10 Personnel Items, Emergency School Closing Wage Payments Approved For SSISD
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees during the regular February 2022 school board meeting approved 10 personnel items as recommended, a Head Start budget amendment and emergency school closing wage payments.
Early Termination
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams recommended that the board act to finalize the termination of Amy Anderson’s term contract before the end of her contract period. He noted that the school board members during a special meeting on Jan. 24, 2022, had made the the determination per DFBA(Legal) policy “for good cause,” for the proposed termination of Anderson.
After the decision for probable termination was made by the board at the prior meeting, SSISD sent a letter by certified mail the next day (Jan. 25, 2022), as required by law, notifying Anderson of the proposed termination. Per policy, she then had 15 days to appeal the probable termination of her contract to the Commissioner of Education, Williams noted.
“In talking to that office at TEA today, she has not availed herself of that opportunity to make that appeal. The 15 days ran its course on Feb. 9. So we are now beyond the 15 days. The cause has already been established. We recommend that you terminate her contract for cause,” Williams said, but neither he nor other school officials elaborated as to what that cause was.
SSISD Board Trustee John Prickette made a motion, which was seconded by board member Leesa Toliver, to finalize termination of Anderson’s contract before the term on it ended. The motion was unanimously approved by the school board.
Trustees had just approved a job swap on Jan. 10 for Anderson. She went from working in the Read 180 program to teaching an eighth grade English language arts and reading classroom. She was hired in 2015 as a seventh grade ELAR teacher.
Other Personnel Items
Among the personnel matters trustees approved following an executive session earlier this week were five notices of retirement, two resignations and one job swap – changes which will directly affect at least six of SSISD’s nine campuses.
Sulphur Springs Elementary Title I aides Carla Harper and Sharon Ferguson notified SSISD administrators that they plan to retire at the end of the school year. High School history teacher Michael Rave and Rowena Johnson Primary second grade teacher Trecia Back also turned in an early notice they they too will be retiring on May 27.
Susan Johnston, the SSISD director of special programs, plans to retire on June 15, 2022.
Lance Thompson’s resignation as a Middle School history teacher will become effective Feb. 24, 2022. Monica Weeks’ resignation as a Head Start 3 teacher at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center will become effective March 1, 2022.
Finally, SSISD Police Officer Dee Dee Self has a new campus assignment. She moves from Barbara Bush Primary to Middle School, an opening created with Adrian Pruitt’s resignation last month.
Wage Payments
The school board approved resolution 2-22, which defers to DEA(Local) policy regarding wage payments during emergency school closings.
“We had enough minutes in our academic calendar to where the kids were good shape as far as instructional minutes, but in order to get folks paid who weren’t coming to work those days, who won’t work those days, this resolution is required. It also accounts for the few staff members who had to work during those days -Dan Froneberger’s guys went around checking buildings, all those things. They get paid a premium rate of pay per DEA(Local),” Williams said.
DEA(LOCAL) policy stipulates that all regular employees, whether contractual or nonstructural, salaried or non-salaried, who were “idled” or instructed not to report to work during the emergency icy weather closing will continue to receive wage payments. Nonexempt employees like the maintenance staff who reported of duty Feb. 3-4, checking district facilities for ruptured water lines and pipes and any other potential damages from the frigid temperatures, snow and ice will receive a premium rate of pay for the essential services they performed during emergency school closings.
SSISD Board of Trustees Vice President Craig Roberts made a motion, which was seconded by Trustee Kerry Wright, then unanimously approved by the board, to approve Board Resolution 22-2 to pay SSISD staff in accordance with DEA(local) policy.
Head Start COLA
Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Michael Lamb, on behalf of Angi Edwards who was unable to attend the Valentine’s evening school board meeting, asked the board to consider revising the Head Start cost of living budget, by allowing $1,299 to be transferred to the supplies budget to the to the equipment budget to account for an increase in cost of playground equipment at the campus since the district applied for funding for it last spring.
Trustee Robbin Vaughn made the motion, which trustee Leesa Toliver seconded, to approve the Head Start budget amendment to move the funding from the supplies to equipment function.
