FORT BEND ISD

The Texas Education Agency has just released the newest accountability ratings, which show how schools performed academically across the state last year.

Thousands of students started their fall semester in these last few days. Happy back-to-school season to Klein, Galena and Fort Bend ISD among many many others. I’m sure you’ve definitely seen the traffic pattern change in your morning drive. It is BUSY out there. I remember looking at Spring Cypress Road near Klein Cain High School and it was dark red. Drivers, now that it’s getting a bit more congested out there, you’ve got to leave with extra time in the morning. We have so much going on early in the morning in our neighborhoods with kids headed back to class. School buses are running, kids riding their bikes or walking to school...the last thing you want to do is to rush out the door and speed down your neighborhood streets. Let’s do our best to keep our students safe out there!

Within the first 10 days of school, Fort Bend ISD to perform four drills, including severe weather, lockdown, secure, and fire drills.

Currently, elementary schools in Fort Bend County do not have police officers stationed at the school – just patrol units.

Packed into the Stafford Centre auditorium were teachers, administrators, and law enforcement officers from three school districts.

The Fort Bend ISD school has about 530 students who will relocate to neighboring campuses.

The Fort Bend ISD school has about 530 students who will relocate to neighboring campuses.

After the discovery of non-airborne mold on campus, Fort Bend ISD leaders announced that Barrington Place Elementary students and staff will spend the 2022-23 school year at neighboring campuses.

Fort Bend ISD is set to hot a Special Education Hiring Event later this month ahead of the 2022-2023 school year.

Teachers in Spring Branch ISD will earn $3,000 more in 2022-23.

Fort Bend ISD officials are investigating serious allegations involving a second-grade student and her substitute teacher at Jan Schiff Elementary.

A man running for a Fort Bend ISD trustee position is accused of posting insensitive comments and memes on social media. Some parents within the school district voiced their concerns Tuesday.

David Hamilton, a self-identified conservative, has accused Democrats of trying to sexualize Kindergarteners.

Townewest Elementary School has been placed on a precautionary lockdown after deputies said a body was found near the Fort Bend ISD campus.

There is a solid chance Fort Bend ISD will have a district all to itself when the UIL releases its biannual realignment Thursday morning.

KPRC News questions new Fort Bend ISD Superintendent about the state of her school system Thursday.

Officials from four Houston-area school districts have implemented a ‘No Backpack’ policy for Friday, Dec. 17 after officials were made aware of a new “social media” challenge.

On Thursday's Houston Matters: Falling death penalty numbers in the state, the potential benefits of consolidating health agencies in the area, and a conversation with Fort Bend ISD's new superintendent.

The program will close on December 17 -- the final day of the fall semester.

Not all parents are ready for their child to be vaccinated, despite the first shots of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination being administered to children ages 5-11 on Wednesday.

The Fort Bend Independent School District said a shortage of certain foods and products is creating challenges for its food service.

District parents and students have watched as the FBISD issued a mask mandate, a mandate reversal, and a court filing in support of a lawsuit seeking to overturn mandates.

During a special meeting Thursday, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Christie Whitbeck as the district’s new superintendent.

COVID-19 cases at many Houston area school districts climbed and even multiplied for weeks, but throughout the region, caseloads are dropping dramatically.

Fort Bend ISD began offering limited remote instruction for students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

The board selected Christie Whitbeck, who is currently the head of Bryan ISD, for the role. She previously served as Fort Bend ISD's deputy superintendent.

The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Christie Whitbeck as the lone finalist to become the district’s next superintendent, according to a Thursday press release.

Fort Bend Independent School District announced Saturday that its mask mandate for students and staff has been lifted.

Fort Bend Independent School District announced Tuesday that Oakland Elementary School will join Pecan Grove Elementary School in temporarily switching from face-to-face to virtual learning. Drabek Elementary will also do so, but only for its Pre-K students.

Houston ISD returns Monday with a mask mandate and some virtual instruction, though it will only serve a few thousands of the district's nearly 200,000 students.

Some parents in Fort Bend County are planning a protest outside of Madden Elementary School Thursday morning. A parent messaged KPRC 2 and said they want a virtual option for more students.

Local schools have reported more than 3,000 active COVID-19 cases in the first days of class.

Back to school time is among us, and with many schools opting for in-person classes, the bustle is back.

Students at Fort Bend ISD went back to school for in-person instruction on Wednesday.

With the rise in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, many parents of school-aged children, especially those who are too young to be vaccinated, are pleading for a virtual learning option.

