SSISD Tax Rate Will Be 7 Cents Lower; General, Food & Debt Service Budgets Approved
Sulphur Springs Independent School District this week approved a reduced tax rate as well as a balanced if tight general fund budget, with only $776 expected to be left at the end of the year in the general fund budget based on 2019-20 expected revenues and expenses.
The tax rate for the coming tax year will be 7 cents lower than this year’s rate. Overall, taxpayers will owe $1.28048 per $100 property valuation in taxes to SSISD in the coming year. Of that overall tax, $0.97 will go maintenance and operations and $0.31048 going toward debt service (otherwise known as issuance and sinking or I&S) taxes. The 7-cent decrease is in maintenance and operations tax, reduced for $1.04 to 97-cents.
The district anticipates receiving $42,789,274 in revenues in fiscal year 2019-2020, which begins Sept. 1 and continues through Aug. 31, 2020. The district anticipates spending all of those funds except $776. While that doesn’t leave much cushion, the district does anticipate having $13 million in the general fund carried over from previous years. This includes the general operating budget from which daily expenses and operations including staff pay; this fund is expected to generate about $2.6 million more than the projected $39.2 million in expected expenses. Transportation is expected to cost $1.8 million, with no revenues coming in for this one, and the co-curricular fund is expected to cost $733,091 more than it brings in. The needy child and instructional materials allotment functions in the budget are budgeted at no more than the district receives for these funds.
The district also anticipates receiving $3,695,562 in special revenue funding including about $1.3 million for the Head Start program and $1.1 million in Title I funding. The district only budgets for these services the amount they expect to receive in FY 2019-20. Including those funds, the district general fund budget will be $53.46 million.
The business office, when presenting the budget, noted that once certified property values came in last month, projected revenues were high enough that nearly all of the requests identified on budget “wish list” were incorporated into the budget. The amount requested for utilities was only partially funded, and while the maintenance department requested two new vehicles, only one was approved in the budget for the “wish list,” according to SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw.
Among the wish list items that were approved was funding to playground improvements at one primary campus this year, replacement of bus cameras at a rate of three per years on a new system, funding for all elementary teachers to attend Capturing Kids Hearts training and funding for a Sky Ranch trip for fifth graders.
The district plans to incorporate funding each year for playground improvements at a different primary for the next 3 years. Superintendent Michael Lamb said district staff will begin evaluating the playground equipment at each of the three older primary campuses to determine which is most in need of improvements, which will be used to determine which primary playground to update annually.
The district budgeted for three new buses, new computers/laptops to replace aging devices, various other training for staff and administrators, eight new aide positions, four new clerical positions and 12 new teacher/professional positions as well.
Also approved were food service and debt service budgets. The district expects to receive $2,275,600 in revenues for food service, which is $13,655 more than the district anticipates spending.
The district anticipate carrying over nearly $648,000 in the food service fund from FY 2018-19 which ends on Aug. 31. The food service budget is expected to finish FY 2018-19 with nearly $2.2 million left in the fund.
The district expects to receive nearly $4.5 million in revenues which will be applied to debt, which should leave about $280,874 in the budget once all owed debt payments are made.
The owed debt does not include payment for the purchase of the Paris Junior College Technical Center building located between the high school and Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. That fee will be paid out of the M&O budget. Lamb noted the school only has two payments left to make on the building, the one factored into the 2019-20 budget and one more.
McGraw told trustees that in their budget book, which is about 1-inch thick, they will not that debt previously was recorded under a facility acquisition function, but at the recommendation of auditors will be moved to a different function in the general fund budget.
Lamb also noted that school officials will likely not be bringing to the school board individuals requests for purchases of buses and vehicles, as most cost less than $50,000. Those items are in the projected budget, but because they fall under the rule requirement, the board won’t have to approve them.
Trustee John Prickette asked if the district would still solicit bids for vehicles. Lamb said it’s not necessary. They do typically contact the three local vehicle dealerships in Sulphur Springs to ask for quotes; bids under $50,000 don’t require bids.
