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All but one Montague County tax entity saw strong increases in their certified property values for 2014, continuing a five-year trend all driven by mineral values.

A total of 14 entities receive values through the Montague County Tax Appraisal District. Bowie, Gold-Burg, Saint Jo ISDs, also have portions of their districts that flow into neighboring counties, as does the Clear Creek Watershed. The values noted in this story only include Montague County values.

Chief Appraiser Kim Haralson said there were no big surprises as the mineral properties continue to drive the increase. The number of value parcels prepared by the district has doubled since 2009 when 39,065 parcels were prepared. In 2010 it went to 40,475 and in 2014 it is 81,360.

“Overall, I think all the entities can be pleased with where their values fell this year,” said Haralson.

Read the full story in the mid-week News.

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BISD superintendent annual evaluation, contract set for agenda

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Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.

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As heat rises, take precautions to be safe

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Six county fire departments earn forest service grants

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Six Montague County volunteer fire department have received grants from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The service recently approved $29.3 million in funding for grants to through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
Nocona Hills Volunteer Fire Department received a $300,000 grant for a water tender vehicle. Montague and Sunset VFDs each received $45,000 for a slip-on unit, and the Nocona rural, Nocona city and Saint Jo VFDs each received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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