SSISD Board Hears Preliminary Budget
The Sulphur Springs School board had their first budget work session for the budget for next school year. District Business Manager Sherry McGraw presented what she called a very preliminary budget. It featured revenues and expenditures of roughly $30.6-million. Revenues actually are greater than expenses by a mere $1,351. Ms. McGraw said the preliminary budget used estimated net taxable values from the county Appraisal District Office. She said in her experience the certified values coming out in July have always been higher than the estimated values. Superintendent Michael Lamb called the early budget a great start but noted a lot of work remained to be done. An updated budget will be given to the board in July. The board expects to adopt a new budget in late August.
Ms. McGraw said she is cautiously optimistic regarding the proposed budget. She said she awaits the final steps of the Texas legislature regarding funding and mandates. She also pointed to the wish-list of school personnel regarding wants and needs for school life. Transportation allotment has yet to clear the legislature this year.
AP US History Classes Cancelled for Next Year
Sulphur Springs High School has decided to terminate the Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) class for students classified as juniors starting next year. The decision to cancel the class was in part due to nationwide results of passing rates in APUSH classes and also SSHS’s partnership with Paris Junior College.
“As it is known, here at SSHS we have several options at a lot of different levels for different classes and one of them is our cooperative effort with Paris Junior College,” Principal Josh Williams said. “In balancing the interest between not only the cost considered but also the likelihood of earning college credit, we felt like we had a greater likelihood of students at SSHS earning college credit through the Dual-Credit arrangement through PJC as opposed to AP in this case.”
In past years, many students were enrolling in Dual-Credit US History as opposed to AP US History, which consisted of only one classroom of students this year. Students preferred Dual-Credit due to its security in obtaining a college credit which required only passing both semesters, whereas APUSH required passing an Exam where failure meant that no college credit was earned.
“With AP, your whole credit depends on you passing an exam at the end of the year, and the state of Texas average for high school kids passing that test is incredibly low,” AP US History teacher Mike Rave said. “You could typically go through the whole AP class and not get your college credit. With Dual-Credit, however, you can go ahead and take the class, pay for the class, and get both high school and college credit. So it was feasible for students to go ahead and not gamble on their college credit at the end of the year and go ahead and go through the Dual-Credit.”
The primary difference between the college credit obtained from either class is in whether or not certain colleges will accept an AP exam grade high enough to count for college credit. The AP exam is graded on a 1-5 scale, with 3 being the lowest required grade to pass. Some colleges, however, require a 4 or even a 5 for the college credit to count. This means that some students, who have passed the exam, may not even get the credit because their desired college says they did not pass well enough for it to count. Whereas in Dual-Credit, just by passing the class on a regular passing average of 70-100, the college credit is obtained, despite whatever grade the student had when finishing the class. Because of this, even though AP classes require only paying for the exam instead of semester tuition, many students are enrolling in Dual-Credit classes in order to easily obtain their college credit.
Williams Takes New Role in SSISD
Josh Williams
Monday night the Sulphur Springs School Board approved a new position for High School Principal Josh Williams. He will be Special Programs Director at the Administration Building. He will continue to serve as principal through the end of the school year and perhaps beyond until a new principal is named. Williams has served as a principal for nine years and at SSHS for two years.
Williams said he is excited to take on the new position although he plans to continue his work to facilitate transition to a new principal. He called the move bitter sweet. The new post will allow for creativity in serving all the students in the district according to Williams. He called Superintendent Michael Lamb a master educator and said there was much he could learn from Lamb to serve the students.
Lights of Life Annnounces Gala
Gloria Mitchell, Donna Rudzik & Polly Swatsell, 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign Chairs, announced the campaign & gala theme, goal and projects that will be funded to the committee at the first campaign meeting, which was held on Tuesday, May 19th at noon in the Memorial Medical Plaza Conference room.
“It’s been an exciting and fast few months since we took over chairmanship of the campaign” stated Polly Swatsell. “We are excited to announce to the committee not only the theme for the 20th anniversary of the Lights of Life tree lighting and the 10th anniversary of the gala but also the goal and the projects the Foundation board selected to be funded this year”, continued Swatsell. “We hope the committee will like the theme and get as excited about it as we are. We think it’s perfect for this anniversary year”, continued Swatsell.
