SSHS Literary Criticism Team Wins Regional Championship, 5 Wildcat Academic UIL Competitors Advance To State
6 Students Selected As Finalists In Barbara Jordan, Latino History Essay Contests
A dozen members of the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat UIL Team placed at the regional competition over the weekend, including five students who scored high enough to advance them to the state UIL contest. Five SSHS writers were among the 12 finalists announced in the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay competition and Latino History Essay Competition, according to Gerald Grafton, SSHS UIL coordinator.
Essay Contests
UIL Academics sponsors two essay competitions, the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition and the Latino History Essay Competition, which provide opportunities for students to explore the contributions of historically underrepresented groups to the history and culture of Texas. With a focus on original research and the use of primary sources, students are encouraged to look to their own communities for topics for their essays. After hundreds of essays were read and scored, UIL released the names of 12 finalists in each event for the 2020-2201 school year this past week.
This year, six essays from SSHS were honored. One student placed in both contests. In the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, Harley Archer, Paige Daniel and Emily Dick were named as finalists. In the Latino History Essay Competition, Archer, Padraig Flanary, and Alexis Villarino were named as finalists.
“Congratulations to each of our finalists,” Grafton said.
UIL Academics Regional Competition
The SSHS UIL Academic Team finishing 4th place overall at the Regional UIL Competition held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17. The SSHS team earned a total of 117 points. The Highland Park team finished first overall at the regional contest, amassing 229 points, Lovejoy finished second with141 points, and Hallsville third with 131 points.
In all, 5 students are advancing to state in 4 events and two students are alternates. Matthew Harper had a big weekend, qualifying for state in three events.
“Congratulations to all the students who qualified and competed at the regional competition and good luck to those advancing to state,” Grafton said.
The SSHS Literary Criticism Team consisting of Matthew Harper, Shelby Ray, Kendall Little and Dawson Carpenter were regional champions and will advance to the State Academic UIL Competition on May 1. The Literary Criticism team is coached by Gail Herman. Matthew Harper won first place honors, Shelby Ray second and Kendall Little third in literary criticism; Dawson Carpenter also competed and contributed to the team and school’s overall points.
The SSHS Journalism Team, coached by Gail Herman and Madison Millsap, finished second to Joshua High School by only 1 point. Harper won first place honors in headline writing and second place honors in copy editing, qualifying him for state in both of those events as well. Carpenter placed fifth in editorial writing and his fourth place finish in the spelling and vocabulary contest make him an alternate for state in that event. Rounding out the journalism teach is Lexi McCoy, whose fourth place finish in the new writing also make the student a state alternate.
Alfredo Renteria’s third place win in social studies advances him to state as well. Zoe Westlund also was recognized for placing fifth at region in ready writing.
Wildcats Tennis Team Gets Consolation Wins at District Tennis Tourney as Future Looks Bright
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez says he was pleased with some of what he saw from his team at the District Tennis Tournament held at Texas High in Texarkana last week (April 12-13).
After some issues with seeding involving girls’ singles, Coach Martinez says names ended up being drawn out of a hat.
The draw left Wildcats #1 girls’ singles player Jeauxleigh Cantu facing the #2 player at powerhouse Texas High. Still Cantu battled winning a first set before the Texas High player won the second and the decisive third set, 6-3.
Coach Martinez says the first round match felt more like a semifinal contest. Coach Martinez says Cantu bounced back from the loss and ended up winning the consolation final. He says the girls’ doubles team of Ella Ray and Harleigh Stegient lost a tough match to a strong Longview team in a match that also went three sets. Ray and Stegient also went on the capture the consolation bracket final match against a Hallsville team.
Stegient is the Wildcats’ only senior and she played last week with a hard case on a wrist that she broke in a fall during a tournament a couple of weeks ago. Coach Martinez says a mixed doubles’ team of Tate Smith and Paige Miesse won their first round match before losing to a Texas High team that ended up winning the district championship. He says Mykylie Meador also did well. After playing doubles all season, she ended up in singles during the district tournament.
