Saltillo FCCLA Members Return From 2022 State Meet With 36 Awards
Saltillo Family Career Community Leaders of America Chapter members returned from the State FCCLA meet in Dallas with 36 awards in family and consumer science assessments and one student competed in the talent show.
The group got to attend the April 7-9, 2022, FCCLA State Leadership Conference in person this year, with the exception of Saltillo sophomores, who competed virtually because their STAAR test was the same day as the in-person competition. The students were able to join the group in Dallas after all had finished testing in Saltillo.
“Thursday night, Allie Lane competed in the Talent Show part of the competition and did a great job for Saltillo, considering we have never had anyone step out to participate in the competition,” noted advisor Johnna West.
Among the 18 Saltillo FCCLA Chapter members earning gold in FCS contests were Trinity White, Heston Peeples, Cason Carmody, Nora Martinez, Ethan White, Cindy Alvarez, Gunner Tarver, Yadhira Alonso, Ridge Johnson, Sara Martinez, Julianna Giles, Luis Ortega, Cristian Trejo, Caden McGill, Harley Perez, Gabby Ross, Andrew Redburn and Maysen Pipkin.
The 10 students earning silver in FCS contests included Brianna Tawil, Luke Ritter, Kelsie Minick, Landon Peeples, Amira Terry, Evan Andrew, David Whitworth, Colton McGill, Raegan Speir and Jordan Metcalf.
The eight Saltillo student receiving bronze medals or FCS contests included McKenna Gurley, Jacob Sexton, Michael Gonzales, Coy Collins, Yasmin Garcia, Sheri Hailey, Alyssa Partin and Jazmin Castro.
Three additional students also participated in FCS contests, but did not receive medals for their work.
Congratulations to these Saltillo FCCLA members for their achievements at the state contest.
Escaped Inmate Allegedly Committed 2 Burglaries While Eluding Authorities
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reported finding the escaped jail trusty Melton Medina-Tuirubiates in a wooded area off FM 69 around 12:25 p.m. Tuesday using search dogs. Officials reported the man was in custody, and officers were in the process of walking the inmate to a more accessible area so he can be checked by EMS at 12:30 p.m. April 19, 2022.
The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man was reported around 9 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2022, to have escaped from a work detail at Sulphur Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Medina-Tuirubiates was pursued into the night by Texas Department of Criminal Justice-ID K9 units, federal, state and local law enforcement, including Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft, according to arrest reports.
Tuesday morning, April 19, 2022, K9 units tracked the escaped trusty to a deer camp on FM 69, which was believed to have been used for overnight accommodations. The camp was found to have been broken into and items were reported to have been stolen from inside of it, Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger John Vance alleged in arrest reports.
Later Tuesday morning, the K9 units tracked Medina-Tuirubiates to a residence on the corner of FM 69 and the north Interstate 30 feeder road. That residence also was alleged to have been broken into and had items stolen from inside, the Texas Ranger noted in arrest reports.
Around 12:30 p.m. April 19, 2022, law enforcement apprehended Medina-Tuirubiates. He was alleged at that time to have on him, items alleged to have been stolen during the two previous burglaries.
After being checked by EMS personnel, Medina Tuirubiates was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked not only on the original violation of probation charge he was jail for on March 21, 2022, Medina-Tuirubiates, but also three new charges: escape while in confinement for walking off from his work detail as a trusty, and two burglary of a habitation charges, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Deputies Catch Suspect Alleged To Have Stolen Side-By-Side
Shortly after concluding a manhunt for an inmate who had escaped custody the day before, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators engaged in a second search Tuesday afternoon for a suspect reported to have stolen a side-by-side.
A homeowner notified HCSO at 3:44 p.m. April 19, 2022, that his side-by-side vehicle had been stolen and he was attempting to pursue the suspect. The owner reported being awakened to the sound of the utility terrain vehicle starting up outside the residence. The keys, he reported were inside his residence. He discovered a white male with a bald head, wearing a black hoody driving the vehicle through the woods, possibly headed toward the oil fields in the area of FM 3505, according to arrest reports.
Deputies converged in the area, identifying tracks consistent with those made by the UTV in pastures and rough terrain impassable for most motor vehicles. Alerted to a possible sighting of the suspect heading into Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit, deputies followed the track until they caught sight of a male driving what appeared to be the stole UTV behind the restrooms in the Herron Harbor area of CLSP, deputies wrote in arrest reports.
