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Hays County schools
November 18, 2009
Principal bans senior t-shirts at high school
Hays High School senior Luke Adams thought out-of-the-box when designing senior class t-shirts. But his message has caused a stir at the school.
The front of the shirt reads “HHS Seniors 2010” and the back says, “Well, that sucked.”
According to a Hays Free Press article, the school has confiscated the t-shirts from students who have worn them.
The school principal told Adams that the unofficial senior t-shirts are “not a good reflection” on the school. The district said today that the t-shirts violate district policy and will remain banned.
Does the shirt violate the dress code by being disruptive or implying negative connotations or is the district suppressing the student’s freedom of speech?
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November 4, 2009
Dripping Springs takes 4A state band title
Dripping Springs High School won the Class 4A championship at the UIL state marching band competition Tuesday night at San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Four Central Texas schools qualified for the 26-band state championship contest, and three advanced to the 10-band final round. The Tiger band’s performance, called “Moments in Crime,” finished first in the finals with Friendswood High School second and Poteet High School of Mesquite third.
Hendrickson High School’s performance “Look Up” placed fifth in the finals, and Hays High School finished 10th with its performance, “Eternal Anthems.”
LBJ High School finished 15th in the preliminary round with “Cold.”
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September 29, 2009
District, in improving property rented to trustee, may have violated contract
Hays school district administrators have asked the Hays County district attorney to investigate whether the district is in the wrong after having district workers maintain a home owned by the district and rented to Trustee Joe Munoz.
After seeking input from the school district’s lawyer, the school board in February agreed to lease a single-family home to Munoz.
Under the lease, the district stated that it would not pay for repairs to the property since it plans to build a school on the site sometime in the future and does not have plans for long-term leasing.
Munoz recused himself from that vote, district officials said, and moved in to the property in March. Munoz, who moved out when the lease was up Sept. 4, paid the district $750 a month in rent.
UPDATE: A review of the Feb. 23 school board meeting public notice and minutes posted on the district Web site shows the matter was listed on the agenda only as “Lease of Real Property,” discussed in closed session and approved without public debate 7-0. The minutes don’t record that any trustees abstained from voting.
The lease acknowledges that the rent was discounted “in recognition of the maintenance or repair duties assumed by (Munoz) and that (Munoz) has had an opportunity, prior to executing this lease agreement, to inspect the premises to determine that no condition then exists that would materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.”
Despite those terms, district workers repaired the air conditioning unit, replaced a ceiling fan in the living room that was emitting smoke and fixed a collapsed deck, which district officials said in a statement today were safety hazards.
UPDATE: In an email statement released by the district Tuesday, Munoz said the problems existed before he moved into the home:
The lease agreement is clear that the tenant repair anything that was damaged while occupying the home. It’s silly to suggest that a tenant would be responsible for restoring the home to livable and safe conditions for problems that existed prior to move in. This is like suggesting that a tenant who moves into a lease property is immediately responsible for leveling the foundation of the home! Neither the district nor I did anything wrong, in fact we acted in good faith.
The district used maintenance employees to complete the work. The materials for the work cost about $500, and labor was about $2,700.
The property rented by Munoz sits on 2.4 acres, among about 220 acres purchased for about $1.76 million by the district in 2007.
Munoz, who works as a community liaison office supervisor at the Austin Police Department, has served as a Hays trustee for 10 years.
He announced his resignation from his District 2 seat last week, saying he still wanted to serve on the school board but was moving out of the area. The school board will seek applications to fill the seat by appointment. The appointee would serve until a special election could be held in May.
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September 22, 2009
Hays trustee announces resignation
Hays school board member Joe Munoz is resigning.
Munoz, who serves in the single member District 2 seat, said he still wants to serve on the school board but is moving out of District 2. He said he will consider running for another seat on the board.
Munoz has served on the board for 10 years.
In a press release, district officials said the school board will seek applications to fill the seat by appointment. The appointee would serve until a special election could be held in May.
Two other board seats will be up for election in May as well. They are: District 4, currently held by Ralph Pfluger and District 5, currently held by Chip DuPont.
