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Tomball ISD Chief Financial Officer Jim Ross can still smile, even as the district faces a budget shortfall due to state cuts in education funding. That’s because Ross, along with Superintendent John Neubauer and the Tomball ISD school board have prepared for this likelihood for the past several years.

“The fact that the board has been conservative and held surpluses has kept us in a better position than many districts,” Ross said.

While other districts, including Magnolia and others in the area, have had to cut back and layoff staff and teachers, Tomball has been able to hold steady and even hire additional staff, with the opening of new schools.

Ross said the district set aside $16 million through the 2014-2015 school year, to prepare for the added expenses of opening Tomball Memorial High School (TMHS) and the new Timber Creek Elementary (TCE) in The Woodlands, as well shortfalls from state funding sources. Ross called it fiscal stabilization.

“Some of it was a planned deficit and dollars were set aside for that,” Ross said.

The district plans to hire more than 100 additional staff members and give a nearly three percent pay raise for all employees. More than 40 of those additional employees will be new teachers, mainly at TMHS and TCE.

The district expects total expenditures for the upcoming school year to be around the $86 million mark, with local and state revenues of $81.5 million, leaving a $4.5 million shortfall.

The state shortfalls are due to a poorly-designed revenue source that the state legislature designed to buy down local tax rates, while forcing districts to lower those rates, officials said. While the state promised to replace those dollars, it was only a one time payment during the 2011-12 school year. Ross recommended saving that one-time payment, which the board did.

Before the new law lowered Tomball’s operating tax rate to $1.01, the district was operating on a rate of $1.44 for every $100 in assessed valuation. The housing crisis also hurt, as property values plummeted. To top it off state funding has dropped from a high of more than $28 million in 2009-10, to what Ross expects will be just under $19 million this school year.

Even with the savings and careful financial planning, Tomball could see an even bigger crunch next year, something Ross said they have been planning for, but could still be difficult given the lack of state money and the restriction on local funding sources placed on districts by the state.

Another thing helping the district was the sale of Tomball Regional Medical Center to a private company.

Ross said the sale allows the district to receive tax dollars for the entire Medical Complex area, something which allowed for an increase of more than 13 percent in the districts tax base.

While many schools and several state education agencies are grumbling about what they say are unfair and unrealistic standards in federal education laws, the Tomball school system has found a way for most of its campuses to meet them.

The standards, called adequate yearly progress (AYP), were created by the No Child Left Behind Act. All public schools are evaluated annually in reading and math and meet the requirements if 87 percent of the students on a given campus pass the state reading and English test and 83 percent pass the math test.

Creekside Forest, Canyon Pointe, Lakewood, Rosehill, Tomball and Willow Creek elementaries all met the standards, as did Northpointe Intermediate, Willow Wood Junior High, Tomball Junior High and Tomball Memorial High School.

The district as a whole also met the requirements, one of only eight schools in the 51-school Region 4 area to do so. Only 28 percent of all Texas schools met or exceeded the requirements.

“AYP standards substantially increased this year,” Tomball Superintendent John Neubauer said. “All of our employees worked together to meet the needs of our students and that includes meeting AYP. I am proud that are district met the federal standard, but we have more work to do.”

Decker Prairie Elementary, Canyon Pointe Elementary and Tomball High School Elementary did not make the requirements. This was the second year that Decker Prairie, a Title 1 school, did not meet AYP. Under federal law, if a Title 1 school does not meet AYP standards for two consecutive years in the same subject, it has to allow students the option to attend a different school within the district.

School officials said that although Decker Prairie did not meet the standards, they still believe that the school and the students are performing well. The school met the standards overall, but one subgroup did not. Under the law all subgroups must meet the standards as well.

“The campus missed AYP for reading in one subgroup,” Randy Reedy, Tomball’s director of accountability, said. “The subgroup must increase their scores by two percentage points this year in order to meet AYP. That’s a small number of students. However, the campus met AYP for all other subgroups in reading and math.”

The same goes for Tomball High School, as one subgroup did not meet the standards in math, causing the school to fall short. Three subgroups at Tomball Intermediate did not meet AYP.

Officials stated that they have already designed a plan to ensure the other schools meet AYP next year.

“We are analyzing the student data to target the individualized needs of our students,” said Darlene Blair, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “We are also providing intervention through curriculum, instructional strategies and professional development for teachers.”

By 2014 the federal AYP standards will increase to a 100 percent passing rate for both subjects.