Wildcats, Lady Cats Golf Have Tough Outing in Rockwall
Both golf teams had their spring season opener on Monday, Feb. 14 in Rockwall in the Regional Preview.
It did not go as both squads had hoped for, as golf had a tough outing at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
“It wasn’t great for us,” Coach Whitney Spigener, Lady Cats golf coach said Thursday. On the women’s side, Sulphur Springs sports a young squad.
Coach Spigener said four of the six competitors she took Monday had never seen the course. One Lady Cat had never competed in a high school golf tournament, so nerves ran high for Coach Spinner’s team on Monday.
“Rockwall has a little reputation with [Sulphur Springs] golfers about just being hard,” Coach Spigener said, “not many like the course.”
The Lady Cats coach said nerves got the better of the squad as they finished third place of three schools at the Regional Preview. Coach Spigener said that a few Lady Cats battled back to finish the round decent.
The lowest score for Sulphur Springs came courtesy of McKenna Meskimen, who finished with 96. Monday was the freshman’s first high school golf competition. Junior Mykylie Meador came in just a tick behind at 97.
Next up, the Lady Cats are back at it Monday in Mount Pleasant. That competition starts at 8 A.M. on Monday, Feb. 21.
Moving over to the men’s team, Valentine’s Day did not prove fruitful for Coach Jeremy DeLorge’s squad either.
“We actually had a pretty decent round out of junior Caleb Kesting,” Coach Spigener said Thursday. “He shot a 74, and that was good for third place,” the golf coach said.
The Lady Cats golf coach said Kesting’s 74 on Monday is the best round the junior has ever done at Rockwall’s GAC. The junior shot 1-under on the front side, 3-over on the back.
“He played great, putted great,” Coach Spigener said, “…all around that was a solid score for that course,” the Lady Cats coach said.
The men’s squad as a whole, like the Lady Cats, had a rough outing in Rockwall but have time to work on their errors from Monday before their next contests.
“Overall, we’ve got a lot of work to do heading up to district at the end of March,” Coach Spigener said.
Coach Jeremy DeLorge’s Wildcats take a bit more time off, next in action in Pine Tree on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 4-5.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Three Local Residents Earn High School Diploma Through Innovative Program Offered by Sulphur Springs Public Library
Library offers accredited diplomas and career certificates to residents through Career Online High School
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 16, 2022 — Two Sulphur Springs residents, have earned their high school diploma through the Career Online High School program at Sulphur Springs Public Library. The library partners with Smart Horizons, part of the world’s first Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited, nationally recognized, private online school district. Believing that everyone is capable of achieving a high school education they offer a career-based online education for individuals who need high school diplomas to access better career and educational opportunities.
Carolina Osorino and Kristen Mitchell, have completed all the requirements for their high
school diplomas and have earned their career certifications. Graduation ceremonies will be held Tuesday evening February 22, 2022 at 6:00pm at the library. The public is invited to attend.
“After looking at the dropout statistics of Hopkins County, I knew this program could change lives”.
Friends of the Library President, Trice Lawrence spoke to area businesses about the need
for a program like this and raised enough money to begin with twelve Scholarships. As of today, the library has given out 16 scholarships and has seen 11 graduates.” said Hope Cain, Library Director.
Sulphur Springs Public Library awards scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an Academic Coach, who offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields (across a wide spectrum from Truck Driving to Office Management), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program.
Hopkins and surrounding county residents can learn more about Career Online High School at Sulphur Springs Public Library 903-885-4926 or by visiting the library’s web site www.sslibrary.org
NETLA, Area Youth Gearing Up For The 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show
Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) and area youth are gearing up for the 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show, which kicks off Feb. 22 at Hopkins County Civic Center. The four-day event showcases livestock projects grown and agriculture mechanics projects constructed by Hopkins County FFA and 4-H members.
The top rated projects from the livestock contest and show are auctioned, with 100-200 businesses, industries and financial institutions, families and individuals contributing toward the sale of champions, either as buyers or add-on donors, as well as serving as donors who help cover the cost of the Northeast Texas Junior Livestock Association event.
