Thursday, April 22, 2010

FB Star Reports FBISD Candidates Positions--see below--

http://www.fortbendstar.com/042110/n_localcity.htm

Clay Alumbaugh

Alumbaugh has 39 years experience in education and has been a Math teacher and school counselor having worked at Dulles, Clements and Kempner High Schools. He said he “heeded the call for an experienced educator and manager to join the board and give it some balance in these hard economic times” and also said, “the board has lost touch with the community and its employees.”

He acknowledges what he says is the district’s nearly three consecutive years of first ever record deficits and says he can help get the budget back on track. He said that the school board should first be about educating students, which can only be done if the system is not in constant financial turmoil.

Deficit spending, the Global Science Center, the jobs to be eliminated, and lack of someone on the board to ask questions are among his concerns. With reductions in personnel inevitable, he states that he thinks it is important for students, teachers and support personnel not to be the ones absorbing all of the cuts and that the administration at the top should not be exempt from tightening their belts.

Alumbaugh said that being frugal is one thing he brings to the board of trustees. He said he has spent $500 of his own on the campaign and does not ask nor accept donations...

Thursday, April 15, 2010

FBN: Taking A Closer Look At The Budget!

Online Forum: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/04/15/45171

"In addition we need to find out where there is waste and end it. The best way to find out where money is wasted is to ask the employees."

FortBendNow: Clay Alumbaugh

If it is truly the fault of the legislature, we need to get the voters involved. Pressure needs to be put on state senators and congressmen to do something. They listen to their contributors but they answer to the voters. I personally will contact our legislators and get their input about our situation.

In addition we need to find out where there is waste and end it. The best way to find out where money is wasted is to ask the employees. The district employees should be allowed to express their opinions on how to cut waste and they should be allowed to do this anonymously.

We also need to find a way to cut costs without cutting staff. This is another area where the district employees need to be involved. With 10000 employees brainstorming something good should come from it.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Chron: Alumbaugh Concerned About Financial Crisis But Has A Plan!

"All three candidates agreed that the controversial Global Center for Science and Technology project is inappropriate during the financial hard time. Alumbaugh proposed putting the undertaking “on permanent hold.” Chronicle

FBISD financial crisis concerns candidates
April 2, 2010 6:33 am Election News wrote:
By ZEN T.C. ZHENG
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Candidates seeking two Fort Bend ISD school board seats shared concerns about the district’s financial crisis and offered a variety of ideas to tackle the problem.

Making their appearance at a candidates’ forum held by a district teacher and worker union Tuesday night were Clay Alumbaugh and Jim Rice, who are vying for Position 3 being vacated by Bob Broxson, and Jim Babb, who is eyeing David Reitz’s Position 7. Both incumbents are not seeking re-election on May 8...

Full release: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/04/fbisd-financial-crisis-tops-candidates-concerns

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

FB Sun: Alumbaugh Files For FBISD Trustee Position 3 Being Vacated By Bob Broxson


Clay Alumbaugh announces candidacy for FBISD Position 3 seat

staff reports
Updated: 03.20.10

Clay Alumbaugh recently announced plans to seek the Fort Bend Independent School District Position 3 seat being vacated by current school board president Bob Broxson.

In the press release announcing his candidacy, Alumbaugh said he joined the race in order to “heed the call for an experienced educator and manager to join the board and give it some balance in these hard ecomonic times.”

Alumbaugh earned a bachelor of science degree in math and chemistry and a masters degree in guidance and counseling.

He has taught math at Dulles, Clements and Kempner high schools and served as a lead guidance counselor at Kempner High School.

After 39 years experience in the field, I believe I have what it takes to get the FBISD budget back on track after nearly three consecutive years of first-ever record deficits,” Alumbaugh said in his press release.

He believes the school board’s first priority should be educating children, a goal he believes can only be accomplished if “our system is not in constant financial turmoil.”

“This may mean making some tough decisions ultimately but we can’t put this off any longer,” Alumbaugh said.

The candidate described personnel reductions “inevitable” and said it is important “for students, teachers and support personnel not be the ones absorbing all of the cuts.” “There is plenty of room for cuts higher up. The administration at the top should not be exempt from tightening their belts,” Alumbaugh said.

His goal is to maintain FBISD’s status as one of the best districts in Texas.

“Additionally, I want a board that is fiscally responsible,” Alumbaugh said.

The Position 3 candidate said he is concerned with the district’s deficit spending, the Global Science Center, the 450 jobs to be eliminated, the decision to not consider seniority in layoffs, and lack of someone on the board to ask questions.

“I thought the Global Science Center sounded great at first and as a former science teacher my thoughts were positive. However, with the economy and the deficit to consider, I don't think now is the time to begin such a project,” Alumbaugh said.

He is a member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Fort

Bend Retired Teachers Association and a neighborhood representative in New Territory.

“I’m seeking your support as your representative on the FBISD school board,” Alumbaugh said.

For more information, e-mail calumbaugh@aol.com

Related: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/03/02/44270

Chronicle: Fort Bend ISD Declares Financial Emergency!--first time in recent district history--


Fort Bend ISD OKs blueprint for job cuts
March 11, 2010 11:01 am Zen T.C. Zheng

The Fort Bend school board Monday night voted 6-1 to pass a resolution to declare “financial exigency,” a bureaucratic term for financial emergency that calls for immediate remedies.

It came after a lengthy afternoon workshop and an extended debate during the evening business meeting.

Daniel Menendez was the only dissenter on the board, insisting on delaying making that decision to allow for thorough evaluation of the district’s plan to trim its workforce.

The resolution was drafted by David Feldman, an attorney hired by the district who told trustees that the resolution is a blueprint for personnel cuts and is necessary before any cut is made so as to reduce the chances of costly legal hearings on employee non-renewals...

Source: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/fbisd-okd-blueprint-job-cuts