Sulphur Springs ISD Considering A Policy For School Facilities Name Designations
Some Sulphur Springs ISD Board Polices were discussed at this week’s regular school board meeting. Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Michael Lamb told the board of trustees that officials are working on a draft of a potential new policy for school facilities name designations. Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams, then asked SSISD Board of Trustees to approve Texas Association of School Boards Localized Policy Manual Update 116, which reflects changes from the last Legislative session which require updates to the district policy manual.
School Facilities Name Designations
Lamb presented to SSISD trustees during the administrative reports portion of their March 22 meeting a working draft for (CW) Local, a new proposed policy for naming or renaming of district facilities.
When the district reorganized the elementary grade levels a few years ago, two local campuses were renamed. Early Childhood Learning Center, repurposed for students from kindergarten through third grade instead for students through kindergarten, became Barbara Bush Primary School. Douglas Intermediate School, repurposed from a campus housing only fifth graders to a campus for all students in preschool and Head Start programs, became Douglass ECLC.
Over time, various requests or recommendations for renaming of facilities have been made, Lamb explained. For instance, at the retirement of Rowena Johnson in Spring 2020, some community members suggested naming a SSISD facility in honor of her 50-year legacy as an educator. When Mrs. Johnson passed away in July 2020, the suggestion was again made to school officials to rename the Lamar Primary campus, where Johnson served as principal from 1993 to 2020; or even Bowie, where she taught from 1971-1991, or Travis, where she was a reading specialist from 1991 to 1993, after the distinguished educator.
Currently, SSISD does not have an official policy in place regarding the naming or renaming of district facilities. A group has been looking into the matter and has a working policy drafted. Lamb presented that policy for review and feedback.
Discussed so far for the policy is giving the board sole discretion in naming or renaming a district facility. As proposed, the board would consider a number of items in the naming or renaming process. Among considerations suggested are geographic location of the SSISD facility; whether the name considered is of historic significance to that area or to state, local or national historic events; whether a person a facility is proposed to be named after is a district graduate who has gained prominence on a local, national or international scale; if the suggested honoree is a distinguished educator or board member who has retired from service to SSISD; or if the proposed name recognizes a significant contribution of resources, equaling or exceeding 50 percent of the total value of the complex or facility.
Lamb stressed the school facility name designation policy is still in the development process. Only after receiving additional comments and conducting further research into the matter, then tweaking the policy, does Lamb anticipate potentially presenting to SSISD trustees at a future board meeting to ask them to consider adopting a policy for school facilities name designations.
Policy Update 116
Williams told trustees TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 116 includes 34 legal changes and five local changes, recommended by TASB to meet changes set by the state of Texas. The policies were presented to the board at the February school board meeting for review. Appropriate department directors and principals throughout the district also received copies of the TASB update to receive any additional comments or recommendations for any local policies that might impact their programs or campuses.
The assistant superintendent recommended approving the policies as recommended, with the notation that (FFAC) Local might in the future require minor adjustments depending on additional decisions by the school board in the future.
Williams noted the five local policies mainly include some rewording and reshuffling of the statutes between the policy and administrative code. The biggest change will be in (FFAC) local policy, which has to do with health and wellness services and medical treatment. SSISD officials recommend a change to that policy pertaining to certain medications purchased and administered by the district because the district won’t be making those purchases anymore. Those items will be provided by Hazel Health this semester.
SSISD Board of Trustees at the February meeting approved this semester to provide telemedicine services at no cost to the district and, at least initially, no out-of- pocket cost to students. Hazel Health works closely with school nurses, providing campus clinics with an iPad to access the service and an iPod Touch for nurses to use to input of the students’ patient information. Hazel Health will also provide each campus clinic with a medicine cabinet the size of a small file cabinet stocked with 12 kinds of over-the-counter medications and supplies, like lice shampoo and hair combs, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen and acetaminophen as appropriate. Nine of the 12 items the district has historically stocked and provided, so receiving the medicine cabinet would be a savings to the district of those medication fees. These OTC medications would be offered free to students if the medical professional recommends them, which would assist the student with medication until the parent is able to get their child to their primary care physician if a visit is recommended, Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk reported in February.
Within the legal policy, there’s also policy regarding certain certifications which require training identifying sexual abuse and human trafficking, and requirements for students who take certain higher level classes for high school credit to take ACT and SAT tests, according to the school administrator.