Instead of increasing the pay scale for bus drivers this year, Transportation Director Rob Huizinga proposed an incentive program rewarding them with up to $800 per year, $400 per semester for being at work a 3 p.m. at least 90 percent of the time and not receiving any tickets or being in any crashes during that time, Lamb and Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden told trustees.
Hopefully, this will help reduce bus driver shortages as well as the number of substitute bus drivers that have to be paid when bus drivers are absent from driving duties on any given school day.
“This has been a very different budget season. I applaud all employees who worked on it as well as other stakeholders who see that it gets done. Job well done,” said SSISD Board of Trustees Vice President Robert Cody.
Tira News for Aug. 14, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
Joyce Dodd reports that the next Bible Study at the Tira Methodist Church will be on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir flew to Atlanta on August first and were joined by Tony and Melinda Yantch, who took them to their Lake House in North Carolina at Lake Chatuge. Yvonne comments, “We had a grand time boating and enjoyed the cooler weather. We flew home on the 5th.”
Yvonne got to see “baby-sit sweet Everly [Dustin and Natalie’s Weir’s daughter] on Friday.” She adds, “On Saturday the Weirs traveled to Caddo Mills for Elise’s 11th birthday and Eli’s 9th birthday. Big party!” Elise and Eli are Mike and Dacy (Weir) Campbell’s children.
Malcolm Joslin spent the weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, visiting with his son, Morgan Joslin.
Chip’s mother and sister, Grace and Linda Ellen Vaughn came for a visit on Sunday and had lunch with us.
The quarterly Tira City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, September 9th, due to the first Monday being on Labor Day. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
Declarations of Write-In Candidacy for a place on the Tira City Council will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2019. The election date is Nov. 5, 2019. For more information, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, Tira City secretary, at the number or email address below.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Watch for I-30 Guardrail Repairs in Hopkins County
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today advised motorists that a summer project to improve guardrails along Interstate Highway 30 in Hopkins and Franklin Counties will begin the week of September 3rd, 2019.
DBI Services LLC, Hazleton, Pa., was awarded the contract for this roadway safety improvement project valued at more than $3.9 million. The contractor was granted 182 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project. The target completion date is mid-summer 2020, officials said.
Contractor crews will be working at various locations along I-30 in Hopkins in Franklin Counties, so motorists are advised to watch for temporary work zones in these counties.
Motorists who travel regularly in this area along I-30 should also remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
North Hopkins ISD Holds Inauguration Breakfast For Campus Police Department
Staff, trustees and members of the law enforcement community gathered Tuesday morning in North Hopkins Independent School District cafeteria to officially welcome Kelly Wiser as the new police chief for the school district.
“This is a very special occasion, the official inauguration of North Hopkins police department,” said NHISD Superintendent Darin Jolly.
Dr. Jolly said while school district staff members do everything they can to make the school safe and secure for students, having a trained law enforcement officer on the campus has been an added deterrent and comfort.
The superintendent thanked Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum for seeing a need for county school district to have officers and putting in place a plan to allow off-duty deputies to provide security at county school district the last 2 years.
Tatum said he was glad to see Wiser at the school full time, and said if he calls for assistance, his deputies and officers from Sulphur Springs as well as Department of Public Safety officers would respond.
“We are here to help in any way you need. We’re there for you,” Tatum vowed.
He said after events at other schools, he saw a need for more law enforcement presence at county schools.
Because of how far from Sulphur Springs they are, the response time for an officer to arrive, unless patrolling nearby would be a lot longer that desired if a situation occurred. Allowing off-duty deputies to serve as security officers at the school was one way to help address that, to put a trained officer on campus.
A few different deputies have taken turns sharing those duties at NHISD as they were available during the school year. One of those officers regularly providing security at the school has been Deputy Kelly Wiser, who like others has a personal interest in the community and school. Some officers have children or grandchildren who attend, or family who are employed at the school.
“It’s so fantastic getting to know so many officers. Our relationship has been fantastic with peace officers, ” Jolly said.
