Cypress-Fairbanks ISD NOV. 5 INSIDE Vol. 23, Issue 2 A Publication of CFISD September 2013 In accordance with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, this edition has been published in Trustee Election English, Chinese, Spanish and 2013 Vietnamese. POSITION 5 POSITION 6 En conformidad con la Ley Federal del Derecho al Voto Dr. John de 1965, esta edición ha sido Don Ryan publicada en inglés, en chino, Ogletree Jr. Ballot Running en español y en vietnamita. Position 1 Unopposed Chiếu theo Đạo Luật về Quyền Bỏ Phiếu Liên Bang Ban Hành 1965, thông báo này được đăng bằng tiếng POSITION 7 Tây Ban Nha và tiếng Việt. Dr. Shaik Bob R. Ahmed Covey 根據1965聯邦投票權法 Ballot Running Position 2 案，此版本已用英文、 Unopposed 中文、西班牙文和越南 文出版。 Trustee Election Four candidates to run Anyone who is not registered to vote can go in upcoming election to www.harrisvotes. Four candidates are seeking four-year terms org to download a voter to fill seats for Trustee Position 5, Position registration card. The last day to 6 and Position 7. Incumbent Dr. John register to vote is Monday, Oct. 7. Ogletree Jr. of Copper Lakes Estates is running unopposed for Trustee Position 5. The candidates for Trustee Position 6 are incumbent Don Ryan of Wortham Villages in Ballot Position 1 and first-time candidate BOARD Dr. Shaik Ahmed of Canyon Lakes at Candidate Forum Stone Gate in Ballot Position 2. Incumbent Bob R. Covey of Lakes of Fairhaven is The community is invited to attend the running unopposed for Trustee Position 7. Board Candidate Forum on Oct. 15 from 7-8 p.m. at the Berry Center Voters can review candidate responses to (8877 Barker Cypress Road). The questions on pages 4-21 to become more event will air live on CFTV Comcast Cable familiar with each of the candidates seeking Channel 16 and CFTV Online at www. to fill Positions 5, 6 and 7. Their written cfisd.net. responses are printed as submitted. INSIDE · 2 Early Voting Dates and Times Oct. 21 Oct. 21-25 (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Oct. 26 (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) through Oct. 27 (1 p.m. - 6 p.m.) Nov. 1 Oct. 28-Nov. 1 (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) Locations (near Cy-Fair area) Prairie View A&M University- Northwest 9449 Grant Road Cypress Top Park Early voting for the Nov. 5 General 26026 Hempstead Highway Election and the CFISD Trustee Tomball Public Works Building Election will begin on Monday, 501B James St. Oct. 21 and end on Friday, Nov. 1. Franz Road Storefront Registered voters have the option to 19818 Franz Road cast an early ballot in person at any Jersey Village City Hall early voting location and several sites 16327 Lakeview Drive are located near the Cy-Fair area (see Bear Creek Park Community Center locations listed in the right column). For 3055 Bear Creek Drive additional early voting locations, contact Champion Forest Baptist Church the Harris County Clerk’s Office at 713- 4840 Strack Road 755-6965. INSIDE · 3 Place on Ballot: 1 2013 Candidates Trustee Election Each candidate was asked to submit responses to questions relevant to serving on a school board. Their responses are printed on the pages that follow. INSIDE · 4 Dr. John Ogletree Jr., Position 5 Place on Ballot: 1 Spouse’s name: Evelyn Ogletree Children: Johnny III – 38; Lambreni – 37; Joseph – 29; Jordan – 25 Occupation: Pastor and Founder, First Metropolitan Church Subdivision: Copper Lakes Estates Years lived within CFISD: 23 years INSIDE · 5 Don Ryan, Position 6 Place on Ballot: 1 Place on Ballot: 2 Spouse’s name: Julie Ryan Children: Wesley Ryan-Age 23 Texas A&M Class of 2013, Allison Ryan-Age 19 Texas A&M Class of 2016, Tanner Ryan-Age 15 9th Grade at Cy-Fair High School Occupation: Cy-Fair Insurance Group Subdivision: Wortham Villages Years lived within CFISD: 42 years INSIDE · 6 Dr. Shaik M. Ahmed, Ed.D., Position 6 Place on Ballot: 2 Spouse’s name: I have been married to my beautiful wife, Zakia Ahmed, for 15 years. Children: My eldest, Thayiba A. Ahmed, is 10 years old and is a 5th grader at Birkes Elementary. My youngest, Tanzila A. Ahmed, is three. Occupation: I am the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NW Cypress Pediatrics and Family Medicine. I also teach classes at Lone Star College. Subdivision: Canyon Lakes at Stonegate Years lived within CFISD: It has been a pleasure living in Cy-Fair for 24 years. INSIDE · 7 Bob R. Covey, Position 7 Place on Ballot: 1 Spouse’s name: Kathleen M. Covey Children: David Paul (34) Cy- Fair High School ‘96/ Texas State University Bachelors Degree/ Married; Michael Andrew (32) Cy-Fair High School’ 99/ Texas State University Bachelors Degree/ Married; James Robert (30) Cy-Fair High School ‘01/ Texas State University Bachelors Degree/ Married; 5 Grandchildren (all live in Cy-Fair ISD and will attend Cy- Fair schools) Occupation: Retired from American Alloy Steel, Inc after 35 years. Vice President-Sales Subdivision: Lakes of Fairhaven Years lived within CFISD: Originally moved into Cy-Fair area in 1975 INSIDE · 8 Candidates were asked to submit a response to the following question(s). Their responses are printed below: Why did you choose to live in CFISD? POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 I am a graduate of the district (Cy-Fair High School Class of 1981) and my decision to live in our district is based on the experiences that I had as a Ogletree Ryan student in CFISD. I had teachers and Covey As concerned coaches who were challenging, caring, and community parents, my wife oriented. My children have experienced the highest Educational and I searched quality education, and our district continues to provide opportunity for a community that opportunity with teachers who are encouraging for our sons, to raise our and schools that have nurturing environments. and my wife children that as a teacher. was safe and Proximity to offered a quality When I came from Bangladesh in 1984, my work. education the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD faculty and Feeling of program. We staff became my surrogate parents. With community in also wanted a them, I found a new home away from the area. school system Ahmed home, and a new family who inspired in which she me to become an educator in life. Back in 1990, Cy- could work and Fair ISD sent me to the United States Coast Guard help make a Academy to continue my post-secondary education difference in the with scholarship money totaling close to $250,000. lives of other CFISD has a tradition of producing excellence. children. INSIDE · 9 Candidates were asked to submit a response to the following question(s). Their responses are printed below: Are you currently a CFISD volunteer? If so, what school(s)? If not, have you been a CFISD volunteer in the past (include years)? POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 Yes. I currently serve on the CFISD Board and over the past several years have had the opportunity to Ogletree visit and volunteer at approximately Covey Ryan 40 of our campuses. I have also As a Board mentored students at Lamkin Elementary, and I Yes. I am a reader member, I am a volunteer and lifetime member of the Cy- at Sheridan visit at least Fair High School Athletic Booster Club. Finally, I Elementary School 11 schools am a CFISD Global Volunteer. and Metcalf each school Elementary term. School. I am also a “Global Volunteer”, and have the Yes, I volunteer at Birkes opportunity to Elementary where my daughter volunteer in any currently attends. school that might have a need. I have Ahmed also participated in the Bus Buddies Program, and Read Across America. INSIDE · 10 Candidates were asked to submit a response to the following question(s). Their responses are printed below: List your participation in CFISD school and/or district parent clubs, business partnerships and/or committees. POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 I am a member of Reader; Mentor; the Cy-Fair Chamber Volunteer; of Commerce that is President, Cy-Fair a fantastic and vital HS All-Athletic Ogletree Ryan partner with CFISD. I Covey Booster Club / I have now have also been a member of the PTO Chorale Booster Club; Project served three organizations at Adam Elementary, Prom / Graduation; School three-year Arnold Middle School, and Cy-Fair Finance Committee; CPOC; terms on High School. As stated earlier, I am Bus Buddies; Read Across the Board, a lifetime member of the Cy-Fair High America; Bond Steering as member, School Athletic Booster Club. Committee; CFISD Board Secretary, - Secretary, VP, President; Vice President TASB & Legislative Review and President. I have been a member Committee; Leadership Prior to being of Birkes Elementary TASB / Master Trustee; elected, I PTO; a volunteer at TASB Presenter; Gulf Coast served on Birkes Elementary; and Area School Board; Texas several task Ahmed a member of Cy-Fair Fellow; National School Board forces for the Chamber of Commerce–Education Convention Presenter; National district. Workforce Committee. School Board’s Federal Relations Network Conference INSIDE · 11 Candidates were asked to submit a response to the following question(s). Their responses are printed below: Include any other areas in which you have supported CFISD not included on page 11. POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 With our previous funding issues, I have consistently made trips to Austin, with other Board members, to visit with our local representatives Ogletree Ryan and share the needs and concerns of Covey our community. Having a strong relationship with My wife taught Each semester our local representatives has been critical over the in the district for the past 8 last several years.