Commerce Tigers Track Team Wins Cooper Bulldog Relays
The Varsity Commerce Tigers track team won another invitational, this time the Cooper Bulldog Relays. The champion Tigers finished with 221 points.
In field events, Dre Gadlin got third and Ty Hoffman followed in fourth in high jump. Triple jump featured Ashton Seale leaving with third in the event. De’Shawn Jackson got fourth in the long jump. Anton Stapleton won the shot put event and Omari Davis followed in second place. Richard Jackson earned the fourth spot in the event. In the discuss event, Omari Davis took gold with Roy Gaffney not far behind taking bronze in the event.
In the running events, Oliver Roberts won the 3200 run, with Jovani Costanada and Sacramento Galvan following closely behind in third and fourth, respectively. In the 4x100M relay, the Tigers team of Ashton Seale, Jaydon Harris, Carlos Aubrey, and De’shawn Jackson placed second. Enrique Morales won the 800M run, and Isaac Hernandez was not far behind in the event, coming in at fourth.
Continuing field events, Ty Hoffman won the 110M hurdles and Dre Gadlin got bronze. In the 100M dash two Tigers placed in the top five; De’Shawn Jackson and Carlos Aubrey, who finished at second and fifth, respectively. In the 4x200M relay, the Tiger team of Ashton Seale, Aiden Crowder, Edgar Castillo, and Jaydon Harris placed second. Enrique Morales and Isaac Hernandez got third and fifth in the 400 M dash.
Ty Hoffman took gold in the 300 M hurdles, with Dre Gadlin finishing behind Hoffman at second. One of the few events the Tigers did not fare as well as others was the 200 M dash, in that Ashton Seale placed third with Aidan Crower following in fourth place. De’Shawn Jackson came in sixth.
Oliver Roberts won the 1600M run, with Jovani Costanada and Sacramento Galvan placing fifth and sixth, respectively. And finally in the 1600 M relay, the Tiger team of Dre Gadlin, Enrique Morales, Aidan Crowder, and Issac Hernadez placed second.
The JV boys did very well for themselves, finishing second in points accumulated at the Cooper Bulldog Relays.
Next up, the Commerce Tigers track team will be back in action on Friday as they will be participating in the Paris Invitational. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 A.M.
Man Arrested In Cameron County On Felony Hopkins County Warrant
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Cameron County on a felony Hopkins County warrant, according to arrest reports. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the US Border Patrol had taken Jose Estuardo Martinez into custody and was being held in Cameron County jail on a Hopkins County warrant for violation of probation on an indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, according to arrest reports.
Deputy Amanda Weatherford took Martinez into custody, and transported the Guatemalan citizen directly to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked at 7:07 p.m. March 23, 2021, on the warrant.
According to Hopkins County jail reports, Martinez, who is also know by Surdo, was arrested on Sept. 29, 2011 on the indecency with a child by sexual contact charge. He was released from Hopkins County jail the next day on a $25,000 bond. He then spent April 12-17, 2013, in Hopkins County jail as part of a 60 day commitment on the charge. He also had a hold for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at that time, according to the jail records.
Martinez remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021; bond was denied on the charge, according to arrest reports.
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.
Wildcats Golf Team Prepares for District Tournament With Strong Showing at the District Course Monday
Wildcats Golf Coach Jeremy DeLorge said no official results were were sent out after a district course preview at Tempest Golf Course Monday (March 22).
The District Tournament will be at Tempest next Monday and Tuesday. Coach DeLorge said his guys played well Monday as they got a much needed bounce back and boost of confidence going into the district tourney next week.
He said all five of his golfers showed great improvement compared to what they shot the last time they played at Tempest on March 6 as part of the Twisted 54 event. Coach DeLorge said Kip Childress improved by 14 strokes shooting a 71 Monday. Grant Mohesky was 1 stroke better with a 79. Caleb Kesting was 5 strokes better with an 82. Rylan Brewer improved a whopping 13 strokes firing 85 Monday. Luke Dietze showed a 22 stroke improvement Monday shooting 89.
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.
Appointments Still Available For COVID-19 Shots On March 25 At Sulphur Springs Hospital
For individuals in the eligible groups, COVID-19 shots are being offered Thursday, March 25, 2021, at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. The hospital was allocated 500 first-doses of the Moderna two-dose COVID-19 vaccine to administer this week, according to Texas Department of State Health Services.
