When the Sulphur Springs School Board met Monday night, it was a time to say “good-bye” and a time to look to the future. Randy Reed was honored for his years of service in administration and the board heard reports regarding a teacher training experience being offered locally that could be expanded to include regional schools in the local summer training.
It was Reed’s last school board meeting. The Assistant Superintendent’s long career in education comes to a close in mid-month. However, in this final meeting with the board, Reed was honored by Superintendent Michael Lamb who introduced Reed’s grandchildren to lead the pledges to the United States and Texas flags. He also allowed the two to tell why they were glad their “Dandy” was retiring. Lamb also stated that the last four years had afforded an opportunity to learn much from Reed regarding the education system locally.
Reed stated “I enjoyed the relationships with board members and teachers.” He stated that he had “…missed the kids when he moved to administration.” He said administration is about relationships and he had enjoyed working with a quality board. This year’s board includes some who knew Reed as coach while in their own school experience. Don Sapaugh told Reed, “You handled a lot of difficult situations that people do not know about and you handled those things so well.”
Lisa Robinson provided information to the board regarding the Sulphur Springs Summer Learning Conference being held at the Sulphur Springs Middle School Wednesday through Friday of this week (June 8-10). Robinson stated that the conference focuses on teachers sharing with teachers and will serve to provide up to 12 hours of required training time. Over 200 teachers are attending the 115 sessions that are being provided. The conference is open only to local teachers but the district hopes to open the training to other school districts next year.
Don Roundtree gave an update on Civic Center auditorium renovation project. The first event to be held in the auditorium will be the Dairy Festival pageant on Saturday, June 18th. Roundtree stated that the previous week had provided several challenges due to weather but that workers had accomplished all but the final coat on the stage floor, had tuned the audio-visual system, and completed the carpet on the auditorium floor and the rubber floor on the accessibility ramps. Roundtree reported that Broadcast Works will operate the sound board for the Dairy Festival Pageant as a training for local workers.
Doug Whitt, SAMCO Capital Markets, Inc. reviewed the plan of finance and schedule of events for the sale and issuance of maintenance tax notes. Whitt told the board that interest rates are at an extreme low. He pointed out that maintenance tax notes of over $7.5 million could be paid off in 10 to 20 years. Interest rate is expected to be 2.75%. The local school district has an A-1 bond rating on Moody’s. On July 11th, the board will take bids for bonds and then vote that night in their summer board meeting. August 9th is closing date. Whitt told the local district that with a healthy tax rate, which the district currently has, a healthy future can be maintained at the current pace.
Kristin Monk reported on summer activities throughout the District including the YMCA program at the Sulphur Springs Elementary School. She told the board that 65 children are enrolled for a fee of $65 per week. This year the students will swim one day per week and go on a field trip one day each week.
The board set the 45 day contract release date for resignation notifications–July 7, 2016. They also approved an upgrade of security system at ECLC campus by Securadyne Systems, purchased a skid loader for the Maintenance Department from Holt CAT, and accepted a bid to repave the high school parking lot 5W Contracting. 5W Contracting was the only bid and it was lower than had been expected. The new parking lot will add 100 additional spaces for parking.
Personnel changes approved include:
Summer Contracts- due to mid-term hire date
David Hodges Network Systems Engineer Admin Bldg
Pam Tomany PPCD Teacher ECLC
Paula Hass Business/Marketing Teacher High School
Kaley Perry Science Teacher High School
David Westberry Math Teacher High School
Resignations
Angela Beaver Grade 4 Teacher SS Elementary
Jana Keith SpEd Resource Teacher SS Elementary
Lindsey Holt 6th Gr. ELAR Teacher Middle School
Kathy Froneberger Nurse High School
Kristi Rozell SpEd Teacher High School
Retirement-Lana Van Vleet Government Teacher High School
New Personnel
Kendra Daniel Part-time V.I. Teacher Special Services
Kodeann Crawford Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Amanda Fowler Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Barbara Henderson Title I Aide SS Elementary
Laura Owens Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Cynthia Taylor Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Sonya Mathews Grade 5 Teacher Douglas Intermediate
Janay Wood Secretary Douglas Intermediate
Deann Dickens Math Teacher Middle School
Brandy Fisher SpEd Aide Middle School
Macy Hurley PE/Girls Coach Middle School
Sue Ellen Hurley Science Teacher Middle School
Janlyn Therwanger ESL Aide Middle School
Mary Jenkins Counselor High School
Personnel Changes New position/campus Former position/campus
Cydney Williams V.I. Teacher/Special Services Part-time V.I. Teacher/Spec Serv
Misty Teer Literacy Support/ECLC Grade 1/Lamar
Catherine Gray Grade 2 Teacher/Bowie Grade 3 Teacher/SS Elementary
Colby Smith English Teacher/Middle School Grade 3 Teacher/SS Elementary
Ross Hicks SpEd Teacher & Coach/High School PE & Coach/Middle School
