Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
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| Upward Bound students.... Van Horn High School principal John Fabela (left) and High School Counselor Sondra McCoy (right) are pictured with Jacqueline Grado, Beverly Rivera and Rosalia Corrales, Upward Bound students from Van Horn who attended the Upward Bound Math/Science Summer Workshop at the University of North Texas for 5 weeks this summer. They presented a synopsis of their training at the school board meeting Monday evening. They were3 of 50 students selected from a 5 state region to attend the training. The Upward Bound coordinator at Sul Ross State University is Barbara Vega. |
- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District held there regular meeting Monday evening and received some “great” news.
Blake Hightower, of the Region 18 Education Service Center, was on hand to formally present the district with a letter from John Thomas, Executive Director of the Center.
Hightower also presented the district with Region 18’s Leadership Award for 2008-2009. In making the presentation, he said, “Your district has become the model for Region 18 to use with all our Academically Unacceptable campuses.”
He went on to say, “Last year there were 5 campuses on the Region 18 service area that were AU and all received the same services from the region. Van Horn High School was the only one to get off AU status and get the academically acceptable rating.”
Hightower continued by saying, “This achievement came about because of a productive partnership between your teachers, staff and administrators. We’re glad to have had a hand in this significant turn-around and look forward to working with the district again this year.”
Excerpts from the letter stated, “The processes for improvement that were implemented at CCAISD in 2008-09 have become a model for which Region 18 can identify through our Comprehensive School Suppport Plan.”
The letter went on to state, “First and foremost, the teachers and staff of CCAISD are to be commended for their hard work and commitment to improving instruction throughout your district. The process of change is never easy; nor is it comfortable, and in spite of this fact, instructional staff members have embraced the challenge of improving their strategies, as they demonstrate dedication to the students and to this community through their efforts.”
And, the letter further stated, “The administrative staff performed in a superlative manner throughout the year as they provided the support and energy required for a labor-intensive turn-around process.”
Following this report from Hightower, trustees heard from Dr. Carter who will be following through again this year on behalf of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to see that our progress continues to move forward.
Dr. Carter outlined some of his plans to insure that the progress made in the last two years continues to improve as the standards of state testing continue to go up.
Trustees, at Monday’s meeting, also received some news that will impact the district down the road. Dr. Mancha presented a letter from the TEA notifying the district that it is now considered a Chapter 41 District.
In other words, we are now considered a “rich” school district based on our increasing property values and our declining enrollment.
What that meant for the present is that the district must purchase attendance credits from other school district. Instead of selling ours, as we have done in the past, we must now purchase them because the district just squeaked into the Chapter 41 classification.
With regard to other agenda items considered by trustees at Monday’s meeting, the following actions were taken:
* Trustees heard a presentation from three Upward Bound high school students who attended the University of North Texas Math/Science Summer Workshop.
The three, Jacqueline Grado, Rosalia Corrales, and Beverly Rivera were three chosen from a field of 50 students across a 5-state region for the summer program. Upward Bound Director, at Sul Ross State University, Barbara Vega told trustees that “this was a good representation of your district.”
* Trustees approved the PDAS evaluators for this school year. According to Superintendent Mancha, all have attended the required training and are certified to conduct teacher evaluations. The four evaluators for this year include Dolores Upchurch, Debbie Engle, John Fabela and Superintendent Mancha.
* Trustees heard campus reports from administrators which included the number of elective classes currently being offered at the Junior High and High School.
* Trustees heard Business Manager Julie Uranga report on efforts being taken in her office to scrutinize all purchase orders as part of ongoing efforts to closely watch the budget expenditures this school year.
* And, Dr. Mancha had a couple of report items for trustees. First, the next regular board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 15th. And, Dr. Mancha noted that the board will hold a special board meeting on Wednesday, October 7th to meet with Dr. Sullivan, of Sul Ross, concerning goals and visions for the district.
Girls Scouts to hold organizational meeting this Thursday
Girl Scout organizers here in Van Horn have announced that they will be holding an organizational meeting this evening at the Van Horn City-County Library.
Organizers will meet at 5:30 p.m. to determine if there is sufficient interest to proceed with a Girl Scout program here this year.
If you are interested in having a Girl Scout program here, please be sure to attend this organizational meeting this evening at 5:30 p.m. at the City County Library.
Fire Department to meet with Mayor tonight
Just a reminder! Mayor Ben Flanagan has asked members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department to meet with him this evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
If you’re a member or a want-to-be, please attend this crucial meeting for the Fire Department.