Agenda for SSISD Special Board Meeting Friday: Tax Rate, 4-H as Extracurricular Activity
AGENDA for the SPECIAL BOARD MEETING of the SULPHUR SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT in the BOARD ROOM, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 at 11:30 AM
I. CALL TO ORDER: Invocation
II. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: Announcement by the President whether a quorum is present, that the meeting had been duly called and that the notice of the meeting had been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
III. PUBLIC FORUM:
Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a meeting per policy.
- Conduct a public meeting on the Sulphur Springs Independent School District’s 2017 proposed tax rate.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
These items are considered to be routine by the board and will be enacted under one motion, unless a member of the board requests that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
- Consider approval of Head Start Data Management Plan & Procedures.
- Consider approval of Head Start Impasse Procedures. (Exhibit IV-B) 8
Action Items
- Consider approval of Resolution 7-17 regarding Extracurricular Status of 4-H Organization.
- Consider Adjunct Faculty appointments with the local Texas Cooperative Extension Office.
- Consider approval of budget amendments for the fiscal year ending August 31,
- (Budget amendments will be available at the meeting)
- Discuss and consider adoption of the General Fund, Debt Service and Food Service budgets for the Sulphur Springs Independent School District for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2018, and review all other budget areas.
- Discuss and consider adoption of Ordinance 2-17 levying an annual ad valorem tax for the year 2017 for the Sulphur Springs Independent School District.
Executive Session
Executive Session will be held for the purpose of consideration of matters for which closed or executive sessions are authorized by Title 5, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section (.074), (.072).
- Discuss and consider personnel to be employed, personnel to be assigned, acknowledge and accept resignations of personnel, and other personnel matters.
- Discuss purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
VII. Reconvene from Executive Session for action related to items covered during the Executive Session.
VIII. Adjournment
SSPD Seeks Man for Aggravated Assault at Ferrari Inn
An incident reported at the Ferrari Inn in Sulphur Springs in the early morning hours of August 12, 2017 has led to a warrant for the arrest of Jimmy Villa, Jr., 26, originally of Sulphur Springs, TX.
Villa allegedly shot into a crowd of people who were sitting outside the complex in an area where they commonly hang out. As a result of several shots fired, two residents were struck by pellets causing minor injuries to arms and abdomen. Under investigation for a week and a half, the warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon has been issued.
He is now being sought by the SSPD. The public is asked to contact the SSPD or Crime Stoppers with any information as to his location.
An Inside Look at the First Day of School in SSISD
The first day of school is always important. Students get to catch up with old friends, wear new clothes, and use their new school supplies. But its also a busy day for the Principals. KSST caught up with some SSISD Principals to see how their first days of school went.
Derek Driver, SSHS Principal:
The first day of school “was outstanding.” Principal Driver’s expectations for the new year are to “continue to build on past success and prepare our students for their careers and lives after they graduate.” Driver commented on his teaching staff saying “We have had a great staff development week looking at new technology and ideas that will help us improve student learning which will help us achieve our goal.” Principal Driver is excited about the upcoming events at the high school. “There are so many great things that happen each year at the high school with all our extra-curricular and co-curricular activities I cannot narrow it down to just one.” Parents are encouraged to check the SSISD Website and calendar for updates on school events and activities. Driver said he received “so many positive comments from students in regards to what they did in their classes today just made our administrative team and staff very happy. ”
Angela Edwards, Bowie Principal:
“We want to start building positive relationships and attitudes about school on the very first day! Our first day of school was exciting and fun, but there was some anxiety and nervousness, too, due to a new school, new classmates, and new routines. When parents, students, and teachers are happy, it’s a great day! We expect students to grow and learn. We expect students to be challenged. We expect students to set goals and achieve their goals.”
“Before the last school year was finished, our teachers began preparing for this year. I think people would be surprised at the amount of time that teachers put into their work. I get texts and emails from teachers all summer long about ideas and plans they have for the next year. Work ethic is strong in SSISD!”
“We are blessed to live in a very supportive community, where we have a lot of parent and community involvement. I look forward to all of those events, but I probably look forward to our Veterans Program the most. I am astonished and proud at the respect that first and second grade students show to our veterans! I also look forward to our Winter Carnival, which is a school fundraiser (by PTO) in December. The students have a lot of fun playing games and winning prizes. A LOT of parents and businesses help to make it successful!”
