School Hires Five New Staff Members
The Glasscock County ISD Board of Trustees offered one-year, probationary contracts to five new employees at its meeting June 11. Robin Gray was hired as the band director, Jerry Cannon will be the new technology director/math teacher, Terry Jones was hired as the industrial arts teacher, Jill Tubb will be an English/communications teacher, and Stacey Jones will teach Spanish half-time.
Gray, who has a Master’s in music from Mississippi State University, has been teaching in Mortin, MS. Terry Jones has been teaching in Fredericksburg for a year after attending Odessa College and receiving his degree from Wayland Baptist. Stacey Jones attended Sul Ross and has a degree from Angelo State. Tubb is a first-year teacher from Angelo State, and Cannon has been at Rule ISD for several years.
Larry Bradford is retiring as the industrial arts teacher after 30 years of employment with the district.
Local Bank is New Depository
Trustees selected Glasscock County Bank, a branch of First National Bank of Sterling City, as the school district’s depository. The decision marks the first time in many years that the district’s funds will not at State National Bank of Big Spring. A depository is selected every two years. The board had no problems with State National, citing years of good relations, and State National’s bid included one-fourth of one percent higher interest rates, which would mean approximately $6,000 more in interest annually. However, several board members cited the local bank’s involvement in the community, local jobs it creates and the $2,000 scholarship it awards each year to a GCHS graduate. School Superintendent Steve Long said, “In a small town, the more you take out, the less chance you have of survival.” Saying it was a hard decision, the board decided that with interest rates so nearly the same, the school’s money should remain in the county. State National’s John Currie said he would assist in making the transition a smooth one.
Elevated Water Tower on School Property
The board considered two sites for location of a 185-foot elevated water tower, which will belong to the Garden City Water System, but be located on school property at the request of Engineer Steve Dennis. Dennis’ first choice was a location just west of Ruth Cook’s house, north of the tennis courts; his second choice was northwest of the track. Long said the tower would be located far enough back so that cars can still drive around the north side of the track. The board chose the site northwest of the track and approved locating the tower there pending further clarifications regarding fence height and indemnity from liability.
The board discussed the 2001 school calendar, but postponed final approval until its next meeting. As it is now planned, school would start Aug. 16 and fall holidays would be on Sept. 3, Oct. 8, Nov 21-23 and Dec. 21-31. Spring holidays would be Jan. 1-4, March 11-15, March 29 and April 1, and school will end May 30. In-service days for teachers would be Aug. 9-15, Dec. 20, and May 31.
Long said that next year’s calendar will have some changes, since by state law, school cannot begin until Aug. 21, 2002.
Head Start Program Explained
Elementary School Principal Brad Jones explained that the Head Start program accepts 4-year-olds who qualify by income level. Sometimes, they ask for a few 3-year-olds if they do not have the minimum number (17) of 4-year-olds. He said there are sometimes slots for a few “over-income” kids. Parents should call him if they are interested in the program. Jones said Head Start is a federally funded program, and while the local school houses it, we don’t pay any of the expenses, even for out-of-county students. The school gets paid one-half the regular weighted average daily attendance (WADA) per child in the Head Start program, Jones said. He said a locally funded Pre-K program is required if a minimum of 15 kids qualify, and we now have 13. Early Childhood (Special Ed) programs, if needed, are also locally funded.
Jones reported that there are 23 students in summer school, all teacher-recommended, and that it is going well.
Price of Food May Go Up
Long said that cafeteria manager Kay Chandler is examining cafeteria costs, and the school is considering charging extra for the salad bar if it is in addition to the lunch line.
The school’s estimated tax valuations for the next fiscal year are $461 million, up from this year’s $330 million, Long said. He will be searching for ways to keep more tax money in the district. “We owe it to ourselves to look at all options,” he said.
Long reported that renovations and painting of property and reorganization of school housing is in progress and that two new busses have been ordered.
The board endorsed Price Robinson of Greenwood as the Texas Association of School Board’s representative from Region 18.