“The Foundation board set the campaign goal at $250,000 again and I’m certain with Gloria, Donna and Polly’s “over achiever” mentality this will be another over-the-top and successful year. Of course we couldn’t reach our goal without the generosity of this wonderful and supportive community,” said Jackie Thornton, Foundation Director.
On April 2, the Foundation board approved the projects that will be funded with the money raised through the campaign this year. With the continued generous support from the community we will be able to donate the entire amount requested that will be used to purchase;
- Six LUCAS CPR devices for EMS which will provide the EMS Department the tools and abilities they need to improve survival rates during cardiac arrest. The LUCAS CPR provides consistent and quality chest compressions without the need to stop compressions to perform other clinical procedures.
- All additional funds will be added to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund.
“Sponsor solicitation letters will go out June 1 but we’re already receiving calls and commitments, which mean the Gala will probably be SOLD OUT again. It’s a wonderful problem to have, I think?? We sell out earlier every year and last year we were SOLD OUT by August 1st”, Thornton said. “While sponsorship payments are not due until mid-December, we strongly encourage a quick response and commitment as soon as the sponsorship letter is received. The community has certainly embraced this campaign over the past years and together we have made a huge difference for our hospital and our community” continued Thornton.
“We are truly thankful we live in such a giving and supportive community. The three of us have been on the gala committee since the beginning, but mostly in the background doing the decorations. We are amazed every year how the campaign grows due to the generosity of this community. The donors obviously give from their heart. I think their continued support shows their appreciation for having a local hospital that takes care of our medical need”, said Donna Rudzik. “It’s privilege for us to serve as chairs this year and we’re excited!”
“We think it will be a year filled with memories and celebrations. We’ve come a long way since the campaign started in 1996. I hope people will make their commitments early and plan to join us at the 10th Anniversary of the gala which will be on Saturday night, January 23, 2016, 6p.m. to 12 midnight at the Civic Center” stated Mitchell.
If you cannot attend the gala but still want to support your local hospital and support the campaign contributions may be made to the campaign with a donation to the Lights of Life Christmas tree lighting event that will be held December 3rd at 6p.m. in The Gardens at Memorial. A $25 donation given in “memory or honor” of someone special is represented by a light on the Lights of Life Christmas tree. This is the 20th anniversary of that event.
Additional opportunities to become involved and support the campaign are by participating, attending and/or donating to the Fly Your Flag Campaign and lunch, the “Sassy Classy” fall afternoon tea, the 2nd Half Marathon or the Style Show, hosted by Lou Nell’s. All contributions help to make a difference for the community.
Thornton asks, “Please join us as we work together to make difference for the hospital and the community. Through your support of the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign and Gala we will reach our $250,000 goal.” Call the Health Care Foundation office at 903-439-4799 for more information.
Chicks for Charity
More Arrests In Investigation of County Burglaries
Two adults and one juvenile were arrested Sunday as Hopkins County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigators continue to apprehend those responsible for a rash of burglaries in the county. As of early Monday morning, the trio had been tied to four of the burglaries and the county CID thought other burglaries will also be solved with this arrest. Tuesday morning, Hopkins County Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum said his department continues to sort through items recovered from burglaries and are finding items that the owners did not know had been taken.
Lewis told KSST news that the latest arrest of this trio along with the arrest of James Alexander Pringle, 24, of Quitman last week would conclude the investigation. However, he now thinks that there are more individuals or groups involved in the burglaries that have recently spread across the county.
Zachary Van Nguyen, 20, and Sapphire Finney, 18, were arrested for engaging in organized criminal activity related to four burglaries in the south part of Hopkins County. Tuesday morning Nguyen was arraigned on two counts of organized criminal activity and bond was set at $40,000 on one and $25,000 on the other. Finney’s bond on two counts of organized criminal activity was set at $40,000 each. The juvenile involved in the case was placed in juvenile custody in Greenville.
James Alexander Pringle, 24, was arrested by Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers assisted by Quitman law enforcement Friday. According to Hopkins County Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum, Pringle, who was living in a shed in Quitman, has been identified as one of the individuals who have been burglarizing homes and autos in the county. Pringle’s activity was identified as specifically in the Peerless area. Saturday morning Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings set bond for Pringle at $20,000 for Burglary of a Habitation.
