NEWS
Being a mentor – Lunchtime sessions giving to both sides
By BARBARA GREEN
The Bowie Elementary mentoring program began with three participants in December 2015. Two years later it has grown to nearly 50 mentors assisting children with not only reading, but also a range of other needs.
Boosting Our Jackrabbits Onward Mentoring Program was initiated by Elementary Counselor Mark Neese, who said he was inspired by a Wichita Falls school program, “Assist with Success.”
The Bowie program joins volunteer mentors with elementary students “to participate in meaningful reading and mentor sessions with the goal of increasing student academic and social improvement.”
Mentors are assigned to individual students in a supportive environment which includes a weekly 30-minute mentoring session during lunch and a 30-minute reading focus.
Neese adds these sessions are confidential and may only be shared with school faculty or staff associated with the specific child. The school began with three mentors and has grown to 46 with four waiting for training. A total of 48 children are being served as two mentors work with two children.
“You can see a difference in these children. they are reading closer to grade level and they are responding well with a desire to read,” explains the counselor. “If a student struggles with reading they don’t want to do it. Research shows they should strive to be reading on grade level by third grade. After that point it is a struggle to catch up and sometimes they don’t, which hurts their chances for the future.”
Read the full story in the weekend News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
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