Tomball Memorial High School Silver Stars Captain Rachel Stephenson, junior (front, left); Tomball High School Cougar Charms Major Karley Emmott, senior (front, right); (second row, from left) Silver Stars Lieutenant Maddie Gray, junior; and Cougar Charms Captain Hannah Valentin, junior, performed together during the 32nd Annual Patriotic Show, which was held during halftime of the inaugural football game between the Tomball Cougars and the Tomball Memorial Wildcats.  Approximately 1,500 students in choir, drill team, cheerleading, band, JROTC, LOTC, and Student Council from Tomball High School, Tomball Memorial High School, Tomball Junior High, and Willow Wood Junior High performed honoring veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces.   

Theodore Hale is a typical teenager, who has performed non-typical feats for those in his age group.

Hale spent most of his summer participating in a fellowship program, at the Center for Space Nuclear Research.

"I originally signed up to be a part of the Idaho National Laboratory internship," he said. "They called and said that they read my application and invited me to be a part of this program."

The program was helping to study the feasibility of an electromagnetic rail system in space, which would be used to transport cargo to far away planets. The research focuses on putting a station on the moon, which would allow for cargo transport to Mars via the rail system.

"I helped work on programs to find the best launch dates and location," Hale said.

Hale was the first and only high school student to participate in the program so far.

"Being around so many people who have that much knowledge was great," he said. "It was essentially like taking graduate level courses as a 17-year-old."

Hale said the experience allowed him the chance to explore his career goals in a deeper fashion.

"I was thrown into the sharks den immediately," he said. "Everyone had a vast array of experiences and it allowed me to hear from them all and help me decide what course to pursue."

Hale said he know plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a double major in business management and chemical engineering. He credits his grandfather, a chemical engineer, for his interest in science.

"They definitely influenced me to the point that I want to pursue by (doctorate level degree)," he said.

Hale said that while he signed a contract which doesn't allow him to speak about a lot of the research he performed; he does believe that the nation has lost ground in a race to Mars.

"If money wasn't an object and the public didn't think it was a waste we would already be on Mars," he said.

The sounds and smells of goats, pigs, turkeys, cows and other farm animals will fill the air this weekend, as students from both Tomball high schools diligently prepare for the annual Tomball Future Farmers of America (FFA) project sale and show.
This year brings the 37th incarnation of the event, which allows FFA members to show and hopefully sell the animals they spent all year raising, feeding and caring for. The event will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at the Tomball ISD Project Center, at 30330 Quinn Rd.
"It gives kids the opportunity to become involved in FFA and teaches them a lot about responsibility and handling money," said Jimmy Vaculin, former Tomball FFA teacher and president of the Tomball High School FFA Booster Club.
Vaculin said the program also helps students build friendships and teaches them how to be a part of an organization.
'They develop camaraderie with one another," he said.
Tomball Memorial FFA Booster Club President Lesley Chronister agreed and said the students look forward all year to the show.
"It's a huge deal," she said. "The kids raise their animals all throughout the year with this show as the goal."
The show and its live auction provide funds for both schools FFA programs, as well as a majority of the funds for the Tomball FFA college scholarship program.
"The kids are able to get a lot of the money back they spent raising the animals and a lot of the funds go directly towards the scholarship fund for seniors," Chronister said.
Last year the show brought in more than $500,000 for the program and scholarship fund and the group hopes to do at least that this year.
Chronister's son Colby said that FFA has taught him lessons he will be able to carry throughout his life.
"I wanted to raise animals because I thought it would be fun, but doing this has taught me responsibility, how to care for an animal and motivated me to keep my grades up so I can show my animals," he said.
Colby Chronister said the show is not only hard work, but fun as well.
"It's fun meeting all the new people and the competition it brings, as well as seeing everyone else's projects." he said.
The show's schedule for Jan. 25 includes rabbits being shown at 11 a.m., followed by broilers at 1 p.m., with turkeys to follow, then market swine at 4 p.m. On Jan. 26 market lambs will be shown at 8 a.m. and market steers at 10:30 a.m. The Buyer's Barbecue will be open from 3:30-5 p.m., with the live auction to immediately follow.
For more information visit www.tomballffa.net.

