SBEF Signature Event Dates Announced for 2014-2015 School Year

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) has announced dates for its 2014-15 signature events. The season kicks off with an October gala and ends with the Bright Stars award event for scholarship winners, as well as Teachers and Principals of the Year.

“We begin and end the year by recognizing our legacies,” said Patty Busmire, SBEF executive board member and chair of the Special Events Committee. 

“Our second Legacies of Spring Branch Gala will recognize community leaders who support education through learning, achieving and sharing. In May 2015, we will honor our legacies of tomorrow, SBISD scholarship recipients, and some of the people who helped them along the way, our 2014-15 Teachers and Principals of the Year."

“Our events continue to grow in number and participation as our community becomes more familiar with the successful mission of SBEF,” Busmire continued. “All funds raised in our events, are used by the Foundation to fund programs that enhance the education of every student and help support every teacher in the district. Our events have something for everyone – from a fashion show to sporting clay and golf tournaments to the popular Running for the Arts. The most important aspect of all these events is that every dollar raised benefits SBISD’s 33,000 students.”

Save the Dates

SBEF’s fundraisers have become not-to-be-missed community events. For more information, call 713-251-2381, like SBEF on Facebook and/or follow @SBEF93 on Twitter and Instragram.

• Saturday, October 25, 2014 – Legacies of Spring Branch Gala – Chairs: Marissa and Duncan Klussmann
• Friday, November 21, 2014 – Style Show and Luncheon – Co-Chairs: Susan Griffin and Debbie Slack
• Thursday, February 19, 2015 – Sporting Clay Tournament – Chairs: Terry Bell, David Pruitt and Pat Zadow
• Sunday, March 29, 2015 – Golf Classic – Co-Chairs: Doug Goodson and Rob Stewart

• Saturday, May 2, 2015 – Running for the Arts – Chair: Laura Cannaday
• Friday, May 15, 2015 – Bright Stars of SBISD

About Spring Branch Education Foundation

The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of education for every student in SBISD. Founded in 1993, SBEF provides donors with a vehicle for making tax-deductible gifts to the district. The Foundation has raised more than $8 million and received the Houston Business Promise Award from the Greater Houston Partnership.

Read More

Trustees Approve Total Makeover for the Spring Branch Education Center

South/West view of the renovation plan for the Spring Branch Education Center.

The SBISD Board of Trustees has approved a rebuilding and renovation plan and related budget for the Spring Branch Education Center (SBEC) site located on the 9000 block of Westview. The bond improvement plan and related budget changes were authorized during the Board’s regular monthly meeting held on Monday, June 23.

The rebuilding plan, which was presented by SHW Group architects during a June 9 Workshop Meeting, puts a priority on new and improved student instructional spaces at two secondary schools – Cornerstone Academy and the Academy of Choice – while embracing the site’s original history as Spring Branch High School and improving the nearby neighborhood. 

Following June 9’s presentation and discussion, Trustees authorized moving forward with ongoing schematic design and design development work during summer months on the overall site plan with a September goal for final schematic plans. Trustees voted June 23 on an updated Facilities Improvement Plan, which includes transfers of approximately $28.2 million for this project.

North/East view of the renovation plan for the Spring Branch Education Center.

The project has been praised for its clear focus on student instructional improvements, while acknowledging historical and alumni concerns as well as “good neighbor” related issues associated with the current SBEC site.

The SBEC rebuilding and renovation plan includes the following highlights:

• The district’s charter middle school, Cornerstone Academy, and its alternative high school, Academy of Choice, will both be rebuilt and renovated as separate, two-story academic buildings. They will share a cafeteria/kitchen and an outdoor courtyard quadrangle

• The existing SBEC Auditorium and Library will be renovated and a new SBISD Museum space created in the former library area to house historical materials associated with the former Spring Branch High School and its active alumni association. The alumni group has both district and high school-related items in its extensive archives. 

• SBEC’s current buildings are located on the former high school site, and the school’s front entry will be designed to recall the mid-century look of the original Spring Branch High School design.

• Some existing building structures will be demolished to open up the SBEC site and to provide space for the central courtyard, pedestrian walkways, and additional vehicle/bus drop off and parking.

• Several SBEC buildings will remain as is. They include the existing DAEP Building, Gym and Weight Room, Warehouse/Receiving and the Rubber Gym.

Remaining bond funds will pay for most of the SBEC rebuilding and renovation project, with a small portion paid through the district’s Contingency Budget created as a part of the 2007 Bond Plan.

Under the proposed rebuilding plan, SBEC’s students, teachers and staff would move off campus in June 2015. If no delays occur, they would return to renovated and rebuilt schools and offices in December 2016.

SBISD is able to undertake both an enhanced SBEC construction project and the current rebuilding of Rummel Creek Elementary School due to cost savings on other projects realized during the early years of bond construction and renovation.

It is expected at this time that the SBEC project will cap off, or largely complete, the $597.1 million bond program approved in 2007 by Spring Branch voters.

Read More