“A smile is easy to come by when you are around little children, so I smiled a lot today! It’s hard to pick one thing. I heard a little boy say that it was the best first day! Another little boy told me about a new classmate that he was concerned about. Seeing how much he already cared about his classmate also made me smile.”
Mandy Fenton, ECLC Principal:
“The first day of school at ECLC went smoothly! There were lots of smiling faces as we had happy students, parents and teachers excited to finally begin our 2017-2018 school year. Our ECLC motto this year is “YOU Matter, EVERY child, EVERY day!” I am very pleased and fortunate to have an outstanding team at ECLC that shares our vision in that we are supporting every child to reach expectations of success.”
“Teachers have been working most of the summer to prepare for this school year. They have come on their own time to organize, decorate, and plan their classrooms. Our teachers have thought about every detail and have made countless decisions that are in the best interest of their students.”
“I am looking forward to the many school-parent opportunities we have planned throughout the year. We have scheduled a family friendly event each month that allows parents to see what is going on at ECLC and ways we can work together as a partnership for their student’s learning.”
“The comment that made me smile today was a young student told her dad when he picked her up that afternoon, “Thank you Daddy for bringing me to this fun place.””
Forney Picks Up Home Win Against Lady Cats
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team had a tough time keeping up with a good Forney team that was playing well on their home court Tuesday night. The Lady Jackrabbits won 3-0 by scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-14.
The Lady Cats played well at times but it was not enough. The first set was tied at 15-15 but Forney took the majority of points down the stretch to win, 25-20. The second set was tied at 10-10 at one time. Forney had a good run of points to build an 8 point lead at 22-14. The Lady Cats got hot near the end and got as close as 23-21 before Forney got the final two points to win, 25-21. In the third set, the Lady Cats got way behind from the start. At one point, Forney led 16-4. The Lady Cats were able to get within 8 points at 21-13 before Forney took a 25-14 set three win that wrapped the match up.
The Lady Cats are now 10-6 for the season. They will play next in a Tyler tournament Thursday with pool play games against Tyler Lee, Tatum and Beckville.
Picture from preseason scrimmage
5 Exotic Places to Eat If You’re Feeling Adventureous and Like to Travel
By Savannah Owens
Whenever I travel the thing I look forward to the most is trying new cusine. My family recently traveled to Calgary Canada and needless to say there were some interesting places to eat!
Warning! This article may make you hungry…
Blink– A good name for an eye-doctor, but an odd name for an upscale restaurant. Despite any wariness about their quirky name, this place delivers on their food. For starters they have Croquettas- which is essentially a fancy cheese stick with bits of procuttio in it. Their Artisan Cheese plate is also delicious and comes with three types of cheese as well as toasted bread, walnuts, fresh honey, and rubarb chuteny. Rubarb chuteny is not for the faint of heart. It’s sour but creamy-(the consitstency is almost that of ketchup, yet the taste is like a bitter jam.) Entrees-The cheese tortillini, while tastey, they only give you 6 tiny pastas. Carnaroli Risotto had lots of vegetables and rice-like pasta. It was amazing, and would be perfect without the pickled radish. Overall this restaurant has a fancy atmosphere and really good food-Don’t Blink and miss it next time you’re in Canada!
Fairmont Grill-Shawarma is a Levantine style of cooking meat (typically: Lamb, Chicken, or Beef) where the meat is placed on a skewer and roasted for about a day. The meat is then typically sliced and put into a wrap or sandwich with various sauces and vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic sauce, and tahini sauce. It’s delicious!
Koi-An asian inspired restaurant, good for business luncheons or a dinner date with friends. Koi offers noodle and rice bowls. The two bowls I’d recommend are Bonsai Beef and Dr. Phang’s. Bonsai Beef is for those who like spicy foods or have a cold, because it will clear your head from all the yummy spices used in this bowl containing vegetables, sirlion and noodles. Dr. Phang’s is a little bit spicy but its more similar to a mongolian beef dish as it contains broccoli, mushrooms and rice. Don’t be coy, try this place.
Calgary Tower-This one has more generic food: such as salmon, pork loins, and short ribs, but it is all about the view-you can see out over the entire city. Calgary Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Calgary and the tower spins around, 360 degrees, (slowly) while you eat. It’s similar to the Reunion tower in Dallas…Dinner and a view? Yes Please!