Tomball Superintendent John Neubauer will soon be turning off the lights in his office for the final time, as he will retire following a career spanning more than 45 years.
Neubauer submitted a letter of resignation to the Tomball school board Jan. 14. His retirement will be effective when his contract ends June 30, after 16 years as the administrative head of the district.
"After much thought, prayer and evaluation, I decided that the time has come for me to retire," Neubauer said. "Retirement comes with mixed feelings. It's been an honor to serve the students of this district and a pleasure to work with so many wonderful and dedicated people district wide."
Board president John McStravick said that Neubauer's shoes will be difficult to fill.
"I think John has done an excellent job during his tenure," McStravick said. "He has been an asset to our entire school community. He is a dedicated educator who is loyal, practical and caring. The district is in great shape thanks to his leadership. As he plans his retirement, he'll have more time for his family and his hobbies."
Neubauer, who has held positions as a teacher, coach and principal, as well as superintendent, began his career in 1967, when the old 1936 Cherry Street building was an intermediate school.
"When I came to Tomball the principal handed me a textbook and a box of chalk and said, 'Good luck,'" he recalled.
Now, on that same site sits the new John P. Neubauer Administration Building, where his current office is located.
"My first teaching job was in the 1936 Cherry Street school where our administration building is now located," he said. "I feel I've been blessed to end my career in the same location where I began my career over four decades ago."
Neubauer, who also will step down as president of the Tomball Scholarship Foundation and chair of the UIL Region 9 Music Executive Committee, said his tenure was defined by one word --- teamwork.
"As superintendent I have set goals for myself and our entire staff has helped me achieve those goals," he said. "It's been a team effort."
He said he is proud of the financial shape the district is in, especially considering the tough times faced by other districts in Texas.
"I am proud that we offer the highest starting teacher pay in our area," he said. "We have weathered the school finance crisis without laying off employees or cutting any programs. We have maintained the same tax rate for five consecutive years. I am proud of those accomplishments, but I could not have accomplished any of those goals without the help of wonderful employees and wonderful students."
Neubauer said he plans to spend a lot more time with his family members and pursuing his hobbies.
"I plan to spend time with my family and with my grandson at our farm in east Texas," he said. "I also enjoy gardening, cooking, wood working and raising cattle and honey bees. I also plan to travel and see my relatives and I'm looking forward to that."
Tomball Communications Director Staci Stanfeld has gone from being a student of Neubauer's to a colleague and co-worker. She says he has been a huge influence in her life.
"We are going to miss him," she said. "He is a wonderful superintendent, a strong leader and a friend to so many people. He was my principal when I attended Tomball High School. Several of our employees are Tomball High School graduates and many of them had the opportunity to know him as a principal, teacher and coach."
While Neubauer jokes about his legacy – "They'll say I told a lot of stories and that I grow the best tomatoes they ever tasted!" – others say his footprint will last for a long time within the district.
"He has modeled the importance of being proactive and thoughtful when making decisions in the best interest of our students," McStravick said.
"He is a pillar in our community," Stanfeld added. "He's one of a kind and he's going to be missed."
Neubauer said he will miss the students and people of the community the most.
"I will miss seeing the accomplishments of our students and I will miss the people," he said. "The people of this great community have allowed me to serve all of these years. I'm a lucky man."

Tomball ISD recently put together a steering committee last October to look at ways the growing district could prepare for current and future needs. That committee presented its findings to the public during a recent public forum.

"The growth we are experiencing now requires us to look towards future needs, as well as maintaining what assets we have now," said steering committee chair Rick Pritchett.
Charged by the school board with that goal, the committee identified several areas which they studied. They included new schools, a way to take care of current facilities and capital improvements, new technologies and transportation.

When it comes to future growth, the committee will recommend four new campuses be built, at a cost of around $110 million. New schools recommended are a new elementary school and junior high in The Woodlands, as well as a new fifth and sixth grade campus and a new elementary on the districts south side.

The need for these schools is based on projections in growth through the 2018-19 school year.

"The growth we have experienced in the district has primarily been in the northeast and south side of the district," Pritchett said.

The committee also looked at ways to improve and maintain current schools, as well as improvements in technology and transportation. The improvements the committee will recommend in those areas are estimated to cost around $58 million.

"We have to provide for and take care of the assets we have, as well as provide new technology for the students and keep up with our transportation needs," Pritchett said.
Security was also a big factor for the committee. Pritchett explained that several campuses have their administrative offices located away from the front entrance, causing security concerns. The committee recommended that those campuses add a security vestibule at the front entrances.

The committee will present their findings and recommendations to the school board at a meeting Feb. 11. The board will then look at options to fund the recommendations that it approves of, which could include a future bond election.

Pritchett did say that all totals are only estimates at this point, but the district would avoid going over a tax rate of five cents per $100 valuation.

"We are fortunate here that we have a board that is not only passionate about education, but also financially savvy and skillful," he said.

The board will take some time after Monday's meeting to get community input on the proposal, before deciding on whether to hold a bond election. They will decide that during their March meeting.

Members of the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees recently agreed to call an election, in order to propose a $160 million bond issue that will provide new schools, renovations at current campuses, new technology and additional school buses.

The district recently put together a steering committee, made up of area residents and district employees, to study growth and needs within the district. Projections estimate that the district will grow by nearly 4,000 students over the next five years.

The steering committee recommended building four new schools to accommodate that growth. New elementary and intermediate schools will be built on the south side of the district, while an elementary school and a junior high are proposed for areas near The Woodlands.

