State Sen. Glenn Hegar and State Rep. Bill Callegari today announced the formation of the Katy Community Higher Education Task Force.
HEGAR
The Task Force will be a collaborative educational partnership consisting of civic entities, community leaders and business partners working together to study, develop and plan for the viability and sustainability of a Pre K-20+ framework for the community.
Created to improve and expand higher education opportunities for students and businesses, the task force intends to create a seamless transition between high school and post-secondary opportunities, provide students with work-based learning experiences and provide businesses with workers trained in the skills that are needed most.
CALLEGARI
Hegar said he and Callegari were both proud to be a part of the effort.
“As our community’s population grows, expanding educational opportunities for our students is critical. It is important that we begin to identify issues and actions related to areas such as the design and alignment of K-12 and higher education systems, accountability, as well as political, cultural, fiscal, and other policy barriers within the community,” Hegar said. “As co-chairs of the Katy Community Higher Education Task Force, we look forward to working with the members of this task force and appreciate the dedication, commitment and service to the community we call home,”
Members of the task force include Ann Davis, Mayor Don Elder, KISD Superintendent Alton Frailey, Mace Hirt, Katy Chamber President and CEO Ann Hodge, State Sen. Joan Huffman, Tracy Janda, Katy EDC President Lance LaCour, Peyton Lumpkin, Jack McCabe, State Sen. Dan Patrick, State Rep. Hubert Vo, Jamie Wolman, State Rep. John Zerwas, Robert Garza, Van Martin, Liz O’Donnell, Mona Covington and Anna Web-Storey.
I recognize many of the names on this list as the same ones who show up time and time again. If you want progressive thinking and are willing to embrace viable alternatives I urge the committee to actively seek it and not simply refer action to committee.
I am pleased to see Dr. Web-Storey’s name on the list as her leadership at the Miller Career Center has provided many post secondary opportunities for our Katy Kids. There may already be one or two persons on this list who work for HCC and/or the Alamo Community College system, if not I suggest they line up a few as these schools play a vital role in preparing our youth for what is next either from a college or career training standpoint.
I am pleased someone is at least thinking of these issues. I hope they will invite George Scott to present his observations or maybe join the committee if he is willing to do so. I assume the formation of this committee is due to our collective concerns about wanting better for our kids, and not another publicity exercise. If so, working outside the box may be the best way to go. Please follow this group closely and let us know what is going on.
This scheme has absolutely nothing to do with higher education. What it does have to do with is higher taxes. There is absolutely ZERO need for our area to be brought into the HCC system or any other higher learning system. In addition, we don’t need to be creating our own colleges. There are plenty of local community colleges all over this town. If I, as a parent, need to pay a little bit higher tuition for one of my daughters to attend a college summer school class then so be it. The HCC system has been trying to figure out a way to incorporate our area into their system for years. They want our money!! Looks like someone figured out how to make this happen by forming this “education task force.” Have you seen the people that are on this task force? In my view not a real educator in the bunch. But what I do see are a collection of politicians, self-centered business interests, educational hacks and district lap dogs. But my very “favorite” committee member is Ann Hodge; the same Ann Hodge that was sanctioned by the TEC. It is unbelievable to me that the Chamber would allow such an individual to continue serving as President/CEO.
“As our community’s population grows, expanding educational opportunities for our students is critical,” said Callegari and Hegar, task force co-chairs.” This is utter and complete nonsense spoken by two (2) politicians that haven’t a clue about education. The reality Mr. Callegari and Mr. Hegar is that our kids have more than enough “educational opportunities.” But what we DON’T need are any more taxes!! Especially since we were all advised last week that we are now going to have to bail out the “Texas Tomorrow Fund.”
Christopher E. Cottrell
Co-Founder – Katy Citizen Watchdog$
While I appreciate Ross’s comments on a personal level, there’s no way that I would even consider serving on such a rigged committee. Equally, there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that these players would appoint me to this committee. The couldn’t answer any questions of substance because the agenda is political rather than sustance.
Cottrell is exactly right. This has nothing to do with advancing the cause of higher education. It’s about Katy’s ‘Walter Mitty’ business titans in Katy getting politicians to grease the skids for their goals, their needs, and their vested interests.
The leaders of this effort don’t want to join HCCS or Lone Star. They want the ego of new bricks and new mortar and total political control over another layer of tax supported government to serve their employment training needs.
They want government to subsidize their private sector needs.
Sure, the’ll wrap it in soft toilet paper coated with vaseline; however, it will still be toilet paper analysis.
This community does not need another community college. What it needs are regional community colleges that are more effective.
But like other Big Government Right Republicans that helped usher in the era of Big Government Left Democrats, corporations always search out their friends in power.
This nonsense needs to be dead in its track quicker than some of these guys can say goober.