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79R3381 MAM-D
By: Naishtat H.R. No. 263
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Communities in Schools-Central Texas, Inc. (CIS),
celebrates 20 years of involvement in Austin area high schools in
2005, providing a fitting opportunity to salute this exceptional
organization; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, a group of business, education, and
community leaders founded a nonprofit organization to increase the
graduation rate at Central Texas schools; operating on a minimal
budget, they named their program Communities in Schools and hired a
staff of eight to offer counseling in five Austin public high
schools; this determined group reached out to the city's neediest
students, and their success helped CIS become the influential
organization it is today; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, CIS has expanded into 44
elementary, middle, and high school campuses throughout Travis,
Hays, Caldwell, and Williamson Counties, and currently operates
with an annual budget of $5 million and a staff of over 200; each
year, more than 24,000 students receive educational services from
CIS through counseling, preemployment skills training, academic
enhancement, health and human services, enrichment activities, and
parental involvement; and
WHEREAS, Despite the fact that CIS works with students most
at risk of dropping out, external evaluations have found that 97
percent of those students involved with CIS remain in school and 88
percent show marked improvement in grades, attendance, and
behavior; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its director, Donald M.
Loving, CIS continues to fulfill its mission as a dropout
prevention program by providing effective social services and links
to resources in the community, and as a result, it has helped
thousands of young people stay in school and prepare for successful
lives as adults; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the staff and volunteers of
Communities in Schools-Central Texas, Inc., for their commitment to
Texas youth and that they be commended for 20 years of exemplary
service to their community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for CIS as an expression of high regard by the Texas House
of Representatives.