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March 20, 2009
Old Hays stadium lights stood where new ones fell
Hays Free Press reporter Jen Biundo reports that before the Hays school district installed the stadium light pole, at right, that came crashing down in a heavy wind two weeks ago, a group of local volunteers and teachers banded together to build and install homemade light poles for the stadium.
It happened in the summer of 1969, soon after the Kyle and Buda school districts merged and became the Hays consolidated school district, meaning a new campus had to be built midway between the two towns, Biundo writes:
For the next three decades, the six hand-made light poles lit the fields at Hays High School. In 2002, Hays CISD undertook a massive reconstruction job on Bob Shelton Stadium. The old light poles came down and were replaced with new poles made by a Fort Worth-based company called Whitco.
Two weeks ago, as high winds hit the area, one of the new poles came crashing down onto the roof of the school gym; the other three new poles were found to have hairline cracks and were pulled down as well. Nobody was injured, but the gym will be closed through the school year.
Among area old-timers, the accident has brought back memories of the summer that the community came together to build itself a football field.
“I said, “Isn’t that amazing,’” [former superintendent Mo] Johnson said. “Those old poles stood here for 32 years and these new high-dollar engineered poles, they had to take them down. It’s awful funny.”
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February 6, 2009
Early release at Hays' Dahlstrom Middle School
An announcement from the Hays school district:
A water main broke at Dahlstrom Middle School this afternoon. They have no water. We are releasing DALHSTROM ONLY early today. Buses are there now to take students home and we are callng parents of students who do not ride the bus to pick up their children. Remaining children will stay at DMS with staff until the end of the school day. Bottled water is being provided. If you have any questions, please let me know.
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February 4, 2009
Hays Academy High School fire contained
Firefighters have contained a fire at Academy High School, the Hays school district’s alternative high school, spokeswoman Julie Jerome said.
The fire, which was started by a roofer, is nearly extinguished.
Academy students and Hays High School students have been evacuated. Hays High students will be returning to their classrooms soon. During the evacuation, a Hays High student fell and EMS have been called, Jerome said.
Damage to the school is minor.
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February 3, 2009
SWAT scene causes changes to Hays school bus schedule
From the Hays school district:
For this afternoon, we are running buses as usual from Science Hall Elementary, Chapa Middle School and Lehman High School to homes EXCEPT for those on Joe Robinson Road. We are calling the parents of all of the bus-riding students who live on Joe Robinson Road and asking them to pick up their child after school today. For those who cannot get out of their homes because the road is blocked off, we are keeping the child at school and keeping communication open with the parents.
For those parents who call and ask us to not drop their child off on roads near Joe Robinson Road, we are asking they pick up their child at school.
Science Hall after school programs and CMS and LHS athletics will take place as scheduled. For the late bus deliveries from SHES, if the standoff continues, we will deliver students except for those who live on Joe Robinson Road.
(The standoff ended at 2:15 today, but after making arrangements with parents earlier in the day in response to the standoff, the district opted to leave those arrangements in place rather than change them after the standoff ended, district spokeswoman Julie Jerome said.)
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Local school superintendents back off pay raises
At least two local school administrators are declining pay raises in an effort to demonstrate fiscal restraint in the face of a national recession.
Lake Travis Superintendent Rocky Kirk, currently one of the best paid supers in Central Texas — second only to Austin’s Pat Forgione — asked that the Lake Travis school board limit his raise this year to 2 percent, rather than the full 4 percent raise he is eligible for. In a statement, Trustee Jim Cummings wrote that Kirk, top right, asked for the smaller raise after sharing “his concern about the national economy in general and the impact that it is having on the Austin region, and to some extent, on the Lake Travis ISD community.” (Read board President Cummings’ comments on Kirk’s contract.)
So Kirk was making $231,520 in base pay and will now make $236,150 in base pay. He could have had $240,781 in base pay. (Superintendents’ base pay doesn’t include other benefits like district-paid insurance premiums, contributions to retirement accounts, car allowances, etc.)
And the lone finalist for the Hays superintendent’s post, Jeremy Lyon, middle right, isn’t asking the board for more than the current Hays superintendent makes. The move from his current position in Oregon, which pays about $172,000 in base pay, to Hays is going to be a lateral move for him financially, he said. (FYI, the cost of living is about a third less in Hays County than in the Portland area.)
