By TARA SULLIVAN
Chronicle correspondent
The Lone Star College System is thinking bigger and greener.
The LSCS Board of Trustees has announced plans to start campus expansions at LSC-Montgomery and the new LSC-Aldine Center, the first projects in a $420 million line-up. The college is currently negotiating a construction contract with Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc., of Houston for LSC-Montgomery. Current estimates detail a $78 million face lift for the campus, which include three new buildings; a science and health building, arts center and bi-level instructional classroom facility.
The Science and Health Building will be a 60,000-square-foot metal structure; the Arts Instructional Building will be a 20,000-square-foot one-story performing arts center with teaching and practice rooms; and the Classroom Building will be a two-story 75,000-square-foot structure.
Houston-based Perspectiva has been enlisted to design the new LSC-Aldine Center for $800,000. The LSC-Aldine Center will be a 50,000-square-foot hub for workforce and academic preparation situated on 17 acres of land near the Aldine area. The purchase for the property was completed in September for $1.8 million.
LSCS Board members said they envision the center as a central community asset for GED, ESL and college-preparatory programs, as well as trade skill education in areas such as welding, heating and cooling, and various aspects of construction.
Board Chancellor Richard Carpenter said current enrollment at a all LSCS campuses is up more than 15 percent from last year, indicating the need for such expansion. The college system is now second largest in Texas and ranks first for production of associates degrees in Texas. Nationally, LSCS ranks 16th in production of associates degrees.
Board members also announced the enlistment of Johnson Controls to help fulfill energy requirements set for by Senate Bill 12, passed Sept. 1, 2007, which requires public colleges and universities to reduce their energy usage by 5 percent each year through 2013. Johnson Controls has helped other Houston area colleges, including Baytown’s Lee College, where the Board of Trustees report that energy-reducing light fixtures, light sensors, solar window film, high-efficiency toilets and urinals, “smart” vending machines and computer controls currently save the institution $716,433 annually.
Although longterm funding for Energy Management Performance Projects at LSCS has not been secured, the Board approved the sale of maintenance tax notes to get the projects started while funding in the meantime. Similar to voter-approved bonds, the maintenance tax notes do carry a debt service, but savings estimates from the Energy Management Performance Projects themselves cover the entire debt service. Overall, this method saves the school more than $7 million in expenses related to financing these projects
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Vote for Vernon Reed - Position 7
Lone Star College Board of Trustees
Position 7
Early Voting April 26-May 1 and May 3-4
Election Day May 8
Hello Friends:
For those of you who I have not had the pleasure to meet yet, please allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Vernon Reed. My family and I have been residents of Kingwood for 7 years. I am happily married and have a daughter that attends the Lone Star College Kingwood campus.
I am a very active member throughout our community, and a proud member of Kingwood First Baptist Church.
Serving my fellow neighbors is my calling. A well rounded educational experience for all is my mission.
I have 15 years of Education experience, serving on numerous committees and organization committed to education.
I truly care about our education system. I want to work for you on the Lone Star College System Board of Trustees.
I want to be your voice on the Lone Star Board of Trustees, Position 7. I assure each of you that your voice would be heard.
I will hold and maintain an open door policy by making myself available to all concerned.
Together lets you and I work to seek to eliminate wasteful spending, advocate against cuts that directly impact education, and hold accountable the State of Texas to see that we receive our fair share of the maximum funding we are entitled to.
State funding is the biggest issue LSCS faces with a potential 5 percent cut in state funding looming in the near future.
The next two years things are going to get very difficult for LSCS.
Please consider me for YOUR candidate of choice.
Together lets you and I work to see that we retain the quality instructors that have made and continue to make LSCS the outstanding educational installation it is currently known as.
I will be a friend to the taxpayers, the student body, the staff and faculty, and the community as a whole. (There are other ways to support education other than constant tax increases.
I will serve you 365 days a year, always looking for ways to improve the system.
Please consider voting for me, and tell your friends and neighbors as well.
Please send this E-mail to everyone in your contact list, and tell them to do the same.
We need to help everyone be aware that there is a very important election going on now...one that will impact the the future of our children and grandchildren.
Please vote for Vernon Reed for Lone Star Board of Trustees, Position 7.
Early voting is from April 26-May 1 and May 3-4.
Election day is on May 8, 2010.
Some areas of involvement;
* Member Kiwanis Club of Kingwood
* Kiwanis Key Club Adviser for Kingwood High School-to promote leadership to High School Students
* Volunteer for the annual Ball Drop-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Kingwood-to raise funding for Student Scholarships
* 2009 Fund Raising Chairman for the Kiwanis Club Annual Christmas Wreath Fundraiser-proceeds for College Scholarship fund(Key Club)
* Member Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce-Distinguished Investor (formally called Humble Area Chamber of Commerce)
* Serve on the Education Committee-Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce
* Serve on the Scholarship Committee, a sub-committee of the Education Committee of the Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce , to aid in the selection and awards process for Student Scholarships
* Committee Member for Pancakes for Kids Breakfast, formally called the Renegade Round-Up, (sponsored annually by the Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce Education Committee) to fund scholarships for Humble and Spring I.S.D. students
* Committee Member-Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce- Membership Services
* Volunteer Humble Livestock Show and Rodeo-hosted annually by the Humble ISD Education Foundation, benefiting youth and education
* Participate annually in the Humble Education Foundation Prize Patrol to award Grants throughout the district to help fund teacher/classroom projects
* 2008 Candidate Humble ISD Position 5
* 2009 Candidate Humble ISD Position 3
* Humble ISD Science Fair Judge
* Harris County Election Judge
* ABC Channel 13 Eyewitness News Storm Spotter
* Volunteer Mayor's Office of Special Events (Annual 4th of July Fireworks Program in Downtown Houston)
* Member Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)-Harris County Citizen Corp
* Deputy Voter Registrar-Harris County
* Member Humble ISD District Legislative Committee 2008
* Served as both Vice President and President of PTA
* Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS)
* Current Student- Humble Police Department's Citizen Police Academy (Class # 15)
* Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Community Involvement
* Named a Valued Education Adviser in 2000 by the Governor of Texas
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