Deputies began pursuing the UTV and male, ordering him to stop evading officers. The suspect reportedly failed to heed the command, instead, driving into terrain impassable to patrol units. A while later, the UTV was found, wrecked in a creek bed. Deputies followed footprints leading away from the area, according to sheriff’s reports.
Officials then were alerted a male, believed to be the suspect in the side-by-side theft, had entered a County Road 4722 residence without consent and took summer sausage that didn’t belong to him. He placed the homeowner’s child in fear; she entered a room away from the suspect and locked the door. The suspect then fled from that residence with the summer sausage, HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis alleged in arrest reports.
Sheriff’s staff continued attempting to track the suspect, dubbed the sausage bandit by at least one pursuer. They were soon alerted another homeowner had located a person believed to be the suspect, and guided deputies along the path the traveled while trying to elude deputies, arrest reports alleged.
Deputies reported spotting the believed suspect and chased him on foot and using a UTV. The man was alleged to be holding an open knife and summer sausage. The man reportedly dropped both items.
HCSO Sgt. Investigator Michael Russell, Sgt. Scott Davis, and Deputies Kevin Lester and Zack Steward took the suspect into custody at 6:27 p.m. Tuesday and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The man, identified in arrest reports as Jacob Tomeis Lyda, was booked into Hopkins County jail at 8:28 p.m. April 19, 2022, for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, theft of property the side-by-side which was valued at $2,500 worth or more but less than $30,000, and two burglary of a habitation charges. The 31-year-old Linden man remained in the county jail Wednesday morning, April 20, 2022, on all four charges, according to arrest reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
19 Saltillo Academic UIL Competitors Advancing From District To Region
Saltillo ISD earned 371 points, giving the academic UIL competitors a second place overall finish at the District Academic UIL Competition, making the team the Academic UIL Runner Up Champion this year. Saltillo had 31 competitors who racked up 32 individual awards; eight teams were recognized as well.
Nineteen students scored high enough at the March 24 contest at Union Hill High School to advanced to the Academic UIL Regional contest April 22-23, 2022, in Waxahachie. To advance, students had to be ranked among the top three competitors in their category or be a member of the first place team.
The Saltillo accounting team won first place honors by taking four of the top six places in the event. Gunner Tarver won second place honors, Yadhira Alonso third place honors, Brianna Tawil placed fourth and Trinity White fifth in accounting. This team advances.
The Saltillo students also did especially well in journalism competition, earning a first place ranking overall.
In copy editing, Amira Terry earned second place honors, Sheri Hailey third place honors and Colby McCoy finished sixth.
In editorial writing, Allie Lane placed fourth, Julianna Giles fifth and Alyssa Partin sixth.
In feature writing, Katelyn Cline won first place honors, Olyveah Allen second place and Gabby Ross placed fourth.
In headline writing, Ryleigh Redar earned second place honors, Gunner Tarver third place honors and Luke Ritter sixth place honors.
In news writing, Cristian Trejo won first place honors and Cason Carmody second place honors.
The Saltillo computer science competitors garnered second place team honors. Individually, Caden McGill finished fourth, Jacob Sexton fifth and Cristian Trejo sixth.
The speech team and spelling and vocabulary team also each earned second place recognition. In spelling, Ethan Sexton was recognized for finishing fourth and Amira Terry fifth.
The first place current issues and events team also advances to regional competition this weekend. Jacob Sexton won second place honors and Evan Andrew sixth place recognition as well.
Ethan White won second place honors and Trinity White placed fifth in literary criticism, garnering a second place team finish.
In persuasive speaking, Luke Ritter won first place honors and Justice Burke third place honors.
In science, David Whitworth earned first place honors.
The social studies team also earned second place team recognition. Individually, Ethan White won third honors in social studies.
Congratulations to Saltillo Academic UIL competitors for these achievements at the district meet. KSST wishes them the best of luck at the regional meet this weekend.
Great Opportunities Await You!
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected].
While providing an individual with my business card recently, I contemplated the Vision and Mission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Our vision is “Helping Texans Better Their Lives” and our mission is “Through the application of science-based knowledge, we create high-quality, relevant continuing education that encourages lasting and effective change.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides workshops, program series, single educational programs, educational conferences, field days, 4-H events, tours, newsletters, and much more. If you have not visited our office, we welcome you!
There are several opportunities for involvement coming up and we would like to have you as part of the action!
