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Glasscock County News
GCISD to Hire School Nurse
Almost 30 parents jammed the GCISD boardroom Aug. 8 to hear discussion of two topics: weighting of high school courses and hiring a full-time school nurse. (See separate course weighting article.) After Doug Jost, representing a number of parents, made a presentation outlining various reasons he thought the school should reinstate the position of school nurse, the board voted to post a job opening for a full-time nurse. The district hasn’t had a nurse since the fall of 1999, when that board decided to eliminate the position. Jost suggested the school look for a registered nurse who also has emergency medical training. [Superintendent Steve Long later said they would advertise for a school nurse, without being specific, and wait to see what qualifications applicants have.] No salary has yet been specified. Jost noted that several children with various special needs now attend GCISD, and commended the school and the faculty for training to deal with these. He said, however, it would be better for a nurse to take these and other related duties and free faculty and administration to concentrate on their regular jobs. Jost listed services a nurse could provide the school. Among them were: assess and perform emergency response to children, faculty or staff who might have various medical difficulties; administer medications and injections; supervise first aid equipment and supplies; train faculty and staff in recognizing conditions which need medical attention; organize and maintain comprehensive health-related documents for each student; conduct screenings; maintain notebooks which would notify substitute teachers of children’s health issues; monitor children’s mental and emotional well-being; provide health counseling for students and staff; identify campus health or safety concerns; teach health awareness required by TEKS; coordinate programs to help the school meet requirements of state and federal regulations, and coordinate a school wellness program.
Water District Raises Salaries
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors (Rick Harston and Mike Hughes absent) voted Aug. 15 to give a three percent cost of living salary increase to its two employees, Harston and Tisha Burnett. Harston’s new salary will be $40,000, and Burnett’s will be $20,300. The board also voted to set the new tax rate at .020834 per $100 valuation, three percent above the effective rate of .021459. Last year’s rate was .024734. The new rate is expected to raise $145,387, and after deducting two percent for unpaid taxes, provide actual tax revenue of $142,479. Other income will push the district’s total to just below $150,000. The proposed budget of almost $150,000 is up $10,000 from last year’s, with the largest line item increases being in chemical analysis, travel, insurance, pickup expense and salaries. The board also passed a resolution designating Harston to be the district’s voting member in the West Texas Regional Groundwater Regulatory Management Alliance; voted to pay the county’s portion of legislative lobbyist Bob Turner’s annual fee in one $1185 payment, and discussed possibly moving the office to another location if rent increases when the contract ends in December. Employee Insurance Rates Increase At their July 18 meeting, the board (Harston, Hughes and John Phillips absent) voted to accept rate increases on employees’ medical and life insurance (employees pay for their own dental insurance). The increases will cost the district a total of $16 monthly. Harston had earlier reported the July 1 Palmer Drought Severity Index placed the district in “extreme drought,” and had notified the Garden City Water Supply System as required.
School Changes Course Weighting
Amid considerable parental concern, the GCISD board voted Aug. 14 to make some changes to the weighting of high school courses. The board decided to use course weightings as written in the 2003-2004 student handbook for graduates in 2007 and 2008. For those graduating in 2009 and 2010, course weighting will apply only to advanced placement courses, concurrent courses (college courses taken while in high school) and Spanish III. Weightings given last year for Algebra II will be removed. Cecilia Schwartz, speaking on behalf of several parents, said the way weightings were currently being done was unfair to students taking the most difficult courses. She said since the 2003-04 handbook, there has been no difference in the weights given courses in the “Distinguished” route and those in the “Recommended,” route. She said top students therefore have no incentive to take the more challenging courses. Schwartz said trying to set up a four-year plan of course work at GCHS is “like trying to hit a moving target.” She said although parents and students are told that the student handbook is the bible they are to work from, they cannot predict from one year to the next how courses will be weighted. She said students should be bound by the handbook in effect their freshman year. She said there have been more than three changes in the way class rank is calculated since 2003-04. She added that university admission, which is getting harder all the time, is largely based on class rank, test scores and grade point average. Schwartz also disagreed with Tech Prep courses currently being weighted the same as AP and concurrent classes. She said the Tech Prep course route is supposed to be a six-year plan, entered into as freshmen in high school, designed to prepare students to achieve a skill to help them in the workforce. After high school, these students are supposed to attend a cooperating community college or technical school for two years to complete their training. She said Tech Prep courses taken at GCHS will typically transfer only to Howard College, and will not transfer to a university for academic credit.
