NEWS
Examining school security – BISD has undertaken many improvements to enhance security
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Each time there is a school shooting incident in America it launches a debate on the security of our schools. The May 24 mass casualty incident at Uvalde in Robb Elementary was no different although seemingly even more tragic with the loss of 19 elementary school students and two teachers. The 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, was killed at the scene.
This shooting came just 10 days after a shooting at a Tops supermarket in New York that took the lives of 10 people.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Education Agency late last week to provide strategies to make Texas public schools safer. Specifically, districts were asked to identify actions they can take prior to the start of the new school year to make campuses more secure; instruct districts to conduct weekly inspections of exterior doors to verify they are secure during school hours and develop strategies to encourage school districts to increase the presence of trained law enforcement officers and school marshals on campus.
All the superintendents in the county will be meeting in Bowie Thursday in response to the Uvalde shooting. Enlow said they will talk about what they are doing in their districts, new information and ideas and thought processes that may be set up in responding to the Texas incident.
Buildings
Bowie Independent School District has undertaken many steps to increase security and several projects are in the works. Superintendent Blake Enlow said the Uvalde shooting occurred just a few days before the school year ended in Bowie and it was on everyone’s mind at the annual staff breakfast on the last day.
Read the full story on the improvements made for school security in the last five years in your mid-week Bowie 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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