Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District met Monday evening and, following an hour and a half executive session, learned that Superintendent Anne Pemberton was resigning her position effective December 21, 2007.
Pemberton, who had told trustees earlier this year that she would be leaving the district when her contract was up in June of this year, surprised them by saying she would be leaving in December. Pemberton has experienced some extreme family situations in the last several months which may have led to her decision. Additionally, she is reported to have found another job closer to her family.
Trustees accepted Pemberton’s resignation and voted to commence a search for an interim superintendent while their efforts to find a new superintendent are ongoing.
Yolanda Urias, local Reading First campus coach, was on hand to present her Beginning of the Year report on the district’s efforts at Reading First and how they impact our TAKS scores.
Following her presentation, trustees took several actions as shown below:
* They approved the canvass of the Rollback Election results from November 6th. The rollback election failed.
* They heard a report from Superintendent Pemberton on the district’s progress in meeting highly qualified teacher requirements.
* They approved a request from Lisa Rocha, of the Van Horn Boys and Girls Club, to use a district bus and driver for a year end trip for 8th grade students who do well on the TAKS test. Rocha has a grant in the amount of $10,000 to cover the cost of the proposed trip.
* Trustees approved the 2007 tax roll, as presented by the Culberson County Appraisal District, so that tax statements could be sent out.
* They also voted to allocate the district’s votes for Appraisal District directors evenly among the 5 candidates. The candidates include: John Jones, Manuel Molinar, Don Collins, Edwin Easley, and Matthew Molinar.
* They approved the sale of some land to a buyer, as recommended by the Appraisal District, with the provision that the buyer also pay the associated court costs.
* Trustees approved a Van Horn State Bank signature card resolution on who, at the district, could sign checks.
* They approved an early release day for December 13th so that the Junior High and Elementary could host a U.I.L. event here.
* They also approved a salary schedule for long term substitutes who are also assuming all teacher responsibilities. The rate will be $146 per day. That rate is the daily rate of the state teacher base pay.
* Trustees accepted a bid of $6,000 from American Talc Company for the purchase of an advertised bus. That was the only bid received.
* And they approved payment of bills and salaries of over $832,535.
Trustees also heard from two citizens during the meeting. John Clark presented trustees with some data from the GreatSchools.net website and asked them to take a hard look at what the district can be doing to improve our test scores.
They also heard from Terry Becerra regarding problems her daughter was having in school.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
I love the Thanksgiving holiday for lots of reasons. It’s my favorite time of year as far as the season. I love the time spent with family. I love the colors of fall and decorations for my home in the autumn theme. I love the food of the Thanksgiving season and the smells coming from the cooking of those foods. And I love the idea of a special time set aside for the reflections and thanksgiving for so many, many blessings we enjoy, both individually and as a nation.
I hope your schedules allow for that time of reflection. Sometimes I fear that we have so much and take so much for granted that our downfall as a country might be that very fact. If you have a chance, why not actually set down and make a list of your blessings. It might surprise you how very long that list would be.
Have a wonderful holiday!
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Here’s a few tidbits about the holiday that you might not know.
* Pumpkin Pie was probably not on the table. The Pilgrims’ flour supply had been gone for quite some time.
* George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, but it was only a one-time event.
* Sarah Joseph Hale, a magazine editor, wrote editorials and letters to government officials for more than 30 years before President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving.
* In 1941, Congress officially made the fourth Thursday in November a national holiday.
* * * * * *
Just recently the First Baptist Church celebrated their 110th Anniversary. There was a Prose/Poetry Writing Contest for anyone who wanted to put into words some thoughts about their church, particularly the history of it. The winner was Pam Young (an English teacher no doubt!). I wanted to share it with you, as it could have been written about any of the small older churches in our town.
In the mountains of West Texas, near Old Mexico,
In the desert, where cactus, yuccas, and ocotillo grow,
A church there was started one hundred ten years ago,
And stands today as a lighthouse for God’s people against God’s foe.
But this church that was planted in the desert so dry,
Had strong, hearty members, with faith they would try,
These ranchers and cowboys, shopkeepers and wives,
Determined by God’s grace to surrender their lives.
Their faith in their God sustained them of course,
From attacks by Indians, banditos, and other outlaw’s force,
At first they had no building, no piano nor pews,
Just a circuit-riding preacher to proclaim the “good news.”
From these humble beginnings so very long ago,
My church has evolved and become much different, you know,
But good men and women have served their God here always,
And with God’s blessing, nothing in the future will change.
This church is now my church, for nearly fifty years,
It has taught me, nurtured me, treated me dear,
As a teen who lost her father, it sheltered me from my fears,
In adulthood it taught me to ‘Experience God,’ to listen and to hear.
My church is precious, it’s been there for me,
Never perfect - composed of humans, how could it be?
But made up of God’s people, young, middle-aged and old,
We are the Body, The Shepherd’s own fold.
Our mission still compels us then as today,
Share the gospel of Jesus, love people His way,
Through our words, in our deeds, as we strive to obey.
May God’s Word be our rudder, and His love our mainstay.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
November 22nd - Thanksgiving Holiday.
November 23rd - Nothing scheduled at press time.
November 24th - Mule Deer hunting season begins. Trans-Pecos Big Buck Tournament gets underway.
November 25th - Attend the church of your choice.
November 26th - The Van Horn Lions CLub is slated to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
November 27th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are scheduled to meet today at noon at Chuy’s. The Van Horn Eagle and Lady Eagle Varsity and JV basketball teams play at Marfa today beginning at 4:30 p.m.
November 28th - Nothing scheduled at press time.