The first Houston area school districts to welcome students back this fall will not offer virtual learning, blaming the legislature for not providing funding during the special session.

Here is some good news for parents in Fort Bend ISD.

Teaching during this pandemic has been anything but easy.

The Fort Bend Independent School District’s Board of Trustees announced the next steps in their nationwide search for a new superintendent during a board meeting Monday.

There has been a change in quarantine protocols for students and staff in Fort Bend ISD.

As the coronavirus pandemic continued to rage last summer, months away from a vaccine, there were many sides to the argument of whether or not schools should reopen for students. Compelling points of views were made and seen at various school board meetings in our area.

House said when the pandemic began school shuttered and when it resumed in-person learning didn’t cut it for Devin, who has Autism. AdDevin returned to in-person learning as soon as the option was made available by Cy-Fair ISD. Education advocates have said inconsistencies in the quality of virtual learning have fueled the cognitive slide they cite. Parker said the inconsistencies have set all students back, adding the problem digs much deeper than the pits of virtual learning. AdOverall, Dupre said correcting the setbacks from the pandemic will take anywhere from two to four years.

HISD, Texas’ largest school district, said it will continue to require students, staff and visitors to wear masks on district property and at district events. Other districts are awaiting guidance from the Texas Education Agency. His new order states that public schools "may operate as provided by, and under the minimum standard health protocols found in guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency." In a statement, TEA said it will issue public health guidance this week before the executive order takes effect. Statement from the Texas Education Agency: "Governor Abbott's Executive Order (GA-34) takes effect next Wed., March 10, 2021.

HOUSTON – Busted pipes from winter weather are not just impacting homes, but school districts across Southeast Texas. Maintenance crews in many of those districts are working overtime to access the damage and begin the cleanup process. Cy-Fair, Galveston, Goose Creek, Klein and Fort Bend ISD’s are all dealing with similar situations. Fort Bend ISD hopes to resume normal operations on Monday but that decision won’t be made until Sunday night. AdFort Bend ISD hopes to have a better assessment of the damage tomorrow.

MISSOURI CITY, Texas – This week, President Biden plans to address getting kids back in the classroom as early as Wednesday. This comes as Fort Bend ISD once again is closing some schools and opening others. The district also sent an email to parents on Friday saying if their student is falling behind in their studies and grades, they will require them to come and learn face-to-face. Below is a list of FBISD schools and their plans:School pivoting to online on Tuesday, Feb. 9Pecan Grove Elementary (2/8-2/19, Students return on 2/22)School pivoting to online on Monday, Feb. 8Sienna Crossing Elementary (2/8-2/15, Students return on 2/16)Townewest Elementary (2/8-2/15, Students return on 2/16)Elkins High School (2/8-2/19, Students return on 2/22)Online schools returning to face-to-face instruction on Monday, Feb. 8Austin High SchoolBarbara Jordan ElementaryBriargate ElementaryDulles High SchoolHodges Bend Middle SchoolMadden ElementaryOyster Creek ElementaryJames Patterson ElementaryOnline schools returning to face-to-face instruction on Wednesday, Feb. 10Crockett Middle SchoolOnline schools returning to face-to-face instruction on Tuesday, Feb. 16Bowie Middle SchoolOakland ElementaryChrista McAuliffe Middle SchoolJames Neill ElementaryRosa Parks ElementaryJuan Seguin ElementaryOnline schools returning to face-to-face instruction on Wednesday, Feb. 17Quail Valley ElementaryOnline schools returning to face-to-face instruction on Monday, Feb. 22AdBush High SchoolFort Bend ISD will continue to closely monitor all schools across the district. For the latest news about your child’s school, visit www.fortbendisd.com.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre will announce his intention to resign by December of 2021, he confirmed to KPRC 2 on Monday. “Over the last few years (my wife and I) talked more and more about other opportunities," Dr. Dupre said in an interview. In 2018, Fort Bend ISD was awarded the 2018 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award as the best school district in the large district category, and Dupre was named the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year and finalist for Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2019. During Monday night’s board meeting, Fort Bend ISD said staff will recognize three retiring trustees and newly-elected trustees will be sworn in to begin a three-year term. “The district has come a long way since Dr. Dupre returned to us eight years ago,” said Jason Burdine, FBISD’s outgoing board president.