The district also plans to perform several improvement and renovation projects at other schools as well. The plan calls for a new agricultural project barn directly adjacent to the current facility, as well as adding field turf and track renovations to Tomball ISD Stadium. Also, new weight rooms will be added to each junior high campus.

In addition to the extra-curricular activities improvements, the district also plans to upgrade heating, air conditioning, roof replacement, lighting, paving of parking lots and several other maintenance and facility improvements.

Renovations will include the front administration areas and cafeterias at both Lakewood and Decker Prairie, while Timber Creek and Creekside Forest will receive minor renovations to aid in the transition to the new K-5 grade configuration.

Finally the district looks to purchase additional school buses, as well as upgrading the district's technology programs and technology for instruction purposes as well. They will also provide funding for security areas near the front entrances at schools that currently do not have that.

Tomball ISD Communications Director Staci Stanfield said the school board and steering committee put in long hours to study and design the proposal.

"The steering committee and their subcommittees spent a great deal of time studying the district's needs," she said. "They did a very thorough job and were extremely committed."

Stanfield went on to say that if voters approve the bond issue, which will be held during the May 11 election, the financial impact on property owners will be minimal. The portion of Tomball ISD's tax rate that services interest and debt is currently 35 cents per $100 of valuation.

"It will go no higher than 40 cents," she said.

She added that the district will take the same steps as they did in 2007 – selling bonds in a manner that is fiscally responsible and will ensure the rate never goes higher than 40 cents.

Stanfield said the district also wants voters to have all the information they need to make an informed decision at the polls, so they will post all the information on their website, as well as answer any questions voters may have.

"It's important for us to give factual information and let the community know what our plans are," she said.

The Tomball ISD website is www.tomballisd.net. The election is set for May 11, 2013.

Every member of the Tomball Police department stood waiting outside their building Feb. 27, their badges glistening in the early morning sun.

They weren't preparing to respond to an emergency, rather they had gathered in preparation for the one time a year they could all be together – the annual inspection.

Inspecting them were the departments command staff of Chief Robert Hauck, Cpt. Rick Grassi, Cpt. Anthony Solomon and Cpt. Rickey Doerre, as well as other area law enforcement officials, business owners and community leaders.

"We do this for multiple reasons," Hauck said. First is the opportunity to show off the men and women of our department, the opportunity to allow us to get together with our public safety partners and members of the community and also the feeling of pride that all of us get being together as a whole, for this one time each year."

Hauck said that while the 47 sworn officers and 13 civilian employees were all together, the city received the help of the Harris County Pct. 4 and Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable Offices, as well as the Harris County Sheriff's Office in patrolling the city.

"We are very grateful for our partners help, it's what allows us to do this inspection each year," he said.

Meanwhile several other officials, including other law enforcement members, talked to the officers, some jokingly trying to hire them away to work for their agencies.

"We have applications with us," Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia said to laughter. "Seriously though, this community is very lucky that it has such fine men and women of the Tomball Police Department and to have Chief Hauck as well."

Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage said he was grateful his agency has received help from the Tomball Police Department in the past.

"When you all come across that creek to help us, we are so appreciative," he said.

Montgomery County Pct. 5 Chief Deputy David Wood agreed.

"I also live in Tomball, so I have a good view to see what a good job you all do," he said.

Tomball Superintendent John Neubauer said the department's continued partnership with the school district has been a key for school safety.

"It has been a great partnership," he said. "The Tomball Police Department is great and I just want to thank you for all that you do."

Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist said that the key to the department's success is the character of the men and women within the organization.

"You all look handsome in those uniforms," Hillegeist said. "But under those uniforms are what's really important, you all have huge hearts and we are blessed to have you all here."

The Harris County District Attorney's Office has dropped all charges against a 17-year-old Tomball student, following an incident Feb. 28, where police found a gun in the student's car.

Prosecutor's declined to file charges against 17-year-old Brett Ball, saying that the student broke no laws by having a gun in his truck on school grounds.

"The statute defines school property as excluding parking lots or parking structures," said DA spokesperson Sara Kinney.

Legislator's added the exclusion after concerns were expressed that someone who can legally carry a firearm could be arrested by merely going to pick up their child at school.

As the Tribune reported last week, police were tipped off the morning of Feb. 28 that Ball might have a weapon in his truck. When the school resource officer, Jennifer Torres, asked Ball if he had a gun, they said he admitted to it.

He was then arrested by Tomball Police and charges were filed. Only hours after the Tribune went to press, notification came that the charges were dropped.

It is not clear if Ball will still face disciplinary action from the school, as it is against school policy for student's to bring a weapon onto school grounds.