On the other hand, Austin Superintendent Pat Forgione, bottom right, who earns a base salary of $284,563, in the fall asked for reimbursement for his $6,200 hearing aids, a negotiated perk that Forgione hadn’t taken advantage of in past years.
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January 26, 2009
Hays school board names future schools chief
The Hays school board unanimously named Jeremy Lyon, right, as the lone finalist for superintendent. Current Hays school district Superintendent Kirk London plans to retire at the end of this school year after five years with the district.
From the Hays school district:
Dr. Lyon has been the superintendent of Hillsboro School District in Hillsboro, Oregon since 2004, and has served in the Eanes, Leander, La Joya and Gilmer school districts in Texas.
Hillsboro School District, located near the western coast of Oregon about 20 minutes west of Portland, has 34 campuses and about 20,000 students. It is the fourth largest school district in the state.
Dr. Lyon served as the assistant superintendent and then superintendent of Coos Bay Public Schools in Oregon from 2000-04. He was assistant principal and then principal of West Ridge Middle School in Eanes ISD from 1993-2000. He worked as a high school science teacher and coach in Gilmer ISD, La Joya ISD and then Leander ISD before moving to Eanes ISD.
“It is an honor to be chosen as the next superintendent of Hays CISD,” said Dr. Lyon. “I look forward to working closely with the board, staff, parents, and the community on continuing to emphasize high student achievement at every school and to provide sound fiscal and operational management of district resources.”
“I am impressed by the board and administrative team’s planning for enrollment growth and for the support the community has given to the school district. These are two assets, among many in Hays that are benchmarks of an excellent school district,” he said. “It is an honor to follow a superintendent of the caliber of Dr. London and we will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition. My wife and I look forward to joining the community and to our return to Central Texas.”
Dr. Lyon earned his doctorate at University of Texas in Austin, his master’s degree at University of Texas-Pan American and his bachelor’s degree from A&M University.
Dr. Lyon will serve as lone finalist for 21 days, by state statute. The School Board has scheduled a meeting for Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Administration Office to complete contract negotiations.
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October 30, 2008
Do schools events and election day collide?
I’ve been asked to write a story about school districts scheduling events like band performances and football games on election day and how that might affect parents, teachers, coaches and other Texans of voting age.
So:
Are you a parent worried that attending the UIL State Marching Band Contest at the Alamodome Tuesday might keep you from voting?
Or a parent concerned that enjoying the musical stylings of the Fall String Festival at Zilker Park during your lunch break might prevent you from reaching the polls?
If your kid is supposed to play in an 8th grade away football game Tuesday night, is that going to conflict with you doing your civic duty?
If you’re affected by these scheduling dilemnas, go ahead and weigh in in the comment section below, or email me.
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October 29, 2008
Hays community wants superintendent to address diversity and growth
The search is on for a new superintendent of the Hays school district, and according to focus groups, the community wants a superintendent who can speak Spanish, has a “thick skin” and has classroom experience.
The district recently held focus groups with 42 members of the community and school district staff to start its year-long search for a new superintendent to replace Kirk London, who plans to retire at the end of the year.
Comments from the meetings will be compiled to come up with a profile for recruiters to use to find a good fit for the district.
According to the district, school board trustees heard preliminary details last week about what the community wants in a superintendent:
-Experience working in a fast-growing school district.
-Ability to lead a diverse population and build quality bilingual education programs.
-Thoughtfulness about the changes the district is going through in its transition from a rural to suburban district.
-“Thick skin.”
-Open mind.
-Courage.
-Sensitivity to learning-challenged students.
-Outgoing and visible in the community.
-Classroom teaching experience.
-Ability to speak Spanish and understand Mexican-American population.
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October 27, 2008
Dripping Springs High School now "recognized"
The Dripping Springs school district announced last week that it won an appeal to the Texas Education Agency on the rating status of Dripping Springs High School.
The high school’s rating has been upgraded to “Recognized.”
Greg Jung, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction said Dripping Springs High School students exceeded state and national averages on SAT and ACT exams last year, another measure of student achievement.
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October 21, 2008
Hays parents track student progress online
Keeping up with your student’s progress in school just got easier for parents in Hays County.
Parents whose children are in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District can now view attendance, schedule, grades, TAKS scores and missed assignments through the district’s Web site.