He said having the officers on campus daily, interacting with students has encouraged students to “up their game,” and to strive to be and do better.
Seeing the benefit of having one full-time police officer on campus, NHISD Board of Trustees took steps in the spring to begin the process of having their own school police department. They selected Wiser to head up their department as chief.
Wiser is a peace officer for about 10 years, six of which have been as the DARE officer. He also has served as a canine handler.
Wiser offered thanks to Tatum for giving him the opportunity and encouraging his officers to attempt to better themselves. He thanked the officers and others present at the Aug. 13 event and those in the community for believing in him and supporting him.
Secondary Principal Brian Lowe, who Jolly noted had prior experience as a peace officer and has taken on quite a bit of the responsibility to improve safety and security at the school, is excited to have Wiser on board full time as police chief to “lead us in what is facing us safety and security at the campus level.”
Elementary Principal Kodi Wright said Wiser had already proved himself last year, and this summer hit the ground running in his new post as police chief. He assured her that while she may put in hours long after the school day has ended, she won’t be the last to leave. he -She said will continue to work with Wiser as the district takes steps to continue beefing up security at the elementary campus she will continue to work. She said she’s excited to be able to take any concerns she may have to Wiser.
Assistant Principal Tim Henderson also expressed excitement in having Wiser on campus full-time. He said they have already been working together on some things, and Wiser will also lighten some of his duties. Overseeing fire drills and lock-down drills, and having him available to take care of any difficult situation that might arise, including things like parents who interrupt sporing events to argue with coaches, umpires or referees should a parent become difficult.
Jolly thanked the NHISD Board of Trustees for having their back, not only by agreeing to Wiser and a campus police, but other safety and security measures as well.
SSISD Offers Free Breakfast, Lunch For All Students in Grades Pre-K through 5 for 2019/2020 School Year
Free Meals for Douglass, Bush, Bowie, Lamar, Travis, and SSES Students
08/12/2019
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District, Child Nutrition Department is announcing a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for DOUGLASS ECLC, BARBARA BUSH, BOWIE, LAMAR, TAVIS AND SSES for the school year 2019-2020. These schools qualify to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program and will provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
However, SSISD students in grades 6-12 who wish to receive free or reduced-price meals for 2019/2020 must go through an application process similar to previous years. The application can be obtained online or in the form of a paper copy, available in English and Spanish. It is explained in a media release dated 8-13-2019 from Veronica Arnold, SSISD Director of Child Nutrition:
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District is providing online applications for free and reduced meal benefits for all students in grades 6th-12th. Households wishing to apply for these meal benefits should complete the online applications at https://www.mealappnow.com/mansul/splash.php or request a paper copy from the Child Nutrition Office at 631 Connally Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482. Household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. All information provided by the household is confidential. School and other program officials may require households to prove application information at any time during the school year. This year, the USDA has revised the application form. Please complete forms carefully, incomplete forms cannot be processed.
Terrific Tuesdays Will Raise Funds Through ‘A Walk to Remember’ on October 3
Persons in families which have been touched by Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and related disorders support the respite program in Sulphur Springs, Texas called “Terrific Tuesdays”. This weekly program provides 5 hours of respite for caregivers while providing five hours of fun, stimulation and social interaction for their ‘patients’ who are often family members. The primary way the non-profit program is funded is through an annual fundraiser called ‘A Walk to Remember’ which the public is invited to take part in, as well as several “mini-walks’. For 2019, the date for ‘The Walk’ is Thursday October 3 at 10:30 am at a new location, Celebration Plaza downtown Sulphur Springs.
According to program director Tammy Reardon, Alzheimers sufferers who come to the Terrific Tuesday program find friends, fun, music and interesting activities. Each participant is assigned a ‘buddy’ who helps them play the games, interact with the group and enjoy a meal and snacks amid a light ‘party’ atmosphere with seasonal or holiday decor. They can sing, laugh and enjoy memory games, crafts and stories. Each participant receives special individual attention, and many refer to the program as “their club”. While their loved one is at Terrific Tuesdays, caregivers can take ‘R and R’ time for themselves, take care of errands or put attention on personal business. Caregivers whose loved ones have attended Terrific Tuesdays have called the program ‘a blessing’ and ‘a treasure’.
