$93 Million Bond Election Called May 7 For Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Monday night called for a $93 million bond election to pay for needed upgrades, improvements and additions identified by the district’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee during a series of meetings and campus walk-throughs. The committee presented their recommendations at a special Feb. 7 board meeting.
The election will be held May 7, 2022, in conjunction with the election of three trustees to SSISD board, if one is necessary. As of Monday night, the three incumbents were the only candidates to have filed for the three at-large sets. Candidate filing for the May 7 SSISD Board of Trustees Election continues through Feb. 18 in SSISD Tax Office, located inside the Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
Instead of partnering with the city this year, the district is partnering with the county to hold SSISD election alongside county elections so polling places may differ this year. Early voting will be conducted from April 25 to May 3, with Election Day voting at four consolidated voting locations.
Superintendent Michael Lamb asked the trustees at Monday night’s regular school board meeting to consider approving an order calling for a May 7 bond election. The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, he reminded the trustees, consisted of 55 members and the bond recommendation is the collective agreement of those who attended six planning meetings over the past year, including walk-throughs at all district campuses and facilities. While quite a few additional wants were added, the items identified on the list submitted by the LRFPC are to meet district needs. If the bond does not pass nd the district does not begin addressing those needs, Lamb said he’s afraid the district will have dug itself in a hole he’s afraid they can’t get out of.
The $93 million bond would increase the school district ad valorem tax rate by about 10-cents to $1.28 per $100 property valuation, which is still not as high as the tax rate when the last bond was passed, SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody pointed out. The bonded indebtedness side of the district tax rate has gone down some since then due to refinancing of bonds at lower rates and paying some down on the amount owed, and the overall tax rate has been impacted by legislative changes governing school tax rates and compression rates.
Residents who have homestead or other exemptions will still receive those according to the current tax regulations, even if the bond passes. Some may still see their tax values increase more, however, due to current increases in property values conducted by the Appraisal District.
Overall, those recommendations presented by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to the school board at the special Feb. 7 meeting, included the following (along with cost estimates for each):
- Travis Elementary Replacement – $35,000,000
- Bowie Elementary Classroom Additions – $6,000,000
- Bush Elementary Renovations – $1,000,000
- Sulphur Springs Elementary Renovations – $3,000,000
- High School CTE Center – $12,000,000
- Fine Arts Addition – $12,500,000
- Buses – $2,000,000
- Capital Improvement Projects across District – $9,000,000
- Austin/DAEP Renovation – $500,000
- Douglas Early Childhood Renovations – $2,000,000
- High School Refurbishments – $10,000,000
SSISD Career and Technical Education Director Jenny Arledge told the board during a presentation on the CTE Program Evaluation presented Monday night that districts are recommended to bring in consultants every 3-5 years to evaluate and make recommendations regarding CTE programs. The district had not had one in 5 years. The district scheduled one conducted over three days late in the fall semester. One of the recommendations made by the consulting group was for new CTE facilities for the expanding CTE programs at the high school, including for construction and culinary arts. This would provide class space as well as lab space with technical tools the students need for hands on work in the CTE area they are enrolled in. Then, the recommendations is to renovate existing facilities.
The LRFPC noted that all available space and resources are maximized at Travis Primary campus, and those are aging and in need of replacement. The committee recommended construction of a new elementary facility to replace Travis school.
Travel Tuesday: Free Nights At Marriott Hotels
As spring and summer approaches, a lot of folks want to travel more, but with everyone being stuck at home for two years, the demand for airline flights and hotel rooms is going up rapidly, and so are prices. A good way to offset the cost is to use points (or miles) from a hotel or airline loyalty program to pay for part or all of the costs. If you don’t have enough points, the best way to jump start the amount of points you do have is to earn a sign-up bonus for a new credit card. Some of thes offers have gotten very attractive, especially for hotel chains.
The largest worldwide hotel chain is Marriott with over 8,400 locations Marriott is currently offering two sign-up offers with the ability to earn free hotel nights with very little initial spending. Check the fine print from the links below to see if you qualify for these bonuses.
