Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 163, No. 5, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Page: 6 of 16
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6A
■ Wednesday, March 28, 2012
■ Cljerokeeaij Herald ■ thecherokeean.com
ACCESS executive director Allyn Lang will retire
By Robert Gonzalez
Staff Writer
After nine years as the leader of
the local community mental health
center, ACCESS,
executive director
Allyn Lang will
step down. Serving
the Anderson and
Cherokee county area,
ACCESS provides
mentalhealthservices
to those in crisis or
who need help with
ongoing problems caused by mental
illness, developmental delays, mental
retardation or substance abuse.
“It is time for me to step down,”
Mr. Lang said.
Mr. Lang will remain as director
until a replacement is named.
Boardchairwoman, Kathy Newman
said, “ W e would like to thank Allyn for
his unselfish dedication to serving the
citizens of Anderson and Cherokee
counties.
“Their lives and our communities
have been improved because of his
compassion and desire to serve
others.”
Mr. Lang can point to a number
of programs that have successfully
carried out the mission of ACCESS.
One program that has been very
helpful to the sheriffs departments
in both Anderson and Cherokee
counties is the hiring of a mental
health officer paid by ACCESS.
“The role of the Cherokee County
Sheriffs Office working with Allyn
Lang and ACCESS over the years
has been a very positive one,” said
Cherokee County Sheriff James
Campbell. “Allyn was able to get state
funding for our mental health officer
and vehicle for the past several years.
I cannot say how much this has meant
to the sheriffs office and the people
that we serve.
“Allyn has always been receptive
to our needs and has worked very
hard to see that ACCESS and the
sheriff s office can work hand in hand
to serve those that need our services
the most. The sheriff s office will miss
Allyn very much and we wish him a
great retirement. We look forward
to working with ACCESS for many
years to come.”
Employing a mental health officer
has allowed deputies to stay on patrol
instead of transporting potentially
unstable inmates to state mental
hospitals.
Prior to Mr. Lang’s selection as
executive director, he was a member
of the executive staff serving as
the center’s director of quality
management, essential services and
developmental disability services.
Mr. Lang received his Bachelor
of Arts in psychology from the
University of the South, Sewanee,
Tenn.
After four years of graduate studies
at the University of Tennessee, he
completed a clinical internship at the
University of Texas Health Science
Center in San Antonio.
ACCESS has worked seamlessly
with Rusk State Hospital.
“Allyn always made sure that the
best interests of his center were at
the forefront of any discussion, but
never to the exclusion of the best
interests of the people he was charged
to care for,” said Rusk State Hospital
Superintendent Ted Debbs.
“Allyn always looked for solutions
that would insure that everyone
(whether my facility, law enforcement,
the courts or local hospitals) involved
in the many complicated situations
that arose, felt they had been heard
and decisions took their concerns
into account.
“I am truly going to miss having
Allyn as a major part of our mental
health community.”
Allyn Lang
County License &
Weight officer resigns
By Gloria Jennings
Staff Writer
Resignation ofRicky Moore,
Cherokee County License and
Weight officer, was accepted
at the commissioners court
meeting Monday morning.
Mr. Moore will begin work
with the sheriff s department
next week.
Commissioners agreed to
park Mr. Moore’s truck and
supplies at the Precinct 4
county barn.
Phone numbers of loggers
willbegiventocommissioners,
who will notify them. Each
commissioner will take care
of the license and weight
issues in that particular
precinct until a replacement
for Mr. Moore is hired.
In other matters the laying
of utility lines in Precinct 3
was approved.
Alease assignmentbetween
William T. McRae and Bill H.
Bailey Jr. for Hanger 13 at
the Cherokee County Airport
was approved.
Attending the meeting
were Judge Chris Davis;
Commissioners Kelly
Traylor, Steven Norton,
Katherine Pinotti and Byron
Underwood; County Clerk
Laverne Lusk; and County
Auditor L.H. Crockett.
NEWS
Upcoming events at the
Ross Senior Center
Thursday is free movie day at
the Ross Activity Center, at the
Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St.
Every week, a different classic
movie will be featured.
Popcorn and beverages will be
available. Shows start at 1 p.m.
Beyond Fitness and the Ross
Activity Center offers free low
impact aerobics classes at 9
a.m. every Thursday at the Rusk
Civic Center.
Classes will focus on physi-
cal fitness routines designed to
help keep senior citizens fit and
active.
The Ross Activity Center offers
card and domino games at 10
a.m. every Monday, Wednesday
and Friday.
Free beginning clogging les-
sons with the Cherokee Cloggers
are offered at 5:30 p.m. every
Thursday.
TRAIN_
continued from pg. 1A
First reports were that
two unmanned trains were
traveling toward Jacksonville
around 8:11 p.m. Sunday.
However, Cherokee County
Sheriffs Department Detec-
tive Capt. John Raffield said,
“The railroad told us it was
not two trains, but actually
one train with two locomo-
tives. One locomotive was at
the front of the train and the
other at the back. The train
was pulling more than 20
freight cars and was traveling
27 miles per hour.”