HOUSTON – HISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Granita Lathan will remain in the interim role. This after the board of trustees voted, 6-3, Thursday to not make her a sole finalist for the job. Earlier in the day the Houston NAACP preemptively sent out a statement also in support of Lathan being named the sole finalist. Vice President Dr. James Dixon cited what he called Lathan’s ability to work with others and provide stability. KPRC 2 received the following statement Friday morning from HISD’s Press Office:“I respect the decision of the HISD Board of Education to resume the search for a superintendent.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend ISD parents considering to change their child’s learning environment for the spring semester have a day left to decide. The deadline is looming for parents looking to move their child from in-person classes to online learning or the other way around. The district has requested parents fill out a form via Skyward Family Access by November 12 at 11:59 p.m. Dalia Abouzeid, a mother of two, said she was considering switching her third grader and sixth grader to in-person learning, but ultimately decided to keep them in virtual classrooms. Dupre said if a school does not have the capacity to accommodate many students wanting to switch to in-person learning, the district will consider turning large multi-purpose rooms into classrooms.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District issued a warning to parents Thursday about a fake website that looks like the school’s page. The district said it received reports of a fraudulent website that looks like the Fort Bend ISD website and is attempting to get password information from users. The official webpage to change your password information is my.fortbendisd.com. “We want to remind staff, parents and students to remain vigilant and pay close attention when typing a web address, clicking a link or visiting a website,” the district said in a news release. “In this case, the fake website has a similar web address; however, the fake web address is missing a period in the URL.”If you accidentally visited or have provided login credentials to the fraudulent website, Fort Bend ISD is encouraging people to change your account password immediately at the official FBISD website my.fortbendisd.com or contact the Customer Support Center at 281-634-1300 for assistance.

The victim, identified as Derwyn Lauderdale, 29, was shot in the abdomen while in the parking lot. Rosenberg police said witnesses identified James Hamilton, 28, as the alleged shooter, who they say was in possession of a stolen handgun. “The suspect James Hamilton ran into the crowd and acted as he were a spectator and didn’t know what had occurred," Chief White said. Rosenberg police said witnesses identified James Hamilton, 28, as the alleged shooter, who they say was in possession of a stolen handgun. Please keep the Lauderdale family in your prayers."

SUGAR LAND, Texas – Fort Bend ISD students started returning to classes on Monday. Teachers welcomed Pre-K and Kindergarten students back to campuses. The day at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Fresno looked very different than years past. Class sizes are smaller than normal based on the size of the room to allow for social distancing. Return dates for Fort Bend ISD students are:

SUGAR LAND, Texas – The deadline has been extended for Fort Bend Independent School District parents deciding if they want their children to continue virtual learning or head back to the classroom. Ft. Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said board members wanted to give more parents time to decide. Online learning vs. face-to-face instructionNinety percent of the students enrolled in Ft. Bend ISD has selected which learning model they intend to follow. Teachers, staff & students return to classroomsFt. Bend ISD administrators are still configuring the number of students set to return to each campus. What’s next in Ft. Bend ISDBoard members are set to meet Monday night.

Fort Bend ISD has announced that all students can receive free breakfast and lunch free at grab-and-go meals sites, district learning centers, and during face-to-face learning starting Sept. 9. The program is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020 as a result of a waiver from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). FBISD is strongly encouraging all families to complete a Free & Reduced Meals application at www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd. Parents can pick up meals for students and must provide one of the following documents:Student ID cardsIndividual student report cardsAttendance record from parent portal of SkywardBirth certificate for childrenWithout one of the listed items above, the district said parents will receive meals for the number of students present with them, on foot or in a vehicle. Please visit one of our 10 grab-and-go locations for curbside service.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District has opened up 13 new learning centers across the district to help elementary school students with unique needs. The learning centers are available to the children of district staff, first responders, essential workers and active U.S. military. “Staff is there and there enforcing the masks and social distancing in a very positive way,” said 5th-grade teacher Michael Blasdell. “They are just there to monitor and help, my kindergarten daughter is not reading yet so she needs a little more help logging on to things.”FBISD said about 1,600 students are currently enrolled at the learning centers. The district plans to open more centers next week for middle school and high school students.

HOUSTON – Are you a parent, family member or loved one worried about your student with special needs and how this school year will impact them? On Thursday evening, our education team members, Keith Garvin and Christine Noël moderated a discussion with health experts and education leaders. Hill: Most services for special needs students can be implemented online. Question: With children, especially young and special needs kids, what is the district doing to keep masks on in school? Question: What are effective practices for Zoom education for special needs kids?