Meador advanced into the second round before losing. Coach Martinez notes that his team will return intact next school year except for senior Stegient, whose grit and determination will be missed. Coach Martinez says after a couple of weeks, tennis players will reconvene in early May with lots of matches on the schedule in weeks and months ahead.
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.
Early Voting Begins Today In Yantis, Como-Pickton Trustees Elections
$7.34M-7.941M In Bond Proposals On May 1 Cumby ISD Election Ballot
Early voting begins today, April 19, 2021, in three local school elections. Cumby ISD voters will consider whether or not the district will fund $7.34 million to $7.941 million in bond proposals on the May 1 ballot, while Como-Pickton CISD and Yantis ISD voters will decide which candidates will serve next on each school board.
Cumby ISD
Early voting in Cumby ISD bond election begins today, April 19, and will continue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, through April 23 and April 26-27, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433.
Applications for ballots by mail for the May 1 Cumby ISD bond election via post or electronic submission must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 20, 2021, mail to: Cindy Mannon, Early Voting Clerk at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433; or emailed to [email protected].
Voters will cast ballots either for or against two different propositions. Proposition A would fund $7.34 million in bonds for facilities improvements at the elementary including a cafeteria expansion and address drainage issues, construction of a new high school, convert the current junior high/high school into an intermediate school, a new metal agriculture shop. This would increase the tax rate from $1.14 to $1.45 per $100 property valuation. Proposition B is contingent on Proposition A passing. If both pass, Proposition B would allow the district to use $600,000 in bonds for a new track. This would increase the tax rate from $1.14 to $1.47 per $100 property valuation.
Visit the Cumby ISD website (cumbyisd.net), or call the Administration Office at (903) 994-4800, for specific voting information and additional details.
Como-Pickton CISD
Ballots in the Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees Election may be cast early in person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19-27 and Como-Pickton Administration Office. Voting hours will be extended to 8 p.m. April 19 and April 26. Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at CPCISD, in Room 114 in front of the building, 13017 State Highway 11 east in Como.
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, by the Early Voting Clerk, Danetta Carpenter, PO Box 18, Como, TX 75431.
Voters are asked to vote for up to three of the five candidates vying for a full term seat on the school board; seats are at large, so they will go to the three candidates receiving the most votes in this election. Candidates for a full four-year term on the board include Cole Boseman, incumbent Jessica Pegues, Clif Carpenter, incumbent Shiloh Childress and Stephanie Cotton. Also on the May 1 CPCSISD trustees ballot is one unopposed candidate, incumbent D.J. Carr, for a two-year unexpired term on the school board.
Click here to view candidate profiles for all 6 CPCISD trustee candidates
Yantis ISD
Early voting by personal appearance in the May 1, 2021, Yantis Independent School District school board election began today (Monday, April 19). Early voting will continue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 19-20, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-27, at Wood County Annex, 200 West Bermuda St. in Quitman. Voting in the Yantis ISD school board election on Election Day, May 1, will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the front lobby of Imogene Glenn Elementary, 105 West Oak in Yantis.
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on Tuesday April 20, 2021, by Wood County Elections Administrator Laura Wise; mail ballot requests to Wise at PO Box 970, Quitman, Texas 75783.
Voters will be asked to choose up to three of the four candidates for full-term seats on Yantis ISD Board of Trustees. The seats are at large and will go to the three candidates receiving the most votes. The candidates include Carrie Hurley, Ashly Vivion, Stacey Batchelor and incumbent Tyra Gilbreath Kenemore.
Click here to read candidate profiles for all four candidates in the Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Election.
Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaways Start Next Week
KSST has tickets available for the April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd games. We will be giving them away starting next week.
Changes to the Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaways on KSST and KRVA for the 2021 Season.
Once again, KSST and KRVA will be giving away Texas Ranger Tickets. This season’s tickets will be offered in a digital format. To be a winner, you will need to download and install the Offical MLB Ball Park App for your smart device. Think of the app as a digital wallet for your tickets.