- Walk Through Texas History
- If you enjoy walking, you will really like this event. Walk Through Texas History is a four-week program designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity while learning the rich history of Texas. Each adult team may include up to eight team members, all working together to follow along legendary historical Texas paths. You can walk in the comfort of your own home, neighborhood, parks, etc., to help your team achieve the miles. Hopkins County walkers will use the new 4-week Texas Historical Commission Route which is a 510-mile trek and log steps/miles on the WTTH link. With each historic marker reached, you will be able to read about that particular location, without leaving your home!
- We will kick off the event on May 2 and the link will allow participants to start logging steps/miles. Registration is required, so contact my office at 903-885-3443 for information on how to sign up. I can walk interested individuals through the process. There is no cost, but you will enjoy watching the progress of your team as you walk through Texas history! I will send a weekly e-mail listing the progress of each team along with a recipe. Spring is a great time to participate before the hot Texas summer hits!
- Fairs, Festivals, and Events Certified Judges’ Training
- This event is back by popular demand! Hopkins, Hunt, Rains, and Kaufman Counties are joining efforts to provide this opportunity to individuals who are interested in learning how to judge entries in county fairs and festivals. The training will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Emory. Join us for one or two fun-filled days and earn your certification in areas attended. Below are the topics covered.
- Monday, May 9: horticulture, woodworking, food preservation, and baked goods will be the topics covered.
- Tuesday, May 10: art, photography, quilting, and fiber arts will be the topics covered.
- Cost is $25 per day, which includes lunch and materials. Those completing the training will also be offered the opportunity to receive a Certified Judge name badge for an additional $10. All trained judges will be included in a list which will be provided to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices to call upon when recruiting judges for special events.
- To register, go to: https://rains.agrilife.org/ffe_jt or drop by the Hopkins County Extension Office at 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs and we’ll give you a paper copy to fill out and mail.
- This event is back by popular demand! Hopkins, Hunt, Rains, and Kaufman Counties are joining efforts to provide this opportunity to individuals who are interested in learning how to judge entries in county fairs and festivals. The training will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Emory. Join us for one or two fun-filled days and earn your certification in areas attended. Below are the topics covered.
- Multi-County 4-H Camp
- This annual event is scheduled for July 11-13 at Lakeview Baptist Conference Center in Lone Star. Workshops will include: Fun with Foods, Archery, Zip line/Rock wall, Sportfishing, Horticulture, and Healthy Lifestyles team activities. The facility has a swimming pool, lake for paddle boating and canoeing, snack bar, gift shop, and beautiful settings for a great camp!. The registration fee of $130 includes two nights lodging, six meals, and all camp activities and materials. Registration forms are now available at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office. Students grades 3 thru 12 are welcome to attend. If a younger sibling wishes to attend, a parent must also be present.
- The deadline to register is June 1. My co-worker and I will both be attending and serving as workshop leaders and chaperones. More information is available.
There are many more opportunities coming up, so contact our office!
CLOSING THOUGHT
Lesson from a pencil maker: In life, you will go through painful sharpenings which will only make you better. What is important is what is inside of you.
Contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent Johanna Hicks at the Hopkins County Extension Office: P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
Chamber Connection – April 20
Volunteers Needed April 22-23 To Help Rehab Kids Kingdom
By Butch Burney
This is the weekend that Kids Kingdom needs your help!
The Sulphur Springs Leadership Class has selected to rehab Mary Bonham’s Kids Kingdom in Buford Park. And just like when it was constructed quarter-century ago, everyone is invited to help.
Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, have been designated as work days to re-stain all the wood in Kids Kingdom and spread mulch.
The class is also planning to replace and/or repair the equipment, such as the handicap swing, chains, swings, tires, etc. for the playground, restore the ground mulch and install lighting for safety and security.
Church and civic groups, as well as individuals, are encouraged to help with the project.
To sign up to help, contact the Chamber at 903-885-8515 or [email protected].
Wildcat Jazz
Wildcat Jazz Band’s 2nd Annual Jazz on the Square is coming to downtown at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21. They will feature songs from Three Dog Night, The B-52s, the Blues Brothers and more.
Be a Kids Superhero
You can be a superhero in attire and deed with the CASA Superhero Virtual Walk to promote Child Abuse Awareness. During the month of April, you are encouraged to walk or run anytime anywhere while wearing a superhero costume, cape or simply a blue shirt. Post your photo on social media with the hasthtag #lakecountrycasa.
Spring Market
The Spring Market on Main is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, on Main Street. Come out shop, eat and purchase from vendors, booths and shops.
