Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 36, Ed. 1 Tuesday, February 20, 2001 Page: 3 of 16
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SCHOOL
TUESDAY, FEBUARY 20, 2001 1^31118 COUntfl LftadCr
that he wished he had been en-
couraged when he was younger.
Matt agreed and stated, “Even
today I’m not sure my family un-
derstands [my fascination with
birds].” Matt added that birding can
be “an enormously powerful force”
in the life of a child, channeling
energy into something healthy and
beneficial that can become a life-
long pursuit.
David noted thaLhe and Matt at-
tended a meeting in Grand Saline
last summer where a group was
organizing the East Texas Birding
Trail—from Grand Saline, which
has an unusual salt marsh, through
Edgewood to Wills Point. He
added, “I don’t see why Emory
couldn’t be a part of it—being
located between the two lakes—
forming a birding triangle.” He
urged the chamber to check into the
possibility of joining these neigh-
boring towns in their efforts.
According to these two, Rains
County is sitting on a gold mine of
birding opportunities in our own
back yard, which, if properly de-
veloped, could add tremendously to
our tourist industry and economy.
*****
Visit our Website at:
www.rainscountyleader.com
continued from page one
County due to the large number of
species here and the proximity of
the two lakes,” he said. “The timing
of the chamber developing the 37
acres is fortuitous,” White contin-
ued, “since it could easily become
part of the trail. All that’s basically
needed is signs telling how to get
there and an information center.”
Matt said Mr. Parsons from the
Sabine River Authority commended
birders for leaving no marks when
they visit an area. “When birders
visit an area, they contribute to the
local economy by buying food, gas
and lodging, but most people don’t
even realize they’ve been there
because they typically don’t leave
calling cards in the form of litter,”
White explained.
When told that the park will also
be used as a youth camping and
continued from page one
teacher. “I realize we have budget
constraints,” Steadham said. “We
may be looking at a Spanish teacher
also,” he noted.
Seago added, “It’s time—past
time—to hire another librarian.”
Junior high principal MayBeth
McMahan said since the history de-
partment has been weak in TAAS,
she would like to have that teaching
position not tied to a coaching posi-
tion. She felt this could be done
without hiring additional staff.
Seago noted that athletic director
Terry Smith was not present but
will probably ask for an additional
coach in girls’ athletics.
Elementary principal Tony Vess-
akosol said he would like to put in a
developmental first grade class—
kind of a remedial class—but by
rescheduling teachers, he won’t
need any additional staffing.
The board reviewed the third six
weeks and semester grade reports.
A decrease in the failure rate was
shown in three of the four high
school grades, with the most
improvement shown in ninth grade,
historically the problem grade.
Failure rates in eleventh grade
increased.
Seago updated the board on a
District Effectiveness and Compli-
ance (DEC) visit, set for August 27
when a monitoring team will be
here for one week. Although these
visits are required by the state every
six years, the state is so short hand-
ed and behind thlat Rains ISD hasn’t
had a visit in 11 years. Back then
they were called TEA (Texas Edu-
cation Agency) monitoring visits.
The spring 2001 utilization re-
port for the distance learning lab
was reviewed. At present, two stu-
dents are taking history and two stu-
dents are taking English from Tyler
Junior College. This fall Rains will
receive Spanish from Gladewater
High School, which will alleviate
some of the pressure on our Spanish
teacher, and Rains will send U.S.
History to another district. Susie
Grider, Director of Instruction and
Technology, said they have added
SAT prep classes and have ten stu-
dents signed up already, with more
expected.
After hearing a report on teacher
performance from the three princi-
pals, the board voted to extend
administrative contracts for one
year for Grider, Steadham, Mc-
Mahan, Vessakosol and Smith;
Denise Flagg, junior-senior high
assistant principal; Hilda Ellison,
high school counselor; Sherri
Wright, junior high counselor; and
Doris Hailey, elementary counselor.
Current contracts are from July
2000 through June 2002. This,
extends them from July 2(KH to
June 2003. The board voted to offer
a two-year administrative contract
to Angie Trull, assistant elementary
principal, for the same period.
A leave of absence was approved
for Diana Whiteley from March 5
through April 6, 2001.
In other action, the board:
• Approved the minutes of two
previous meetings.
• Reviewed the report on school
recreation area for groups such as
Boy Scouts, White responded that a
birding area would be compatible
with youth camping. “If large areas
are cleared to make playgrounds,
then that would not be compatible,”
he said. White stressed that the area
needs to be left as natural as possi-
ble.
Bill Gleason noted that only five
to seven acres will be used for
camping and youth activities, so the
remaining 30 acres could be left
intact for bird habitat.
David related that his interest in
birds began when he was a young
child, but it wasn’t until he was
older that he found an outlet in bird-
ing. “It wasn’t until I was in college
and met other people interested in
birds that I ‘came out of the closet,’
so to speak,” he said. David added
board training, then called a
trustee election for May 5.
• Nominated Einda Terry to serve
as the district’s representative on
the East Texas Council of Gov- .
emments (ETCOG) board.
• Anproved line item budget
changes.
• Reviewed school bus needs for
next school year, the schedule
for Public Schools Week March
5-9, staff development update,
proposed revision to Local
Policy EHBB and Local Policy
F.IE. TAAS Task Force minutes,
District-wide Education Im-
provement Council (DEIC) min-
utes, and support staff changes.
****
Please notify the Rains County
Leader of your 9-1-1 address to
ensure uninterrupted service.
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SHANE ROSE, owner of Rose
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at the Rains Garden Club meeting
February 12
Garden Club
observed
“Family Night
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The Rains Garden Club observed
“Family Night” at their meeting
Monday evening, February 12, at
6:30.
A Valentine theme was used in
decorating the tables at the Rose
Community Center.
Members, their husbands, and
other guests shared a delicious meal
and heard an interesting lecture.
Hostesses Mattie Hickman,
Bobba Parker and Molly King fur-
nished brisket, chicken, desserts
and beverages while other members
brought vegetables, salads and
bread.
The speaker was Shane Rose,
owner of Rose Nursery in Hoganv
ville. His subject was “Foundation
Landscaping and Bed Preparation."
He emphasized the importance of
soil testing and the use of proper
fertilizer.
The next Garden Club meeting
will be March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Rose Community Center. Visitors
and new members are invited.
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Hill, Earl Clyde, Jr. Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 36, Ed. 1 Tuesday, February 20, 2001, newspaper, February 20, 2001; Emory, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth767626/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rains County Library.