Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 April 25, 2013 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 38, No. 12 Leader remembers crimes The Leader’s series on unsolved crimes will continue in next week’s edition. Children at Risk ranks local schools Lariaette spring show set The Houston-based nonprofi t Children at Risk vanced Placement, International Baccalaureate ranked 55th (C) on the Greater-Houston list. “Not all students plan to go get a bachelor’s Dobie was the next highest PISD high school degree,” Lewis said. “Their focus is not what’s The J. Frank Dobie Lariaettes will hold recently released its somewhat controversial and dual enrollment; the percentage of students 2013 rankings of local schools. in grades 11 and 12 taking at least one AP or IB on the list at 78th (C). South Houston High needed for the community. There’s a strong need their annual spring show April 25, 26 and 27 School was ranked 124 (D), Pasadena High in our community for job training. It’s not one in the school auditorium. The show begins at The organization ranked more than 1,000 exam; the percentage of students who passed at public high schools in Texas (150 in the Greater least one AP or IB exam; overall student atten- School was ranked 130 (D) and Sam Rayburn size fi ts all. I’d be very shortsighted if I didn’t 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $10 and can be was ranked 134 (D). fulfi ll that need just to show up well on a Chil- purchased from any Lariaette or at the door. Houston area) to see who was doing the best at dance rate for the school year; graduation rate; educating students and preparing them for post- the percentage of graduates who took the ACT Overall, the Clear Creek Independent School dren at Risk study.” secondary education. or SAT college admissions exams; average score District fared better in the rankings. Intermediates Kirkmont volunteers sought A total of 14 variables were examined by the for students taking the ACT; average score for Scoring tops for CCISD was Clear Lake at 17 The organization also ranked nearly 1,800 Residents of Kirkmont I are seeking volun- group to determine how successful each high students taking the SAT; and the percentage of (A). Clear Brook followed at 38 (B), and Clear public middle schools in Texas (283 in the Great- teers to help mow and clean up the subdivi- school was. Among these were the percentage students who qualify for free- or reduced-price Creek High School trailed at 45 (C). er Houston area). sion’s unkempt esplanades, especially on of 11th-graders scoring at the “commended” lunch and are economically disadvantaged. PISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis contends the The eight variables used to rank intermediate Blackhawk Boulevard. level on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge The data used were obtained from the Texas Children at Risk rankings place too much em- campuses include State of Texas Assessments of The neighborhood’s homeowners associa- and Skills in English/language arts, math, social Education Agency. phasis on students who are planning to enter a Academic Readiness (STAAR) advanced read- tion is currently lacking the necessary funds, studies and science; the percentage of graduates This year marked the fi rst time schools were four-year college. Continued on Page 2A as it has encountered trouble collecting dues. who met the course requirements for the state’s assigned a letter grade (A-F) based on their com- Those interested in helping are asked to recommended diploma program; the percentage parative performance. email the Leader at mynews@southbeltleader. of students who completed and received credit Leading the pack for the Pasadena Independent Students fi nd dead body near ditch com. for at least one advanced course, including Ad- School District was Pasadena Memorial, which An unidentifi ed 50-year-old man was found students who were walking home from school. Knights hold fi sh fry dead the afternoon of Tuesday, April 23, next to He was reportedly not breathing and covered The Knights of Columbus will serve fish the Beamer ditch between Kirkfair and Beltway with ants. dinners Friday, April 26, at St. Luke the Evan- 8. Attempts by emergency crews to revive the gelist Catholic Church. Alvarez According to Capt. Jerry Luman from the man were unsuccessful. Police said they do not The dinner will consist of a breaded catfish Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s offi ce, the suspect foul play in the incident. fillet, french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, named man, thought to be a resident of Montgomery At press time, the man’s identity and cause of corn-on-the-cob and iced tea. Soft drinks and County, was discovered at roughly 4:20 p.m. by death had not been released. desserts will also be available for sale. Baked fish will also be available