Celebrating our 40th year of covering the South Belt community Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Thursday, January 28, 2016 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 40, No. 51 Financial aid help at Dobie Dobie High School will hold a financial aid program on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. in the PISD graduation rate nears 90 percent cafeteria for Dobie students and parents. The program will address the process for seniors to The Pasadena Independent School District’s “We are proud of our students’ performance,” CTHS provides students with an opportunity members and community volunteers visit the apply for financial aid (Free Application for graduation rate jumped above the 89 percent said DeeAnn Powell, PISD’s acting superinten- to graduate with a diploma, earn college credits homes of high school students who have not re- Federal Student Aid or FAFSA) for college in mark during the 2014-15 school year – exceed- dent of schools. “While we know there is room and gain professional certifi cation or a license enrolled in school to encourage them to return. the fall of 2016. Junior parents are welcome to ing the state average by 1.1 percent – according to improve, these results show how their hard in high-demand areas, such as pre-engineering, The Community School allows students – attend to learn more about the process for a to new data released last month by the Texas work has already started paying off.” robotics, nursing, veterinary technology, auto- those 18 years and older who are a few credits future senior student. Education Agency. Powell will assume the duties of superinten- motive collision, welding, cosmetology, culinary shy of graduating – an opportunity to earn a The graduation rate hike, which showed a dent on Feb. 1. arts and other fi elds. diploma. Tegeler Career Center offers smaller Last day to register to vote jump from 88.9 percent the previous year to 89.4 Another bright spot for PISD was a 6.4 per- Offi cials say the continued improvement class sizes so students receive more one-on-one Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector during the new ratings period, was part of the lat- cent increase in students taking advance place- in the graduation and dropout rates can be at- instruction with teachers. Mike Sullivan reminds citizens that the last est Texas Academic Performance Report of pub- ment or college courses as part of the Pasadena tributed to, in part, programs like the Walk for PISD schools also offer computer-assisted in- day to register to vote for the 2016 Primary lic schools. Early College High School. Success and alternative courses available at the struction for credit recovery and initial credit for Election is Feb. 1, 2016. If a registered voter PISD’s dropout rate showed a signifi cant de- The PECHS program allows freshmen to en- district’s Community School and Tegeler Career those falling behind. has moved within Harris County or has crease, from 1.8 percent to 1.4 percent. The state roll in classes through San Jacinto College. This Center. To view the full report, visit https://rptsvr1. changed his or her name, voter registration dropout average is 2.2 percent. gives students the opportunity to earn an associ- During the Walk for Success, district staff tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/2015/index.html. information can be updated by visiting www. State of Texas Assessments of Academic ate degree at the same time they earn their high hctax.net and clicking on the Name/Address Readiness (STAAR) testing results showed pass- school diploma. Change button under the Voter Registration ing percentages of PISD students improved or re- College and career readiness among PISD stu- Locke to fill El Franco Lee’s seat mained steady in nearly every subject. Although dents is 10.4 percent above the state average this tab. For more information, email voters@ Harris County Judge Ed Emmett announced who understands the workings of Harris County hctx.net or call 713-274-8200. falling short of state averages in some subjects, year, the data showed. School offi cials credit, the district received an overall rating of having among other things, the opening of the Lewis Friday, Jan. 22, that he had appointed former government. Gene Locke meets both criteria met the state performance standard. Career and Technical High School. Houston city attorney Gene L. Locke to fi nish very well.” Dobie to present Annie the late El Franco Lee’s term as Precinct 1 Harris Contrary to other media reports that said he The Dobie High School Fine Arts Depart- County commissioner. had no intentions of running for the position ment will present the heart-warming musical, Locke, 68, is a partner at the Andrews Kurth once the current term expires, Locke told the