Tony Eierdam/The Community News
Aledo ISD school board trustee Bobby Rigues waves down cars during a rain storm today (Tuesday, June 29) in front of his State Farm office on FM 1187 in Aledo in an effort to collect signatures for the "Make Education A Priority" campaign.
Rigues - with complete support of the Aledo ISD board of trustees - started the grassroots effort to inform the public of the limitations Austin and its state legislators have put on school districts.
The “Make Education a Priority” catchphrase calls for tax payers in Aledo ISD and across the state to contact their local legislators and senators to help repair a funding system that was put in place in 2006.
In preparation for its 10-year review with its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Weatherford College officials are requesting feedback from residents in its service-area communities in Parker, Wise, Palo Pinto, Hood and Jack Counties. A survey asking for input identifying areas for student improvement is available on the College’s Web site, and interested respondents are asked to complete the short but comprehensive survey to assess WC’s success in meeting students’ needs.
Tony Eierdam/The Community News
Bulldozers and earth-moving machines were busy at work Monday morning (June 28) on what used to be a practice field across the parking lot from the Aledo High School field house in the beginning construction phase of the new all-sports indoor practice facility. The facility is scheduled to be complete in December.
Aledo and Willow Park Firefighters assisted Silver Creek and Azle firefighters in battling a house fire at 117 Rattling Antler in Silver Creek.
Homeowner James Sagers said his daughter, Jessica, was home at the time the fire started at about 4p.m.
Everyone got out safely. The fire is believed to have started from a lightning strike, but Sgt. Connie Good of the Parker County Fire Marshall's office said an investigation has to take place before that becomes official.
Tony Eierdam/The Community News: Aledo pitcher Sarah Simpson (shown above) along with teammates Aubri Jordan, Erin McGuire and Lauren Glass each earned Texas Girls Coaches Association academic all-state honors.
Aledo Ladycat softball players and 2010 graduates Sarah Simpson, Aubri Jordan, Erin McGuire and Lauren Glass each earned academic all-state honors from the Texas Girls Coaches Association, it was announced today (Thursday, June 24).
The all-state academic teams are comprised of athletes of member coaches of the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Athletes must be a senior and must have a GPA of 94 or above for grades 9-11.
Pink Luncheon Dollars at Work in Parker County
Pink Luncheon Dollars are still at work providing mammography screenings for Parker County residents. Since the last Pink Luncheon, the Texas Health Resource Mobile Mammography Unit has been in several locations in the county. The mobile unit will be in Parker County again on the following dates.
July 9, 2010 – Willhite Seed Inc., Poolville, TX (On the Square)
July 15, 2010 – All About Kids, Weatherford, TX (Fort Worth Hwy.)
August 31, 2010 – Millsap ISD, Millsap, TX (Elementary Campus)
In an effort to once again transfer funds into the from Interest and Sinking funds to Maintenance and Operations (M&O) with no cost to taxpayers, the Aledo ISD board of trustees at their regular meeting Monday night (June 21) approved the calling of another Tax Ratification Election (TRE) which will take place on Aug. 28, 2010.
Early voting is slated for Aug. 16.
Aledo ISD superintendent Don Daniel explained that although it appears taxes will be raised by elevating the M&O tax rate from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 valuation, it is really just a shifting of funds.
“It will not increase the total tax rate and will not lengthen the bond payment schedules,” Daniel said. “We will pay the bonds off on the same schedule they are currently on.
Among the many water and road discussions that are on tonight's Willow Park City Council agenda, one of the new business topics includes an amendment to the city's animal control ordinance.
Mayor Ken Hawkins said the proposal will indicate how many animals citizens can have. According to the agenda, the proposal will include "other provisions for an efficient and enforceable animal control procedure.
The proposal, which is listed third in the new business portion of the meeting, comes after Willow Park residents Bill and Harlene Newhart and Leda Wilson had livestock attacked by dogs owned by their neighbor Gary Stevenson.
The three parties reside near the corner of Buena Vista Drive and Emsley Drive in the northern area of the city.
WC to enhance nursing laboratory
(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced today (June 21) that Weatherford College was among 22 community colleges across the state receiving more than $3.84 million in grant funds to help finance equipment purchases for new career and technical education programs that support fast-growing industries. The grant money from the Job Building Fund helps Texans get technical training for careers in high-demand occupations.
“This money will help schools buy specialized equipment and training materials to support work force development programs, continuing education training courses, and certificate and associate degree programs experiencing rapidly increasing enrollment,” Combs said.
Budget and proposed tax rates and consideration of calling a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) are two items on the agenda for today’s (Monday, June 21) Aledo ISD regular board of trustees meeting.
The meeting – which will also allow for public comment on any matter – begins at 7 p.m. in the Aledo ISD administration building boardroom.
Another key item will be a presentation by Aledo ISD athletic director/head football coach Tim Buchanan, who will seek approval from trustees concerning recommended changes in the district’s policy regarding drug testing and fees involved.
A complete list of the agenda items can be found at www.community-news.com.