The Process
Once you win, KSST will forward the digital ticket information to your email. Your MLB Ballpark app will accept the ticket information and store them until you need them. You will need to take your device to the ballpark to display the QR code at the gate. Get all the details at MLB.COM
How to Win
We will be giving away tickets on Facebook like we have in years past. But we might try a new giveaway method just to mix things up. No matter how you win, you will need to provide a valid email address, and that email must be linked to you MLB Ballpark app.
Just to be clear, KSST and KRVA did not receive paper tickets, so we can not furnish paper tickets to our winners.
What’s all the Buzz? by Hopkins County Master Gardener Phyllis Kitten
By Phyllis Kitten, Hopkins County Master Gardener
Mason bees, Osmia spp., are a group of native bees that are excellent pollinators. They are called Mason bees because they use clay/mud to make partitions and seal the entrance to their nest. Within the insect world, bees are some of the greatest pollinators.
One quarter of the food we eat is pollinated by the honeybee species, but there are approximately 4,000 bee species in North America. Four thousand species! The Mason bee is a solitary bee.
What is a solitary bee? Just 10% of all bee species are considered “social” bees. They form hives – with a queen, drones, workers, etc. – and include honeybee and bumblebee species. The remaining 90% of bee species – the solitary bee – nests and works alone. Every Mason bee female is a queen. Her daily life is spent seeking pollen and caring for the eggs which will emerge to become the next generation. Mason bees are a bit smaller than honey bees and are usually black with a metallic colored (blue, green, etc.) abdomen.
Mason bees “nest” in holes, but “nest” is a misnomer as nursery is a more suitable term. Mason bees collect pollen and nectar and mix it to form bee bread. Bee bread is placed into a suitable hole, an egg is laid on it, then the section is sealed off with clay/mud. The Mason bee continues the process until the hole/tube is filled with egg chambers and the tube is sealed off with more clay/mud. Eggs within nursery tubes hatch within a week and emerged-larvae eat the pollen/nectar mixture (bee bread) for 4-6 weeks as they continue to grow and molt into the next instar.
After the larval stage, they molt into pupae and remain in that stage for another 4-6 weeks. Female eggs are laid further in the tube structure while males are in the outer sections of the tubes. Mason bees only live 6-8 weeks in the spring, females can fill up 4-6 tubes and lay up to 36 eggs. Solitary bees are less aggressive than social bees.
When you consider that the primary job of many social bees is to protect the hive – the honey, the queen, and the eggs within – it’s easy to understand why they might get feisty when you get too close.
Solitary bees, on the other hand, are too busy doing all their own work to be aggressive guardians of their nests. They rarely sting, and their sting feels much more like a mosquito bite than the searing pain of a social bee sting. Those different species of bees pollinate differently too. Honeybee and bumblebee species are considered pollen gatherers. You’ve probably seen bright yellow pollen stuck to the hind legs of these bees.
Well, that’s sort of the problem. The pollen sticks to them. Some of that pollen does occasionally remain on a flower they visit, but more often than not, the pollen sticks on the bee and is taken back to the hive.
Solitary bee species, on the other hand, are considered pollen spreaders. Since they don’t live in social hives, they require less pollen as a food source. Their bodies aren’t designed to hold pollen like the bodies of social bees. Most of the pollen gathered on the body of the solitary bee quickly falls off – and on to each of the subsequent flowers that bee visits.
In other words, solitary bees are doing much more of the pollination work than the beloved honeybees – 30 to 60 percent more, actually. You might say they are the unsung heroes in the garden. The honeybee may get all the limelight, but the solitary bee is the one to really get the job done. To learn more about the Mason bee and other solitary bee species, as well as how to make your own Mason bee nursery, go online to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
Man Arrested Twice In One Weekend For Possession of THC Oil
A 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested twice in one weekend for possession of THC oil, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro stopping Jamar Matthew Gooden at 10 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2021, on Freeman Street at Como Street for committing a traffic violation in a Dodge Journey, the same vehicle he was driving when a deputy stopped him on Jefferson Street at Morris Drive just after 1 a.m. Friday for a defective license plate light.
