NEWS
BISD Trustees review COVID-19 procedures
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District met in called session on Nov. 5 to review the district’s COVID-19 practices and procedures.
Twelve weeks into the school year, Superintendent Blake Enlow said several board members wanted to have the discussion in light of the increase in county virus cases and hospitalizations. Bowie ISD continues to experience each week two-three students and staff members at each campus who test positive or have been exposed to a positive case.
Trustees review staff and student self-reporting procedures, and the checking of student symptoms when they arise. Enlow said there was discussion about mask wearing at different common areas such as the cafeteria or gyms, where students may gather throughout the day.
“Teachers have said in some classes it is just hard to teach kids wearing a mask. There was some discussion of having a mask mandate, but it goes back to the common areas where they can’t social distance. Some wear them all the time, but we did not mandate. We will have conversations with those who may not be wearing them in common areas and why we are asking them to do it,” said Enlow.
There also is the challenge of social distancing where some of the classroom don’t have the space for the full six-feet. The superintendent said they are moving things around to make it work better and some added partitions when the students can’t be far apart.
Trustees talked about events and the public coming into facilities. Enlow said they will try to do social distancing and encourage masks.
“Football was outside, as we move inside we will mark chairs for distance and we are going to ask for and offer masks. We feel most will comply if you ask,” said Enlow.
The superintendent continued at this point it was a good discussion giving the administration an opportunity to get feedback from the board, who all have varied opinions based on their different levels of exposure to the illness.
Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.
The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.
Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.
The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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