County Road Crew Gets Raise
At a regular meeting Aug. 14 which focused largely on preliminary 2006-07 budget work, the Glasscock County Commissioners Court (Wilburn Bednar absent) agreed to give the nine full-time road crew employees each a $50 per month raise and to raise the landfill operator’s salary $1 per hour to $11. Extension agents Rebel Royall and Charlene Belew had asked for raises of $2,000 each. Royall said in a memo that the court had agreed to the increase when they hired him, and he would like the amount added to his salary rather than as an annual payment. The court agreed to Royall’s request. Belew, in a memo, said her four-year tenure and job responsibilities warrant the raise. Commissioner Michael Hoch suggested a $50 across-the-board raise for all 27 full-time employees, including elected officials, and Commissioner Marck Schafer said he opposed across-the-board raises. Salary issues may be revisited at future budget workshop meetings before the budget is finalized in September. Tax Rate Lowered; Revenues will Rise The court also voted to set the proposed tax rate at .3623, just under the rollback rate of .362344. The current rate is .412326. There will be a public hearing regarding the budget and proposed tax rate before the next regular court meeting Sept. 11; the date for that hearing will be posted in the courthouse, and published in the Big Spring Herald. Some 14 people attended the Aug. 14 meeting to support a request that the county allocate approximately $4,500 for materials to expand the concession stand at the baseball field in Garden City. Volunteers will build the addition. The court agreed to budget the money. Russell Halfmann asked the court to provide money in the next budget for adding on to the Garden City fire department building; Deputy Keith Burnett said the Garden City VFD also needs a new fire truck, making two stationed here, and the oldest one, after some work, should be taken to the Drumright fire station. It was suggested that the county start a replacement program for fire trucks, so they don’t all get rundown at once. Presiding at the meeting in Bednar’s absence, Commissioner Jimmy Strube asked if anyone had questions for County Attorney Hardy Wilkerson, who was at the meeting. Wilkerson said he couldn’t comment on any pending lawsuit. Dennis Hoelscher questioned what can be done if an elected official is unable to fulfill the role of the office. Wilkerson said there are several options that can be filed with the District Court including incompetence or non-fulfillment of duties, but allegations have to be proven in a jury trial and it is difficult. He said, “I don’t think you can get there from here at this time.” The court voted to purchase a $6,500 copier for the Extension office from the current budget, and agreed to use records management funds to buy a $10,000 copier for the clerk’s office. County Clerk Becky Batla said her office has collected $51,000 in fees so far this year, and averages 11,000 paid-for copies per year. She also reported $14,000 in an archives account, which the court agreed to use for restoration of some older record books. In other matters, the court voted to accept increased medical insurance rates of $8.60 per month per employee, and again discussed buying a better mower with larger grass catcher for the courthouse.
Briefly
• GCHS Homecoming is slated for Sept. 22. Prior to the 7:30 game, a hamburger supper will be served in the school cafeteria. There will be NO SATURDAY LUNCHEON this year. Ex-students voted last year to hold the Saturday luncheon every other year in odd numbered years.
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. Bring sandwiches or homemade ice cream. For the Sept. 5 meeting, Senior Citizens will furnish fried chicken, so bring something to go with this. Everyone 50 years or older is invited to attend. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Senior Citizens’ building.
• Dear family, friends, and residents of Glasscock County, words cannot express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the outpouring of love shown us during our recent “situations” (apartment fire and wedding). Thank you for making our wedding day perfect with all your help, and your gifts of prayer and money. Your kindness is truly appreciated. May God bless you all! -----Adam & Tiffany Wheat Parker
• The David Friessen family and the Garden City Lions Club thank everyone who donated their time or money at the recent fundraiser. Residents of Glasscock County and the surrounding area raised $7,500 to help three-year-old Elizabeth receive a cochlear implant Aug. 9. Special thanks to Katy Multer and Stetson Hillger who got the ball rolling by collecting more than $1,000 by going door to door and placing donation jars at local businesses.
• The 50th Annual St. Lawrence Fall Festival will be Oct. 1 on the church grounds. More details will follow next month. A limited number of booths featuring arts & crafts, etc. will be available to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis, with some restrictions. If interested, contact Martha Schwartz (432/397-2268), Vicki Batla (354-2665) or Nancy Hillger (354-2350).
Public Meeting Set for School Tax Rate
Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. in the school Administration Building, the GCISD board will hold a public hearing regarding their proposed tax rate for 2006-07. A special meeting will follow at 7 p.m., at which time the board will set the tax rate and approve the new budget. According to Superintendent Steve Long, the proposed maintenance and operating tax rate is to be $1.3396, down from $1.4660 last year. A 10-cent interest and sinking fund tax for the bond issue will bring the total to $1.4396. County valuations are $671 million, up from $547 million last year. The new tax rate is expected to generate $9 million in local revenue, compared to last year’s $8.3 million. Total school revenue from all sources will be $9,7 million, with expenditures budgeted at $9.6 million. At the regular school board meeting Aug. 14, the board hired Kathleen Schniers as a full-time cafeteria worker and Rachel Smith as an interpreter for hearing impaired children (Head Start), with this salary being paid with a grant. They also approved Texas Extension Service personnel Rebel Royall, Charlene Belew and Warren Multer as adjunct faculty. The board approved an order authorizing issuance and sale of school building bonds. The 15-year bonds will pay 4.1 percent. The school held a public auction Aug. 5 where various items including computers, desks, tires and busses were sold. Richard Wilde bought a 1995 bus for $500; Tony Gomez bought a 1990 model for $515, and James Schwartz bought a 1993 bus for $825.