Marriott Offers:
Marriott Hotels has a new offer that is going to make travelling a lot easier, and potentially a lot cheaper (if not FREE). By signing up for one of the Marriot credit cards through Chase and complete the required spend, you could earn three certificates for three free nights. Each Free Night Award E-Certificate is valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. This is a huge offer, that we have just not seen before. Some of the hotels that you can book with a 35,000 point certificate include Gaylord Texan, St. Kitts Marriott, and even the Sheraton Kuaui.
There are actually two offers, and you should read the fine print for each and decide which one may be right for you. Both card require some initial spending to trigger the “free night” rewards and although one card does not charge an annual fee, the card with the bigger offer does charge $95 per year (and also gives you an additional free night award on the anniversary of your account opening each year thereafter).
Each card also earns a different amount of points on all purchases as you use the card. See all the details here:
Bright Star Academy Presents the Annual Winter Band Concert
The Bright Star Christian Academy will present their annual Winter Band Concert Thursday, February 17th, 2022. The concert begins at 7:00pm and will take place in the Bright Star Church Sanctuary. The Concert Band and the Jazz-improv band will perform. The bands are under the direction of Richard Shanks and Jeff Smith. Admission is free.
Miller Grove, Saltillo Cross Country Athletes Recognized As Top 1A Teams
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning recognized the Miller Grove and Saltillo Cross Country athletes for being the Top 1A Teams in the state. Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation in honor of each school’s achievements.
The Miller Grove Hornets won the UIL State 1A Boys Cross Country Championship, producing extraordinary 5K results, with a team average of 17.9 at the Round Rock meet. The Nov. 5, 2021 state championship is Miller Grove’s fifth consecutive state title.
“Recognized as Texas’ finest, the team rightfully took their place on the podium as champions with great pride,” Newsom read from the proclamation for the Hornets. He encouraged “all to applaud these young men for their united ambition in accomplishing this fifth-year victory as undefeated champions for the state of Texas in the 2021 Class 1A State Cross Country Meet.”
According to the MGISD coaches, students came to the school all summer, including students who either came in the morning or after school or summer jobs.
While two students put in the most miles, the entire team’s dedication including running about 65 miles each week, some making the “easy run” of 6-7 miles daily, one team member noted.
Newsom noted that the extra time consuming work each student put in is evident in the MGISD students’ achievements.
The county judge then recognized “the display of great determination and perseverance of each member of the Saltillo Independent School District Cross Country Boys Team toward obtaining the team average of 18:03 while competing at the event.”
The Saltillo students earned the silver medal at the 2021 UIL State Cross Country Meet. November 2021 marked the seventh consecutive time the Saltillo ISD Cross Country Boys Team’s has secured a spot on the podium.
The team included Luke Ritter, Jacob Sexton, Rowdy Speir, Cristian Trejo, Coy Johnson, Gunner Traver, Andrew Redburn and Adrian Don Juan. Coaches are Bret; and manager is Landon Peeples.
Newsom appealed “to all citizens of Hopkins County to congratulate the great effort, determination and persistence of the Boys Cross Country Team of the Saltillo Independent School District.”
Coach Bill Giles thanked the judge and commissioners for annually recognizing the cross country students for their state accomplishments and extended congratulations to the Miller Grove team for being the state champions again. Giles said each year his students strive to get ahead of the MG team, but as of the past 5 state meets have yet to achieve that.
He noted that the runners are a good group of young men he is proud of on the field and off. He noted that the team begins in April and continue reporting throughout the summer to prepare for the fall competitions. Many of the students begin as incoming 6th graders, and are followed by younger siblings who also strive to represent their school and team well by working hard and giving their personal best. Two of the students began running for the school in seventh grade and are still team mates as seniors.
(Courtesy Photo from Feb. 14, 2022 Commissioners Court proclamation)
Newsom commended coaches of both teams for doing a great job with outstanding programs that produce responsible, dedicated you people wo represent their school and community well as athletes and well rounded individuals.
Early Voting In March 1 Primary Elections Began This Morning
Early voting in the March 1, 2022 Democratic and Republican Party Primary Elections began this morning (Feb. 14, 2022), and will continue through Feb. 24, 2022.
Dates, Location Of Early Voting
Voters in Hopkins County, regardless of party – Republican or Democratic – will cast ballots in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom located inside Hopkins County Courthouse Annex Building (the building where car registration and taxes are paid, by taking the entryway on the right to the JP’s offices), at 128 Jefferson St., in Sulphur Springs.
