The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 23, 2007 Page: 2 of 15
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Page 2A ★ lOc Bastrop Hdocrtiscr
Thursday, August 23, 2007 W
Rainfall volunteers sought by Nationa eather Service
By Davis McAuley
Editor
A non-profit branch of the National Weather
Service is looking for volunteer weather watch-
ers, especially in Bastrop and some neighboring
comities. It's part of a nation wide effort to build
a dense network of volunteers who will collect
and report daily rainfall data.
"We want as many (volunteers) as one per
square mile," said Bill Runyon of the National
Weather Service. Older data collection systems
average one weather site per 28 square miles,
and that can leave significant gaps in informa-
tion which officials rely on for a variety of pur-
poses, including flash flood warnings, he said.
Currently the 10-year-old Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network (or
CoCoRaHS) lias only two volunteers in Bastrop
County, said Runyon. Volunteers are also needed
in Lee, Fayette and Gonzales County, he said.
Caldwell and Comal County are better rep-
resented, as are parts of the Hill Countiy to the
west.
It's easy to sign up and easy to report, accord-
ing to Runyon. Volunteers need a self-provided
standard rain gauge, an Internet connection and
the ability to enter daily data at a national web
site, www.cocoralis.org) plus an outdoor site
with good exposure, meaning as few trees or
other obstructions as possible. The system needs
daily data reported between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Data from the volunteers are valuable to
scientists as well as forecasters, said Runyon.
Volunteer reports can pick up locally heavy
rainfall events that may foretell downstream
flooding even if other information, such such
as radar, misses the storm or misjudges its
intensity.
The volunteer data can also help scientists
check the accuracy of radar readings, said
Runyon.
CoCoRaHS is based at Colorado State
University. Texas partners include the Office
of the State Climatologist at Texas A&M
University, the Lower Colorado River Authority
and Department of Geography and Environment
at the University of Texas at Austin.
Troy Kinimel is the Texas State
Coordinator.
To become a volunteer go to the web site
(see above) and click on the Ajoin CoCoRaHS
emblem on the upper right side of the main
website. Anyone with questions can contact
Kimmel at tkiinmel@maiLutexas.edu
Teachers:
Continued from Page 1A
boost teacher morale.
"Elgin doesn't have a pro-
gram to see how teachers are
doing on an individual basis,
but our principals are very
good at taking the temperature
of their campus and helping
to address concerns and prob-
lems," Rodriguez said.
Elgin also hosts teacher
potluck dimiers and socials
and gives out campus recog-
nition awards. "We recognize
that sometimes we just need
to thank our teachers for a job
well done," Rodriguez added.
Bastrop
Bastrop hired 111 new
teachers for 2007-08 or 20
percent of its teaching staff of
565. Last year the district hired
116 new teachers.
"This year's number is not
out of the ordinary consid-
ering we added 20.5 addi-
tional teaching positions,"
said Karen Dooley, Assistant
Superintendent for Human
Resources.
Like Elgin, Dooley said
salaiy levels do not seem to be
the driving in factor in Bastrop
teacher turnover.
"Salary and benefits are
usually never mentioned as
a reason for leaving Bastrop
ISD," Dooley said. "I have had
circumstances where someone
thought they were getting a
better deal elsewhere, only to
return later for being misled."
Bastrop conducts exit inter-
views for all employees leav-
ing the district, Dooley said.
She listed the most common
reasons for leaving, in order of
the highest numbers first: per-
sonal (moving closer to home,
gas prices, etc.); relocation of
a family member; retirement;
new career; stay at home with
family; 110 contract offered or
a resignation was requested.
Dooley said district officials
participate in campus monitor-
ing at least twice a year in
which they individually visit
each classroom.
"No specific survey is given
to teaching staff, but they may
come in at any time to express
concerns," Dooley said.
Like Elgin, Bastrop offers
several social get-togethers for
teachers as well as other staff.
"The Back To School Bash
at the beginning of the school
year serves as a welcoming
back for students and staff,"
Dooley said, ""The Employee
Recognition Banquet in May
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Labor Day
Hol iday Deadl nes
Thursday. September 8 issue
Deadline for CLASSIFIED
and DISPLAY ads
NOON, Thursday, Aug. 30
Deadline for NEWS ITEMS
3 p.m., Friday, August 31
The Bastrop Advertiser office
will be closed Monday, September 3
in observance of the Labor Day Holiday • 321-2557
recognizes employee service
awards in 5-year increments "
Additional awards help
boost morale: Secondary
Teacher of the Year,
Elementary Teacher of the
Year, Paraprofessional of the
Year and Auxiliary Employee
of the Year.
