NEWS
Ratings plan riles up ISDs- Provision ratings get massive backlash
By BARBARA GREEN
The release of provisional ratings for Texas school districts based on the proposed A-F Rating System has been greeted with a wave of anger and concern from school officials across the state.
When the ratings were released last Friday, Montague County superintendents were no different in their reaction to the “grades” they could receive in the new system.
All the districts in the county with the exception of one, Gold-Burg Independent School District, met standard in 2016 under the present accountability system where districts and campuses either “met standard” or “improvement is required.”
And as recent as two weeks ago, the districts learned about the final distinctions their campuses would receive only to find some of them were given “Ds” and “Fs” under the new system.
During the 84th Legislative session, House Bill 2804 changed the Texas school accountability system so every campus and district receives one of five ratings from A-F. The ratings will be issued for the first time in August 2018.
That bill also required the Texas Education Agency to present a preliminary work-in-progress report by Jan. 1, 2017, noting potential grades be sent to legislators and then released to the public.
Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the ratings in the report were for informational purposes, and the models are likely to change before they become effective in August 2018.
Read what Montague County school superintendents have to say about their provisional ratings and the proposed A-F rating system in your mid-week News. 
A Wednesday morning rollover on State Highway 59caused a vehicle to catch fire but had no injuries.
Montague County Public Information Officer Sgt. Aaron Randle said the call came in around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of SH 59 and Nobile Road. When Montague Volunteer Fire Department firefighters arrived, the 2008 Chevy pickup had rolled over and was fully enguled in flames. The17-year-old adult driver was out of the vehicle.
Brandle said the fire was under control at 8:06 a.m. Bowie Emergency Medical Services was also on the scene.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The City of Nocona has been nominated as a rural Opportunity Zone by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Mayor Christopher Nunneley said they will begin “pitching” this federal tax angle to potential businesses.”
At a Tuesday afternoon press conference Nunneley, Donna Culpepper, executive director for the Nocona Economic Development Corporation and Michelle Page of the Nocona Chamber of Commerce announced the nomination and offered a brief overview of the federal tax incentives that can become available.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Remember Sept. 11 2001, 25 years later
While history will remember Sept. 11, 2001 among the darkest days in America’s history, it also is a day marked not only by tremendous heroism and bravery by first responders, but also every day Americans from all walks of life who showed the world our country would not be intimidated by terrorism.
There were 2,996 people killed during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 including 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York city police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers. Tens of thousands more suffered in the aftermath due to exposure to chemicals and industrial debris.
The Bowie News editor asked some local lawmen, firefighters, a pilot and two retired FBI agents their memories of this tragic day and how their jobs were impacted by the events. We thank them for sharing their reflections.
Read the full feature in your Thursday Bowie News.
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