Among the homegrown livestock entered will be lambs and goats, broilers, swine, steers and heifers. Typically, the sale of champions includes 125-145 sale lots, a chance for community members to purchase livestock projects, with the exception of heifers. All are rated, with showmanship, grand champion and reserve champion accolades doled out following judging in senior, intermediate and junior categories. Students who show for a number of years may also apply for scholarships. The 2021 Sale of Champions raised $475,270 with 136 lots sold.
Grand champions, in addition to receiving awards and bragging rights, also have their photos made in the arena with their project to grace the next year’s program brochure.
And, while every youth competing hopes to show the champion project in their division and livestock category (some raise and show more than one animal), they also develop skills and qualities to become good citizens and effective future leaders, including the importance of planning, dedication, conscientiousness, responsibility, time management, business experience, financial management, sometimes personal or financial sacrifices, and awareness of potential consequences for their choices and actions.
Youth are also assigned to sell a certain number of raffle tickets, with the Jackie Gibson Memorial Award going to the participating 4-H or FFA members who has the most raffle ticket sales. Students who have competed for at least two years and meet other eligibility qualifications can submit an application to compete for at least one Larry Spradlin Memorial Scholarship and one Bobby McDonald Memorial Scholarship, funded through individual donations, a portion of the entry fee and proceeds from the scholarship animals sold at on Saturday at the Sale of Champions.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or add-on donor may contact any NETLA representative or stop by the add-on table at the event.
Th 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Shows begin at noon Tuesday, Feb. 22, with the Ag Mechanics competition, in the Civic Center Arena.
On Thursday, lamb and goat weights are due between 2 and 3 p.m., with the lamb showmanship and show starting at 4 p.m., with the goat showmanship and show at 4 p.m.
Things start bright and early Friday with the poultry check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m., the broiler show and showmanship at 8 a.m., swine weigh-in from 9 to 11 a.m., steer and heifer project check in at 10 a.m., noon swine showmanship and show, steer weights due from 12:30 to 1 p.m., steer showmanship and show and at 3 p.m. and heifer showmanship and show at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, the NETLA Stew and Chili Lunch will be served at noon, followed by the Sale of Champions starting at 1 p.m. Feb. 26.
All shows, as well as the showmanship, awards and Sale of Champions will be conducted in Hopkins County Civic Center Arena.
Myssiah Dugan Signs Letter of Intent with Southwestern Christian College
Wildcats senior Myssiah Dugan signed a letter of intent Wednesday, Feb. 16 to play volleyball at the next level at Southwestern Christian College.
Dugan is the daughter of Stephanie Love and Avery Dugan.
Dugan said she met the coaching staff of the Eagles on Feb. 7, 2022. The senior said she had a chance to tour the campus and meet the head coach of SWCC on that same day.
The senior said she was forthcoming about her injury suffered during basketball season that kept her off the court.
The coaching staff at SWCC do not partake in redshirting players, so Dugan has the opportunity to make the court her freshman year.
The senior Lady Cat, and her new coaching staff, hope Dugan can return when two-a-days roll around later this year.
Dugan said SWCC felt like a good fit for her. In Terrell, the private college has a small-town feel, a quality that attracts Sulphur Springs athletes to JUCOs and other small universities around the country.
The senior said she was elated and cried tears of joy when the coaching staff at SWCC offered her a scholarship.
She was not sure coming off a tough injury suffered during basketball season that she would get then opportunity to play at the next level, let alone getting a scholarship, so the senior calls this a dream come true.
The senior plans to major in criminal law in the hopes of becoming a defense or family attorney.
Dugan’s coach Bailey Dorner said she has seen incredible growth in the three years she has worked with the senior, adding she has put in the work and is an exemplary student on and off the court.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth, not just volleyball-wise but maturity-wise,” Coach Dorner said. “She has grown up a lot and she knows what she wants and she’s gonna work hard for it,” Dugan’s coach said.
Coach Dorner said the senior is both extremely athletic and a hard worker.
The volleyball coach said Dugan did a good solid job reaching her decision.
Coach Dorner said Dugan was a great kid and a great student.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Hopkins County Republican Party To Host 2022 Presidents’ Day Candidate Forum At Civic Center
Hopkins County Republican Party will host a 2022 Presidents’ Day Candidate Forum, “Take America Back,” Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., Sulphur Springs.
