Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs

SSISD Board Honors Sapaugh; New Hires; Explores Programs

Don Sapaugh, honored for his 11 years of service to Sulphur Springs Independent School District, hiring a new head band director and a new transportation director, along with presentations by the district math and science programs and the middle school robotics team highlighted the April meeting of the SSID Board Monday night, April 9, 2018.

During Public forum, Superintendent of Schools Michael Lamb presented Sapaugh with a plaque honoring his years of service on the board. Lamb pointed out that Sapaugh stepped down to allow Sapaugh’s wife to pursue her passion in teaching.

SSISD Board Hired an experienced Transportation Director Robert Huizinga (left), who currently serves the Chapel Hill ISD at Mt Pleasant and Spencer Emmert (right) as new Head Band Director.

Spencer Emmert was presented to the board as the Superintendent’s recommendation for the district’s new head band director. Lamb noted Emmert’s great energy. Emmert, who served for 12 years as an assistant in the local program and who is the current band director at Winnsboro High School, will fill the vacancy created in the death of Charles McCauley. While director of the Winnsboro band, his bands have won a number of honors on the area and state level. As Middle School band director in Sulphur Springs, Emmert had built the program into a successful program that attracted larger numbers of students to the band. He stated that he is thankful for the trust placed in him. His wife, Christi, currently teaches music on the elementary level in SSISD and four of their five children are in local schools. The fifth child begins school next year.

Superintendent Lamb also presented the new Transportation Director, Robert Huizinga. Huizinga is currently the Transportation Director for Chapel Hill Schools in Mt Pleasant. His experience as a transportation director and his diesel mechanic background made him a good fit for the position according to Lamb. Huizinga’s wife, Susan, is an Elementary Science Consultant at Region VIII Education Service Center.

The board approved resolutions nominating Superintendent Lamb for Superintendent of the Year in Texas. Lamb’s nomination begins at the regional level where he will be interviewed and recommendations will be assessed.

The board voted to purchase playground equipment. The equipment will cost $175,000 and an application for a $150,000 Head Start grant for the equipment at the Douglas ECLC campus was also approved by the board. Money from the grant would be utilized in the purchase. Superintendent Lamb noted that the change of campus for ECLC and Douglas would lead to improvements at each campus. Drainage issues at the current ECLC building will be addressed and an expansion of the parking lot at Douglas is on tap.

New laminate will replace problems created by moisture damage at the Middle School. The new laminate, purchased from 3T Building Materials, will be used for counter tops replacement and will cost just under $85,000. Money from the settlement between the school and contractor will pay for the upgrade. According to Dan Froneburger, District Maintenance Director, much of the laminate would arrive pre-cut and would be installed by school maintenance employees.

Carmen Hammack presented a report on the district math programs that encourage students to think math. The district science report was presented by video featuring Karen Phillips who gave an overview of the program.

Kelly Shutt and Middle School students presented the Robotics Program at the Middle School. The young program has already placed on the state level. A demonstration of the robots built and programmed by the students drew the students and board into conversations regarding steps taken, lessons learned, and planning for future robotic program activity.

Deborah Cody presented the required Head Start training on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Governing Board to board members.

PERSONNEL

Contracts

2018-2019 professional employment contracts (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses)

Retirement

Cathy Bonner                          MTA/ELAR Teacher                Middle School

Resignations

Brandi Brunson                       Kindergarten Teacher             ECLC

Amber Wilson                          Kindergarten Teacher             ECLC

Cassie Fleming                       Grade 2 Teacher                     Bowie

Brandy Griffin                          Grade 1 Teacher                     Bowie

Theresa Anderson                  Strings Teacher                       Middle School

William Giles                           Government Teacher              High School

Tracy Stewart                          Business Teacher                   High School

New Personnel

Robert Huizinga                      Transportation Director                       Admin. Bldg.

Tanya Bain                              English Teacher                                  Middle School

Dayton Gifford                         SpEd Aide                                           Middle School

Kevin Hatcher                         PE/Coach                                            Middle School

Lauren Robinson                     English Teacher                                  Middle School

Teri Triplett                              English Teacher                                  Middle School

Spencer Emmert                     Head Band Director                            High School

Personnel Changes              New Position/Campus                      Former Position/Campus

Cindy Welch                            Pt-time Fine Arts Coord./                    Pt-time Band Secretary/

High School (New position)                 High School

Susan Cook                            Grade 5 Math Interventionist/              Math Teacher/

SSES                                                  Middle School

 

 

Author: Staff Reporter

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