Wildcat Football Begins Practice
Monday at 8 a.m. Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat football practice began for the 2015 season. Head Coach Greg Owens said the team has a lot of work to do but he is excited about the prospects for this year’s team.
The team is focusing for some of the players catching up on conditioning, terminology, and play schemes. Owens said the players that participated in the summer Edge program are in shape but those that did not are having a few problems with the heat and conditioning. He pointed out that the early start allowed the team to move into the weight room around 11 a.m. as they get out of the direct sunlights.
Fundamentals and basics are the focus of the 45 players currently considered varsity, 45-50 junior varsity and between 50 and 60 freshmen. Owens expects a few more to show up as the week continues.
Basic Computer and Health Care Continuing Ed Classes at PJC-Sulphur Springs
The Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Continuing Education Department is offering basic computer and health care classes in August.
The courses will meet on the campus located at 1202 West Houston. For registration or additional information, call 903-885-1232 or visit www.parisjc.edu/ce.
Medication Aide Update will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. The course fulfills Texas Department of Health specifications on annual renewal requirement. Med Aides should take this course one month before their certification card expires.
The Initial Basic Life Support class on lifesaving skills for respiratory and cardiac emergencies will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21. The American Heart Association certifies the class.
Welcome to the World of Computers is offered from 8 to 11:30 a.m., Fridays, Aug. 21-28. The course is designed for the person with limited computer skills. Students will learn basic computer tasks, keyboard techniques, computer lingo and how to navigate the Internet.
SSISD Offers Online Paperwork Help Session
Sulphur Springs ISD will be offering another help session for online student registration through Skyward Family Access on Tuesday, August 4th at the Administration Building on Connally Street. Help will be available from 9:00AM until 7:00PM. SSISD will be providing help with all steps of the registration process including computers, logins, passwords, and assistance with forms. Please take advantage of this opportunity so that you can avoid the trouble of last minute registration. All students, who will be in 1st grade through 12th grade, will need to have online paperwork completed. This process is for students who were enrolled in SSISD at the end of last year and will not be open to new to district students. This process does not include choosing classes or picking teachers. It is for paperwork only.
Voluntary Exit Agreement Provides Positive Note in MVISD Superintendent’s Resignation
Although Superintendent John Kaufman’s resignation gives an August 31, 2015 date, under the terms of his resignation agreement with the Mount Vernon School District, he vacated his office returning “…all keys, credit cards, if any, and other property, if any, of the District in Kaufman’s possession as it relates…” to his employment there. He was also to have all personal effects and property removed from his office. The agreement stated there no claims of misconduct are made in the separation of employment.
Thursday night, July 30th, Mt Vernon Independent School District Board reached an agreement with John Kaufman by which he resigns as Superintendent of the District on August 31, 2015. The Board of Trustees expressed their sincere appreciation to Kaufman for his efforts while serving as superintendent and for the many achievements and accomplishments of the entire district team during his tenure.
According to the agreement reached between Kaufman and the school board, Kaufman is on a paid leave during the month of August. He will be paid through the month and receive a total settlement payment of $50,000 to be dispersed to a retirement plan according to a written notification to the district. Any amount not placed in a retirement account that is remaining from the $50,000 is to be paid on or before September 30, 2015 to Kaufman and a law firm in Grapevine, Texas. The agreement calls for Kaufman to be available “…for purposes of telephone consultation on any matter affecting or related to the District, at no additional expense to the District.” Should Kaufman become employed by another school district prior to August 31, the Salary Payment shall cease at the date Kaufman begins new employment under contract with another district.
Kaufman’s resignation letter, required by the Voluntary Exit Agreement and Release, was a simple two sentence statement addressed to Richard Carr, President of the MVISD Board of Trustees. “I hereby submit my resignation as Superintendent of the District effective 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2015. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this school and community for the last 5 and one half years.”
The agreement called for a “…positive letter of recommendation…” from the board. In the three paragraphs, seven sentence letter signed by all board members, Kaufman is noted as a “man of high character and integrity.” It is said he received satisfactory appraisals during his tenure and that he “has provided a safe environment for all children focusing on a learning environment.” The also noted that Kaufman, a 21 year veteran of education including five years as superintendent at MVISD, “demonstrates respect for diversity in students, staff and programs.”
The board will soon begin their search for an interim superintendent.
Tira News by Jan Vaughn
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Dacy and the kids visited her parents, Robert and Yvonne Weir, on Saturday, the 18th. They went to garage sales, while Wesley bowled with his “My Hero’s” bowling team. Later, they all met and played laser tag and then came home and swam.