The Presidents’ Day Forum will begin at 6 p.m. and is expected to continue until about 9 p.m. The serving line will open at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $15, but there’s limited seating available so those planning to attend are encouraged to them through Eventbrite as soon as possible to secure a seat.
The guest speaker will be Tom Basile, host of America Right Now ad Wake Up America Weekend. Among the candidates slated to speak at Monday night’s forum are by office they are seeking:
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 Judge
- Clint Morgan
Railroad Commissioner
- Dawayne Tipton
Commissioner of General Land Office
- Ben Armenta
- Jon Spiers
Texas House of Representatives, District 2
- Bryan Slaton
- Clyde Bostick
US Congressional House, District 4
- Pat Fallon
- John Harper
- Dan Thomas
Texas Attorney General
- Eva Guzman
- Louie Gohmert
- George P. Bush
A live auction will be held with at least 6 big ticket items to be sold, including a wooden rocking horse; an antique quilt; a 2-hour helicopter hog hunt; a 2-person night thermal hunt; a 2-man guided duck hunt; and a guided sand bass or crappie fishing trip. Payment for auction items may be cash, personal check or credit card.
SKYWARN: Free Virtual Severe Weather Training Offered Tonight For Hopkins, Rockwall Counties
In readiness for the 2022 season, the National Weather Service will be conducting a free, virtual severe weather training class for Hopkins County from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2022.
Officially called the SKYWARN Storm Spotter Class, the program will be held in partnership with Sulphur Springs Police Department. The Hopkins County severe weather program is one of several training sessions the Fort Worth National Weather Service Office will conduct between January and March 2022. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth provides forecasts, warnings, and weather services for 46 counties in North and Central Texas.
Tonight’s free virtual class is targeted toward people in Hopkins and Rockwall Counties, but anyone with an interest in severe weather, established storm spotters, and/or anyone who wants to learn more about the severe weather threats in North and Central Texas and how to be prepared.
This class is part of a regional severe weather preparedness campaign. To register for this annual online class or to view the full schedule of classes offered across the region will be conducted visit https://www.weather.gov/fwd/skywarnmap.
The Feb. 17, 2022 program will feature an in-depth review and study of the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms, as well as thunderstorm characteristics and features associated with severe and non-severe storms. Additionally, the program highlights severe weather safety, and to report severe weather information to the National Weather Service Fort Worth Office and local public safety officials.
“By participating in this training session, you will gain a better understanding of Texas’ severe weather season,” says Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the NWS Fort Worth Office. “Waiting until storms are on your doorstep is not the time to start thinking about severe weather preparedness. We hope you attend these free classes to learn more about the severe storms that impact the region every year.”
For more information on severe weather, visit https://weather.gov/fortworth, the NWS Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NWSDallasFortWorth, or on Twitter at @NWSFortWorth.
2 Days Left To File Candidacy For Municipal, School and Hospital District May 7 Elections
So Far No Candidates Are Challenged In May 7 Sulphur Springs and Yantis ISD Board, Sulphur Springs City Council Elections
With only 2 days left to file, and so far only as many candidates are reported to have filed so far as places on May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees, Yantis ISD Board of Trustees, Sulphur Springs City Council and Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Elections. The filing deadline is the close of business on Feb. 18 for these elections.
If the elections continue to have no contested races, then the officials on each should be able to cancel the elections, which would be a financial savings for each taxing entity.
Candidate filing for two seats on the May 7 Cumby City Council ballot, however, is ongoing. Applications for this election will continue to be accepted for a little over two weeks after filing in the other elections closes because it is a Special Election.
Hospital District Board
Candidate filing for two seats on the May 7 hospital district board ballot at the HCHD Headquarters/EMS Station at 1321 North Davis Street in Sulphur Springs through Friday. Currently, serving in those seats are Kerry Law and Joe Bob Burgin.
In order to be eligible to serve on the HCHD Board of Directors, the candidate must live within Hopkins County Hospital District, be a registered voter, and be able to pass a background check with no felony convictions.
Yantis ISD
Both incumbents have now filed candidacy, seeking reelection to another full term on Yantis ISD Board of Trustees. April Johnson filed earlier in the filing period and Jeff Quinn was reported Tuesday to have filed candidacy as well in the May 7 Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Election.
