Friday's Internet Edition, 09:52 AM, May 09, 2008.
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- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District met Monday evening and took some actions that will affect us and our kids next school year.
They approved a school year calendar for the 2008-2009 school year which has our kids starting class on August 25th and ending on June 4th, 2009.
Superintendent Guillermo Mancha offered two different calendar versions for trustees to look at, however, he recommended that the district adopt the version ending on June 4th.
His reasoning for that option was that it offered the district the best opportunity to insure that our kids get the instruction they need and for them to pass and be notified of TAKS test scores which are so vital to the students.
The other big thing trustees did was to formally approve of the closing of the Delaware Campus, except for the gym, to be effective as soon after the end of the current school year as possible.
Superintendent Mancha told trustees that the Delaware facility was costing the district an average of nearly $1,100 a month just for utilities and nothing else. “At a time when we have to closely scrutinize our funds, it just does not make good sense to keep the facility open at these costs,” concluded Mancha.
The Alternative Education Program (AEP) and the PIEMS coordinator’s office will be relocated to the former administration building adjacent to the current administration building. Mancha told trustees, “It makes sense to relocate to this more central location and it will be a lot less utility utilization.”
In another cost saving move, Dr. Mancha recommended that the summer hours for the district be changed. The revised summer hours, as approved by trustees, will see the district operating from Monday through Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Mancha’s logic behind this decision is that it costs dollars to cool the facilities, bus routes have to run (during summer school), and staff have to work. “By reducing these hours of operation, the savings to the district will be significant,” said Mancha.
With regard to other matters considered by trustees, the following actions were taken:
* Trustees formally approved the dates June 2, 2008 through June 27, 2008 as the dates for this years summer school program. It was noted that during these date, both breakfast and lunch would be served by the cafeteria.
* Trustees approved a recommended series of math textbooks as presented by Dean of Students Dolores Upchurch.
* Dr. Mancha presented trustees with a time schedule to have the district’s policy’s online. It is expected that the earliest date they will be online is the Fall of 2008 at the earliest.
* After some discussion, trustees approved a recommendation of High School Principal Mike Barrandey to apply for some grant funding which will help involve more students in various clubs at the high school.
* Following an executive session, trustees reconvened and made some changes to Superintendent Mancha’s contract. They opted to charge him rent his house at $300 a month and increased his salary by $3,600 to $87,600.
* They tabled action on the hiring and termination practices of the district until a later date.
* Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Mancha, trustees approved a one year contract extension for High School Principal Mike Barrandey.
* Trustees approved the 2008-2009 Student Code of Conduct as presented by Superintendent Mancha.
* And, upon the recommendation of Dr. Mancha, trustees approved contracting with Dr Doug Karr as a financial consultant for the district. Dr. Mancha reported that “Dr. Karr is a recognized financial guru and he has the expertise to cut through the formulas and figures used by the state to determine how much money the district can expect for the next school year.” He further added, “Dr. Karr has some significant contacts at the state and these can be invaluable to us as we begin to look at next year’s budget for the district.”
* And, trustees heard from campus administrators concerning campus operations. It was noted that Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) testing would be underway this week at various campuses.
Mr. Fabela, principal at the Junior High, reported that the 8th grade Math TAKS scores show improvement over last year, especially those students who achieved “Commendable” status.
Before concluding the session, trustees heard Dr. Mancha commend the staff for their efforts to improve the TAKS results district wide.
Locals charged with felony drug possession following searches
Culberson County Sheriff’s deputies, acting on good intelligence, obtained and executed two search warrants on local residences Tuesday.
The result of these efforts was the apprehension and arrest of two suspects. The search warrants, according to Sheriff Oscar Carrillo, were executed at the same time.
The search warrant executed at 600 East 2nd Street, home of Jesus Licon “Mojaeo” Valdez, 67, resulted in the seizure of cocaine, heroin, and a large sum of money.
Valdez, who is on parole, was taken into custody and charged with 2nd degree felonies of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
Sheriff Carrillo told the Advocate that Valdez has not appeared before a Justice of the Peace yet, but that he has assurances that bonds will be at or over $100,000 for Valdez.
At the search of a home at 910 Travis Street, officers arrested Antonio “Tony” Santiago, 44, and have charged him with Possession of Heroin and Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
Bond has not been set on Santiago at press time.
Sheriff Carrillo also reported that Valdez’s parole officer has been notified of the charges against him, and feels certain that they will place Valdez in the position of violating his parole.
Man escapes froom custody at hospital, gives community a scare
A U.S. Marshal’s prisoner, who was at the Culberson Hospital to be seen for medical reasons, escaped yesterday morning.
The escape had the town startled for a while and even locked down the school district while the intensive search began.
The prisoner, who was being housed at the West Texas Detention Facility, in Sierra Blanca, had been brought to the local hospital. It is while at the hospital that he made a run for it.
Sheriff Carrillo reported that elements of his office, as well as the Department of Public Safety and the United States Border Patrol were called in to assist with the search for the escapee.
Sheriff Carrillo told the Advocate that about an hour after the escape, officers located the escapee approximately 4 miles east of town, in the desert, between the airport and the I-10 service road.
Carrillo noted that the effort was a joint one and that officers were coming at the escapee from all sides. The escapee gave up without any resistance and is now back in custody, facing stiffer charges now that he escaped and ran from federal officers.