There are a few steps involved to gain access to the “parent portal,” including downloading a PDF to request access then scanning or mailing a copy of the form with the parent’s signature. To get started, go here.
Teachers are supposed to post updated grades weekly. The district will hold training sessions and send out paperwork about the new program starting in January, but parents can get started now. District officials say security measures are in place to protect students’ privacy.
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September 12, 2008
ACT college testing postponed
FROM AISD:
The ACT college test corporation has postponed testing scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at Texas school districts affected by Hurricane Ike.
In Austin ISD, tests were scheduled to be given at Anderson, Akins, Lanier, Reagan, and Travis high schools.
ACT indicated that it will contact those students who were registered for the test with rescheduling information later this Fall.
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September 11, 2008
All Austin public school to close early Friday
UPDATE 7:59 A.M.
Classes for students at Westlake High School and Hill Country Middle School will be CANCELLED today, Friday, Sept. 12. due to hurricane sheltering responsibilities at those campuses. Staff should still report to work.
At this time school is NOT affected at West Ridge Middle School or any of the elementary campuses in Eanes ISD.
EARLIER
All Austin public schools will be closed early Friday in anticipation of heavy vehicle traffic on major roads from Hurricane Ike evacuees.
The dismissal schedule for Austin ISD is as follows:
Noon — Elementary schools. There will be no after-school care for students. Also LBJ High School and the Liberal Arts & Science Academy
1 p.m. — Middle schools, including Kealing magnet students who ride Capital Metro buses.
2 p.m. — High xchools (except LBJ and the Liberal Arts & Science Academy) Because of unique transportation issues, LBJ High School and LASA will dismiss at Noon instead of 2 p.m.
“This is a precautionary step to remove students and buses from the roadways as early as possible. We are expecting a great deal of traffic from evacuees on local roads and highways. The safety of students is our first consideration.” Superintendent Pat Forgione said in a written statement.
The Leander school district, which expects to host 3,500 - 4,000 evacuees at seven secondary campuses, will release students two hours early on Friday. Leander says that only Leander school district employees and Red Cross trained and approved volunteers may assist at the shelters and that any donations (including food) should be taken to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or other organizations, not to the schools.
Other local school closures/early dismissals include:
Bastrop (Early dismissal Friday. Pre-Kindergarten though Grade 4 will release at 11:30 a.m. Grades 5 though 12 will release at 12:30 p.m. All athletic events and activities from Friday through Sunday canceled, including after-school programs, ACT administration, community education classes, and all facility usage rental agreements, including church services.)
Leander (National Merit Scholar Camp and other events canceled)
Comal (Thursday and Friday closure, Church Hill Middle School and Morningside and Freiheit Elementary Schools only)
Drippings Springs, like most other districts, has rescheduled its Friday night varsity football game. All other planned Dripping Springs school activities including the Dripping Springs Middle School Meet the Teacher Night will go as scheduled and the district plans to keep schools open on Friday with normal release times.
Eanes (School is scheduled as usual for Friday. Check district website for updates. Three secondary schools to serve as hurricane evacuation shelters for residents being bused from Galveston. Saturday Robofest and ACT exam administration will take place as usual. After‐hours events at both middle schools have been canceled, including Friday’s Hill Country dance.)
Elgin (Thursday and Friday closure)
Hays (Early closure Friday. High schools will be released at 12:30 p.m and middle schools will be released at 1:45 p.m. Elementary schools will be released at the regular time, 2:40 p.m. All buses will run according to this early release schedule. Athletic events rescheduled.)
Lake Travis (Plans to hold classes as usual. Check district website for updates. However,both Saturday School and the ACT test scheduled for Saturday have been canceled.)
Manor (Early dismissal Friday. All buses will run two hours early. Friday afternoon pre-K canceled. All other after-school events Friday through Sunday canceled.)
Pflugerville (All campuses will release students two hours early on Friday. The schedule is as follows: high schools will be released at 2:15 p.m., middle schools will be released at 1:35 p.m., and elementary schools will be released at 12:50 p.m. All buses will run according to this early release schedule.)
Round Rock (Early release for all schools on Friday. Elementary schools will be released at 12:45 p.m., middle schools will be released at 1:30 p.m. and high schools will be released at 2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch at all schools will be available to students before school is dismissed.)
