Tomball ISD calls $198 million bond election

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The Tomball Independent School District has called a $198 million bond election in hopes of building and renovating a multitude of district facilities.

At a March 6 meeting, the district’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved an agenda item calling for the vote, set for May 12.

If approved, the bond package would fund three new elementary schools, a new high school, new support facilities and renovations and upgrades to several other district facilities.

According to the district, Tomball ISD is expected to grow by more than 4,000 students over the next seven years.

“In order to accommodate student growth, the district is proposing to add classrooms by building new facilities and constructing additional classroom wings at some schools,” the district stated in a release.

Two of the proposed elementary schools would be built in The Woodlands, which is currently building a new village, Creekside Park, located in Tomball ISD.

The schools would house students in grades kindergarten through sixth.

A third elementary school, along with a second high school, would be built in the southern portion of the district and would relieve Willow Creek Elementary and Tomball High School “as they reach maximum capacity,” the district stated.

A facility study committee presented the board with two options for housing the increased high school population.

One was to build a new high school, while a second was to utilize Tomball Junior High as a ninth grade campus and build a new junior high school.

Board President Sam Gregson said the board believed that turning Tomball Junior High into a ninth grade campus was only a temporary solution.

“If you looked at the growth projections and timelines, that would have been considered a Band Aid approach,” he said. “From a longer term perspective, the second high school became a pretty clear answer.”

Decker Prairie and Lakewood Elementary would both receive pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classroom wings while Tomball Intermediate would receive a classroom addition to increase student capacity.

The district plans to move students currently enrolled in Beckendorf Intermediate into Tomball Intermediate and utilize Beckendorf as an alternative high school campus “to provide flexible school schedules for student.”

The bonds would also help pay for the district to purchase sites for additional schools, as well as 35 new school buses, technology upgrades, new roofs for Tomball Intermediate, Tomball Junior High and Tomball High School, and cameras at various campuses.

The district estimates that based on current projections, taxpayers would see a debt service rate increase of about 12.5 cents between 2007 and 2014.

“In projecting the amount of school bond tax a homeowner might pay under Bond 2007, the district has allowed for a 5 percent increase in appraised home property values,” the district stated. “However, the amounts could vary depending on the value of a specific home.” According to the district, the average home in Tomball ISD is valued at $149,466.

Those who are 65 years of age or older or are disabled and who are receiving the over-65 exemption will not see their taxes increase under the bond.

Harrington not ready to hand over mayor’s seat to Holland

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Tomball Mayor H.G. “Hap” Harrington isn’t quite ready to relinquish his grip on the city’s top position. He is seeking his sixth consecutive term as mayor, the longest tenure of any previous incumbent.

Tomball Mayor H.G. “Hap” Harrington

Part of the reason he is doing so is because he believes there is not a qualified successor, or opponent.

“I can’t turn it over to my opponent,” Harrington said.

As of press time last week, Harrington’s lone competitor for the mayoral position is Diane Holland, a longtime public figure, past Chamber of Commerce president and councilwoman.

The last day to file for a spot on the ballot is today by 5 p.m.

Harrington said that there is still a lot of work to be done in the city and that Holland isn’t qualified to handle it.

“We have a lot of things going in Tomball that I’d like to finish. I’d like to have someone trained and qualified to do it,” Harrington added. “It’s hard to do in Tomball.”

He said that a qualified candidate would need experience working with large city budgets.

Tomball has several multi-million dollar projects in the works and Harrington said he wants to help lead the city through the growth.

“We have $300 million in projects coming, three major shopping centers, and two big housing developments,” he said.

However, the city has also turned down several proposals from developers, Harrington said, which do not meet the city’s expectations. He said building in Tomball is not as difficult as some have believed it to be.

“We do have some things that are harder to develop than others and we don’t apologize for it,” he said. “We don’t want people to develop trash and then leave.”

Harrington explained that the city is trying to maintain a balance between single family homes and multi-family developments, such as apartments.

One of the issues the city is facing, Harrington said, is how to incorporate mandated water retention ponds, but build a project that is aesthically pleasing.

Part of his plan, should he win re-election, is to help council re-work current city ordinances that would regulate how retention ponds are built.

Harrington also said the city is progressing with the possible purchase of Hooks Airport. He said the FAA has agreed to pay 90 percent of the cost of the airport.

“It’s going real well,” he said.

Harrington cited a list of accomplishments the city has seen under his stay at the mayor’s helm, including the opening of BJ Services, new city sidewalks, the Tomball Depot, a low crime rate and improvements in the fire department’s facilities and equipment.

“We’ve just done numerous programs all over town,” he said.

Another major undertaking that Harrington would eventually like to see come to fruition is the establishment of zoning regulations within the city.

“We have to get zoning in to protect the homeowners,” Harrington said.

The election is scheduled for May 12. For more information, visit www.harrisvotes.org.

Gala nets $33,375 for Magnolia Education Foundation

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Magnolia Education Foundation (MEF) Round Up Gala, held March 2 at Magnolia Junior High School, raised funds in excess of $33,375 towards educational grants for the district.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Valdez (right) received a check for $5,000 on March 2 at the Magnolia Education Foundation Round Up Gala from President Charlie Riley (left).