Incumbent April Johnson, currently serves as president of the school board. She was first elected to the school board in May 2017, then again in May 2019.
Jeff Quinn has served from May 2015 to May 2018. After 1 year off the board, he returned to the school board in May 2019 and is finishing out the term.
Both seats on YISD school board are for a full three-year term; trustees are elected at large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes in the election will be elected to the board – if an election is required. If the election draws only as many or fewer candidates as seats on the baord, the board can cancel the election.
Candidates may file applications with Kristi Beech in the YISD Administration Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday- Friday through Feb. 18, 2022.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD called for two elections on May 7, the regular election for three full-term at-large spots on the school board and a special bond election.
All three incumbents — Craig Roberts, Leesa Toliver, John Prickette — filed candidate applications when filing opened in January seeking reelection to their seats on Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees. The incumbents had drawn no challengers for the three at-large full-term seats on the school board.
Craig Roberts was elected to the board in 2019, and selected by the board members in 2020 to serve as vice president. Roberts is a regional chairman of Guaranty Bank & Trust in Sulphur Springs.
Leesa Toliver Leesa Toliver has served on the school board since 2013. She previously served as Secretary, Vice President, and President and is a TASB Master Trustee. She is a retired SSISD administrator. She currently actively volunteers in the community.
John Prickette was appointed to the school board in 2012 to carry out the unexpired term of resigned board member, Foy Williams, and has continued to be reelected to the board since 2013. He previously served as vice president and president of the school board. Prickette is vice president of sales and marketing for Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs.
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. Thursday, Feb. 17, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday Feb. 18, 2022, in SSISD Tax Office, located inside SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
SSISD also on Monday called for a Feb. 14, called for a bond election. Voters will be asked to consider approving a $93 million bond to be applied toward district facilities needs identified by a long range facilities planning committee. The election will be held May 7, 2022, in conjunction with the election of three trustees to SSISD board, if one is necessary. The $93 million bond would increase the school district ad valorem tax rate by about 10-cents. Residents who have homestead or other exemptions will still receive those according to the current tax regulations, even if the bond passes.
Sulphur Springs City Council
Incumbent Gary Spraggins was the only candidate reported to have filed for Place 5 and Tommy Harrison the only candidate so far for Place 4 on Sulphur Springs City Council.
Spraggins, a salesman, was elected on Nov. 3, 2020 election to Place 5 seat for one year. Then, in 2021, he was elected to the final year of the unexpired term for Place 5. He is now seeking re-election to a full term on the council.
Harrison, a retired Department of Defense Army civilian, filed candidacy on Feb. 8 for Place 4 on the council. Harrison has been serving on the Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission.
Freddie Taylor currently serves in Place 4 on the City Council, a position he has held for more than 5 terms. He has not filed candidacy for reelection.
Candidate filing for both three-year term seats on the May 7 City Council Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 North Davis St.
Cumby City Council
The City of Cumby also is accepting applications for Alderman Place 1 and Alderman Place 2 on the City Council on the May 7 Special Election ballot. As of the last report earlier this week, Cumby Interim City Secretary Betty Jo Hardman reported the city had received no completed applications for candidacy to fill the vacancies and complete the two-year terms ending in November 2022.
Filing remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through March 7, 2022, at Cumby Municipal Building (City Hall), 100 East Main St., in Cumby. Alderman Place 1 was most currently held by Sheryl Lackey, who served as mayor pro tem as well. Amber Hardy Roberson formerly served as Place 2 Alderman.
Canning Foods Safely At Home
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Vegetable gardening is just around the corner. Many people have a green thumb, which means a bumper crop of produce! Canning foods at home can be a fun way to preserve an abundant harvest from your garden. However, if done incorrectly, home-canned foods can cause serious, even fatal, foodborne illness. Make sure the foods you preserve at home are safe for you and your family by following these recommendations:
- Start with a clean preparation area and the freshest foods possible. Check for nicks and cracks on jars. Make sure your equipment is clean and in good working order.
- Always use a pressure canner when canning low-acid foods. This includes most vegetables (except many tomato products), seafood, poultry, and meat.