San Marcos (Plans to hold classes as usual on Friday. Check district website for updates.)
You can also check the Texas Education Agency’s list of school closures and the Region XIII Service Center’s list.
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Hays school custodian saves choking student
Jim Cullen with the Hays Free Press reports that a custodian at Wallace Middle School in the Hays school district saved the life of seventh grader Crystal Campos after she choked on a piece of food:
Custodian Elena Garcia was the first adult to recognize what was happening and while attempting to help Crystal cough, called to co-worker Vincente Martinez for assistance. Though never having received training as such for the critical situation, Martinez knew what was happening-and what to do about it.
In a second, he too could see how serious it was. Crystal’s face and lips were turning blue from the lack of oxygen and she was unable to cough enough to clear her throat. Admitting that among the many thoughts that flashed through his mind in a split second was the fact that school workers are strongly discouraged from physical contact with students, Martinez nonetheless acted. The fact of the cautionary policy was lost in an instant of common sense-and concern for the young girl before him.
With no more preparation for the emergency than having seen it on TV and on posters in places he’s worked during his life, Martinez came around behind Crystal, placed his arms around her, clenched his hands below her sternum and gave her a sharp squeeze.
During the Austin school board’s budget discussions last month, some trustees spent a lot of time discussing pay raises for custodians, cafeteria monitors and other support employees, saying that those employees were essential players in a child’s education.
What do you think about Martinez’s actions? What kind of roles do support staff workers like him play in your child’s school day?
(Photo courtesy of Satmandu.)
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August 25, 2008
First day of school jitters, snafus, and whatchamacallits
Today’s the first day of school everywhere in Statesman-land except Pflugerville and Round Rock.
Rejoice or mourn, the choice is yours.
Statesman photographer Larry Kolvoord talked to 4-year-old Madison Briones, right, this morning at Sanchez Elementary. Madison was heartbroken after learning that she wouldn’t be able to attend pre-kindergarten classes on the first day because of a paperwork glitch.
‘Everybody is going to school besides me,’ she cried to her mom.
Did you experience any first day of school issues? Have any words of advice to offer Madison?
Updated, 5 p.m.: Leander school district spokesman Dick Ellis says that the district welcomed 27,528 students to school today without a hitch. The district opened four new campuses today too.
“It was perfect,” he said. “A really good first day.”
Check out the sights and sounds of Leander’s first day of school.
Updated, 8/26, for the curious: A Sanchez assistant principal told the Statesman that Madison got her paperwork straightened out and will be in class Wednesday morning.
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August 21, 2008
Central Texas back to school calendar
August 25 - First day of classes for following school districts: Austin, Bastrop, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Georgetown, Hays, Lake Travis, Leander, Manor, San Marcos and Wimberley. Also first day of classes at Austin Community College, and St. Edward’s and Southwestern universities.
August 26 - First day of classes for Lago Vista, Pflugerville and Round Rock ISDs. August 27 - First day of classes for Texas State University and the University of Texas.
September 1 - The following school districts are closed for the Labor Day holiday: Austin, Bastrop, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Georgetown, Hays, Lago Vista, Lake Travis, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Wimberley. It’s also a holiday at Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University, Southwestern University, Texas State University and the University of Texas.
September 2 - First day of classes at Huston-Tillotson University.
September 10 - First day of classes at Concordia University.
Check your local district’s website for first-day details, like Austin’s school bus stop locator, and other events.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Wimberley, for example, your kids can get vaccinations and free haircuts — two of any child’s favorite activities — at the Back to School Fiesta on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Wimberley.
(Cal Warlick cartoon at right)
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August 18, 2008
You Oughta Be in Pictures Monday: Wimberley kids graduate from sheriff's academy
This week’s You Oughta Be in Pictures Monday comes courtesy of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office:
During the week of July 14 through July 18, 2008, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office held it’s annual Junior Deputy Academy at the Wimberley VFW Post 6441. Twenty six children, ages 8 to 11 years of age attended this years academy. The class consisted of presentations by Wimberley EMS, Wimberley Fire, Air Evac Helicopter, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and several sections of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
Graduation took place on Friday, July 18 with a presentation and refreshments by the American Red Cross. Hays County Sheriff Allen Bridges (the guy in the white cowboy hat in the back row) presented certificates to graduates and thanked their families for the sacrifices many of them made to ensure that their children were able to attend the class.
