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By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The DeLeon City Council met in a special called session Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. to canvas the votes from the May 10 election. Neither Howard Gifford nor Norma Locke were present, having not run for re-election.

Following the conclusion of that meeting, council members convened in another called meeting, at 6 p.m., to discuss plans for the upcoming grand opening celebration for the new Community Park, scheduled for Saturday, June 7.

“Jack Boen is heading up the music for that day,” Mayor Danny Owen said. “He has five bands that are going to play throughout the day, for two 40 minutes sessions, so that will carry way on in to the evening. But there is room for other bands, if someone were to want to participate in this.”

Mayor Owen also noted that there was a representative present from the Comanche County Car Club, and that the club had agreed to participate in the days activities.

Also present were Linda Levens and La Joyce Johnson, representing the DeLeon Chamber and Women’s Division, to discuss their plans for the celebration.

Mayor Owen noted that there were numerous events or presentations planned, including a spinning/weaving demonstration, and an Air Evac presentation.

“We’ve also invited the DeLeon Volunteer Fire Department and the Promontory Park Volunteer Fire Department,” Owen said, “to bring any of their equipment out.”

Owen noted that among the area dignitaries who’ve been invited to participate are Rep. Sid Miller, and former DeLeon mayors John Adcock and Jim Adams.

“And I invited Charles Chupp to come out and have a book signing if he wanted to,” Owen said. “We want as many people as possible to participate.”

Owen noted that his goal was, “To have attractions that were of interest for every age group.”

Some other “possible” activities and events mentioned included dominoes and other games under the pavilion, a pet parade and a bubble gum blowing contest; and some of the old fashioned games, such as sack races and three-legged races.

Also present at the meeting was Monty Stewart, who was there to discuss the tractor pull, one of the biggest parts of the days events.

Another planning session was called for Tuesday, May 20, too late for the Free Press deadline. For more information, call City Hall at 893-2065.

Special to the Free Press
By DR. RANDY MOHUNDRO

The DeLeon Independent School District Board of Trustees met in regular session on May 19 with follow-up activities from the May 10 Trustee election at the top of the night’s agenda.

The Board heard positive remarks from Dick Senter regarding several new programs in the district and the campus operation at the middle school. The Board then canvassed the results of the May 10 election.

It was noted that there was a counting error and that Lisa Nowlin received five fewer votes than had been previously reported. The Board voted to accept the final results of the election showing Lisa Nowlin receiving 137 votes, Brandon Gilmore 97 votes, and Zach Paul 73.

The oath of office was then administered to the reelected trustees. The Board then conducted its annual reorganization following an election. Lisa Nowlin was reelected Board President, Larry Don Womack was reelected Vice-President, and Kelly Dickey was reelected Secretary.

The Board then reviewed the Consent Agenda as presented. Following a review of district financial reports and bill payments, the Board was asked to approve a service agreement with Trillion Partners for a VOIP telephone system. This agreement would be subject to the district receiving E-rate funding, and would reduce the cost to approximately 20%, with the federal government paying the remaining 80%.
The consent agenda was approved as presented.

As a matter of action, the Board approved a current budget amendment to allow for the resurfacing of the gym floor in the new gymnasium and refinishing the floor in the old gymnasium. The new gym will be closed during the month of July to allow for a total resanding of the surface to remove the finish build-up that occurs on such surfaces over a period 8 – 10 years. Following sanding, the floor will be resealed, painted, and finished with a water based solution. This will also allow for the repairing of any dead spots that might exist in the floor. The old gym will receive the regular summer maintenance of adding a coat of flooring finishing as is done every summer.

The Board then selected Daylon Whitehurst to serve as the Board’s delegate to the 2008 TASB State Convention to be held in Dallas in September. Brandon Gilmore was selected to serve as the alternate.

The board then entered into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and the superintendent’s evaluation. The Board returned after approximately one hour, with no action being taken.
The administration then presented the Board with a proposal for a new math intervention program for the district entitled Math2020. Math2020 will focus on the district’s math personnel, call for schedule changes at the secondary level, a review of the district’s curriculum and instructional methods utilized.

Overall response from the Board was favorable with the administration now ready to move to the next step of development and planning for implementation. Many aspects of the program will begin immediately, and will continue as the 2008-09 school year begins.

Guidelines for livestock show participation were also presented to the Board. The guidelines that were presented were formulated with assistance of a committee made up of parents and teachers. The new guidelines specify which stockshows will be sanctioned by the school district, how extra-curricular absences will be handled, and when an ag-science teacher will accompany students.

Final adjustments to the new guidelines are underway, and following final board approval, will be mailed to all students who participate in showing animals, as well as all members of the local livestock association.

As a final matter, completed applications for the Perkins Scholarship, awarded to a graduating DHS senior, were distributed to Larry Don Womack and Brandon Gilmore who will represent the Board in the selection process.

The decision has been made to conduct a search to fill the vacancy left following the resignation of John Ward as Boys Athletic Director/Head Football Coach.

The decision to conduct a search was made after the administration and Board of Trustees met to confer on the issue. It was noted by DISD Superintendent Randy Mohundro, that, “there are several quality individuals currently employed by the district that could step-up and take the job. It is the goal of the Board and the administration to find the very best person for the job.”

The search process begins immediately with the vacancy being posted on various websites across the state. Applications will be accepted until June 5, with interviews to begin soon after. The district has a goal of June 20 for having a new person hired for the position.

Mohundro noted, “time is not on our side in this situation. Summer workouts and plans for the coming year are already in process, so it is important that the position be filled in a timely manner.”

Details regarding the vacancy can be found on the district’s website, www.deleon.esc14.net

It’s almost summer, and the grass has started to grow. City officials have announced that they will begin sending letters to property owners soon for property that needs to be mowed and/or cleaned.

If anyone knows of property they would like to see cleaned up, please contact City Hall at 893-2065 and they will take pictures of the property and then send a notice to the property owner.

“I want to thank everyone in advance for helping keep DeLeon looking nice,” said City Secretary Karen Wilkerson.

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