Annie, Thursday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Powell begins new PISD role law fi rm and a former Houston mayoral candi- Leader he may seek the offi ce should a quali- Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are date. He will serve as commissioner for Precinct 1 fi ed candidate not emerge or if the party was in $10 for all seating, and may be purchased at through Dec. 31. He replaces Lee, who died unex- disagreement. Dwight Boykins, who is running the door. For ticket information, call 713-740- pectedly Jan. 3 after more than 30 years in offi ce. unopposed for his second term as a City Coun- 0370, ext. 04173. A longtime friend and counsel to Lee, Locke cil member representing the South Belt area, has has a long history of activism and public service, expressed his desire to run for the position. Other including stints as city attorney from 1995-1998, offi cials seeking the position include Rep. Sheila Knights sell spaghetti general counsel to the Harris County-Houston Jackson Lee, state Sen. Rodney Ellis and City Knights of Columbus Council 9201 will Sports Authority and special counsel to the Met- Council members Jerry Davis, Larry Green and sponsor a fundraising spaghetti dinner on ropolitan Transit Authority. He also represented C.O. Bradford. Friday, Jan. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the St. Commissioners Court during the court’s most re- Locke further told the Leader he plans to con- Luke Catholic Church Social Hall, located at cent redistricting efforts. tinue Lee’s work in the South Belt community, 11011 Hall Road. Emmett said he had two main criteria in se- beginning with the new water park to be located The menu will include all-you-can-eat spa- lecting a new commissioner. at El Franco Lee Park, which is expected to go ghetti covered with original KC 9201 Pasta “My fi rst goal has been to fi nd a person who out for bid next month. Sauce, two made-from-scratch Italian meat- knew Commissioner Lee and his family so that “This precinct belongs to El Franco Lee,” balls, garden salad with Italian dressing, El Franco’s priorities would be continued,” Em- Locke said. “And anything I do for the next 11 French bread, and iced tea or lemonade. The mett said. “Secondly, I hoped to fi nd someone months belongs to his legacy.” cost is $7 eat in or take out. For children under 12, the cost is $3, eat in only. LSA Open House Jan. 31 Mayor Turner to visit chamber Lutheran South Academy will host an open Newly elected Houston Mayor Sylvester The chamber member of the year and volun- house for prospective families on Sunday, Jan. Turner will be the featured guest at the South teer of the year will also be recognized at the 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. Parents can take a tour of Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce’s 31st an- event. the facilities, meet the faculty and have the DeeAnn Powell will begin her role as superintendent for the Pasadena Independent School nual installation banquet Thursday, March 3, at Individual tickets are $50 each. Sponsorships opportunity to see first-hand what Lutheran District on Monday, Feb. 1. This marks the fi rst time a female has held the position. Powell the Palms Events Center, 15301 Gulf Freeway at opportunities range from $650 to $1,000. South is all about. has served the district as a history teacher, peer facilitator, assistant principal, principal, Dixie Farm Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information or to purchase tick- LSA is located at 12555 Ryewater Drive, associate superintendent and, most recently, deputy superintendent. The 2016 chamber president and board mem- ets, contact chamber Executive Director Sherry near I-45 and Dixie Farm Road. For more Photo submitted bers will be offi cially sworn into offi ce at the Trainer at 281-481-5516 or info@southbelt information, contact Lee Ann Kerr, director of event. chamber.com. admissions, at 281-617-5619 or at leeann. [email protected]. Dobie baseball sells BBQ Powell takes reins as Pasadena ISD superintendent The Dobie baseball program will host a DeeAnn Durrett was a competitive kid, a She knows all too well the competition – and “She’s refl ective and proactive and her purpose is PISD Board of Trustees and has served as acting fundraising barbecue and scrimmage game source of high energy from her days as an ele- the challenges – are just beginning. to create systems that are replicable. Best of all, superintendent since Dec. 8. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the school’s varsity base- mentary student in Pasadena Independent School “I want Pasadena ISD to be the best school she has a heart of gold for students.” Powell will make history the moment she ball fi eld on campus (also inside El Franco Lee District, on through Queens Intermediate, then district,” she said.