Agent Archer stressed the
train was never unmanned.
LARGENT_
continued from pg. 1A
begin with the fact that I have
had a wonderful 11 years in
Rusk ISD,” Dr. Largent said.
“I cannot say enough about the
schoolboard, staff and students
I have been so fortunate to work
with during my time in Rusk
ISD. The Granbury job fits a
very small window of opportuni-
ties that I would even consider
leaving Rusk for, as it is both a
career and family decision. Jeri
and I both beheve this is an op-
portunity we had to pursue.
“Until a contract is signed and
it is ‘official’ that I am leaving, I
will not be giving any farewell
talks or doing any ‘goodbye’ in-
terviews. And, until my last day
on the job in RISD, I will con-
tinue to work every day to help
make us one of the best school
districts in East Texas.”
During his tenure at Rusk,
Dr. Largent has led the district
in the construction of $17.3
million in new facilities and
renovation, including a new
$6 million intermediate school;
$3.2 million auditorium; $4.3
million coliseum; new science
classrooms at the high school
and junior high school; a new
track lane, increasing the
track from seven to eight lanes;
Law enforcement agencies
and volunteer fire depart-
ments were put on alert to
stop traffic at road cross-
ings.
“The train was not travel-
ing fast enough to trip the
crossing guards and someone
had to be at the crossings to
stop traffic when the train
came through,” Capt. Raf-
field said.
“It actually took approxi-
mately 30 minutes to get the
mechanicalproblem fixed and
the train stopped,” he said.
There were no injures,
Capt. Raffield said.
and renovation of the football
stadium, with the addition of
artificial turf and new seating.
Total for the track and football
stadium was $1.4 million. All of
the new facilities were paid for
from the district’s fund balance
and no bond funds were used.
Board vice-president Britt
Patterson said, “Our facilities
at Rusk are the best of the 3A
schools in East Texas and ev-
erything that we did was with
the existing fund balance. We
have not floated bond issues for
these projects. Academically we
have been a recognized district
for the past two years and we
have had exemplary campuses
throughout the years.”
With the addition of the coli-
seum, the district has one and
a half gyms at that site, plus
the full-size old high school
gym and the gym at the junior
high school.
With the new auditorium
and band hall, the district is
equipped to host band and
choir competition. By adding
the additional lane at the track,
the district can now host larger
track meets.
Academically, the elementary
and primary schools each re-
ALTO ISD
continued from pg. 1A
curriculum under contract for a
specified period, this allotment
can be used at the discretion of
the individual district as long as
materials comply with current
Texas standards.
Seventy percent of the
allotment will be used the first
year, the remaining 30 percent
the second year and the school
can roll over any remaining
balance for future purchases.
“This gives us the power to
adjust our materials each year
as funds allow and provides
teachers the flexibility to
change their minds according
to student success,” Ms. Hinson
said.
She attended training in San
Marcos for this new process and
is working with Sandy Holcomb,
curriculum director. A new
upper level math program for
the highschoolhas already been
purchased along with STAAR
materials, leaving unspent
money.
Eight students, members of
the FBLA (Future Business
Leaders of America), gave a
presentation to the board listing
the organization’s achievements
and goals since its first meeting
in March 2010. They placed
fifth in the state for making
the largest contribution per
member to March of Dimes and
first in Area 6 for the highest
donation.
Addressing board members
were freshmen Jasmine
Moore, Tanisha Parker and
Derrick Shephard; Miriam
Perez, Destiny Jacks, Kathy
Guevara and Staceson Myles,
sophomores; and Shanelle
Gaddis, junior. Their sponsor
is Anetha Francis, business
teacher.
Other personnel decisions
made by the board included
the approval of 11 and
12-month employee contracts
for John Griffith, agricultural
director; Jerry Bennett, dean
of students; DeAnna Griffith,
elementary counselor; Sandy
Holcomb, academic and
testing coordinator; Thomas
Williams, band director; Kelly
West, middle school principal;
and Keith Gardner, athletic
director.
Trustees voted unanimously
to uphold the ruling of the
ceived five exemplary ratings,
three recognized and two aca-
demically acceptable. Since the
intermediate school was opened
in the 2003-04school year, it has
received one exemplary, three
recognized and two acceptable
ratings. The junior high school
has received four recognized
and six acceptable ratings.
The high school received two
exemplary and six acceptable
ratings, and one unacceptable
rating in 2006.
Dr. Largent is expected to
be hired at Granbury after a
21-day waiting period, which
is mandated in Texas.
“As we enter into a period of
transition, please know that the
RISD Board of Trustees will be
making very important deci-
sions in the upcoming weeks
and months,” Dr. Largent said.
“I have no doubt that they will
lead as they always have - with
the best interests of the children
and staff of Rusk ISD at the
forefront.”