Chanse Fite and Brandi Day from Tira are headed to the World Series games in West Monroe, Louisiana. Their daughter Daylee Fite is a member of the All-Star Team that won the Dixie Darlings State Softball Tournament, which was played in Mt. Vernon. The team won 10-7 over Winnsboro, to get first place. The opening ceremonies will be Friday night July 31st at West Monroe University of Louisiana. The first game is Saturday August 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Taco Bell Field and the opposing team is Tennessee. Members are Hadlee Hrabal, Emerson Thompson, Carter Charlton, Bayler Boatman, Daylee Fite, Saylor Smith, Brianna Duffey, Harley Perez, Stevanna Buchanan, Katie Johns, Laura Torres and Gracie Thompson. Coaches are Terry Johns, Chanse Fite, Josh Boatman and Michael Hrabal.
Last week Debra Wood and her sister Barbara Cockrum enjoyed a few days in Branson, Missouri. While there, they saw the Presley’s family variety entertainers. Also, they went to see the group SIX perform. SIX is a group of 6 very talented brothers who sing a ccapela. One brother makes the sounds of drums while the others sing. Debra says, “If you haven’t seen SIX while in Branson, you’ve missed out.” Debra and Barbara also enjoyed shopping and eating at Branson Landing. They were hoping for cooler weather, but no luck.
Debra Wood just returned from a 3-day trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with her son Brad, daughter-in-law Kaylee, and grandsons Daegon & Chandler. Debra reports that it was a nice relaxing trip before she begins setting up her reading and music classrooms in the “old” elementary at North Hopkins. “Hard to believe school starts in 3 weeks.” North Hopkins has a new elementary school building for grades Pre-K through 5th grade. Elementary teachers are excited to be moving into their new classrooms.
Morgan Joslin’s dad, Malcolm, and his friend, Tonja, went to Waller on the weekend of the 18th, to pick up Morgan from the Texas Wing Cadet Glider Flight Academy at the Soaring Club of Houston. They attended the closing ceremony on Saturday. Morgan received advanced glider training and got to fly with instructors and also enjoyed several solo flights.
Chip and I visited our son, Delayne Vaughn, in Waco on Friday, the 17th. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant. Chip and I drove back to Lake Palestine and spent the night at the Lake o’ the Woods resort. We celebrated our anniversary, at little late, with lunch at Red Lobster in Tyler, before heading home.
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 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
“Updated” District Judge Injured in Bicycle, Auto Accident
Preseason Begins for SSHS Football, Volleyball, Band
Quite a few students will show up at Sulphur Springs High School for extracurricular activities Monday. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens will oversee his first football practice of the year. The Wildcats first scrimmage will be at Prim Stadium on August 14 against Liberty-Eylau. Volleyball Coach Allison Irvin will begin volleyball practice. They’ll be just days away from scrimmages: at home against Cumby and Commerce on Friday and at Wills Point on Saturday. The regular season opens August 11. The Wildcats Band will open practices. The Blue Blazes Drill Team will have a workout before departing for their annual boot camp.
FEMA Assistance Available; Spread the Word
Word of mouth is a powerful way to spread news. Amazing as it may seem, some people are so busy with their recovery, they haven’t heard about federal help. You could be the one to bring this important message to someone you know, perhaps a friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member or acquaintance.
Tell your neighbors they may be eligible for a grant to help them pay for home repairs or to replace personal property ruined by the severe storms and flooding between May 4 and June 22. These grants do not have to be repaid. People affected by the disaster may also have an opportunity to take out a low-interest disaster recovery loan.
Encourage your friends to register for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This helps individuals, households, the whole community and the state of Texas recover faster and stronger.
Sometimes people don’t register for reasons based on rumors. Here are some rumors you may hear and the facts you could share to help your friends and neighbors understand their options:
“If I receive aid, I’m taking it away from someone who is in worse shape than I am and needs it more.” Sufficient funds are available to assist every eligible individual and household in Texas.
“I can’t get aid. My income is too high.” Everyone with disaster-related losses who lives in a county designated for Individual Assistance should register to find out if they are eligible for recovery help. There is no income test for some types of aid.
“I have insurance. I’m not eligible for FEMA help.” People with insurance should register. FEMA may be able to give you a grant for expenses not covered by your insurance. Register now even if you are still waiting for your insurance settlement.
“I’m a renter. Aid isn’t available for renters.” Renters should register if they lost or had damage to any necessary personal property, such as a vehicle or a computer used for school.
Homeowners, renters and businesses in the 47 Texas counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.
Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
The deadline to register is Aug. 27.
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Area Receives Far Below Average Rainfall For July
The city of Sulphur Springs received only .19 inches of rain during the arid month of July. The city gets 3.22 inches of rain during an average July. Still because of a very wet first five months of the year, the city remains 6.33 inches of rain ahead of average after the first seven months of 2015. Sulphur Springs has received 33.88 inches of rain so far this year and the average is 27.55 inches. July was the second straight month with below average rainfall after five opening months with more than average precipitation. We usually get 2.35 inches of rain in August.
