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Monday, January 22, 2001
STATE
THE BATTALION
Page 5
School districts challenge
state wealth-sharing statute
DALLAS (AP) — Three Dallas-
area school districts are challenging
the state’s school finance law that
requires property-rich school dis
tricts to send part of their tax rev
enue to the state for redistribution to
poorer districts.
Plano, Coppell and Highland Park
have agreed to be plaintiffs in a law
suit that would be filed through the
Texas School Coalition, a statewide
group of 70 property-wealthy dis
tricts dedicated to reforming the 7-
year-old finance law known as
“Robin Hood.”
Of the $73.1 million that the
Highland Park school district will
1 collect this year, about $42 million
l will be sent to the state for redistrib-
»ution. Plano will send nearly $78 mil
lion to Austin.
t The lawsuit is “a difficult step. It’s
; not taken lightly,” Plano superinten-
’dent Doug Otto said. “We want to
• make sure we’re deliberate.”
" John Connolly, superintendent
•of the Highland Park school district,
vis president of the Texas School
£ Coalition.
“It takes years for this to go
through the courts. As the time goes
on, the percentage of the Robin
Hood tax grows greater and
greater,” he said. “Our fears are, un
less something is done now in the
short term, there is going to be a
train wreck.”
As the time goes
on, the percentage of
the Robin Hood tax
grows greater and
greater.’’
— John Connolly
Highland Park ISD superintendent
Under the system, a property-
wealthy school district’s so-called re
capture payment is based on enroll
ment estimates and property values.
In the 2000-01 school year, 84 prop
erty-wealthy school districts
statewide are expected to share $522
million of their property-tax rev
enues with other districts.
Craig Foster, executive director
of the Equity Center, an association
that represents low-wealth school
districts, said his group would op
pose any action that would widen
the funding gap between property-
wealthy and lower-wealth districts.
“If it increases the inequity that al
ready exists, we would have to fight
ift,” Foster said.
Coalition members argue that the
system is unfair and that without
changes they will be forced to cut
programs drastically in their districts.
For several years, the Highland Park
district has required students to pay
an athletic participation fee of $150.
Private funds have also been used to
pay for teachers, programs and staff
development.
Plano school officials have re
duced bus service, staggered school
starting times and made other budget
cuts in recent years.
No decision has been reached
about when a lawsuit might be filed,
and Connolly would not say what cir
cumstances might prompt the coali
tion to act. Major school-finance re
form is not on the Legislature’s
agenda, he said.
More meningitis cases confirmed
Officials concerned as Houston has lowest vaccination record
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HOUSTON (AP) —
Two more cases of spinal
meningitis were confirmed
this weekend in suburban
Houston, bringing the num
ber to at least 18 cases in the
area since Oct. 9, health of
ficials said. Two have died
of the disease this month.
The meningitis out
break has been added to
concerns raised late last
year about Houston’s po
tential for epidemic as the
city with the lowest vacci
nation rate in the nation —
a city officials say is al
ready vulnerable to disease
because of its role as major
port and airline hub.
i Although meningitis
‘ has not been included in the
traditional round of child
hood shots, there has been
growing worry among area
health professionals about
meningitis and hepatitis, as
well as traditional child
hood diseases.
Mass vaccinations were
given to those between the
ages of 2 and 24 Saturday
at New Caney Junior High
School. About 8,000 peo
ple from five counties
parked along the highway
and waited in line for hours
to receive vaccines provid
ed by the Texas Depart
ment of Health.
The vaccination pro
gram was recommended
in the community of about
2,700 by the Centers for
Disease Control and Pre
vention (CDCP) and the
Montgomery County
Health Department, said
H. Mark Guidry, Texas
Department of Health re
gional director.
Vaccinations are rec
ommended when cases ex
ceed one per 100,000 in a
three-month period. The
Texas Department of
Health is trying to deter
mine if it will give mass
vaccinations in Conroe.
Meningitis is a severe
bacterial infection of tissue
covering the brain and
spinal cord and can result
in blindness, deafness, am
putations and permanent
brain damage. It is not as
contagious as the common
cold or flu and is spread by
direct contact, such as
coughing, sneezing, kiss
ing and immediate sharing
of unwashed utensils.
Symptoms may include
fever, severe headache, stiff
neck, nausea, vomiting, a
rash, confusion, drowsi
ness and coma, according
to the health department.
A vaccine is effective
against some of the bacte
ria that cause meningitis,
but cannot cure those al
ready exposed, health offi
cials said.