Castro, in arrest reports, indicated he recognized the driver as a man who’d recently been arrested for a controlled substance offense. The police officer obtained permission to search the vehicle. Castro reported finding miscellaneous drug paraphernalia on Gooden when he patted the 21-year-old down. Officers also alleged finding a cartridge containing a light brown wax the officer suspected and Gooden confirmed to be THC oil – the same type of contraband a deputy alleged finding in the SUV Friday morning.
Consequently, Gooden was 10:30 p.m. Sunday, marking twice in one weekend, and booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:45 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. A drug-free zone enhancement was added to the charge, making it a second-degree felony, because the location of the traffic stop was within 1,000 feet of a school. He remained in Hopkins County jail late Monday morning, April 19, 2021; his bond was set at $10,000 on the controlled substance charge.
Gooden was jailed Friday morning and released later Friday from the county jail on a $5,000 bond on the possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge as well as a $10,000 bond on the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge for the firearm found in the floorboard of the Dodge Journey next to the alleged THC oil cartridge Friday morning and a records check showed two prior felony convictions in Arizona on Gooden’s criminal history.
Securities Commissioner Issues Order Stopping Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Trading Program
Austin, Texas – April 19, 2021 – Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles entered an emergency cease and desist order to stop offers of a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading program in Texas. The action names Bitles Limited and Janis Lacis, its principal, and C3 Data Services and Edward Carter, its principal. Bitles and Lacis are allegedly in London while C3 Data Services and Carter are allegedly in Princeton, Texas.
According to the order, Bitles and Lacis are directing potential investors to deposit principal in one of eight different “savings plans.” They claim proprietary algorithmic trading software referred to as the Cryp-Spider AI Algo-Trading System that trades the principal across different cryptocurrency exchanges. The artificial intelligence’s cryptocurrency trading purportedly generates daily returns between 0.3% and 6.0% of principal, and Bitles and Lacis are promising to pay other profits derived from speculation on the relative value of cryptocurrencies and the US Dollar.
In addition, Bitles and Lacis are issuing and promoting the sale of BTL Tokens. According to the order, they have been referring to BTL Tokens as “internal tokens” and describe BTL Tokens as utility coins – a term that typically refers to tokens used to purchase goods or services from an issuer. In this case, however, the order accuses Bitles and Lacis of claiming the BTL Tokens will appreciate in value – as much as 10 to 60% per month – and that holders of the BTL Tokens will realize profits of at least 30% per month.
“The price and market capitalization of cryptocurrencies has sharply increased over the previous year,” said Joe Rotunda, TSSB Enforcement Director. “Unfortunately, promoters of illegal crypto-get-rich-quick schemes are taking advantage of these changes to the market – leveraging widespread interest to peddle fraudulent products. Texans interested in purchasing securities tied to cryptocurrencies should be aware of considerable risks and deal only with issuers lawfully operating in Texas.”
The order also alleges Bitles and Lacis are recruiting sales agents to recruit Texas investors. Their recruitment allegedly requires attendance of a seven-day training program – and after the conclusion of this program, sales agents purportedly expect to receive at least $10,000 per month through commissions, bonuses, awards and prizes including a Rolex Watch, luxury yacht and a villa in Dubai.
According to the order, however, the parties are not registered to offer securities in Texas and they are recruiting sales agents who are not registered to offer securities in Texas. Likewise, the investments in the cryptocurrency trading program are not registered or permitted for sale in Texas.
The order also alleges the offering is a fraud. The parties are accused of concealing critical information, such as the identity and qualifications of traders and key personnel, information relating to the Cryp-Spider AI and financial information relating to business operations.