Now in its sixth grant cycle, the non-profit organization has funded 256 classroom and departmental grants with a total of more than $200,234 dollars.

“Since September of 2001, teachers have written companion grants for innovative classroom projects,” said Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) Superintendent Michael Holland.

A few of the new programs in store for the 2006-07 school year include a forensic science laboratory, underwritten by Kristen Ermis at Magnolia High School; “Have Science Will Travel,” a mobile science laboratory, underwritten by Susan Cook at Ellisor Elementary; and “Quizdom: Science in a Gadget,” a remote learning system, underwritten by the Magnolia High School Science Department.

MEF is the sole funding mechanism for the “Shattered Lives” program, now in its second year at MISD. The program is designed to provide a real-time experience for students, their friends and families about the consequences of drinking and driving. It seeks to educate students about making poor choices by using highly visual and emotional displays of alcohol related accidents prior to prom season and spring break.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office co-sponsors the program. MEF President Charlie Riley presented a check for $5,000 to Assistant District Attorney Mike Valdez in anticipation of a March 20-21 date for this year’s program.

Holland recognized three primary sponsors of the foundation as PBK Architects, Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP, Attorneys at Law, and UniGas Universal Natural Gas, Inc. Special recognition went to UniGas owner Barney Barnwell who has committed a $10,000 per year financial contribution to the foundation for the next five years.

“Few have given hundreds of thousands, and hundreds have given some,” said MEF Chairman of Directors Deborah Rose Miller.

For more information, log on to www.MagnoliaEducationFoundation.org or call Amy Clifford at 281-252-2500, ext. 1012.

Magnolia High School senior Amber Huckeba (left) and Cy-Fair senior Melanie Bradley (right) were each recipients of a $1,000 scholarship donated by the Sam Houston Trail Riders at a recent reception in Tomball.
Photo by Brian Walzel

Benefit for Magnolia girl’s heart surgery ‘a miracle’

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Through a sea of zebra striped and pink balloons nestled among pink table cloths, auction goers opened their wallets at a benefit auction held March 3 for Brynna Kay Kovanda. The benefit grossed more than $150,000 in a miraculous outpouring of generosity from the community.

Pictured, 12-year-old Brynna Kay Kovanda (front center), and her mother, Jo Kovanda (front right), step-brother Braden Deckard (front left), father Edward Kovanda (front right) and aunt Alta Rickett (back right).

“It was like Jesus feeding the 5,000. We ran out of food twice and the barbeque teams just kept sending over more and more food,” said Alta Rickett, Brynna’s aunt. The food tickets were not pre-sold and auction organizers got more than they expected. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of love that poured out of Magnolia this weekend,” said a teary-eyed Rickett.

Brynna Kay had open-heart surgery when she was two-and-a-half months old. Now, at the age of 12, the artificial valve in her heart has failed. She must undergo a $92,000 percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement, or an implantable heart valve.

Because the procedure is not approved in America, the Kovandas must travel to Europe. The benefits of the implantable valve mean less wear and tear on Brynna Kay’s heart, and a greater longevity of life with fewer complications.

“She currently has an artificial conduit and valve, but the valve is not working,” said her mother, Jo Kovanda. “Later, Brynna Kay will need the conduit replaced as well.”

Within three weeks, the family marshaled their forces and organized the benefit, which served more than 1,000 plates of barbeque provided by more than 30 cook-off teams.

Roy and Trish Moffitt, owners of Moffitt Customized Fuel of Tomball, and Wayne and Jennifer Hawkins, owners of Challenger Equipment of Tomball, donated an $8,000 trip for four to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Over 500 tickets were pre-sold at $50 each and netted $25,000 for the benefit. Paula Bowman of Magnolia won the trip.

Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton donated a registered golden retriever that sold to David Deckard for over $1,250. The puppy was then given to a smiling Brynna Kay.

Rob Whitaker bought a blanket for $1,200 that Brynna Kay hand-made, then committed to have it monogrammed and returned to her before she leaves for London.

A diamon bracelet which auctioned for just at $7,000 went to Dow and Shelley Bennett. The couple anticipates returning the jeweled wristband to Brynna Kay on her 18th birthday.

Wayne and Jennifer Hawkins bought a triple layer zebra striped cake for $1,400, then gave it back to Brynna to enjoy.

“God gets all the glory. This was not possible without him,” Rickett said.

For trust information on the Brynna Kay Kovanda Benefit, call Regions Bank at 281-356-1192.

Narcotics stings net 13 arrests, stash of illegal drugs

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

A multi-departmental narcotics operation by local police has netted 13 arrests and a stash of illegal drugs.

The Tomball Police Department, along with Harris County Sheriff’s and Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constables took part in “Operation Clean Sweep,” which began in January of this year and concluded with the arrests on March 2.

According to the Tomball Police Department, the operation was initiated “to focus on the sale of illegal narcotics in or near the vicinity of the City of Tomball that have a direct impact on the city.”

During the operation, the Special Crimes Unit made 21 illegal narcotics transactions from 15 different suspects.