On Thursday, the CDC
declared an official menin
gitis outbreak in Mont
gomery County, just north
of Houston. The two new
cases are in Fort Bend
County, in suburban south
west Houston. A 13-year-
old boy from Magnolia,
about 35 miles northwest
of Houston and a 56-year-
old woman from the Hous
ton suburb of Humble, in
Harris County, have died
of the disease in the past
two weeks.
Over the weekend, offi
cials confirmed an eighth-
grade student at Lamar Ju
nior High School in Fort
Bend County was taken to
the emergency room after
developing symptoms of
the disease.
HOLLYWOOD USA
For showtimes call 764-7592
Hwy. 30 @ E. Bypass 6
£
or log on to
Z sHtioiiiaBiLesiiEi
ST, JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH • GIRLS CLUB OF BRAZOS COUNTY
BRAZOS
1805 Briarcrest
776-0999
Come ioin the fun!
CURRENT SCHEDULE new
DOOHSOPEN JSTSESM iNDSESSION EOlVER PRICES
Tuesday SdOPM WSPM NONE RlNlfO
Waada, WPM MS PM MPM ..
Tlundav SMFM MS PM MPM MAGIC 2UUU
THURSDAY “L «»pm ms pm wpm FIFfTnnN1 , r
Suuidav 500 PM MS PM WO PM ELtllKUNIL
Sunday MO PM MO PM MPM MACHINES
Non-SmokingArea • Door Prizes • Creal Food • Security • Poll Tabs and Much More!
i/2 pm
OPTION
EVERY
Over
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
BEAT THE CLOCK
Mondays
6-8pm
The Time You Call
Is The
Price You Pay!!!!
College Station
764-7272
TAMU/ Northgate
846-3600
Open till 2 a.nr, Thursday
3 a.m. Friday & Saturday
Bryan
268-7272
licdti®
Using the
World Wide Web
for Research
Texas A&M University Libraries is offering a class to
assist Texas A&M University students and faculty in using
the World Wide Web for research.
Session I - Introduction to Using the World Wide Web for Research
Day
Date
Time
Location
Monday
Jan 22
5:45 - 6:15 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Tuesday
Jan 23
5:30 - 6:00 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Wednesday
Jan 24
5:45 - 6:15 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Thursday
Jan 25
5:30 - 6:00 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Session II
- Beyond the Basics
- Using the World Wide Web for Research
Day
Date
Time
Location
Monday
Jan 22
5:45 - 6:15 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Tuesday
Jan 23
5:30 - 6:00 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Wednesday
Jan 24
5:45 - 6:15 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Thursday
Jan 25
5:30 - 6:00 pm
Student Computing Center, 114
Bring a 3.5 formatted high density disk if you want to save information.
No charge and no sign-up is necessary. All are welcome.
The Texas AdrM University Interjfaternity Council (IFC) presents...
KUSH 2001
AFP: Alpha Gamma Rho
ATQ: Alpha Tau Omega
BOH: Beta Theta Pi
XO: Chi Phi
AX: Delta Chi
AZO: Delta Sigma Phi
ATA: Delta Tau Delta
KA: Kappa Alpha
KX: Kappa Sigma
AXA: Lambda Chi Alpha
OAO: Phi Delta Theta
OK0: Phi Kappa Theta
0X0: Pi Kappa Phi
XAE: Sigma Alpha Epsilon
XX: Sigma Chi
XN: Sigma Nu
XOE: Sigma Phi Epsilon
TKE: Tau Kappa Epsilon
SCHEDULE OFEVENISi
January 22 - 26: Individual fraternity events
January 27: Bid House @ Systems Building, noon
Any questions?
Contact Graham Stiles, VP of Recruitment,
at 693-8640 or gbs5530@unix.tamu.edu or
Jason Farr, IFC President,
at 485-0040 or
jasonkfarr@hotmail.com
JUplp (Bnmmn JlfraTernttg
Spring Rush 2001
Tues„ Jan. 23: Pizza & Pool @ Dixie Chicken, 7-9
Thurs., Jan. 25: Meet the AGR’s 7-8:15, Rudder 404
Sat., Jan. 27: BBQ @ The Oaks Park, Noon-4 (Harvey & Stellings)
Sun., Jan. 28: Bowling @ Triangle Bowl 2-4
Tues., Jan. 30: Chicken Oil, 7-9
Wed., Jan. 31: Alumni Smoker, 7-9, The Faculty Club
For more information call Matt @ 680-1859
or Allen @ 695-7778
Alpha Tau Omega
Spring Rush 2001
Mon: Billiards @ Yesterday’s 7-9 p.m.
Tues: Dinner with ATO @ Zapata’s 7-9 p.m.