"There are no specific
bonuses given to staff for a job
well done," Dooley said. "But
at each campus, the principals,
along with their PTAs recog-
nize staff several times a year
with ice cream socials."
Smithville
Smithville ISD hired 16
new teachers for this school
year, for a total of 112 teach-
ers. Last year 11 new teachers
were hired.
From exit interviews
performed this summer,
Superintendent Gary Sage said
he had 13 resignations, nine
retirements and one dismissal.
Retirement led as the main
reasons for leaving, followed
by "taking a new teaching posi-
tion," "family circumstances,"
and moving from the area.
"Austin and Bastrop
school districts pay more than
Smithville," Sage said. "We
have lost some staff members
to those districts and salary has
been stated as a reason.
"However, we have also
hired staff from those same
districts in the past, and sal-
ary was not cited as an issue.
Smithville ISD does salary
surveys each school year to
try to stay as close as possible
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Not certified by the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
HClie Bastrop 2Ulumiser
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper
Since March 1,1853
Semi-Weekly Since Sept. 5,1977
Devoted to the welfare of the people of Bastrop County.
Published 104 times a year on Thursdays and Saturdays by
Austin Community Newspapers, a division of Cox Newspapers, at:
The Bastrop Advertiser Phone:
908 Water St. (512)321-2557
P.O. Box 459 Fax:
Bastrop. Texas 78602 (512) 321-1680
e-mail: newsfglbastropadvertiser.com (news)
or ads@bastropadvertiser.com (retail advertising)
Subscription rates: S49.92 per year or S35.36 per six months delivered
in county, $59.28 per year or $41.08 per six months delivered out of
county, and $74.88 per year delivered out of state (all are payable in
advance). Periodic postage paid at Bastrop, Texas 78602.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
The Bastrop Advertiser, P.O. Box 459,
Bastrop, Texas 78602-0459
Publisher: Stan Woody
Advertising: Debbie Denny, Jennifer Bristol
Editor: Davis McAuley
Sports editor: Mark Goodson
Staff writers'. Terry Hagerty
Contributing writers-. Ellen Moore, Ernest Simmons,
Donald Williams, Joan Russell, Donna Davis, Michal Hubbard
Contributing photographers'. Charles Bell, Michael Amador,
Karol Rice, M.D. DeHart
Office manager: Shirley Gibbons
Classifieds, subscriptions: Ginny Pickering
Production-. Alicia Svetlik, Daniel Thornton
MEMBER
2007
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION
ri
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
The Bastrop Advertiser (USPS045-020)
Member: National Newspaper Association
Texas Press Association
South Texas Press Association
Bastrop Chamber of Commerce
—*—
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
Texas Press Association winner:
1964,1981,1983,1985,1986,
1987,1992,1993,1997,1998,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Best of Cox winner: 2004
South Texas Press
Association winner:
1991,1992,1994,1997,1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003,2004,2005,2006
to school districts our size and
financial ability."
To gauge staff morale,
the district has an employee
questionnaire as part of the
exit interviews. An annual
School Climate Survey for
all of district staff is also
conducted.
During exit interviews
this summer only one depart-
ing teacher marked ''poor"
in describing their "working
relationship with supervisor."
Fourteen teachers marked
"excellent," one marked
"good" and none marked
"fair."
Nearly all departing teach-
ers also marked either excel-
lent or good for: workload,
employee benefits, communi-
cation, with district and evalu-
ation procedures.
Like Bastrop and Elgin,
Smithville administration
also boosts morale, not with
pay bonuses, but with meals
for staff throughout the year,
naming employees of the
month and recognition at
school board meetings.
Q±
ERFECT
■3.
MAQE
Spg&iafizffig ill J^air (Q cyCaifs
Tues-Fri 9a-6p / Sat 9a-3p
303-1488
99 Loop 150 W, Bastrop
next to Movie Gallery
Mituly 'Turner
eb-JJennifer Longoria
About Your
Bastrop Advertiser
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
■ (512) 321 -2557
FAX:
(512)321-1680
E-MAIL:
■ news@bastropadvertiser.com
■ arts@bastropadvertiser.corn
■ sports@bastropadvertiser.com
■ ads@bastropadvertiser.com
■ classifieds@bastropadvertiser.com
AUSW COMMUNITY NEWSFWO*
BUSINESS HOURS:
■ Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, some newsroom staff members may be
available until 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.
ADDRESS:
■ Street: 908 Water St., Bastrop, Texas 78602-3834
■ Mailing: P.O. Box 459, Bastrop, Texas 78602-0459
HOW TO SUBMIT A NEWS OR SPORTS STORY:
■ The best way to get your news or sports item in the paper is to submit
the information in writing and delivered in person or sent by mail, fax, disk
(Microsoft Word format preferred) or e-mail. Typed and double-spaced copy
is preferred, or if you're using a computer, leave some space between each
line. Give us the basic information, and try to be as concise as possible.