To support the program, funds are necessary and have traditionally been provided through donations made during the early autumn at the annual Walk to Remember, at the mini-walks and through T-shirt sales. Individuals, church groups, business and industry leaders are among donors to Terrific Tuesdays. If you would like to help out, attend one of the mini-walks and purchase a 2019 T-shirt or just leave a donation by check. You could drop in during a Terrific Tuesday session at First United Methodist Church and leave a check, or you can mail a check to FUMC att: Terrific Tuesdays, 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482. You can also drop off a check made out to Terrific Tuesdays at the Senior Citizens Center at 150 MLK Drive on any weekday morning. Additionally, this year’s T-shirts are available at the Sr’s Center while supplies last at a cost of $20, and at any of the mini-walks.
For 2019, ten ‘mini-walks’ are planned prior to the Walk to Remember in October. The mini-walks are brief gatherings at sponsoring locations around Sulphur Springs which provide hospitality and refreshments and an opportunity to donate to the Alzheimer’s awareness cause. Here are the mini-walk dates, times.
Terrific Tuesdays (FUMC) Tuesday September 10 @ 10 am
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab, Wednesday September 11 @ 10:30 am
Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, Thursday September 12 @ 9:30 am
Wesley House Asst. Living, Friday September 13 @ 10am
Pioneer Crossing, Wednesday September 18 @ 10:30am
Hopkins Place Asst. Living, Wednesday September 18 @ 2pm
Carriage House Manor, Monday September 23 @ 10am
Rock Creek Health and Rehab, Wednesday September 25 @ 10am
Sulphur Springs Imaging Center, Thursday September 26 @ 10am
Sunny Springs Health and Rehab, Friday September 27 @ 10:30 am
Winnsboro Man Accused Of Swinging Knife At Another Man During Fight About A Sulphur Springs Woman
A 23-year-old Winnsboro man was accused Tuesday evening of wrestling another man to the ground, then swinging a pocket knife at him. The disturbance started when Cody Gene Pyron became upset a woman chose the other man as her boyfriend instead of him, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs police officers were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. to Quail Ridge Apartments, where they were told an active disturbance involving a knife was in progress. While en route, dispatchers were reportedly told Pyron also had a four-way tire iron, which he was using to strike a vehicle at the Helm Lane apartments. However, prior to arrival, they were advised Pyron had gotten into his vehicle, a black Ford Ranger, which he reportedly drove toward College Street, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Police reportedly asked for county deputies to be on the look out for the vehicle, and gave the description. Shortly after officers arrived, witnesses relayed a license plate relayed number for the suspect’s pickup, which he relayed to authorities as well, according to arrest reports.
SSPD officers began speaking with witnesses and the alleged victim, an 18-year-old Rockwall man who claimed he’d just learned that his 18-year-old girlfriend, who lives at the location, had been “talking” with both him and Pyron, according to police reports.
The Rockwall man alleged Pyron became upset when he learned the woman chose the other man as her boyfriend, and struck the other ma with his fist, then put him into a “chokehold,” according to police reports. Pyron allegedly continued to strike the other man and they fell to the ground.
As Pyron got up off the ground, he allegedly picked up a pocket knife, opened it and swing it in the other man’s direction. Then, Pyron was accused, in arrest reports, of throwing the knife toward the other man’s vehicle.
Pyron reportedly retrieved a four-way tire iron from his vehicle, then struck the driver’s side of the other man’s car. The 23-year-old Winnsboro man allegedly hit the side mirror of the other man’s vehicle hard enough to knock it off and break it. Pyron then reportedly got into his vehicle and left the scene, Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Floyd alleged multiple injuries were visible on the 18-year-old Rockwall man, including bleeding from knew scrapes and his nose, and marks on one arm. The 18-year-old refused medical attention, according to police reports.