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June 17, 2008
Hays school superintendent to retire next year
Hays CISD superintendent Kirk London announced his retirement at a school board meeting Monday night. London’s retirement is effective at the end of the 2008-09 school year.
Two other top Hays administrators — deputy superintendent Bob Presley and executive director of elementary curriculum Dolores Riley — also announced their retirements at Monday night’s school board meeting. The school board appointed chief financial officer Carter Scherff as deputy superintendent.
In the past 36 years, London has been a teacher, coach, assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent, according to a written statement from the district.
The district plans to conduct a nationwide search for a superintendent and does not plan to hire an interim superintendent, according to the statement.
London’s retirement plus Austin superintendent Pat Forgione’s upcoming retirement means two Central Texas superintendent positions will be up for grabs next year.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: District leaders, Hays County schools, Superintendent search
May 13, 2008
Central Texas high school graduation dates set
We’ve compiled graduation dates for area high schools. Let us know if we’ve left one out, and if there’s a graduating senior (or two, or three, or 1,543) that you’re particularly proud of!
(All times are ceremony starting times. Seniors should check with their schools for their arrival times.)
Austin
6/3, Rosedale School, 1 p.m., at the Rosedale School
6/4, Garza, 7 p.m., Delco Center
6/5, Akins, 3 p.m.; Anderson, 5:45 p.m.; Austin, 8:30 p.m., all at Frank Erwin Center
6/6, Bowie, noon; Crockett, 3 p.m.; Lanier, 5:45 p.m., both at Frank Erwin Center
6/6, Johnston, 8 p.m., Delco Center
6/7, McCallum, noon, Frank Erwin Center
6/7 Reagan, 5:45 p.m., Delco Center
6/7 Travis, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/7 LBJ/LASA, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
Bastrop
5/25, Genesis, 1:30 p.m., Bastrop High School cafeteria
5/30, Bastrop, 8 p.m., Erhard Field, 1602 Hill Street.
Del Valle
6/4, 7 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
Dripping Springs
6/6, 8 p.m., Shoreline Center
Eanes
5/30, 8:30 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Hays
5/30, Hays, 8 p.m., Shelton Stadim
5/31, Lehman, 8 p.m., Shelton Stadium
5/31, The Academy@Hays, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Hutto
6/7, 10 a.m., Shoreline Center
Lago Vista
6/6, 6 p.m., Lago Vista High School gymnasium
Lake Travis
6/5, Shoreline Center, 8 p.m.
Leander
5/30, New Hope, 7:30 p.m., Leander Extended Opportunity Conference Center
6/6, Leander, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/8, Cedar Park, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/8, Vista Ridge, 6 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Manor
5/22, EXCEL, 7 p.m., Manor Performing Arts Center
6/5, High School, 1 p.m., Shoreline Center
Pflugerville
6/6, Hendrickson, 9 a.m., Shoreline Center
6/6, Provan Opportunity Center, 7 p.m., Pflugerville High School Performing Arts Center
6/7, Pflugerville, 5:45 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/7, Connally, 8:30 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Round Rock
5/29, Success Program, Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
5/31, Round Rock, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
5/31, Stony Point, noon, Frank Erwin Center
5/31, Westwood, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
5/31, McNeil, 6 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
San Marcos
5/30, Pathfinder Learning Center, 1 p.m., San Marcos High School auditorium
6/7, High School, 7 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
6/5, PRIDE, 10:30 a.m., San Marcos High School auditorium
Wimberley
5/30, 8 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Austin schools, Bastrop County schools, Del Valle schools, Hays County schools, Leander schools, Manor, Pflugerville schools, Round Rock schools, Wimberley schools
May 9, 2008
Teacher blacklist: myth or reality, and job fairs
Someone on the Texas Teachers Chatboard is asking about a state-wide blacklist for uppity and/or naughty teachers. The posters there seem to think it’s a myth. Anyone heard otherwise?
