Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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| Rotary Governor visits here.... The Rotary District Governor of District 5520 was in town Monday visiting the Van Horn Rotary Club. After deliverig her address, Club President Matt Fink presented Jackie Morgan with a gift basket commemmorating her visit to Van Horn. |
- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District met Monday night for the first time with their interim superintendent, Fred Liner.
The meeting, I must say, was a vast departure from recent meetings as trustees did not seem to be determined to micro-manage the routine affairs of the district.
Liner had the agenda short and to the point.
Liner did present trustees with some food for thought as the district is about to enter the second half of the fiscal year. He told trustees that they had approved a $6.1 million budget back in August. A budget which projected revenues from taxpayers at $2.97 million and revenues from the state of $2.1 million.
He told trustees that the shortfall was to be made up with the failed tax increase, which voters turned down (approximately $432,000), and the rest apparently was coming from the district’s fund balance.
Liner told trustees that the district probably will make it, cash flow wise, but it needs to be very vigilant with spending.
And then he gave them a lesson in using the Financial Integrity Rating System (FIRST) report as a planning tool, rather than one in which you look back and say that’s how we did.
In particular, he noted that based on the data from the report, the district already has more staff than we should, which means it is costing more for less revenue. And, he projects declining student population to be at 528 for next year.
If that scenario materializes, then you will really have too much staff next year. And with the decline in student population, comes a decline in state revenues. If you continue your staffing levels, it will mean that the district will have to continually draw down the fund balance to a dangerously low level.
Other agenda items considered and actions taken during the Monday meeting included:
* The approved a bid for the E-Rate Cycle 11 from Syntech.
* They approved the sale of land, as proposed by the Appraisal District, to Manuel Baeza to get it back on the tax roll.
* They awarded a bid to Eddie Navarrette, in the amount of $16,500, to install the canopy over the baseball field.
* Trustees heard interim Superintendent Fred Liner report that the audit report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007 is in process and they hope to have it ready for the board within a month or so.
* Heard Liner report that under the depository contract the district has with the Van Horn State Bank, all district funds are to be placed with the bank.
Liner reported that he has spoken with a bank representative and told him that the rate on the contract is not good enough and has been told the bank will work with the district to get a better return on it’s investment.
* Heard Superintendent Liner report that the district has a $10,000 plus penalties liability to the IRS for payments made to staffers last year that the district did not with hold on. The IRS is considering the grant payments compensation and the district is now liable for taxes owed.
* Trustees, at the recommendation of Superintendent Liner, opted to table action on a Texas Association of School Board’s policy update pending further review.
* And, following a behind closed doors session, trustees upheld the Level I and Level II results on two parents complaints. The two parents were Terry Bacerra and Joe Carrasco.
Trustees also heard an employees dismissal presentation in executive session, and voted to take no action. They did tell Joe Martinez that he is eligible to reapply for a job with the district.
* And, after hearing Superintendent Liner report on “No Child Left Behind” Highly Qualified Plan, he told trustees about meetings he has had and plans to have with staffers and representatives of the community.
* Trustees were told that campus reports were in writing for their review, and then they adjourned the session.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
This town showed its true colors again on Saturday evening at the Stock Show with a huge outpouring of support for Rolan Brewster, who is fighting cancer and is undergoing treatment away from home at this time. Rolan and Susan have been big supporters of the Stock Show and the 4-H kids for many years. Susan was moved to tears, as were others in attendance. This is such a caring and supporting town, to say the least. I’m so glad that I can call it home!
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There’s a treat in store for our town tonight, Thursday, Jan. 24th. The Ambassador Singers are back for another performance. That’s how I know it will be a treat. They were here last year and were absolutely great. Ask anyone who heard them and they will tell you that it will be well worth your time to go. We seldom have the opportunity to hear this quality of a performance here in Van Horn.
The singers are young people from Korea. They can’t all speak real good English, but they can sing in perfect English. Their expressions of praise and joy on their faces as they sing is just an added blessing. So do yourself a big favor and come out to hear them at 7:00 tonight at the First Baptist Church.
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I told Larry that I was quite sure that it was colder this winter than recent years and he said he thought it was just because I was getting older and it just seemed colder. Well, to prove my point I went back 3 years and averaged the low temps for the months of Nov., Dec., and Jan. I just hate it when he’s right. Here’s what I found. The average lows for those months in ’05/’06 was 33, in ’06/’07 was 32, and ’07/’08 was 32. But....we still have 7 more days this month that might pull that average for this year down to 31! (And then I would be right.) I hear some winter weather, maybe even some snow, might come our way the next couple of days.
Mind you, I’m not complaining too much about our weather. It beats most places all to pieces. It’s just that the nights have been so cold this month. The average low this month has been 27, with 5 nights below 20.
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If you are a single parent and could use some support, encouragement and maybe some fresh new ideas, you might enjoy “Parenting....The Highest Calling”. Get more information from the ad in this issue, or by calling Sheila Gilmore at 283-1267. I think you would be encouraged just to visit with Sheila, so do give her a call. She has a heart for single parents and the challenges they face.
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“If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart,
If someone’s burden was lighter because you did your part,
If you caused a laugh that chased a tear away,
If tonight your name is mentioned when someone kneels to pray,
Then your day was well spent.”..........Author Unknown
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
January 24th - Ambassador Singers in concert tonight at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church.
January 25th - The Van Horn Eagle boys and girls JV and varsity basketball teams will play the Reagan County Owls tonight in Big Lake beginning at 5 p.m.
January 26th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
January 27th - Attend the church of your choice.
January 28th - Members of the Van Horn Lions Club are scheduled to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
January 29th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Eagle boys and girls JV and varsity basketball teams will play the Crane Cranes here tonight beginning at 5 p.m.
January 30th - Nothing scheduled at press time.