Extension Helps in Disaster Preparedness
September is National Preparedness Month, and the local Cooperative Extension Service is a partner in the third annual campaign to reach out to communities in every state and help all families be better prepared in case of a disaster. Sponsoring the effort, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says in order for a community to be prepared, every person in that community needs to take the steps to become disaster-ready. Being disaster prepared is more than just knowing what to do in case of a tornado or a fire. It’s also about preparing a 72-hour disaster supplies kit for your home, office and car; developing and practicing an emergency plan for your family; understanding your community’s warning systems and evacuation routes; knowing who to contact in your community for more information, and how you can get involved. The Extension Service can be a valuable resource in disaster education. Through a nationwide network known as the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), the Glasscock County office is connected to expert materials in disaster preparedness, recovery and response from land grant universities nationwide. For more information, call the local office at (432) 354-2381, or visit www.EDEN.lsu.edu/npm for direct links to Extension and agency resources in your state or at the national level.
Round-up for Rehab Looks for Livestock
Overcoming hard times is not a unique story in West Texas; however, watching children who suffer disabilities light up because they are able to do something they love is a great testament to what West Texas Rehabilitation Center is all about. Donations to Round-Up for Rehab make it possible for Michael and Breanna to reach their goals and full potential whether that’s managing the junior high football squad or riding a new tricycle. Four-year-old Breanna and 13-year-old Michael are too active to notice that hundreds of ranchers are equally busy. Their goal: rounding up livestock to sell at special auctions this fall so WTRC can help them overcome the disabling effects of injury or illness. Local Round-Up for Rehab chairmen Tammy and Butch Halfmann have a simple but sincere message to Glasscock County area ranchers: Let’s help Rehab help Michael, Breanna and 21,000 other Rehab patients this year, many of whom will receive therapy at WTRC-San Angelo. Fall Sales Dates Fall sales of particular interest to area ranchers are the cattle sale Sept. 28 at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo and the sheep/goat sale Oct. 30 at Junction Stockyards. WTRC President Woody Gilliland extends a special invitation to everyone in the ag industry to attend one of the sales, donate cash or animals to the project, or notify Rehab of an intent to have an auction house cut a check to WTRC for animals sold later in the year. “For the hundreds of children and adults we serve regardless of financial status, I thank everyone for supporting this critical fundraising program,” said Gilliland. Information on Round-Up sale dates and arrangements for hauling donated animals is available through local chairmen or WTRC-San Angelo at 325/223-6300. More information about WTRC’s services is available at their website: www.westtexasrehab.org.
Salt Cedar Control Funded
The Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board approved funds for 2007 salt cedar control for the Pecos and Upper Colorado River watersheds. This money will be used in conjunction with the USDA/EQUIP program and provides a maximum 25% cost-share to landowners with a maximum cost of $235 per acre. To be considered for funding, applications are due in the Brush Control Project office by Jan. 5, 2007. Applications need to be filled out, signed and dated by both the landowner and district board before submission the brush office, and will be funded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications not funded will be returned to the district and may be resubmitted for the next funding cycle. Contact the brush office at 325-481-0335 for more information.
From the Schoolhouse
• Enrollment: Head Start – 6th 138; Jr. High 37; Sr. High 91; Total enrollment 266
• Scheduled events: Aug. 19 football scrimmage at Grande Stadium, 1:30 p.m.; Aug. 25 football scrimmage in Garden City, 5 p.m.; Aug. 26 Bearkat/Ladykat Cross Country meet in Garden City; Sept. 2 football, Throckmorton at Hico, 6 p.m.; Sept. 8 football, Grandfalls-Royalty (Senior Night) in Garden City at 7:30 p.m.
Obituaries
• Ray McKinnon, 86, of Elbow died July 10 at his daughter’s residence in San Angelo and was buried at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring. He was born Dec. 15, 1919, in Big Spring to Corrie and Smith McKinnon, a pioneer Elbow family. He married Charlene Grissam Dec. 24, 1945. She preceded him in death Dec. 15, 2003. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1939 until his retirement in 1963. McKinnon then worked for Gamco, served on the Forsan school board, and with his wife on the board of The Spring City Senior Citizens Center. He was a member of the Berea Baptist Church. He is survived by two sons, Ray McKinnon Jr. and wife Doris of Coahoma and Clayton McKinnon and wife Reeann of Garden City; two daughters, Pam Roper and husband Billy of Anton, and Belinda Koehler and husband Craig of San Angelo; nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter and a brother.
• R. Glenn Riley, 89, of Garden City died July 24 in a Midland hospital. Graveside services were held July 26 at the Garden City Cemetery. He was born June 17, 1917, in Wise County. He married Merle Calverley and she preceded him in death. He then married Glenyce Conine and she preceded him in death. He had been a resident of this area since 1932. He graduated from Garden City High School and attended business college in Abilene. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Garden City. Survivors include one son, Glenn Joe Riley of Mesa, Ariz.; two grandsons and four great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Sept. 13. The deadline for that issue is Sept.11, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739. Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: glasscockcountynews.com
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