Wed: Disco Bowling ©Triangle Bowl 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Thurs: Brotherhood Social @ Kyle Field Press Box 7-9 p.m.
Fri: Date Party @ Oxford Street, 7:30 p.m.
Sat: Bid House @ Administration Building, 12:00 p.m.
Beta Theta Pi
Mon., Jan. 22 Meet the Betas, Beta House, 5-7
Tues., Jan. 23 Carney’s, Carney’s Pub, 6-8
Wed., Jan. 24 Fajita Cookout*,TheTap, 6-8
Thurs., Jan. 25 Beta Banquet * **, Pebble Creek, 7-9
Fri., Jan. 26 Aggie Cowboy Roundup*, Dick Freeman Arena, 5-9
Sat., Jan. 27 Bid House
* invite only
** coat & tie
1
CHI PHI
SPRING FRATERNITY RUSH 2001
Mon., Jan. 22 Intro to Chi Phi at the
Chi Phi House, 7-9
Tues., Jan. 23 Basketball - Rec Center 8-10
Wed., Jan. 24 Chicken Oil Co. 7-9
Thur., Jan. 25 Triangle Bowl 8-10
Fri., Jan. 26 Bid Party at the Chi Phi House
8:30-midnight
Rush Chairman: Brian Donoghue
Chi Phi President: Derek Dizon Chi Phi House: 846-3462
DFLTA CHI
DELTA CHI
Monday - POET’S Pool Hall, 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday - Informational @ Clayton Williams
Alumni Center, 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday - Triangle Bowl, 9-11 p.m.
Thursday - Shrimp Boil, 7-9 p.m.*
Friday - Date Party @ Cafe Capri, 8-10 p.m.
*check for location
DELTA SIGNA PHI
1/22 Mon. •
Zapato’s, 7-9 p.m.
1/23 Tues. •
Softball Game @ Penberthy,
6-8 p.m.
1/24 Wed. •
Yesterday's, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
1/25 Thurs. •
Gattiland, 7-9 p.m.
Lunch: Fitzwilly's 12-2 p.m.
1/26 Fri. •
Cenare, 6-8 p.m.
Lunch: Dixie Chicken 12-2 p.m.
1/27 Sat. •
Bid House, 11 a.m.
Jan. 24'
Delta Tau Delta
Msc Open House
Jan. 21“ • 2-6 p.m.. MSC
MeEt the Pelts
Jan. 22" • 7-9 p.m., Fox & Hound
Casino Night
Jan. 23" • 7-9 p.m.
Wings ‘N More Party Room
Invitation Only BlP HOUSE
Jan. 27"' • 12:30 p.m.
Press Box Rally
7-9 p.m.,Ryle Field Press Box
Bones & BBQ
Jan. 25* • 7-9 p.m., 1713 Toddtrail
"Victory Dinner
Jan. 26* • 6-8 p.m.
Kona Ranch Steakhouse
www.aggiedelts.com
President . . D ....
Dain Tolbert: 696.6339 S ' rstem! Bulldln g
Rush Chairman
Nick Ferrell: 764.7793
SPRING 2001
Kappa Alpha
Spring Rush 2001
Mon. 1/22: Meet the KA’s, 7-9, Double Daves Northgate (upstairs)
Tues., 1/23: Fish Fry, 6-8, KA Property
Wed., 1/24: Pool, 7-9, Fox & Hound
Thurs., 1/25: *Steal< Night, 7-9, T-Bone Jones
Fri., 1/26: +*Date Party, 7-9, College Station Hilton
Sat., 1/27: *l3j ( ] House, Systems Building
*by invitation only +coat & tie
2adi Present Eric Brigger John Clinkscales
President
764-8521
Rush Chair
846-5879
Rush Chair
695-7612
5ilas Sarver
Rush Chair
680-0990
KAPPA SIGNA
Monday:
6:30-9p.m., Gattiland
Tuesday:
6-9p.m., Fajita Cookoff
Kappa Sig house
Wednesday:
7-9p.m., Pool & Darts
Carney’s
Thursday:
8p.m., Informational
Rudder Tower
Friday:
7p.m., Dinner,T-Bone Jones
Saturday:
Bid day
Lambda Chi Alpha
Spring Rush 2001"
Mon., Jan. 22 Bowling Wolf Pen 9p.m.-12a.m.
Tues., Jan. 23 Billiards Alfred T. Hornbacks 7-9p.m.
Wed., Jan. 24 Informational* Rec Center, Garden Room 7:45-9p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 25 Date Party-*-** Cenare’s 7-IOp.m.
Fri., Jan. 26 Mixer Brazos Hall 9p.m.-l2a.m.