in limited quantities. Miss One-piece dinners will be $9 and two-piece Early voting begins for MUDs, CCISD dinners are $12, dine in or take out. Dinners Early voting for the May 11 municipal utility gy and co-curricular and extracurricular pro- will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. at 11011 Hall Strawberry district and school elections will begin Monday, grams. Contents of the bond package were pri- Road. April 29, and continue through Tuesday, May 7. oritized by a 30-member committee consisting All money raised will be used for scholar- Bond elections will be held in both the of parents, local citizens, business leaders and ships and other local community charitable Zoe Aline Alvarez of East- Sagemeadow and Kirkmont municipal utility educators. projects. All are invited. For more informa- ridge Terrace recently won districts and the Clear Creek Independent School If approved, the bond would affect all district tion, call 832-444-4958. the Queen Miss Pasadena District. CCISD will also hold a board election. campuses and eight support facilities in some ca- Strawberry. She also won MUDs pacity. Beverly Hills Civic Club meets fi rst-place trophies for The Sagemeadow and Kirkmont municipal Of the proposed $367 million, roughly $87 Beverly Hills Civic Club will meet from 6 the best portofolio, best utility districts will each hold bond elections to million would be earmarked for priority repairs, until 7 p.m. Monday, April 29, at Beverly Hills costume and best model. address their aging water and sewer lines that to improve student safety and to expand for pro- Park. Carolyn Dickenson cuurently serves as Zoe is 3 years old and the were damaged by recent droughts. jected growth. president. daughter of GeBron and Voters in the Sagemeadow MUD’s bond will Approximately $21 million of this would go LaDonna Alvarez. She is decide on a $15 million proposal, while Kirk- to Clear Brook High School to secure entrance, Blues Worship at Cokesbury the granddaughter of Bill mont residents will vote on a $10 million bond. repair signifi cant foundation failure and expand and Petrea Phenix of Gulf commons and other areas for expected growth. Cokesbury United Methodist Church, The lack of rainfall, particularly in the sum- Palms and Bill and Helen mer of 2011, caused extensive damage to both of Weber Elementary would also receive unspec- 10030 Scarsdale, will bring back its unique Sullivan of Waco. At 2 ifi ed improvements. Casual Church offering Sunday, April 28, at 5 the districts’ infrastructure. Sagemeadow offi- years old, Zoe won Duch- cials said the funds would go primarily toward Rebuilds and improvements of campuses that p.m. ess, best dress and photo are 40 years old or more would account for $182 The Blues Worship service features live, fixing the MUD’s water lines, while Kirkmont album trophies in the Pas- intends to use the funds primarily to make neces- million of the bond proposal. original blues music and a message that is rel- adena Strawberry Festival Instructional technology improvements would evant to the real world. Come for a very dif- sary repairs to its sewer lines, if the measure is Beauty Pageant. Last year, approved by voters. account for $45 million of the proposed bond. ferent worship experience and then stay for a she won the Empress tro- The remaining $49 million of the funds would light supper and fellowship. To save money, the two MUDs will hold the phy, photogenic and the bond elections jointly at the Kirkmont MUD be used to construct or expand facilities to sup- For additional information, visit www.cum- album trophy. port co-curricular and extracurricular programs, chouston.org. building located at 10102 Blackhawk. Early voting hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. including a new $39 million stadium, the second Photo submitted on April 29 through May 2 and on May 6 and for the district. Sageglen holds garage sale May 7 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 3. The estimated tax increase of this bond is The Sageglen subdivision will hold a com- Election Day voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. $0.1125. If approved by voters, a homeowner of munitywide garage sale on Friday and Satur- CCISD a median home would see an initial $5.12 day, May 3 and May 4. Rustin benefit set for April 27 Voters in CCISD will vote on a $367 million increase per month in property taxes with a maximum annual payment of $172.72. A medi- A team roping and barbecue fundraiser for The event will also feature a live and silent bond that offi cials say is necessary to address the Continued on Page 2A Kindergarten Roundups set South Belt resident Jan Rustin will take place auction, a washer and bean bag tournament and district’s aging facilities, instructional technolo- Frazier Elementary Saturday, April 27, at the Pasadena Fairgrounds several children’s activities.