“Many legitimate high-tech businesses are embracing digital assets and blockchain technology. The excitement surrounding these assets and technologies has also stoked bad actors seeking to prey upon unsuspecting investors” said Commissioner Iles. “Our goal is to promote legitimate capital formation and innovation by protecting the public from fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Today’s order stops such a fraudulent offering and protects Texas investors from financial harm.”
Graduating High School Seniors Offered PJC Summer Class Scholarship
A scholarship covering tuition to one Summer I or Summer II class for graduating high school students in the Paris Junior College service area. That includes Delta, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, and Red River counties.
“To take advantage of the scholarship, all a student need do is fill out the online application and enter ‘summer scholarship’ unless they plan to continue at PJC in the fall semester,” said Sheila Reece, Vice President for Student Access and Success, “If they plan to continue, they should enter ‘summer and fall scholarship’ and we will use the same application for the free summer class and the fall semester.
The Vice President for Student Access and Success said “It only takes ten minutes and is well worth the time.”
Once students are registered, more financial aid may be available for emergency aid grants. Students may also be able to check out laptops to assist with online classes. Those planning to attend another school in the fall may still take advantage of the summer class. Find more information and the online scholarship application at www.parisjc.edu/scholarships.
“This is a free class that can be taken care of this summer and transferred to university,” said Reece. For more questions about the free tuition for a Summer I or II class, contact Reece at [email protected] or Registrar Amie Cato at [email protected].
For information about enrollment and scholarship opportunities at the PJC Center, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Voters To Consider 2 Propositions On May 1 Cumby ISD Bond Election Ballot
Early voting begins this week in the Cumby ISD bond election. Voters are asked to consider two bond propositions, one for facilities improvements and construction of a new high school, and a second, contingent on the first, for athletic facilities.
Voters within Cumby ISD may cast their choice either for or against both Proposition A and Proposition B from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, April 19-23 and April 26-27, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433.
Applications for ballots by mail for the May 1 Cumby ISD bond election via post or electronic submission must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 20, 2021, mail to: Cindy Mannon, Early Voting Clerk at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433; or emailed to [email protected].
Proposition A
Proposition A asks voters to consider approving:
“THE ISSUANCE OF $7,340,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, RENOVATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, NEW CLASSROOMS AND LAB FACILITIES, RENOVATIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES, AND SECURITY UPGRADES; AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX SUFFICIENT, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND TO PAY THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED OR AUTHORIZED IN ANTICIPATION OF, IN RELATION TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS; THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
| Principal amount of bonds to be authorized | Estimated interest for bonds to be authorized | Estimated combined principal and interest required to pay on time and in full the bonds to be authorized | Principal of District’s existing outstanding debt | Remaining interest on District’s existing outstanding debt | Combined principal and interest to timely pay District’s outstanding debt |
| $7,340,000 | $3,426,886.67 | $10,766,886.67 | $1,323,000 | $282,163 | $1,605,163 |
The $7,341,000 bond proposed in Proposition A would include $660,800 in improvements at the Elementary School, including the addition of a secure entry, a new secure playground, address concerns with drainage, add sidewalks and canopies, enlarge and renovate the cafeteria. Another $224,000 is designated to convert the current junior high/high school facility into an intermediate campus, including interior renovations and eating space. Most of the bond funding would go toward construction of a new high school building. The $5,280,800 in addition to classrooms would also include labs and career and technical education (CTE) facilities, driveways and parking. A new metal ag shop to better meet the growing needs of students would also be constructed at a budgeted cost of $1,097,600. Another $78,400 would go toward additional renovations.