FORT BEND COUNTY – A letter from the Fort Bend ISD superintendent was the equivalent of a bombshell for perhaps thousands of parents in the district. On Friday, Dr. Charles Dupre wrote that the district faced “significant staffing issues” and “may not be able to offer” special education programs at campuses. "I think it says that teachers are afraid to come back," said Glenda Guzman Macal, president of the Fort Bend American Federation of Teachers. “To ask teachers, administrative staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, admin staff to put their lives at stake,” she said. "It would be great if some of those jobs can work with those parents to help with the process of keeping and teaching them at home," said Leverne Moore, a grandmother who lives in Fort Bend County.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Answer: Some Houston-area schools started this week, including Alief ISD, which started virtually Thursday. Next week, school districts such as Santa Fe ISD, Fort Bend ISD, and Humble ISD will start. Houston ISD pushed the start date to Sept. 8, with students beginning the year virtually. If you are looking for a specific district start date, we outlined each reopening plan here.

Question: Are schools offering an option for students who are children of essential workers to complete their virtual classes while physically at school? While not every district has created such accommodations, several daycares have stepped up to offer assistance with schoolwork during the virtual instruction period. Additionally, many Houston-area parents have connected in Facebook groups to form learning pods with students in the same grade, from the same schools. KPRC 2 is providing reopening outlines with the latest updates for more than 40 Houston-area school districts. For a quick glance at your school district and what others are doing, click here.

HOUSTON Needville ISD is preparing for an in-person graduation ceremony Friday for the class of 2020 seniors. Fort Bend ISD graduation planFort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre said the district is planning an outdoor ceremonies ceremony at Kenneth Hall Stadium from June 1 to June 6. Dupre said that the district will follow all TEA requirements in order to keep students and their guests safe. HISD goes all virtualAll 45 Houston Independent School District graduation ceremonies this year will be held virtually on June 14, according to the district announced. Alief ISD chooses outdoor graduationAlief Independent School District is hosting outdoor graduation for seniors at Tully stadium.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:Yes, in order to maximize social distancing, the district says the ceremonies will be ticketed events, and guests will be limited to four tickets per graduate. Fort Bend ISD says they will not grant requests for additional tickets to the 2020 Graduation ceremonies. The district said ceremonies will also be available to view on Fort Bend ISDs Youtube channel a couple of days following the ceremony. Makeup SlotMonday, June 8, 20208 a.m. Makeup Slot

Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre announced Tuesday in a letter to the FBISD community that his school district won't be doing in person classes for the rest of the school year because of the coronavirus. Dupre, head of the fourth largest school district in the region, acknowledged in his letter that even if Gov. "Many families and staff members will be reluctant to return to school and work to avoid potential exposure to the virus. Dupree said he made his decision after many discussions with the Fort Bend Board of Trustees. Right now, plans are to reopen the schools in August for the next school year.

Pasadena ISD, Fort Bend ISD students crowned grand champions in 2020 RodeoHouston art competition See the 72 stunning winning artworks headed for auctionBuford the cowAshlyn Ezzell, Clear Creek ISDSpecial Merit Buford the cowAshlyn Ezzell, Clear Creek ISDSpecial Merit Photo: Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Photo: Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Pasadena ISD, Fort Bend ISD students crowned grand champions in 2020 RodeoHouston art competition 1 / 90 Back to GalleryTwo students from Fort Bend ISD and Pasedena ISD were crowned grand champions of the 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program competition, beating out thousands of other entries. Anthony Vega of Pasadena ISD was crowned the 2020 Grand Champion for his colored drawing "Morning Pep Talk," and Fort Bend ISD student Amaris Shi's colored drawing "Roped In" was crowned the 2020 Reserve Grand Champion during the rodeo's School Art Program Awards Ceremony on Sunday, according to a release. SEE LAST YEAR'S WINNERS: Pasadena ISD students take top spots in 2019 HLSR School Art Program competitionApproximately 200,000 students from 101 public school districts and 53 private schools participated in this year's program. The artworks will be available to view before the auction while they are on display throughout the 2020 Rodeo season in the Hayloft Gallery, located in the lobby of NRG Center. Click through the photos above for a look at the 72 winning artworks for the 2020 season...Rebecca Hennes covers community news.