Rusk ISD board president
Rodney Hugghins said, “We
cannot wait 21 days to begin
our process of locating a new
superintendent. We expect a
large number of applicants and
PHOTO: BECKY WHISENANT
Eight students, members of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), gave a pre-
sentation March 20 to the Alto ISD board listing this new organization’s achievements and
goals since its first meeting in March 2010. Their sponsor is Anetha Francis, business
teacher. In front from left are members Destiny Jacks, Tanisha Parker, Jasmine Moore,
Shanelle Gaddis, Miriam Perez, Staceson Myles, Kathy Guevara and Derrick Shephard. In
back are Ms. Francis, board member Britton Tilley, Superintendent Kerry Birdwell and board
members Freddie Johnson, Jay Jones, Lee Pearman, Randy Low and Lionel Whitaker.
administration on dismissing
a Level 3 grievance presented
by Willie Brown.
Mr. Birdwellsaid the previous
ruhng by the administration to
dismiss the grievance was made
based on regulations of the time
period for response.
The 15-day hmit had expired,
which allowed grievances to be
presented and addressed.
In other matters, the
board approved the changes
as presented to the revised
terms and conditions of the
proposed mediation settlement
agreement and heard reports
from each campus.
Nine students earned the
right to put pie in Pat Morgan’s
and Mrs. May’s faces as part of
the $2,856.08 raised for Jump
Rope for Heart.
The elementary was treated
to Central School’s jump rope
team program and middle
school students heard a guest
speaker warn of the dangers
of alcohol.
The FFAreceivedseveralblue
ribbons at Houston Livestock
Show including a first-place
award to Tanner Jones.
As afundraising challenge, the
school’s athletic director, Coach
Gardner, will be addressed for
one day as “Mrs. Gardner” as
a result of $2,069.00 raised for
the Leukemia Society.
PHOTO: BECKY WHISENANT
Alto ISD Board president Freddie Johnson, right, con-
gratulates new district superintendent Kerry Birdwell.
The school board approved Mr. Birdwell’s hiring at its
March 20 meeting.
Attending the meeting
were trustees Britton Tilley,
Jay Jones, Lee Pearman,
Randy Low, Lionel Whitaker,
President Freddy Johnson,
superintendent Kerry Birdwell
andsecretaryAllisonThreadgill.
Crispin Skinner was absent.
we will certainly find another
great superintendent to help us
to continue to move forward.”
“Dr. Largent has certainly
been a good asset to the school
district and community,” Mr.
Hugghins continued. “Since
he has been on board, he has
led us in tremendous academic
increases and lots of building
projects. We have a district
where teachers want to teach
and out-of-district students
want to attend. We have a great
district due to his leadership.”
Mr. Patterson said, “I hate to
see him go. He has done an ex-
tremely great job at Rusk ISD.
I cannot say anything negative
about anyone who wants to
better himself. I wish him the
best of luck and I hope he has
the same success at Granbury
that he has had at Rusk.”
Board secretary Franees Long
said, “I hate to lose him. But, of
course I wish him well and this
is a wonderful career opportu-
nity for him and I hope he will
behappythere. Dr. Largent has
accomplished a lot while he has
been in Rusk. He leaves hard
shoes for us to fill. The next few
weeks will be busy ones for us
on the school board.”
HORNETS’ BUZZ
Weekly News and Notes from New Summerfleld Independent School District
tudents from New Summerfield high school have
been recognized for a variety of awards in recent
weeks. Students from the school’s agricultural
classes participated in the Cherokee County Junior
Livestock Show held March 22-24. Students who
entered hogs and placed include Ramie Weaver- 1st
place Medium Barrow Class, Ryan Weaver- 2nd Place
Medium Barrow Class, Laramie McCutcheon- 3rd Place
Light Weight Gilts Class, and Ramie Weaver- 5th place
light weight gilts class. Students who entered shop
projects include Arnulfo Aguilar, Francisca Aguilar,
Jonathon Garcia, Brittany George, Mario Gonzales,
Dylan Kubena, and Rachel Mayes. Ryan Weaver also
won a buckle for winning the Senior Showmanship
Award.
Junior Martizza Melendez was selected to the Texas
Association of Basketball Coaches All Region Basketball
Team. This honor is given to only twenty female players
in District 1A-Region 3.
Students from the school’s drama class participated in
the UIL One Act Play competition held in Waskom on
Saturday, March 24. Arnulfo Aguilar received a tech
award, Erik Suarez received an honorable mention all-
star cast award, and Gesenia Alaniz was named to the
all-star cast.
In other high school news, tryout practice for cheerleader
and mascot positions will take place from 3:15-4:30 on
Thursday, March 29, Friday, March 30, Monday, April 2,
Tuesday, April 3, and Wednesday, April 4. Cheerleader
and mascot tryouts will occur at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday,
April 5th.
The school will not hold classes on Friday, April 6.
Access more information at the district’s website
http://www. nsisd.sprn et. org
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Gonzalez, Terrie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 163, No. 5, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 28, 2012, newspaper, March 28, 2012; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth614668/m1/6/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.