10 Foot Henry-This restaurant is not only peculiar in the set up (there are plants all over the restaurant) it is also unique in the way it serves it’s food (family style).
The chefs prepare the food orders all at once (instead of focusing on one ticket at a time) They may bring out the pasta course, with a side of asparagus, and then you may have a side of potatoes, then an entree of chicken or beef. If there are available seats at the counter in the back you can watch the chefs prepare all the dishes while you eat! Their Butterscotch dessert is quite possibly the best dessert in all of Canada. It is a butterscotch custard that meets creme brulee and it is fantastic. Even if you can only make it to 10 foot Henry’s for dessert it will be worth it.
Stay tuned for more articles about things to do and see in Canada!
Football Pundits Praise Wildcat Stability
The Wildcats’ football team is ranked #8 in an East Texas preseason poll done by ETSN.fm in Tyler. They tout the stability of the Wildcats. They point out that Marshall, Texas High and Hallsville in District 16-5A all have new coaches, while the Wildcats will be entering year 12 under Coach Greg Owens. They also mention that the Wildcats have the most returning starters in the district. Players mentioned include quarterback Ryan Humphries, receiver Simeon Taylor, running backs Colton Allen and Searn Rodgers, defensive lineman D’Idrec Dugan and cornerback Terrell Turman.
Photo from Wildcat Football 2016
L-E Provides Good Test According to Wildcat Offensive Coordinator Young
Some former Wildcats’ football stars showed up to watch the current Wildcats practice outside in the heat Monday afternoon. Observing were quarterback of the state champion Wildcats Tyrik Rollison along with former NFL player Kennan Clayton and former receiver Boo Evans and former safety Sharard Timmons. While the former players watched, the Wildcats continue to prepare for their first and only scrimmage this season at Liberty-Eylau Friday at 7 p.m.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says L-E will provide a good test for his offense because of their pace of play on defense. He says the Wildcats won’t be able to get away with little things and will have to pay attention to details. Coach Young calls it a great opportunity and he says it’s what you want to continue to improve. He says Liberty-Eylau definitely will reveal where a team’s shortcomings are. Coach Young says he will be watching his team carefully to see their pace of play. He says he is interested in how the offensive line does against the Leopards. Coach Young says he’s looking forward to watching his running backs, how they handle the ball and how they do with ball security when they are hit. He says he is not only looking forward to how the Wildcats’ receivers catch the ball but also how well they block. Coach Young is also hoping his top players will get about 40 snaps or more during the scrimmage.
Wildcat, Lady Cat Cross Country Begin Season
Members of the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ cross country teams spent some time this summer getting ready for the fall season. Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks says it found it very encouraging that a good number of boys and girls showed up to run during the summer months. Coach Hicks says he determined who is on the varsity based on results from a intersquad meet held last Saturday.
He says he will be taking his top eight boys and girls to a distance relay race, the 6 mile Greenhill Relay, coming up Saturday in Dallas. Each participant will run 1.5 miles. There will be two Wildcats and two Lady Cats teams entered. Coach Hicks says it is an older race. He calls it fun and different. There will be hay bales on the course along with other things to jump over. Coach Hicks says he expects to see competition that the Wildcats and Lady Cats may face in regional or hopefully state competition this year.
Following the Greenhill Relay, the Wildcats and Lady Cats will begin a traditional series of 5K races that make up their season. Coach Hicks say his teams this year are very committed. He says he is stressing to them consistency in workouts and in life in general.
Game Day: Volleyball, Team Tennis
This Tuesday game day features Lady Cats’ volleyball and Wildcats’ team tennis. The Lady Cats’ volleyball team will be playing at Forney. This has the appearance of a measuring stick game to give the Lady Cats the opportunity to how they measure up to a quality opponent on the road. Forney defeated the Lady Cats three times last season including in a bi-district playoff match. The Lady Cats are hoping to turn the tables on Forney this time. There will be a freshmen match at 4:30 p.m. with a JV game at 5:30 p.m. and then the varsity match at around 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats come into the contest with a 10-5 record after claiming the consolation championship at a Wills Point tournament last Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ team tennis squad will be hosting a good Sherman team at the Wildcats Tennis Complex beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Wildcats won their last match at Terrell last Thursday and the Wildcats have a season record of 1-3.