PJC Retirees
Seven faculty and staff of Paris Junior College were honored at a reception recently in the PJC Student Center ballroom. Retiring PJC employees who received recognition plaques are (from left), Psychology Instructor Doris Helm, Journalism Instructor Sharon Dennehy, History Instructor Allen Williams, Office Technology Instructor Anita Ferguson, and Health Occupations secretary Judy Frazier. Not pictured are Peggy Frierson, who retired as Testing Center clerk, and Cosmetology Instructor Essie Moore.
Prickette Chosen SSISD Board President
John Prickette was selected as board president for the next year by the Sulphur Springs school board Monday night during their May session. Leesa Toliver was chosen vice-president and Robin Vaughn secretary. The Sulphur Springs School Board recognized Valedictorian Andrew Allen and Salutatorian Ariel Gonzalez and gave them plaques at Monday night’s board meeting. Oaths of office for another term were also given to Don Sapaugh and Jason Dietze. Consultant Don Roundtree gave the board a presentation on plans for Civic Center Auditorium renovation. It gets underway June 22. The board also approved a contract with the Region VIII Education Service Center for next school year. The cost increased about $2,050 to $85,356.
High School Principal Josh Williams will move to the administration building to become Special Programs Director for the district. Other personell changes are noted below:
Resignations
Tommy Adams Maintenance Admin
Kathy Sparks SpEd Aide ECLC
Terry Williams Reading Teacher ECLC
Rachel Ledkins Grade 1 Teacher Lamar
Ashley Phillips Grade 4 Teacher SS Elementary
Jarrod Friddle Police Officer High School
Caitlin Vaughn SpEd Aide High School
Travis Woods Health/Science/Technology High School
New Personnel
Kevin Jenkins Transition Coord/Child Find Special Services
Makayla Gaby Title I Aide Lamar
Delaina Russell Grade 1 Lamar
Kylie Wyly Library Aide Lamar
Yadira Preciado Grade 2 Bilingual Travis
Mandy Barrett Grade 4 SS Elementary
Cheslie Brook Grade 4 SS Elementary
James Eilts Grade 4 SS Elementary
Maria Rodriguez Grade 3 Bilingual SS Elementary
David Ryan Morris Business/Coach High School
Misty Nottingham SpEd Aide High School
Pat Tolson SpEd Aide High School
Alyssa Withrow English High School
Personnel Changes New position/campus Former position/campus
Josh Williams Spec Programs Director/Admin Principal/High School
Ana Ramirez Bilingual ESL Director/Admin Grade 2 Bilingual/Travis
Amber Davenport Elementary Counselor/Travis Grade 2/Bowie
Brittany Preas Behavior Interventionist/Travis AEP/Austin Academic Center
Laura Smith Grade 4/SS Elementary ELA & Reading/Middle School
Keasa Bonds PE & Girls Coach/Middle School SpEd Aide/Douglas
Talisa Harris ESL Teacher/High School Recent Immigration Spec/Dist-Wide
PJC GED Diplomas Awarded
Ceremonies were recently held in the Paris Junior College Hunt Center for students who successfully met testing requirements to receive general education development (GED) diplomas.
PJC Director of Adult Education and Family Literacy Susan Sanchez introduced guest speaker Jimmie Avinger. To inspire the other graduates, Avinger related her story of the struggles she overcame to get her education.
A young teenage mother, Avinger eventually had six children and overcame illiteracy, dyslexia and the death of her mother to obtain her GED. She was a 53-year old displaced homemaker when she began taking GED classes.
Now in the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at PJC, she has been named to the President’s List two years in a row, and was recently elected Vice President – Service of Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year college honor society.
Kelly Faulks of Sulphur Springs received the Lamar County Literacy Council scholarship to be used at Paris Junior College, and was accepted as a member of the National Adult Education Honor Society. His acceptance was based on teacher nominations, good attitude, work ethic and attendance.
Those from Sulphur Springs who have received GED diplomas were Kelly Faulks, Clayton Hanson and Jeremy Patrick.