Early voting in the Republican and Democratic Party Primary Elections will be conducted as follows:
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Feb. 14-19; Monday, Feb. 21; Wednesday, Feb. 23; and Friday, Feb. 25.
- 12 noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, and Thursday, Feb. 24
To find out if you are registered to vote, as well as a list of candidates and voting locations for any county throughout Texas, visit the Secretary of State’s website (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/), select Find my Polling Place, then enter the requested information. If you are registered to vote, the Voter Information tab will show your name and address as well as an “Active” status on the left. Links for polling information, for current and upcoming elections will be displayed on the right.
To find out ballot information, click “What’s on the Ballot?” Then, select the appropriate year, election and county of residence .
The deadline by which eligible voters may request a ballot to vote by mail is Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:
- be 65 years or older;
- be sick or disabled;
- be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
In order to request a mail ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s website, and select the “Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) is Friday, February 18, 2022 link (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml), print the apply for ballot by mail (ABBM) form and request one be mailed to you on the order online form, then complete and sign the form, put appropriate postage on it and put it in the mail to the county Early Voting Clerk, or fax the application if a fax machine is available in the early voting clerk’s office, or submitting a scanned copy of the completed and signed application to the Early Voting Clerk via email. If an ABBM is faxed or emailed, then the original, hard copy of the application must be mailed and received by the early voting clerk no later than Feb 187, 2022.
Although there are at least eight local elections on the ballot, Republican incumbents were the only individuals to file candidacy in their races. So, while their name may appear on the Republican ballot, they do not have an opponent. The Democratic Party had no local candidates file for a place on the March 1 ballot. Most state and national positions, however, have several candidates vying for them. Winners will face the opposite parties’ elected candidates in the fall.
Republican Primary
Republican candidates for county-wide races on the March 1 Party Primary Election ballot include the following incumbents:
- Hopkins County Judge – Robert Newsom
- County Court At Law Judge – Clay Harrison
- District Clerk – Cheryl Fulcher
- County Clerk – Tracy Orr Smith
- County Treasurer – Danny Davis
- County Commissioner, Precinct 2 – Greg Anglin
- County Commissioner, Precinct 4 – Joe Price
- Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 – BJ Teer
- Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 – Brad Cummings
Candidates on March 1, 2022, Republican Primary ballots in Hopkins County, according to the Secretary of State’s Office, include the following:
US Representative, District 4
- Pat Fallon
- John E. Harper
- Dan Thomas
Governor of Texas
- Don Huffines
- Paul Belew
- Kandy Kaye Horn
- Greg Abbott
- Chad Prather
- Danny Harrison
- Allen B. West
- Rick Perry
Lieutenant Governor
- Aaron Sorrells
- Dan Patrick
- Todd M. Bullis
- Trayce Bradford
- Zach Vance
- Daniel Miller
Attorney General
- Ken Paxton
- Louie Gohmert
- George P. Bush
- Eva Guzman
Comptroller of Public Acounts
- Mark V. Goloby
- Glenn Hagar
Commissioner of the General Land Office
- Dawn Buckingham
- Weston Martinez
- Victor Avila
- Jon Spiers
- Rufus Lopez
- Ben Armenta
- Tim Westley
- Don W. Minton
Commissioner of Agriculture
- James White
- Carey A. Counsil
- Sid Miller
Railroad Commissioner
- Sarah Stogner
- Tom Slocum Jr.