The information regarding the vehicle Pyron was driving and that police were looking for Pyron in connection with the alleged assault was relayed to deputies, who stopped him on State Highway 11 east near County Road 2389. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Lance Burdick, Aaron Chaney and Sgt. Scott Davis reportedly assisted. The Pyron was taken into custody at 7:05 p.m., according to sheriff’s reports.
Multiple people alleged the same events as reported by the victim. Pyron was reportedly read his rights by deputies, then admitted to the altercation and damaging the other man’s vehicle. Thus Pyron was taken into custody and the vehicle he was driving was impounded, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Burdick transported Pyron to the county jail, where they were met by Floyd who booked Pyron into jail at 8:40 p.m. Aug. 13 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to arrest reports.
Pyron will be charged at large for misdemeanor criminal mischief for the damage he was alleged to have caused to the other man’s vehicle, Floyd noted in arrest reports. A criminal mischief offense report was made for the damage to the vehicle, according to police reports.
Pyron remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning. His bond on the aggravated assault with deadly weapon charge was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
Wildcats Team Tennis Loses Pair of Road Matches Tuesday
It was a tough day on the road for Wildcats Team Tennis Tuesday, August 13th as they lost a couple of matches. The Wildcats day began in Hallsville against a former district foe. The Bobcats took at 16-3 win. The Wildcats then faced Spring Hill Tuesday afternoon and the Panthers got a 13-6 win. The Wildcats are now 1-6 for the season. They will play in a Whitehouse tournament on Thursday and Friday.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Drops Road Match at McKinney North, 3-1 Tuesday
Despite looking good in their first set in a road match at McKinney North Tuesday night (August 13), the Lady Cats Volleyball Team had a hard time keeping up with the Lady Bulldogs after that and ended taking a one sided loss. McKinney North won 3-1. Scores were 25-23, 9-25, 12-25 and 14-25. In the first set the Lady Cats jumped out in front 3-0 and never trailed during the set. Perhaps as a harbinger of things to come, the Lady Cats led at one point, 24-18. The Lady Bulldogs then reeled off five straight points to get to within one, 24-23. Then in a real agony of defeat moment, a Lady Bulldog server sent the ball into the net and the Lady Cats led 1-0. In unofficial KSST stats, Sydney Washburn led the way in set one with four kills and a block. Sadie Washburn had three kills. Erika VanBenthem and Brooklyn Burnside both had one kill. Kate Womack and Peyton Hammack each had a service ace. In set two, the Lady Cats got the first point after a Womack serve. The Lady Bulldogs scored the next five points and they proceeded to dominate the next three sets. Anything that could go wrong seemed to go wrong for the Lady Cats as McKinney North showed why they came into the match with a 6-1 record. For the match, Sydney and Sadie Washburn had six kills and one block each. VanBenthem and Burnside had three kills. Womack had a pair of service aces and Hammack had one. The Lady Cats are now 6-4 for the season. The Lady Cats will play next in a Wills Point tournament on Thursday and Saturday.
Blue Blazes Drill Team Preparing For Football Season Performances
The 58th line of the Blue Blazes Drill Team of Sulphur Springs High School is working to get ready for this fall’s football game performances. Christie McCullough is beginning her 14th year as Blue Blazes director.
Ms. McCullough said the Blazes attended their annual camp the week of July 28-August 2. She said the Blazes are in their second week of practices at high school.
There are 36 Blue Blazes this year and about half of them are brand new. There are five Blazes officers led by Captain Allie Owens. Ms. McCullough said she is excited by the leadership her officers bring to the dancers. She said she couldn’t ask for a better start to this year.
Ms. McCullough said the Blazes will be doing a hoop routine for the first football game at home and for the second game on the road. She said the Blazes learned the routine during camp, adding it’s performed to jazzy music.
Ms. McCullough said the Blaze Buddies Program would be gearing up soon. She said there were about 120 Blaze Buddies last year. Some of those Buddies have carried their interest in the Blazes into Middle School.
The Blazes will also raise funds by printing Homecoming shirts.
The big Spring Show is again on the calendar capping off another big year for the Blue Blazes.
