Humble ISD takes concerns to Austin

Originally posted in The Observer: Kingwood

By COREY L. TURNER
Updated: 02.18.09
Kingwood resident Ted Mandel has seen his share of legislative committees make trips to Austin. But even he had to admit that Humble Independent School District’s Feb. 10 trip to the capital was a special occasion.

“Over the years, I’ve never heard the kind of comments I’ve heard coming out of this most recent trip,” said Mandel, who has served on Humble ISD’s Legislative Committee for more than five years.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but there may actually be some money coming this time. Legislators are really listening and you can tell they want to help.”

Mandel didn’t make the trip to Austin, but several dedicated members did, led by Legislative Committee Chairman Charles Cunningham and fellow board members Dan Huberty and Robert Scarfo.

While in Austin, the committee met with several legislators including Sen. Tommy Williams, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. Williams has been a constant supporter of addressing the public school financing issue. The committee also met with Sen. Dan Patrick, Rep. Debbie Riddle, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Rep. Joan Huffman, Rep. Joe Crabb and Sen. Royce West.

Superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo was pleased with the feedback the committee received while in Austin.

“Our state-elected officials were extremely responsive to our needs,” Sconzo said. “It was very encouraging that they expressed a sincere willingness to work this session to change the funding system and add new money for schools as a bridge to the 2011 legislative session, when there is a strong intent to completely fix state funding for schools.”

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst also met at length with representatives from Humble. The meeting lasted more than an hour and Sconzo stated that Dewhurst showed “exceptional understanding” of the financial crisis and issues facing Humble and other school districts across the state.

“We must continue to work diligently to keep our needs and the importance of fixing the state funding system for schools right in front of all our state-elected officials throughout this legislative session,” Sconzo added.

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“They are hearing us and we just need to keep it up.”

The district’s next trip to Austin will be Feb. 26 for the Parent Teacher Association rally at the capital, and the next committee meeting will be March 9 at the Humble ISD Administration Building.