Athens —
Thursday’s regular meeting of the board of trustees for the Athens Independent School District opened with the usual prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to both the U.S. and Texas flags.
But there was also another positive note that had the crowd of about 100 consumed, along with a video that proudly played for all to see.
It was an instrument assuring the recognition of school board members during School Board Appreciation Month, with its theme “Rising to New Heights,” a slogan originating with the Texas Association of School Boards.
Presenter for the occasion was Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Janie Sims. Contributing greatly to the production of a film showing students, teachers and other school officials set to music. It was assembled by Amanda DeShazo and Maurine Bogowitz. Both are Master Teachers at Athens Intermediate School.
AISD Superintendent Blake Stiles said the opening celebration was a feature of “nice school board appreciation.”
“Our community participation has been good, and there has been good interaction with the school board,” Stiles said. “They have great vision in what the community needs. The staff in this district appreciates the fact that the school board is trying to make us better. This school board is working with outside businesses, and is exhibiting forward thinking.”
Stiles said that generally speaking, the Thursday meeting at the District support Center Board Room on Hawn Street was “routine.”
“The one item that sticks out in my mind is that principals can now live up to 17 miles from the center of town,” he said. “The old rules said you must live within the school district boundaries. We still want our administrators to live in the community, or in an adjacent area.”
Stiles said the district is very “long north to south.”
“You could actually live within the loop, and still be in the Cross Roads School District,” he said.
Stiles said the rule applies to principals and assistant principals.
“Those people spend a lot of hours at work, and it helps them to live close,” he said. “They should become part of the community.”
Local News
AISD honors trustees
Superintendent says they bond with community
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
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Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
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Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
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