Sat. Jan. 27 Bid House Administration Building 11 a.m.-1p.m.
^Sunday Casual **Coat & Tic ^Invitation Only
For more information: http://lca.tamu.edu
.Rush Chairman: Adam Prewett- 693.6712 or Kurt Salisbury- 695.2989
Phi Delta Theta
Spring 2001 Rush Schedule
Mon. 1/22 Tap 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tues. 1/23 Phi Delt House 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wed. 1/24 Alfred T. Hornbacks 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Thurs. 1/25 Clayton Williams Alumni Center
6:30-8:30 p.m. (invite only)
Fri. 1/26 Oxford Street Restaurant
6:45-8:45 (invite only)
Sat. 1/27 Bid Day
Rush Chairman
Lucas Sealy 775-8098 Russell Hughey 693-5785
Michael Dewey 696-3641 Josh Cathcart 696-3641
PHI KAPPA THETA
January
Monday, 22
Tuesday, 23
Wednesday, 24
Thursday, 25
Friday, 26
Saturday, 27
Meet the Phi Kaps PKT House 6:30-9p.m.
Karaoke Chelsea’s Pub 8:30-10p.m.
Phi Kap Luau PKT House 7-9p.m.
Informational Rudder 701 8-9p.m.
Bar-B-Q PKT House 6-7:30p.m.
Bid House Systems Bldg. Noon-2p.m.
TRANSPORTATION / DIRECTIONS / INFORMATION
Chris Blythe 778.4829 or Blake Fitzgerald 693.2350
Pi Kappa Phi
Spring Rush 2001
Mon., Jan. 22: Poets, 7-9
Tues., Jan. 23: Fajitas @ house, 7-9
Wed., Jan. 24: Alumni Center, 7:30-9
Thurs., Jan. 25: Faculty Club, 7-9
Fri., Jan. 26: Date Party, tba
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Jan. 22 n<1 BBQ & Billiards 6-9 p.m. ZAE House
Jan. 23 rd The Tap 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 24 th *Faculty Club 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 25 th Triangle Bowl 9-1 1 p.m.
Jan. 26 th *Date Party 9:30-1 I p.m.
Jan. 27 th Bid Day noon
Lunch daily at Duddley’s Draw noon-2 p.m.
*1 twite Only / Coat & Tie
Rush Chairman: JJ Trevino Asst. Rush Chairmen:
696-4469 or 575-5673 Hunter Malatek 680-9417 / Zach Rent 680-3308
im cm
Mon., Jan. 22: 7:30-9:30 BBQ XX House
Tues., Jan. 23: 7:30-9:30 Pool Fox & Hound
Wed., Jan. 24: 7:30-9:30 Banquet Pebble Creek CC
Thurs., Jan. 25: 7:30-9:30 Smoker SX House
Fri., Jan. 26: 7:30-9:30 Date Party* SX House
*lnvitation Only
President: Creed Ford - 680.0091
SIGMA NU SPRING RUSH 200
Mon. 1/22
Tues. 1/23
Wed., 1/24
Thurs., 1/25
Fri., 1/26
Sat., 1/27
+invite only *Coat & Tie
Wild Game Cookout 7-9 pun., Sigma Nu House
Pool @ POETS 7-9 p.m., POETS Billiards
Informational Banquet* 7-9 p.m.,
Briarcrest Country Club
Lunch+ I I a.m.-1 p.m., Fox & Hound
Driving Range (casual) 6-8 p.m.,
Lonestar Golf Academy
Date Party+* 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Pebble Creek Country Club
Bid House 12 p.m. For info:
Sigma Nu House
764-1869
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Mon., Jan. 22 Golf Lonestar Golf Academy 7-9
Tues., Jan. 23 BBQ Sig Ep House 7-9
Wed., Jan. 24 Informational Reed Arena 7-9
Thurs.,Jan. 25 Pool Poets 7-9
Fri., Jan. 26 Date Party 6:30-9
Dinner 9-1 I
Spring Rush 2001
TKE
Mon., Jan. 22 Meet the Tekes 6-8 pm Double Daves,
Northgate
Tues., Jan. 23 Bowling with TKE 6-8 pm Triangle Bowl
Wed., Jan. 24 TKE Banquet 7:30-9 pm T-Bone Jones
Thurs., Jan. 25 Fraternity for Life lnformational+ 7-9 pm
Reed Aren/i “301
Fri., Jan. 26 Date Party* 7-9 pm Cenare
Sat., Jan. 27 Bid House Noon TAMU Systems Bldg.
+Coat &Tie, *lnvitation Only
For more information calkTKE House - 260-8353
or Matt Cole (Pres.) - 268-7552