Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

May 16, 2008

LaPoynor school board to review e-mail policy

Move comes on heels of coach resignations, criticism of superintendent

By Rich Flowers

The calm came one week after the storm for the LaPoynor school board.

What resulted from Thursday night’s regularly scheduled school board meeting was this: LaPoynor Independent School District board trustees have agreed to have lawyers review a policy regarding employee use of its Internet and e-mail systems.

On May 8, several members of the audience at a LISD meeting became vocal when trustees took no action concerning allegations that Superintendent Eugene Buford had violated the district’s acceptable use policy regarding Internet and e-mail usage.

Two coaches, Brad Rogers and Ronnie Dunn, submitted their resignations in March after being accused of similar violations. Both men denied they had done anything inappropriate.

On Thursday, the board tackled a 19-item agenda which included a three-hour executive session with no post-meeting fireworks. The board has also recently met in a pair of four-hour executive sessions, which are held outside the public view.

“The board will seek legal advice for setting punishment for violations of the acceptable use policy which will be addressed at the June meeting,” Board President Keith Bristow said after the closed session.

The policy states that Internet accounts are to “be used only for educational and administrative purposes.” According to the policy, inappropriate uses include: using the system for any illegal purpose, posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation or illegal and wasting school resources through improper use of the computer system.

After Thursday’s meeting, Bristow said the board is asking the district’s attorney, Blake Armstrong, for guidance in handling future abuses of the policy. When asked if the information would have any bearing on cases the board has discussed to date, Bristow said, “I don’t think so.”

In other action, two new board members were sworn in. Larry Holcomb, a postal worker who defeated incumbent Robert Barron, took the Place 5 seat. Dale Burk, a Eustace assistant principal, became the Place 4 trustee. Burk polled 103 votes on May 10 compared to 67 for Joe Paul Tarrant. Burk replaces Mike Mann, who did not seek re-election on the board.

The board organized for the new term by retaining Bristow as president and Richard Holcomb as vice president.

Text Only
Local News
  • Parking lot altercation leads to arrest

    Athens police, acting on a 911 call, drove up on a an altercation at 505 S. Palestine St. at the Save-a-Dollar parking lot just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

    May 25, 2012

  • One arrested, two released after cocaine discovery

    It probably wasn't the best place to hang out — the Henderson County Judicial Center parking lot on West Corsicana Street — not with a quanity of cocaine inside the console of the car.

    May 25, 2012

  • Primary voting Tuesday

    Ready, set, vote.
    The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the Democratic and Republican Primaries. Henderson County candidates run the gamut from first-timers to long-time incumbents.
    Some county voters will be traveling to new polling places for this round of balloting, after the much-debated redistricting process.

    May 25, 2012

  • Henderson County communities participate in Click It or Ticket

    It's not a good weekend to get out on the state highways without buckling up.
    In fact, that's probably true every weekend.
    But the 11th annual Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Mobilization Campaign is under way, now through June 3, 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • martha & mary pic.jpg ‘Martha and Mary’

    The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing, announces the World Premiere of local Playwright R.G. Haynie’s newest play, “Martha and Mary,” on May 31  at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on June 2, June 7, June 8 and June 9  at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10  at the theatre complex, located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos

  • Witnesses aid in suspects’ capture

    Timing is everything, and one would-be burglar apparently didn't have it during a burglary at a home on North Murchison Street near Athens.
    Witnesses saw the burglary as it was happening, and one homeowner, Billy Stewart, fired three rounds at the burglar, as he was driving off his property with a stolen yellow 4-wheeler.

    May 24, 2012