by Rusty Graham — Memorial Examiner

A $2.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be used to further collaboration in the SKY Partnership between Spring Branch ISD and charter schools KIPP and YES Prep. The grant was one of seven awarded by the Gates Foundation to cities that have signed District-Charter Collaboration Compacts. The grants totaled nearly $25 million.

Spring Branch ISD Superintendent Duncan Klussmann said that augmenting the SKY Partnership is a critical step towards reaching the district’s T-2-4 goal of doubling students’ post-secondary success in five years.

The District board of directors would like to recognize and congratulate all of our restaurant winners who were selected in the 2012 Houston Press Top 10 Best Restaurants in Spring Branch. We encourage you to check them out and tell us you your favorite!

When law enforcement officers arrive at an apartment complex, the first questions they often hear from the younger residents are “Who are you looking for? Who are you here to arrest?” according to Sgt. Tony Hernandez of the Harris County Constables Office.

Now, the Spring Branch District’s Apartment Life Committee has a plan to help raise the positive profile of law enforcement and engender greater trust and better communication from apartment residents.

Sometimes, it takes the passion of a new generation to put a family business back on the right track. That’s what Kevin Doffing did for his father three years ago at Sam’s Safety Equipment on Sowden Road.

The company that started back in 1956 and that his father, Larry Doffing, bought in 1982 was struggling in 2009 and recorded its worst sales year ever.

Kevin Doffing said he saw a way to turn that around. He had worked at the store since he was four years old, earning a dollar for sweeping the floors. He continued to work there throughout his school years during summers and holidays.

The Spring Branch District has been targeted for two major new commercial real estate projects with a third coming nearby in the near future. The former will add significantly to the District’s tax base and provide new jobs further enhancing our importance as a center for industry and commerce in the Greater Houston area.

Four Seasons Development , whose office is situated in the District at 5825 W. Sam Houston Parkway, is developing a four building complex at the southwest corner of Tanner Road and the Beltway. According to Kevin Winkelmann with Four Seasons, who also lives in Spring Branch, the complex will be owner occupied by Priority Energy . The four buildings will total 80,000 square feet on a 7.0 acre site. Three buildings will be finished out for office and warehouse use. Warehouse space will have a 26’ ceiling height and be crane ready. The fourth building will be constructed as shell space for future expansion. The project has been under construction since early December and is expected to be completed before June.