Ribbon Cutting
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum on State Highway 11 as you enter Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, April 12. The museum is an interactive learn-and-play indoor and outdoor space for elementary age children.
Let ‘Er Rip will have a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at 1441 Shannon Road. Please welcome them to the business community.
The Shave Shop will have a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, April 22, at Kids Kingdom, as part of the renovation weekend.
Business of the Week
Nextlink, which provides high speed internet to Hopkins County, is the Business of the Week for April 20. See more about our Business of the Week on the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook pages as well as our website.
Ways To Manage Weed Infestation
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Agriculture, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Weed infestation generally increases after drought or when land is not managed properly. When fertilized according to laboratory recommendations, forage crops such as bermudagrass produce significantly more dry matter and can usually out-compete weed species. Without fertilization, however, weed species generally have the competitive advantage. Weeds hurt forage production by intercepting sunlight and removing moisture and nutrients forage crops need for growth. Weed flowers in the hay meadow are usually the first indication of a weed problem. Unfortunately, by the time weeds flower, it is usually too late to apply a herbicide or it takes additional herbicide to achieve control. A better strategy is to scout pastures early every growing season to determine whether weed infestation is at a level requiring intervention.
Prevention
The best way to manage weeds is to prevent them from becoming a problem. Proper seeding rates and forage selection, combined with good fertility, produce forage stands that are better able to compete with weed species. This approach to weed management is usually more cost-effective than applying herbicide later. Even with the best planting and soil management, however, most hay operations will require some form of weed control.
Chemical
When used appropriately, chemical weed management is safe and cost-effective. The first step is to correctly identify the weed species, then select the most effective herbicide.
The second step is to follow the label directions precisely to ensure that you use the herbicide safely, effectively and economically. Labels list safety precautions, proper application rates and times, target species, and cleanup and disposal information. Even if you have used certain herbicides for many years, check the label each year to see if the product instructions have changed. The Texas Agrilife Extension Service publishes weed control guides to help you select herbicides.
Prescribed Fire
Prescribed fire is generally used to suppress woody species and is often used after herbicide treatments. Prescribed fire can extend the life of the herbicide application and repeated fires, especially warmseason fires, can convert wooded areas into savannas that provide better livestock and/or wildlife habitat. Many producers also find the savanna ecosystem more aesthetically pleasing. Although prescribed fire is not common in east Texas, its value as a management tool should not be overlooked.
Mechanical
Mechanical weed management methods can be effective in regions that have problems with mesquite, huisache, blackbrush, and other woody species. Mechanical methods are generally less effective and more costly than chemical controls (Table 4). Mechanical treatments, primarily mowing or shredding, can actually make managing species like persimmon more difficult. Though it may appear to indicate only a slight economical advantage to the herbicide treatment, each season usually requires more than one mechanical treatment. When you consider even two trips across the field with a mower, the economic advantage of herbicides is immediately apparent.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Earth Day With The Plant Niche Planned April 23 On Celebration Plaza
Sulphur Springs will celebrate Earth Day on April 23, on Celebration Plaza with activities for the whole family to enjoy. Sulphur Springs Earth Day with The Plant Niche will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County community is invited to join in helping spread awareness and love for the environment.
Hosted in recognition of Earth Day, an event first held in 1970 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, the 2022 event in Sulphur Springs invites speakers to discuss environmental awareness, community impact, and sustainability.
Vendors and speakers are coming together to show the importance of working together for a better community and Earth. Event coordinator and The Plant Niche owner Erika Mayorga said the Sulphur Springs Earth Day observance will be a family-friendly event, focused on ways to get back to the basics of nature.
There will be activities for kids, including face painting. Free trees will be available for people to collect and plant wherever they like. Pollinator seeds will be available for people to spread for butterfly gardens and help the bee community.
Several vendors will be on hand to provide information about their services, how they and others can promote environmental awareness.
A local bee club and Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. Any interested in becoming a Master Gardener are invited, as are all bee lovers. Texas AgriLife Extension Office will also have a booth, offering more information about their services and programs, and to answer natural resources, agricultural topics as well as ways to lead better, healthier lives through the application of science-based knowledge continuing education that encourages lasting and effective change.
Among the participants is a yoga instructor interested in getting back to nature. This year’s main Earth Day sponsor is Sigma Tech Solar, who will also be on hand with information about their services
Mayorga said any vendors or organizations that have not yet signed up to host a booth or take part in Sulphur Springs Earth Day are still welcome to do so. To get what Mayorga hopes will become an annual event and off the ground this year, there will be no vendor charge to participate in 2022. Also, any who have knowledge on important environmental topics are invited also to participate as speakers. Just contact Erika Mayorga by email at [email protected] or call The Plant Niche at 903-558-1185 to let her know you’d like to participate.