- If using a pressure canner with a dial gauge, have it tested. In fact, check to make sure that gaskets (if present) are in good shape and that vents, safety valves, and edges of the lid are clean.
- Always use tested recipes that have up-do-date researched processing (canning) times. Sources of tested recipes include the National Center for Home Food Preservation, and companies that produce home canning supplies.
- Do not alter ingredients in tested recipes. Changing the ingredients in a tested recipe can make that recipe unsafe for home food preservation.
- When filling jars, always use the correct headspace. Having too little or too much headspace can affect how the lid seals and the quality of the final product.
- After jars have been processed, check the lids within 12 to 24 hours to make sure they are sealed. Food from jars that did not seal should be refrigerated and eaten in a coupe of days. You may also reprocess it within 24 hours.
- Label lids with name of the food and date the food was canned.
- Store canned foods in a dark, cool, and dry place. If the food is stored in a humid place, the moisture can cause the lids to rust, leading to spoilage. Periodically check the jars for signs of spoilage.
- For best quality, use home-canned foods within one year.
For more information, So Easy to Preserve from the University of Georgia Extension is a great resource for canning tips and recipes: http://www.uga.edu/setp/ . As mentioned earlier, the National Center for Home Food Preservation is an excellent resource for all things concerning home canning. http://www.ugs.edu/nchfp/ Our office (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Hopkins County) has numerous publications on canning fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, salsas, tomatoes, and tomato products. We can prepare a packet of food preservations materials and recipes for you. Drop by our office at 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs, and we’ll be glad to assist you!
Closing Thought
I’ve learned that we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
– Andy Rooney
Contact Extension Agent Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension by mail at P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200-B West Houston St. in Sulphur Springs; by phone at 903-885-3443; or email at [email protected].
Hopkins County Seeking Funding For 2 Ventilation Fans For Fire Department
Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week gave the go-ahead to the fire marshal to apply for funding for two ventilation fans for the county fire department, renaming of a SH 11 west spur and taking it on a county road, accepted fire protection agreements from volunteer fire departments submitting them by the Feb. 3 deadline, and consolidated voting centers for May elections.
Voting Center Consolidation
Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith asked the Commissioners Court to consider approving consolidation of voting centers for the May 7. This would simply cut in half the number of voting centers available for Hopkins County residents to cast ballots at on Election Day.
The election is a special election counties would not ordinarily have. (Typically, only schools and municipalities hold elections in May). Texas Governor called the special election for voters to consider two propositions which, if approved, would change the state constitution, Smith explained to the court. All of the necessary steps were not reached in time for the November 2021 Election, so the special election was called.
Hopkins County will also be contracting with the City of Cumby, Winnsboro ISD, Yantis ISD and Sulphur Springs ISD, entities scheduled to hold elections in May as well. Overall, there will be 6 instead of 12 voting centers for the May 7, 2022, Election.
The four members of the Commissioners Court present during the regular Feb. 14, 2022 meeting unanimously approved, on a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, the request to consolidate to six voting centers in Hopkins County on May 7. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker was unable to attend the meeting.
SH 11 Spur
Price noted that when state contractors built a bypass around the old S-curve on State Highway 11 west, straightening out the highway where numerous auto crashes have occurred in past years. The county was asked to take over the old part of SH 11 west, which is about 0.7 of a mile and has become a spur since the highway was moved to improve visibility and safety on that section of road west of Sulphur Springs.
The Precinct 4 Commissioner asked that the Commissioners Court agree to take on that spur, which would become County Road 4824. Bartley seconded the motion for that section of road, which Price estimates due to its construction should last longer than most county roads, to taken over by the county. The four member-court gave unanimous approval to the request.
Ventilation Fan Program
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley asked the Commissioners Court to allow the fire department to take advantage of the annual Homeland Security grant funding period to apply for assistance in attaining two 20-inch positive and negative ventilation fans that are battery operated so no additional carbon monoxide will be introduced into burned or burning buildings by Hopkins County Fire Department. The fans could also be used by the combined city-county Special Response Team (known as SWAT) if agents are introduced into a structure, to clear the building so law enforcement officers can enter. The fans could be potentially place in explosive environments and used without igniting.