“Upon completion of the project, the investigators obtained 15 felony warrants for Delivery of a Controlled Substance and one Narcotics Search Warrant, which was executed at a residence on Lizzie Lane in Tomball,” the department stated in a release.

On March 2, 34 officers from the respective departments teamed up to locate and arrest all “narcotics related fugitives as a direct result of this initiative.”

Arrested were Julius Hogan, 39, Bennie Stewart, 53, Arthur McGill, 49, Craig McGill, 44, Samuel Taylor, 54, Bennie Stewart, 18, Johnny Sapp, 47, Roney Washington, 49, and Jeffery Lewis, 32.

Four others were arrested at the scene.

“The focus was directed towards the area of Hufsmith Road and Lizzie Lane,” the department stated.

The operation resulted in the recovery of more than 30 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of marijuana and 33 grams of other narcotic drugs.

Tomball Intermediate fifth grade students (from left to right) Lupita Rodriguez, Robert Dugger and Elizabeth Gholson measured the absorbency of generic and brand name diapers as part of a recent science project. They cut each diaper into pieces and measured its mass. They then added water to the diaper and took new measurements to determine which diaper was most absorbent.
Submitted Photo

Lady Bulldogs eye playoff spot after missing out in ’06

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Magnolia Lady Bulldogs softball coach Rene Bialas certainly likes her team’s chances of advancing to the postseason this year. With the Lady Bulldogs renewing their tradition as one of the area’s top teams, paired with them playing in only a six team district where four make the playoffs, Bialas has reason to be confident.

“We will be in the playoffs,” Bialas said. “Of course our goal is to win district though.”

The Lady Bulldogs have gotten off to an impressive 9-3 start, with wins over top-notch teams such as Midland and Alvin.

But perhaps the biggest feather in the cap of the Lady Bulldogs was a 6-2 win over cross-town rival Tomball on Feb. 20, a team that has had Magnolia’s number for the past several seasons.

Bialas said the win over the Lady Cougars was one of the high points of the season so far.

“It felt good for it to finally shift our direction,” she said. “Tomball is always going to be good.”

Another early season highlight was a second place finish in the Bryan Tournament, an annual showing of some of the state’s top teams.

The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Irving Nimitz, Alvin, Midland and Round Rock Westwood before falling in the tournament’s championship game to Flower Mound.

The Bryan Tournament was one of three the Lady Bulldogs will compete in this season. When Magnolia landed in the six-team District 15-5A, rather than a typical eight or nine-team district, the schedule opened up quite a bit and allowed the Lady Bulldogs to schedule more non-conference games.

While most area teams are in the thick of their district schedule, the Lady Bulldogs did not start district play until March 9 at Conroe. Results of that game were unavailable at press time.

The extra non-district games are an advantage Bialas welcomes.

“It definitely works to your advantage to have those games to work with your lineup, and try to come up with a set starting rotation,” she said.

Bialas won’t need to do much tweaking to her lineup. Stacked with experienced and talented seniors, the Lady Bulldogs boast one of the more balanced lineups in the district.

The team is led by seniors Mariann Webb (first base), Tona Colletti (centerfield), Anna Barren (second base and pitcher), Kaleigh Mucshinski (pitcher), Sara Martin (catcher) and Christina Braziel (third base).

Bialas said after failing to qualify for the postseason in 2006, the seniors are seeking redemption.

“I think it's these seniors stepping up, and after not making the playoffs last year, they have a new perspective,” Bialas said.

The Lady Bulldogs next play March 15 at the Arlington Varsity Tournament. Their next home game is March 20 when they host College Park at 6:30 p.m.

Pictured above, the Tomball Little League Braves blew bubbles for spectators who lined the streets during a parade through downtown on March 3 sponsored by the Tomball Sports Association.
Photo by Cari Herr

FCA and Shining Star 4H collecting for SOS Easter baskets

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Shining Star 4H and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) have teamed up to lend a helping hand to the Society of Samaritans (SOS) during its 2007 Easter basket supply drive.

Each week FCA and Shining Star 4H will provide collection bins in the front office of Magnolia Junior High School, located at 110 South Magnolia Blvd. The two groups have committed to providing 100 baskets to SOS for the season.

The following items may be dropped off Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until March 31: candy, plastic eggs, decorative grass, egg dye kits, stuffed animals, small toys and books, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and inspirational items, such as a cross, Bible stories or devotionals.

SOS is a non-profit organization benefiting children and families in the Magnolia area. More than 740 family members received assistance through its programs during February, including 372 children and 370 adults, of which 81 are employed, 80 are unemployed, 12 are retired and 30 are disabled.

Assistance through Montgomery County Community Block Grant funds provided utility assistance to 85 people and rent or mortgage assistance to five households.

This year SOS hopes to provide 300 decorated Easter baskets to area families. To schedule a donation pickup, call 832-276-8962. Volunteers will deliver baskets on April 4 and 5.

The SOS business office is located at 31355 Friendship Dr. in Magnolia and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday until 4 p.m. For information on SOS programs and services, call 281-259-8452.