STAFFORD, Texas (KTRK) -- Instead of elves, it was constable deputies, pro athletes, and Walmart employees who helped check-off items from kids' Christmas lists.On Friday, Fort Bend County Precinct Two hosted kids at the Walmart in Stafford. It was the first shop with a cop and jock event.Ezabella Gray got more than a jewelry kit. "I never went shopping to get all my stuff that I've always wanted," Gray said.Gray was one of 45 Fort Bend ISD students that received $150 to buy whatever they wanted. Gray didn't shop alone. "I feel good because I'm surrounded by good people," Gray explained.A memorable shopping trip that'll last beyond the toy aisle.

Sources: Fort Bend ISD, Fort Bend County, Missouri City Funeral Directors at Glen Park/Community Impact NewspaperSources: Fort Bend ISD, Fort Bend County, Missouri City Funeral Directors at Glen Park/Community Impact NewspaperSources: Fort Bend ISD, Fort Bend County, Missouri City Funeral Directors at Glen Park/Community Impact NewspaperThe Sugar Land 95 will be reburied in individual 54-inch vessels. Rendering courtesy of Fort Bend ISDMore than a year and a half since the discovery of historic human remains at Fort Bend ISDs James Reese Career and Technical Center construction site, the Sugar Land 95 are one step closer to being reburied where they were originally found. Although district officials and Fort Bend County officials agreed to work together on reburial earlier this year, that task was transferred back to the district this summer. This bill allows Fort Bend County to own, operate and maintain a cemetery, such as the one located at the school site. Wests letter also states, Fort Bend Independent School Districts blatant disregard of the memory and legacy of the Sugar Land 95 is appalling.

Fort Bend ISD unanimously approved the purchase of 30 acres of land adjacent to Post Oak and Hwy. The site could be home to a FBISD middle school in the future. The district currently has 15 middle school campuses. The 2018 bond election allocated $19.7 million of the total $992.6 million for future land purchases. The FBISD school board will meet next on Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Marshall High School following a Listening Tour at the school where parents, students, staff and other stakeholders can have a roundtable discussion with the board and administration.

Fort Bend ISD celebrates its 60th anniversary in the 2019-20 school year. 44 emergency call boxes were installed across the districttwo at each high school, one at each middle school and others at various athletic stadiums and other locations. 100 students in each Pathways in Technology Early College High School program. Students will study health science at Hightower High School and computer science at Willowridge High School. In addition, the district is accepting applications for its new school boundary oversight committee until Aug. 25.

Fort Bend ISD has the second-highest transportation cost per rider among its district peers, according to an internal audit of FBISDs student transportation department. The district pays $4.53 per rider compared with Katy ISDs $5.35 per rider, the highest, and $2.53 per rider paid by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, the lowest on the list. Greg Gibson, president of Gibson Consulting, led the audit and presented the findings to the FBISD board of trustees at its Aug. 12 meeting. RELATED Here is your Fort Bend ISD guide for back to school As Fort Bend ISD students head back to school Aug. 14, the district is helping parents prepare for the new... >Recommendations were also made on performance measurement and accountability as well as long-term planning. Following the implementation of the recommendations, FBISDs board will revisit the audit in nine months to determine how well the district is doing.

Sources: Aldine ISD, Pearland ISD, Pasadena ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Galena Park ISD, Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Katy ISD, Alief ISD, Spring Branch ISD/Community Impact NewspaperWhen Fort Bend ISD is back in session Aug. 14, teachers and librarians will begin to see $2,500-$3,500 more on each paycheck for the whole school year, depending on experience. The FBISD board of trustees approved a compensation increase plan for all of the districts eligible 8,891 employees. Alief ISD gave teachers a 6% raise for a starting salary of $57,400, while Spring Branch ISD approved 6%-9% raises and a salary of $57,000. The $24.7 million compensation is part of the approved 2019-20 FBISD budget that includes operating expenditures of $716.9 million. The amount of the adjustments will vary based on House Bill 3 and the adjustments anticipated to be given by other local districts, Guinn said.

Fort Bend ISD's 12th high school is expected to be complete by August 2023. Rendering courtesy DLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 site planDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 first floorDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 second floorDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 learning communityDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 main entranceDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 courtyardDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDHigh School 12 diningDLR Group/Fort Bend ISDMap showing where Fort Bend ISD's new high school will be located. DLR Group/Fort Bend ISDFort Bend ISDs new high school design features new types of learning environments, including open collaboration spaces and learning communities, according to the schematic design presented to the districts board of trustees. High School 12 will eventually be surrounded by residential space, DLR Group Principal Taryn Kinney said. Based on High School 12s location, Fort Bend ISD is suggesting the feeder pattern will be Heritage Rose, Donald Leonetti Elementary and Ronald Thornton Middle School.