck," after Spring ISD "abruptly adjourned" its public hearing on April 5 and denied people in the community an opportunity to comment on the issue.

As a result, he filed a request with the TEA asking Education Commissioner Shirley J. Neeley to appoint an administrative law judge to repeal their action against his petition and reprimand the Spring ISD.

"He doesn't think Spring ISD conducted the hearing accordingly," said Debbie Ratcliffe, TEA communications director.

Matthews' request arrived Thursday, but was referred to the legal office for review before any decision could be granted, she said.

Although the TEA receives a few requests for detachment and annexation every year, rarely does a community effort succeed.

"A lot of citizens will attempt it," Ratcliffe said. "But, they don't meet technical qualifications, can't find additional support within the community or realize they don't have as much support as they thought they did."

Nevertheless, she said, both districts have made their final decision and the matter should be over.

Matthews told Klein ISD trustees and Superintendent Dr. Jim Cain that Spring ISD needed to take the politics and emotion out of their school district. For that reason, he and others would oppose Spring ISD's $280 million bond election in May - just as they did with the previous bond election in 2006.

However, prior to the decision on April 5, Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Ralph Draper received a letter from Matthews and homeowners from 20 subdivisions willing to endorse the upcoming proposal.

The Northgate Forest petition was drafted by residents who were disappointed with state and regional Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores from Oak Creek Elementary, Wells Middle School and Westfield High School. Furthermore, residents of the affluent community want better spending per student by the district and lower taxes.

[Houston1stWordOnTheMoon]

I wonder if the affluent residents are running for positions on the school board? If thier goal is better education and more spending per child, and they have all of this support, it seems school board seats would be an easy win for them. Through being placed on the school boards, they can create such change.

If the goal is to not be a part of the school system all together without participation in school board proceedings then thats a whole new ball game. If they are so damned affluent and so upset with the way school business is conducted, to the point of wanting out, without participating in the school board process, why arent thier kids in private schools? Seems to me that some of the perceived affluence of some of these people is smoke and mirrors-----meaning the whiners are probably living at or above thier means and are unable to send Jim and Jane to private schools.

Rather than getting involved in the school board process, they choose to throw these silly tantrums. This is one whine i will refrain from having with my cheese