- Marvin “Sarge” Summers
- Wayne Christian
- Dawayne Tipton
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 3
- Debra Lehrmann
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 5
- Rebeca Huddle
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9
- Evan Young
- David J. Schenck
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
- Mary Lou Keel
Judge, court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5
- Clint Morgan
- Scott Walker
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6
- Jesse F. McClure, III
Member, STate Board of Educadtion, District 12
- Pam Little
State Senator, District 1
- Bryan Hughes
Staet Reprsentative District 2
- Clyde Bostick
- Bryan Slaton
Chief Justice, 6th Court of Appeals District
- Scott E. Stevens
Democratic Primary
Candidates on March 1, 2022, Democratic Party Primary ballots in Hopkins County, according to the Secretary of State’s Office, include the following:
US Rep. District 4
- Iro Omere
Governor
- Beto O’Rourke
- Inocencio (Inno) Barrientez
- Joy Diaz
- Rich Wakeland
- Michael Cooper
Lieutenant Governor
- Mike Collier
- Michelle Beckley
- Carla Brailey
Attorney General
- Mike Fields
- Lee Merritt
- Rochelle Mercedes Garza
- S. “Tbone” Raynor
- Joe Jaworksi
Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Tim Mahoney
- Janet T. Dudding
- Angle Luis Vega
Commissioner of the General Land Office
- Jay Klebergf
- SandraGrace Martinez
- Jinny Suh
- Michael Lange
Commissioner of Agriculture
- Ed Ireson
- Susan Hayes
Railfroad Commissioner
- Luke Warford
Justicde, Supreme Court, Place 3
- Erin A. Nowell
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 5
- Amanda Reichek
Justice Supreme Court, Place 9
- Julia Maldonado
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5
- Dana Huffman
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6
- Robert Johnson
Member, State, Board of Education, District
- Roberto Velasco
- Alex Cornwallis
Sulphur Springs ISD Board To Consider Calling A Bond Election
Hearing On 2020-2021 Annual Report Of Educational Performance Slated During Public Forum
Sulphur Springs ISD Board Of Trustees will be asked to consider calling a bond election to fund district facilities improvements, upgrades, additions and replacements during the trustees’ regular meeting Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.
The board also will receive several reports and informational items, and be asked during the 6 p.m. meeting to consider a resolution for wage payments during emergency school closings, terminating an employee’s contract early, calling a trustees election, revising the Head Start cost of living budget and hold a public hearing.
Elections
In a special noon meeting Monday, Feb. 7, the SSISD Long Range Facilities Planning Committee noted that after half a dozen meetings, including a tour of each district campus and facility, the group identified $93 million worth of work needed, and recommended the school board call for a bond election to fund the repairs and upgrades.
According to the Valentine’s Day agenda, Superintendent Michael Lamb sent information to board members recommending the proposed order calling for a bond election, which they’ll be asked to consider calling for May 7, 2022.
The school board also is expected to call for a trustees election for May 7 for the three seats currently held by Craig Roberts, Leesa Toliver and John Prickette. The three incumbents are the only candidates who have filed applications for the at-large seats on the school board.
Candidate filing for a place on the May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Feb. 18, 2022, in SSISD Tax Office, located inside SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
If no other candidates sign up for a place on the ballot, the school board should be able to cancel the election at the close of filing.
Administrative, Informational Items
Sulphur Springs ISD Police Chief Glynda Chester is scheduled to present to the board the required racial profiling report.
SSISD Director of College and Career Readiness/CTE Director Jenny Arledge on the district’s annual career and technical education evaluation. The document of CTE findings is 22 pages in length.
Students are also scheduled to give presentations about the CTE student organizations they are involved in.
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams will provide a schedule for this year’s open house activities across the district.
During public forum, a public hearing on the 2020-2021 annual report of educational performance is to be conducted by Jason Evans, who is over state and federal programs. Anyone who has questions about the report can ask them during that time.
Other Action Items
The agenda also calls for the board to consider approving a cost of living revision to the Head Start budget, transferring funding from the supplies function to equipment function to cover a cost increase for playground equipment the district applied for last spring.
A resolution which would address wage payments during emergency school closings due to inclement weather.
The board also is slated to consider terminating Amy Anderson’s term contract before the end of the contract period.
Executive Session
The board too has scheduled an executive session to discuss personnel matters and the potential purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. Any items pushed forward from the executive session would require a vote of the board after they return to open session.
Meal A Day Menu – Feb. 14-18, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Feb. 14-18, 2022, includes:
- Monday – Chicken Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes with Pepper Gravy, Green Beans and Roll.
- Tuesday – Beef and Vegetable Soup, Crackers and Cheese.
- Wednesday – Sliced Ham, Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli and Roll.
- Thursday – Beef Lasagna, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Toast.
