It was a night of honoring staff and preparing for the future for the Sulphur Springs School Board. They also canceled the May 5th election. Only incumbents Kerry Wright and Jason Dietze had filed for election.
Sulphur Springs School Board’s March meeting began with a tribute to the late Charles McCauley, Fine Arts Director and High School Band Director, who died this week. Board President Leesa Toliver spoke of his impact on staff and students. Board Member Jason Dietze, who had been present with the band members during their class time, said students had shared their memories of McCauley. Board Vice-President Robin Young said McCauley would have a lasting impact on students and all who knew him. Superintendent Michael Lamb said McCauley was not only a leader but taught leadership to his students instilling in them a sense of pride in what they do.
During Public Forum, Hopkins County Marine Corp League members Robert Goodman, Tommy Allison, and Gary Hall presented Harold Smithson and his students a plaque and picture thanking Smithson for the 250-plus crosses that remember those who from Hopkins County who died in military service. The crosses are placed near the Hopkins County Veterans’ Memorial each Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day. The Marine Corp League paid for the materials but the students made the crosses. The league members said the tribute to veterans adds to the memorial during the special days commemorating those who have served this country in the military.
Laci Ragan presented a video highlighting the Early Childhood Learning Center program. A video of students at the ECLC and other grade levels reading during the silent reading, reading to buddy, and reading centers with table and teacher were highlighted. She also noted the teacher collaboration on student performance as they work together to build reading strengths at various grade levels. In a program called Bubblegum, ECLC students are learning to read, spell, and write. Their reward for accomplishment is a mini-bubblegum dispenser. Each board member and members of the media present received mini-bubblegum dispensers. Early Childhood Learning Center has 151 readers, which is 49% of the student body.
Kristin Monk and Josh Williams updated the board regarding elementary and secondary campus programs.
Monk said that Douglas Intermediate has Tower Garden #1 up and going. The tower garden has seedlings purchased from Northeast Texas Farmers Coop and a second towner garden will be filled with seedlings that students will plant at school. Sulphur Springs Elementary 4th grade students visited the Dallas Museum of Art and the SSES Paws 4-H Farm has twin goats born last week. Sixteen SSES students in 3rd and 4th grad participated in the Junior Market Livestock Show exhibiting chickens, steers, pigs, goats, and lambs. The SSES PTO is bringing the Harlem Wizards to Sulphur Springs Monday, March 19. The Wizards will play SSISD administrators and teachers. Bowie Primary is building raised garden beds. Lamar and Travis Primary enjoyed Family Night activities and are improving math check points.
Williams noted the academic, FFA, and athletic successes at the high school and that three of the five DI Teams at the middle school will compete at State Competition in April. Two robotic teams will also compete in April at the state level.
The board approved the Head Start Director to apply for continuation and refunding of the Head Start Program, a letter of engagement with Rutherford, Taylor & Co for audit of the fiscal year, application for TEA Low Attendance Day Waivers for the district and for Lamar and Travis Primary schools that were affected by illness, and the 2018-2019 school calendar. Grade periods will move to nine (9) weeks instead of six (6) weeks in the 2018-2019 school year that will begin August 21, 2018 and end May 23, 2019. Graduation will be May 24, 2019. Spring Break will be later with a March 18-22, 2019 date.
PERSONNEL
Contracts
One-year employment contract extensions to recommended professional certified instructional administrative personnel and administrative support services personnel presently employed under two-year contracts.
Resignations – * denotes early notification of retirement at end of school year
Chelsea Holcomb Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
*Danette Sears SpEd (PPCD) Teacher ECLC
*Rhonda Brock Grade 2 Teacher Travis
*Robin Steed Math Intervention Douglas
Jennifer Roberts English Teacher Middle School
Rachel Robinson English Teacher Middle School
*Sonya Smith Bus Driver Dist-wide
New Personnel
Bruce Lockhart Technology Specialist Admin Bldg
Britni Johnson Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
Johanna Vasquez Campus Secretary SS Elementary