And speaking of teaching jobs, the Austin school district is holding its job fair on Saturday at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. Only certified teachers need apply, though student teachers can bring a copy of a transcript showing enrollment and alternative certification program participants can bring letters showing proof of participation.
Del Valle will hold a job fair on Saturday at Del Valle Middle School, 5500 Ross Road.
And the Region 13 Education Service Center, the regional state agency serving Austin-area schools, will hold a job fair on June 5 at 5701 Springdale Road.
I’ve heard the job fairs can be stressful and overwhelming. Any current or prospective teachers planning on attending? Got any tips to share with newbies?
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Austin schools, Bastrop County schools, Del Valle schools, Hays County schools, Leander schools, Manor, Pflugerville schools, Teachers, Wimberley schools
April 23, 2008
Wimberley ISD's lawyers failed to tell board of buyout penalty
Wimberley school board members say the district’s attorneys failed to inform them of the consequences of replacing former superintendent Marian Strauss before her contract had expired.
Wimberley trustee Jim Van Overschelde writes:
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) fined WISD for approximately $98k for the buyout of the prior superintendent’s contract.
WISD’s attorney did not tell the Board about this penalty. The attorney (Henslee, Schwartz, LLP) accepted responsibility and agreed to reimburse the district for the full amount in legal services over the next three years. The firm will waive the $40,000 currently owed to them for this school year and give the district credits for $28,500 for each of the next two school years.
Superintendent Dwain York replaced Strauss, after Strauss retired with four years remaining on her five-year contract.
Strauss’ critics had asked the school board to fire her, saying that she emphasized athletics over academics, made mistakes that led to two failed bond votes and was unwilling to listen to those with different points of view.
The state penalty comes in addition to a $200,000 payment the school district made to Strauss in exchange for her early retirement. She had been superintendent of the almost 2,000-student district since 1999; her contract would have been up in 2011.
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April 22, 2008
Dripping Springs warns of new case of staph
Dripping Springs school district officials have reported a new case of staph infection today. The district on Oct. 22 and Nov. 1 announced that students had contracted a type of drug-resistant infection from staph, a common germ that many people carry in their nasal passages.
According to today’s announcement:
Dripping Springs ISD has identified on April 22, 2008, an additional case of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) within our school community. To date each incident that has been reported has not been related.
Dripping Springs ISD continues to be in close contact with the Hays County Health Department and is following established protocol to ensure the safety of all students. Should an incident be reported at the campus your child attends, you will be notified by letter from the principal.
Dripping Springs ISD appreciates that the parents of the students who were identified as having MRSA have kept in close communication with the campus administration and nurse’s office, thus helping ensure the safety of all students. All parents in the district have been encouraged to remain vigilant in looking for signs and symptoms of staph infection and contacting their family physician as necessary.
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March 20, 2008
In Hays district, bring your kid to school on national Take Your Kid to Work day
Nationally, April 24 is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, a public education program connecting what children learn at school with the actual working world, but not in the Hays school district. The district would prefer kids go to work on July 16 so they don’t miss a day of instruction. Absences on April 24 will be considered unexcused, the district says.
According to a district press release:
The Hays school district has designated Wednesday, July 16 as Take Our Child To Work Day, joining other school districts in Central Texas and area businesses in encouraging children to investigate career possibilities. The national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is April 24, however, school districts in Central Texas have designated July 16 so the students participating will not miss a day of instruction. Absences on April 24 as a result of Take Our Child to Work Day will be considered unexcused.
Are other area schools crossing national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day off the April calendar? Do you think kids would be better served spending the day in the classroom than in the workplace?
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December 11, 2007
School bonds in Hays County
The Hays school district’s Growth Impact Committee last week gave a nearly unanimous endorsement of an $86.7 million bond package on a 30-year note, which includes two new elementary schools, a new middle school, the purchase of land, buses and technology and $7.1 million in district improvements.
District officials say the tax rate impact of the package is projected to be zero.
The committee will make its recommendation to trustees, along with a recommendation for elementary school attendance zones for the 2008-09 school year, at a meeting Monday. A public hearing on both recommendations will be held prior to the Jan. 28 school board meeting, when trustees will vote on the recommendations.
The elementary attendance zone map may be found here.
The Growth Impact Committee is a group of 35 parents, members of the community and representatives of the district that has been meeting twice a month since October.
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