- Friday – Chicken and Dressing Casserole, Candied Carrots, Stewed Squash and Roll.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Commissioners Court To Recognize Cross Country Athletes, Consider Taking In SH 11 Spur
Hopkins County Commissioners Court is slated to Monday morning to recognize cross country athletes from two schools in addition to regular agenda items, including considering taking in the State Highway 11 Spur.
Proclamations are to be given in honor of Miller Grove ISD and Saltillo ISD athletes’ accomplishments at the most recent state cross country event.
The Commissioners Court too at the 9 a.m. meeting Feb. 14, 2022, will be asked to consider taking over State Highway 11 Spur in Precinct 4, which would become County Road 4824, as proposed.
Also on the Valentine’s regular meeting agenda for the Commissioners Court to consider approving are a vote center consolidation for the May 7, 2022 Elections, 2021-2022 fire protection agreements, and a resolution for the Hopkins County ventilation fan project.
The consent agenda includes requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electric power distribution facilities across County Road 1112, northwest of FM 2653 in Precinct 1 and across County Road 3611, south of County Road 3550 in Precinct 3; as well as requests from Spectrum/Charter to construct and place meter base poles or ground mount meter bases on County Roads 1100, 3341, 4707, 4712, 4752, 4737 in Precinct 2; and a request from spectrum/charter to construct underground conduit and fiber on County Roads 1104, 1106, 1107, 1109, 1110, 1218, 1111, 1135 and 1138; and any previous meeting minutes submitted for review.
The agenda too lists an executive session, and consideration of any grants, donations, contracts, budget amendments and line item transfers, bills, revenues and expenses, payroll and financial statements, personnel, and asset disposal requests posed since the last court session.
The regular Commissioners Court meeting will be conducted in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse . After the regular meeting adjourns, the Commissioners Court will then move to the third floor of the courthouse for a work session.
The Court is slated to meet with Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley and Sheriff Lewis Tatum to discuss operations, review any revenues, expenditures, proposed improvements and repairs in each department during the work session. The elected officials too are slated to meet with Tom Glosup to discuss maintenance of county buildings, then have a budget work session if needed.
Wanted Mount Pleasant Woman Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge
A wanted Mount Pleasant woman was arrested on a controlled substance charge early Saturday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Dustin Green and Thad Cook reported stopping a Ford F150 pickup at 1:35 a.m. Feb. 12, 2022, on South Broadway Street for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the woman inside, she refused to identify herself. Later she reportedly gave herself a false name.
Upon being identified as Carolyn Suzanne Hinson, dispatchers advised the 36-year-old Mount Pleasant woman had three outstanding warrants out of Hopkins County. When advised to exit the truck, the officers noted she appeared to be trying to hide something.
The woman was placed into custody at 2:04 a.m. Feb. 12, 2022, and the vehicle was inventoried prior to impound. Police found a pouch with a baggy containing a white, crystal-like substance they believed to be methamphetamine in the driver’s seat. The substance and packaging weighed 3.1 grams.
Consequently, Hinson was booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and failure to identify, in addition to the outstanding Hopkins County charges for bail jumping and failure to appear on a failure to identify charge, and bond forfeiture on a failure to identify as a fugitive from justice charge and a Nov. 21, 2020, possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges. She also shows to be wanted in Collin County for bond forfeiture on a driving while license invalid warrant.
Hinson remained in Hopkins County jail shortly before lunch Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, on the charges, according to jail reports. Recommended bonds on the warrants totaled $35,000.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Scroggins Man Jailed In Hopkins County On Kaufman County Aggravated Assault Warrant
A 48-year-old Scroggins man’s speed as he drove a Range Rover along State Highway 11 was what caught Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Colin Bradshaw‘s attention and got him stopped near FM 269 at 5:53 p.m. Thursday. However, an outstanding Kaufman County warrant, discovered during a routine records check using his driver’s license, was the reason Larry Murl Smith was arrested Thursday evening, Bradshaw noted in arrest reports.
Trooper Bradshaw took Smith into custody after Texarkana DPS communications confirmed the warrant was active. The Scroggins man was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 7:06 p.m. Feb. 10, 2022, on the outstanding aggravated assault with a deadly weapon warrant, according to arrest reports.
Smith was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Bond on the second-degree felony Kaufman County assault charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