Please leave a contact person and daytime telephone number in case we
need more information. There is no charge for news or sports stories. Photos
may also be submitted. Color photos are preferred, but black and white
photos are accepted. Please, no Polaroid pictures. Photos need to be sent
as separate JPEG attachments. If you have any questions, call editor Davis
McAuley for news items or sports editor Mark Goodson for sports items.
■ News deadlines: Thursday issue, 3 p.m. Monday; and Saturday issue,
3 p.m. Thursday. Early deadlines are announced prior to holidays.
CORRECTIONS:
■ The Bastrop Advertiser makes every effort to provide fair and accurate
information in its news articles, pictures and captions. Should we make
an error, please contact the news department. It is our policy to correct
significant errors of fact. Corrections are generally placed on Page 2.
WEDDINGS. ENGAGEMENTS. ANNIVERSARIES. BIRTHS & OBITUARIES:
■ Obituary announcements are published free of charge. Photos may
also be submitted. Color photos are preferred, but black and white
photos are also accepted. Obituary announcements are usually provided
by the funeral home or family. For questions, call editor Davis McAuley.
Wedding, anniversary, engagement and birth announcements are paid.
Contact Jennifer Bristol or Debbie Denny in the advertising department.
HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED OR DISPLAY AD:
■ The best way to place a classified or display ad is in person during regular
business hours or by telephone. You may also use the classified ad form in the
classified section, and you may also send ad copy by fax. Rates and special
offers for classified ads are listed in the classified ads section of each issue.
Media kits are available for advertisers, which also include information about
our other Austin-area newspapers, including The Smithville Times, Westlake
Picayune, Pflugerville Pflag, Round Rock Leader, Lake Travis View and North
Lake Travis Log. If you have any questions, call the classified ads department
for classified ads or Jennifer Bristol or Debbie Denny for display ads.
■ Advertising deadlines: Thursday issue, 5 p.m. Friday for display ads and
classified ads; and Saturday issue, 5 p.m. Wednesday for display ads and
classified ads. Early deadlines may be announced prior to some holidays.
ADVERTISING ACCEPTABILITY:
■ The Bastrop Advertiser reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement
submitted for publication, in its sole discretion.
■ We will not knowingly accept any advertisement that we consider potentially
misleading, deceptive, offensive, discriminatory, that may infringe the rights
(including trademark and copyright) of any person or entity, or that otherwise
may be inappropriate for general circulation publication. We will not knowingly
accept, regardless of ad content, any advertising for any product or service
that itself may be unlawful, harmful, or inappropriate for inclusion in a general
circulation publication.
■ We do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any published
advertisement, arid urge readers to contact the advertiser directly if they have
any issue with either the content of the advertising or the product or service
advertised.
■ The Bastrop Advertiser is not responsible for errors or omissions in
advertisements, for failure to publish in a timely manner, or for any damages
caused thereby. The sole remedy for failure to publish in a timely manner
shall be refund of any monies actually paid by the advertiser for the desired
publication. The sole remedy for errors or omissions shall be refund of monies
actually paid by the advertiser for the space in which the error or omission
occurred, which may be less than the cost of the entire advertisement. We
reserve the right to correct or republish an advertisement in lieu of any refund.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:
■ The rates are $49.92 per year or $35.36 per six
months in Bastrop County, $59.28 per year or $41.08
per six months outside Bastrop County or $74.88 per
year or $46.80 per six months outside Texas. All are
payable in advance by cash, check or money order or
credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover). Payment
can be made in person during regular business hours or sent by mail.
All county subscribers should receive their papers on Thursdays and
Saturdays. Copies of the newspaper are also on sale at locations around
the county. If you have any questions, call Ginny Pickering.
BACK ISSUES:
■ Back issues of The Bastrop Advertiser are kept for about a year and are
available at our office while supplies last. There are also bound copies of
certain years at our office and copies available on microfilm at the Bastrop
Public Library. If you are looking for a specific article or advertisement, you are
welcome to browse through our back issues during regular business hours.
RECYCLING:
■ The Bastrop Advertiser is recyclable, and we encourage you to recycle your
newspaper when you are finished with it. The city of Bastrop has curbside
recycling (321-3941), and Recycling Options is located at 217 Pershing Blvd.,
around the corner from the former County Recycling Station. For information,
call 303-6665.
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McAuley, Davis. The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 23, 2007, newspaper, August 23, 2007; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth252401/m1/2/: accessed June 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Bastrop Public Library.