USDA Disaster Designation Makes FSA Funding Available To Eligible Farmers
The Farm Service Agency, responding to the Texas Acting State Executive Director Erasmo Trevino’s request of April 1, on April 11, has made funding available to help farmers in 10 Texas counties, 26 contiguous Texas counties – including Hopkins – and three contiguous Oklahoma Counties who experienced physical damage and losses from the winter weather that occurred Feb. 2-28, 2000.
FSA made emergency loans available available to Bexar, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kinney, Maverick, Real and Uvalde Counties due to physical damage and losses caused by a winter storm that occurred Feb. 2-28, 2022.
Atascosa, Bandera, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Delta, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Guadalupe, Hopkins, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Lamar, Medina, Montague, Rains, Rockwall, Tarrant, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Webb, Wilson, Wise and Zavala Counties were named as contiguous, where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA emergency physical loss loan assistance, pursuant to section 321 (a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Also, in accordance with section 321 (a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, counties
in an adjacent State that are contiguous to one or more of the designated Texas counties, are named as
contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA EM loan assistance. For this
designation, the affected States and counties in Oklahoma are Bryan, Love and Marshal.
“The disaster designation notifies both primary and contiguous counties that family farmers may qualify for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. The FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator,” according to Nathan Carroll, Texas Division of Emergency Management District Coordinator.
Emergency management loan applications will be received through December 12, 2022 for severe physical losses only, in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR 759, Section 759.6 (2).
Bond Accountability, Projected Costs, Facility Names Discussed At SSISD Town Hall Meeting
Accountability, projected costs, facility names, and bond ratings, were among the topics community members asked for additional information about during the town hall meeting held to discuss the Sulphur Springs ISD bond.
Why The Bond Election Was Called
Superintendent Michael Lamb started the town hall meeting explaining that a committee composed of 50-60 people paired down from $150 million worth, of identified needs the most critical needs. The process was started about 5-6 years ago based on the age of SSISD facilities, starting with Travis Primary, the oldest campus with students and increasing costs of maintenance and upkeep. He noted that the Administration Building is now 100, and Travis Primary is pushing 67 years, Douglass ECLC 65 years, Sulphur Springs Elementary 62 years, Austin Academic Center 60, Bowie and Rowena Johnson Primary campuses 55 years, Sulphur Springs High School 43 years, Barbara Bush Primary 25 years and Middle School 9 years.
When Lamb asked at what age community members think a building has outlived it’s service, one community member said “as long as it is in good condition, it doesn’t matter it’s age.” Lamb said about 40 years is the accepted standard. Only two of SSISD’s 10 buildings are less than 40 years old. The average age of buildings in Sulphur Springs ISD is 60, and retirement life has been 80 years (based on demolition at Houston and Austin campuses).
SSISD’s buildings appear younger than they are due to the wonderful work of the maintenance staff. However, at some point you age out of buildings serving students. For instance, buildings begin having electrical and plumbing issues, and the amount of increasing upkeep makes them not worth the cost of repairs. Travis, the campus to be replaced, has tiles so old, when they come out, they can’t replace them. They don’t make those tiles any longer. They just have to paint them and put them back in place and hope that works.
Finances And Accountability
Two mailers sent to district residents as well as information on the bond website, sulphurspringsisdbond.com, show the age of the buildings as well as a summary without budgeted costs, including a new Travis Primary; renovations at the the two other primary campuses, SSES, Douglass and ECLC; renovations and addition of a career and technical center and fine arts area at SSHS; 20 new buses; and roofing and HVAC projects district-wide. What the mailer did not include was how the $93 million in bond funding would be allocated for each of these project areas, and exactly what those projects entails.
Information presented at a previous meeting included that information, but did not make it onto the flyers, just as the potential tax impact the constitutional amendment proposal on state May 7 ballots across the state would have is not on the flyer. The state amendment proposes increasing the amount of the homestead exemption from the currently offered $25,000 to $40000 starting in the 2022 tax year, with the state making up the difference in revenue for school districts.
bond proposal during a town hall meeting Monday, April 18, 2022
Thus, some residents said they’d like to see more accountability, line item numbers which more specifically outline how the $93 million bond is currently allocated. Lamb said at this point, the projected costs for each project in the bond proposal are estimates based on conservative estimates from contractors and experts in finance and construction fields.