Proposition B
Proposition B, which is contingent on Proposition A passing, and asks voters to consider approving an additional $600,000 in bond funding, to construct a track
Proposition B reads as follows:
“THE ISSUANCE OF $600,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND IMPROVEMENT OF ATHLETIC FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TRACK; AND THE LEVYING
OF A TAX SUFFICIENT, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND TO PAY THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED OR AUTHORIZED IN ANTICIPATION OF, IN RELATION TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS; THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS UNDER THIS PROPOSITION “B” SHALL BE CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL AND PASSING OF PROPOSITION “A”; THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
| Principal amount of bonds to be authorized | Estimated interest for bonds to be authorized | Estimated combined principal and interest required to pay on time and in full the bonds to be authorized | Principal of District’s existing outstanding debt | Remaining interest on District’s existing outstanding debt | Combined principal and interest to timely pay District’s outstanding debt |
| $600,000 | $270,010 | $870,010 | $1,323,000 | $282,163 | $1,605,163 |
How This Will Impact Taxes
If passed, the bond proposals will raise taxes to either $1.45 if only Proposition A is approved by voters or $1.47, if both proposals are approved.
In other words, a that costs $100,000, would increase the CISD tax to $19.38 monthly or $232.50 annually with the $1.45 tax rate; or $20.63 monthly or $247.50 annually with the $1.47. Cumby ISD’s current tax rate is $1.14. Therefore, taxes would increase either 31 cents or 33 cents depending on the projects chosen. The amount of the proposed bond program will be between $7,341,000 and $7,941,000.
Cumby ISD property taxes for citizens age 65 or older will not be affected by the bond election as long as a homestead and over 65 exemption application have been filed with the local appraisal district.
According to State law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 – regardless of changes in tax rate or property value – unless significant improvements are made to the home.
What Happens If The Bonds Do Not Pass?
Cumby ISD will continue to take care of student and program needs with the current facilities. Preventative maintenance plans are in place to help extend the life of Cumby ISD buildings and facilities. The district will also continue efforts to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff. Projects will be prioritized for these things and completed when possible based on funds. As the district grows, if no classrooms are available, more portables will be considered. Currently, the Elementary is over capacity, with students in portables, and High School enrollment is increasing annually, but does have room left for some growth. As student enrollment continues to increase by 25 students this year and 7-11 students each year over the past two years, Cumby ISD will begin the process of purchasing and replacing some portable buildings if the bond proposal does not pass. Also, some classes will have an increase in student to teacher ratio, and could go from 18:1 to 24 or more:1.
For More Information
Visit the Cumby ISD website (cumbyisd.net), or call the Administration Office at (903) 994-4800, for specific voting information and details.
Stay turned to KSST Radio 1230 AM and KRVA 107.1 FM radio, which can be heard on air, streamed on KSSTRadio.com or the Simply Sulphur Springs app; and posted to the KSST Youtube channel this week. Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter and School Board Vice President Marsha Krotky are scheduled to talk with KSST about the Cumby ISD bond election and projects it would fund.
Candidate Profiles: Yantis ISD Board Of Trustees
Early voting by personal appearance in the May 1, 2021, Yantis Independent School District school board election will begin Monday, April 19. Voters will be asked to choose up to three of the four candidates for full-term seats on Yantis ISD Board of Trustees
Early voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 19-20, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-27, at Wood County Annex, 200 West Bermuda St. in Quitman. Voting in the Yantis ISD school board election on Election Day, May 1, will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the front lobby of Imogene Glenn Elementary, 105 West Oak in Yantis.
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on Tuesday April 20, 2021, by Wood County Elections Administrator Laura Wise; mail ballot requests to Wise at PO Box 970, Quitman, Texas 75783.
To help voters learn a little more about the people seeking office, each school board candidate was asked to provide information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking a seat on the school board. Those responses are shared in ballot order below:
Trustee Candidates
- Name and office sought: Carrie Hurley, Trustee on Y.I.S.D school board
- Family information: 3 daughters; Kinley Hurley a junior at Y.I.S.D, Presley Hurley 8th grader at Y.I.S.D, Claudia Hurley 3 ½ attends Lake Fork Wee School
- Occupation, brief job description: Owner of Thee Treehouse of Yantis, Works at Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort, and Full time student at PJC Radiology Technologist program
- Education, training, special skills, experience: Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Sciences, Public Educator for 4 years, 2003 Teacher of the Year at A.E. Butler, Owner/Teacher at Thee Treehouse private tutoring in Yantis for the past 9 years.