At 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, there were still 150 appointment slots available for Thursday for any qualified individual who has yet to receive a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Those who schedule n appointment will received the first dose on March 25 and the second dose on April 22 in the front lobby of the hospital, according to Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development personnel for CHRISTUS® Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
To register for COVID-19 shots on March 25, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4EABA72DABFB6-cmfhss7
If for some reason a person registers and needs to cancel the appointment or for additional questions, email Tanna Holland at [email protected].
North Hopkins Baseball Team Tops Rival Sulphur Bluff in District Opener, 8-5 Tuesday
The North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Team opened district play in the right way defeating rival Sulphur Bluff, 8-5 Tuesday at North Hopkins.
The Panthers jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a run in the first, 5 more in the second and one more run in the fourth. The Bluff rallied for 5 late runs but could not overcome the Panthers.
North Hopkins outhit the Bears, 8-7. North Hopkins used three pitchers to get the win. Karston Jenkins was the winning pitcher going 5 innings allowing 4 hits, no runs with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Tate Myers allowed a hit and 3 runs none of which were earned due to errors and he walked one. Dakota Smith finished up with 2 innings giving up 2 hits, 2 unearned runs with 4 strikeouts. Smith was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored. Jenkins was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored. Aaron Nguyen was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s. Chris Cruz had an RBI. Carson Mathis was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Landry Breckeen was 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Myers, Robert Perry and Clinton Degen all scored one run.
Chamber Connection: Event Planned April 1 To Welcome New President/CEO
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
We have something special to put on your calendars! You are invited to welcome our new President/CEO to the Chamber on Thursday, April 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chamber is located at 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to stop by and welcome Butch Burney to the Chamber family. We look forward to seeing you!
This weather is making us think about golf, and our annual tournament is getting close to full! If you are interested in playing, call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 to reserve your spot. We still have morning tee times available. The tourney is set for Friday, April 9th. It’s going to be a great day!
Pacheco Spine & Sport has scheduled a ribbon cutting
Pacheco Spine & Sport has scheduled a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, March 30, at noon. The celebration will be held at their chiropractic office located at 1067 Gilmer Street, Suite C, in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to attend!
Legacy Power is hosting their ribbon cutting
Legacy Power is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, March 31st, at noon at the Chamber, located at 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to come by and say hello!
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for March 24, Cody Drug. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Wildcats Baseball Team Wins Over Marshall With Seventh Inning Rally
Wildcat Colby Albritton smashed a clutch single into left center field to drive in the tying and winning run as the Wildcats Baseball Team rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Marshall, 5-4 in a district game Tuesday night (March 23) at Wildcat Park.
Aiken Owens got the inning started drawing a walk on a close 3-2 pitch. Dawson Carpenter ran for Owens. Colt Silman hit a slow roller to shortstop that he beat out for a base hit. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Then came Albritton’s heroics. Albritton was 3 for 3 on this night.
The rally made a winner of pitcher Hayden Hurst who threw all 7 innings allowing only 3 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 12 and walking only 2. After Marshall took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Wildcats took the lead with 3 runs in the bottom of the third. Owens also got that inning started when he was hit by a pitch. Albritton singled. Mayer Millsap got on on a fielders’ choice when the Mavs forced out Albritton at second. With runners at the corners, the Wildcats got singles from Matthew Singleton that scored one and from Kaden Wallace that plated two more. Marshall took the lead with 2 runs in the top of the fifth, one that scored due to a Wildcats’ error. That set the table for the Wildcats dramatic rally.
The Wildcats improve to 3-1 in district play. Their season record is now 6-11. The Wildcats continue district play at Pine Tree Friday night.
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.
‘Be Well, Live Well’ a Healthy Living Program for Ages 55+ by the Tx Agrilife Extension Service
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Hopkins County is offering a free series targeted toward the 55+ age group. The series, called “Be Well, Live Well,” is to aid individuals to age successfully. Topics include Be Independent, Eat Well; Be Able to Read the Label; Be Safe, Eat Safe; Be Creative, Plan Meals; and Be Fit-Move More. Sessions will take place Mondays and Thursdays, April 12, 15, 19, and 22 at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston in Sulphur Springs. Sessions will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 to sign up or if you have questions. Limited to ten people.