When asked how the bond capacity is built, Lamb explained that it’s based on information tracked by the district’s financial adviser. The district has been working toward this for 5-6 years. SSISD administrators had planned to call for the bond after spring break 2020, but COVID shut schools down and put many out of work, if only temporarily. The district, unlike many across the state, opted to wait until after COVID so as not to place any heavier burden on taxpayers during an already difficult time.
With reports of expected changes in interest rates, likely increases, the constitutional amendment election anticipated to pass to help taxpayers, Lamb said, the district “can’t afford to wait” any longer to get the process rolling.
SSISD officials have been apprised of pending deals that promise big economic development coming to the Sulphur Springs area in the near future, which will help with costs, which would mean less money required from current taxpayers. Some of those projects include: solar plants which may get tax breaks on school district M&O taxes, but are still responsible for paying I&S taxes; a housing development that would result in more than 1,000 new homes being constructed in Sulphur Springs; industry such as a rebar maker that are interested in establishing a manufacturing facility on the old Thermo mine site. Many of these economic developments are contingent on Chapter 313 agreements, which will soon go away.
The district’s tax rate has gone down over the past 10-15 years, based on changes set by the state regarding the how high school district taxes may be set at, Lamb noted.
How Much Is Allocated Per Project?
The recommendations presented by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to the school board at the special Feb. 7 meeting, included the following (along with cost estimates for each):
New Construction
- New Travis Primary Campus – $35 million
Additions and Renovations
- Bowie Elementary Classroom Additions – $6,000,000
- Bush Elementary Renovations – $1,000,000
- Sulphur Springs Elementary Renovations – $3,000,000
- Douglas Early Childhood Renovations – $2,000,000
- Austin/DAEP Renovation – $500,000
- High School
- CTE Center – $12,000,000
- Culinary Arts
- Auto Shop
- Health Science Technology
- Construction Trades
- Robotics
- Fine Arts Addition – $12,500,000
- High School Refurbishments – $10,000,000
- CTE Center – $12,000,000
- Capital Improvement Projects Across District – $9,000,000
- Roofing and HVAC
- Buses – $2,000,000
- 20 Buses
Naming Of Schools
Community members wanted to know with the long range plan for school facilities which is targeted at having four elementary campuses, including a new school to be built with with $35 million of the bond funding, whether the Church Street campus named recently in honor of 50-year educator Rowena Johnson, would continue to have Johnson’s name attached to it if repurposed to house offices or other programs. A desire was expressed to see Johnson’s name attached to an elementary campus, as that’s where she devoted decades of her life. They asked if a new campus, such as the new facility designated Travis, could be named after Mrs. Johnson.
Lamb said he’d indicated to Johnson’s family, when the request was made to name the campus where she spent the majority of her career after Johnson, that the campus may not always be a primary campus or campus that serves elementary students. He assured the community members present at Monday night’s second town hall meeting about the May 7 bond election, that the long time educator’s name would continue her legacy whether on the former Lamar Primary campus at Rowena Johnson special services center or another elementary campus. The new campus to be constructed using bond funds is at this time being called Travis because that’s the campus that is being replaced; it will most likely be built on the current Sulphur Springs Elementary campus where the community track is currently located. Typically, campuses aren’t given new names before construction.
What If Costs Exceed, Come In Underbudget?
Community members asked what the plan would be if the cost for the new campus exceed the $35 million allocated, particularly with the rising costs of construction, as well as what would become of the funding if the projects finish underbudget. Lamb said the project would be scaled back to remain within budget. If the projects are completed with funding remaining, such as the $3 million leftover when the $43 million bond was passed about 10 years ago which allowed for construction of the new middle school. Lamb said it’s his understanding new regulations would require the district to seek voter approval for funds use, should there be any left after all expenses are paid.
What Happens If The Bond Doesn’t Pass?
Additional community members wanted to know what will happen if the $93 million bond proposal does not pass on May 7, as well as how long before the school board could potentially call for another election with a different bond proposal.
If a majority of votes on My 7, 2022, are not in favor of the bond, Lamb said the district would continue to do the best they can with the aging facilities, but will likely break the proposal into small chunks, which would then be brought back in smaller phases for voters to consider. A new proposal could appear on ballots during the next regular election cycles after the May 7, 2022, election. The soonest would be November 2022 or May 2023.
To watch the first SSISD Town Hall meeting, click here.
Click here for additional information related at other prior bond meetings.