- Why are you seeking this office? I would love the opportunity to work with our community and Y.I.S.D. as we look to provide programs that can benefit our students in finding their talents and gaining the skills and confidence necessary for a positive and productive career path.
- What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them? I believe there are many benefits of vocational education in high school. I would like to see our students offered more Vocational training programs ranging anywhere from Healthcare and Electronics Technology to Carpentry and Plumbing. Incorporating more of these programs will ensure all types of intelligences are equally valued at our campus. I am sure funding for these programs would be one of our largest challenges. I believe by working with local businesses in seeking out scholarships as well as applying for federal and state funding to aid in the implementation of these programs will be a big first step in a positive direction of accomplishing this task.
- What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am deeply invested, as 2 of my daughters are already students at Yantis I.S.D. I believe Y.I.S.D. is looking for innovative ways to continue to help our students, and I would love the opportunity to be a part of that team. My experience in the public and private sectors of education have helped me develop unique problem solving strategies as well as effective implementation techniques that would be a valuable asset to our board.
- Name and office sought: Ashly Vivion – Yantis ISD School Board Trustee
- Family information: Married for 16 years, 2 boys – Seth, Senior and Justice, 7th Grade
- Occupation, brief job description: Accounting/Office Clerk for a utility corp. for 12 years
- Education, training, special skills, experience: Yantis Little Dribblers Board – 8 years (7 years as President)
- Why are you seeking this office? To help Yantis ISD continue on the current path of improvement for the students and staff.
- What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them? I would like to try to help bridge the gap between school and community and help the school district continue with the improvements that are currently being made.
- What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I want each child within the school district to have the opportunity for the best education possible. I would love to be a voice not only for the kids but also the community.
- Name and office sought: Stacey Batchelor – YISD Trustee
- Family information: I am have been married for 16 years to Paul Batchelor. We have 4 kids between the 2 of us. Our 2 youngest are still attending Yantis ISD.
- Occupation, brief job description: I work at At Home Healthcare in Sulphur Springs as an Adult Care Therapy Coordinator. Our team coordinates all adult care therapy for the companies 10 branches across Texas.
- Education, training, special skills, experience: I am a Yantis ISD alumni. I served for 2 yrs on the Yantis Baseball association board, 5 yrs on the Yantis Little Dribblers board and 2 yrs on the Yantis PTO board.
- Why are you seeking this office? My goal is to uphold, serve and promote educational opportunities for all the students in our district.
- What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them? The students of YISD are my top priority, so my interest is the success and achievements of our students with fair and open-minded deliberation.
- What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am honest, loyal and value fairness for everyone. I have a strong dedication and will work tirelessly to tackle any job with the best of my abilities. I have lived in Yantis for 35 years. I love this community and will strive to do my best for our district. I appreciate your votes.
- Name and office sought: Tyra Gilbreath Kenemore, candidate for election on the Yantis ISD Trustees.
- Family information: Married to Tommy Kenemore, and have two sons, Keith and Traityn, who both attend Yantis ISD; father Keith Gilbreath was on the Yantis ISD Board of Trustees for 18 years.
- Occupation, brief job description: A Deputy Clerk at the Hopkins County Clerk’s Office
- Education, training, special skills, experience: I have lived in Yantis all my life and attended Yantis ISD my entire school years. Then, graduated from Northeast Texas Community College with an Associate Degree in Farm & Ranch Management; attended Kilgore Police Academy, receiving peace officer certification and served as class president.; member of the Hopkins County Rodeo Board for 8 years.
- Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking re-election because I want to continue helping make Yantis ISD the best it can be.
- What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them? I feel it is important for the District to provide the best education possible. Academics, as well as extra curricular activities, make a well rounded education.
- What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I will work with the rest of the board and the superintendent to ensure the students get a well rounded education. I ask for your vote in the upcoming Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Election.
