Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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Local artist held show.... Mary Serrano is a senior art major at Sul Ross State University. As a part of her course requirements for graduation, Mary had to put on an art exhibit. The exhibit ran from January 16th through last Friday, January 26th. She is pictured with a couple of the works shown during her exhibit.
The exhibit consisted of oil paintings depicting memories of her childhood and past. She will receive her Bachelors of Fine Arts in ceremonies at Sul Ross in May. (Photo by Jeff McCoy) |
- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District met last Thursday morning and, following a 3 and a half hour executive session, made a surprising motion.
The motion was that all athletic department positions would be open for people to apply for or reapply. If one reads between the lines, one would guess that there is some dissatisfaction with the athletic program and the board is going to try to fix it.
That thought seems to have some validity since the trustees are scheduled to meet again this morning and all athletic positions are on the agenda.
Another motion made by trustees following the executive session was not to accept the resignation of Roger McCoy who had tendered his resignation effective immediately. McCoy has already left his teaching position in the district.
Trustees accepted the audit report for the school year ended on August 31, 2007. The report was given by Craig Gibson of the audit firm Dunbar, Broaddus and Gibson.
In the audit report, Gibson noted that the district added another $192,000 to the fund balance bringing that figure up to $2 million. Of that $2 million, some $900,000 is set aside for already designated expenditures, leaving $1.1 million in undesignated funds.
Gibson completed his audit report by stating that they found no significant findings and that the district had a clean audit report.
Trustees also voiced some concern about the bond renovation project which is ongoing. They particularly had questions regarding the roof repairs to district facilities.
Lupe Alvarado, a trustee and the general contractor, reported that he was on schedule and that any leaks in the roofing system were there before they began work on it.
He suggested that the board walk through the job with the architect and that is exactly what the board plans to do during tomorrows special board meeting.
Trustees learned that only one bidder had submitted a bid for the baseball field restrooms and concession stand. That bidder was Badillo Construction and his bid was for $78,500.
In the discussion, trustee Alvarado said that he had previously bid the project at around $39,000 and he did not believe that materials cost had gone up that much.
Following more discussion, trustees voted to proceed with the job at the bid price. It was noted that the city, who was going to pay for this portion with grant monies, did not have that much money and the district would have to pick up the balance of what the city can’t pay.
And, LaDelle Bates, Culberson Hospital Administrator, and Sharron Rust, Hospital Director of Nursing, were present at the board meeting to push trustees to adopt the Certified Nurses Aide program and curriculum which will be taught and administered by the local hospital.
They urged trustees to proceed with this training program immediately as the program would help prepare students for entry into the medical field. The curriculum requires classroom training as well as hospital on site training.
Trustees opted to proceed with the training immediately noting that it will be good to offer our students another alternative in their education.
Other agenda items considered and actions taken by trustees during the session included the following:
* Approved a resolution to use the West Texas Food Service Cooperative for cafeteria purchases.
* Approved the 504 Operational Guidelines as presented.
* Approved the Technology Erate Year 10 plan along with the commitment and compliance by the board.
* Held a hearing and approved of the District’s Academic Excellence Indicator System.
* Approved bills and salaries amounting to $637,349.35. Of that sum, $409,171.93 was for salaries and related expense, while $228,177.42 was for monthly bills.
* And, trustees learned that enrollment in the district stood at 579 on January 22nd. That breaks down as follows: High School - 195; Van Horn Junior High - 129; and Eagle Elementary - 255.
Gallego named to Natural Resources Committee
(AUSTIN)— State Representative Pete P. Gallego was appointed to serve on the influential House Committee on Natural Resources for the 80th Legislative Session. This committee will consider hundreds of bills relating to Texas’ natural resources, including crucial legislation regarding water, water rights, and groundwater districts.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on this committee,” said Rep. Gallego. “I am excited about this unique opportunity to serve on the committee tasked with protecting our irreplaceable water supply.”
Rep. Gallego said that his committee assignments will allow him to work closely on numerous issues that affect his constituents.
”From Sierra Blanca to Alpine to Del Rio, protecting our precious water supply is critically important to the constituents of District 74,” said Gallego. “In fact, developing a statewide strategy for how we implement complex water policy is one of the most important issues we face as a state. We must ensure all Texans have access to a safe, clean, affordable supply of water, into the foreseeable future.”
In addition to a coveted seat on the House Committee on Natural Resources, Rep. Gallego will also serve on the Agriculture and Livestock Committee. “Agriculture and livestock are a critical part of the West Texas economy,” noted Gallego. “I look forward to working on this committee to protect this vital segment of our economy.”
Earlier this month, Rep. Gallego’s colleagues in the Mexican American Legislative Caucus re-elected him Chairman in a landslide vote. He will hold that Chairmanship for the next two years as well.