The grant would be a for $13,250, and would pay 100 percent of the cost for the two ventilation fans, with no matching funds or in-kind match required by the county. They are much more powerful that a standard 20-inch box fan; the batteries alone for the ventilation fans cost approximately $1,000 per fan.
Typically, the grant process takes about 1 year. For instance, last year, the county submitted application for thermal imaging cameras. The month after the devices were purchased by the county, the funding was reimbursed.
Endsley noted that while the grant selection process takes about a year, getting the fans if approved shouldn’t take long. They are currently in stock.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom expressed appreciation to both Endsley and County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook, who worked together on the grant application to ensure the application was completed if approved so that it could be submitted by the deadline.
Ark-Tex Council of Governments also assisted with grant preparation, Endsley noted, so other than staff labor involved in reading the required documents, there will be no cost to the county for fans, the fire marshal added.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin made a motion, which Price seconded, to approve the resolution for the Hopkins County Ventilation Fan Project. The request received unanimous approval of the court.
Fire Protection Agreements
Endsley reported fire protection agreements had been distributed to all of the volunteer fire departments in Hopkins County. The deadline for VFD officers to sign and return them was set for Feb. 5. These agreement stipulate what the VFDs agree to in exchange for certain funding and other benefits provided by the county. For instance, the court reimburses insurance costs, fuel costs, and provides a stipend to each VFD as agreed upon in the agreement to assist with operating expenses.
Over the last 2 years, the departments have each received air cylinders and last year also was afforded assistance of up to a certain amount of funding to be used to obtain tires for VFD trucks from vendor at a discounted rate.
The Commissioners Court had received only five returned fire protection agreements, one each from Arbala, Brinker, Dike, Pickton-Pine Forest and Saltillo VFDs. That means only half of the VFDs had returned a fire protection agreement by the deadline. Endsley said the deadline slipped up on him. County officials will be contacting the six other departments to try to get all agreements signed and returned by the next Commissioners Court meeting at hte end of the month.
All agreements submitted were accepted by the court during the regular Feb. 14, 2022 meeting.
Citizens Comments
During the citizens comments portion of the Valentine’s Day court session, Frank Brown addressed Bartley regarding the continued disrepair of the road leading to his residence. He reminded the Precinct 3 Commissioner of his visit to the court of Dec. 27 to express a need for rock on 1.7 miles of road. He noted Bartley’s road crew bladed the dirt on both sides of the road into the road but put no rock on the road. He said the winter storm made the road pure mud. He offered photos taken documenting the road conditions through the first of February. Approximatley 4-5 inches of oil dirt was spread on a road in the area, but not evenly, making it very difficult for him and other residents to drive the road to even go to the Post Office to get their mail regularly.
“You think I’m the only one complaining about you, but you forgot about that petition that I give you that has everybody’s signature on it from one end of 900 clear to 69. They can’t make it here like I can. I’m retired,” Brown told Bartley.
Bartley said he had anticipated returning to put rock on that road, but the weather prevented that occurring as soon as planed. As soon as conditions allow, the plan is to return on finish the work
Brown noted he has road equipment he could provide to perform the needed work, during the next dry stretch, if the county officials will produce and spread the rock. Oil dirt needs to be spread evenly over hte road.
“I figured, Wade needed all the help he can get. So, that’s my opinion. I’m not against you. I just don’t appreciate the work being done not proper. That’s all there is to it,” Brown said.
Bartley acknowledged that the Precinct 3 crew is under his supervision, and he is responsible for what they do. He too said if Brown has the equipment the assistance would be welcome. A dry stretch of day sis needed before the project can commence.
Executive, Work Sessions
Newsom at the conclusion of all other business during the court session, planned to enter into an executive session to discuss sensitive matters as allowed in 4-5 sections of Texas Government Code. He did not anticipate any decision anything from the closed session resulting in a vote. He said he would provide times for hte executive session to the County Clerk so they could be entered into the meeting minutes.
Newsom asked the sheriff, chief deputy, auditor and fire marshal to stay close while the closed session was held in the third floor meeting room. A work session was scheduled immediately following the executive session to discuss sheriff’s office and fire department operations, discuss building maintenance with Tom Glosup and conduct a budget work session.
