People, Places & Events

Trustees eye preliminary
FY 2010 budget projections
By Kerry Yancey
Monitor Staff Writer
EUSTACE–Eustace school trustees got a look at the preliminary 2009-10 budget, which is based on lower enrollment but higher property values.
Superintendent Dr. Coy Holcombe also gave trustees a look at the possible state funding formula for the upcoming school year at the board’s June 16 regular meeting, noting the proposal included raises for teachers and other personnel.
Enrollment at the Eustace Independent School District began dropping last year during the gas price spike, but lower gas prices have not resulted in more move-ins, Holcombe reported.
Looking at near-final 2008-09 budget projections, Holcombe pointed out enrollment was far below what had been projected when the budget was formulated late last summer.
“We made adjustments (to the budget) throughout the school year,” he said. “We’re appealing our property values, so we may actually finish in the black.”
The drop in enrollment became far more worrisome late in the year. “In the last six weeks, we lost 38 or 39 kids,” Holcombe told the trustees.
Last April, the district had 1,508 students. “A year ago at this time, we had 1,505,” Holcombe said. “Now, we’re down to 1,467, and that’s disappointing. I’m hoping we’ll get some more move-ins this summer and start (school) around 1,500.”
Each lost student means a corresponding decline in state aid, which is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA).
Students did their part by keeping attendance above 96 percent for the year, even during the fourth six-weeks period, when illness was widespread, Holcombe reported.
Property values are up about 7 percent, based on preliminary figures, which show the EISD worth approximately $498 million.
So far, the district has received three different versions of the school funding formula, “but all three versions are pretty close for us,” Holcombe said.
The proposed budget is based on an ADA of 1,415 students, far below last year’s figure, he noted.
“All of these (versions) have raises included,” Holcombe told the trustees. “House Bill 3646 calls for an $800 increase, but we’re not sure yet where the boost goes (in the teacher’s base salary or the local increment).”
Speaking of gas prices, the district has been paying a little more for fuel lately, “but we’re nowhere near what we were paying at this time last year,” Holcombe said.
In other business, the trustees:
• honored two students, graduate Chelsea Truitt and Josh Felty. Truitt (who was out of town) took the silver medal in the pole vault at the state track meet, the first EISD athlete to medal in the event, while Felty finished eighth at the state UIL academic meet in current events.
• heard athletic director Doug Wendel report “I feel we’re in position to really take off with our athletic program.”
Wendel recapped the numerous accomplishments Eustace High School athletes posted during the past school year, including playoff appearances for both the football and boys basketball teams, breaking decade-long droughts, along with the now-expected deep playoff run by the volleyball team.
Wendel thanked the trustees for their essential support for the program, noting “you play a tremendous role.”
• heard visitor David Mercer request consideration of creating a choral program at the high school level.
• selected Texas Kids First to handle student insurance services for the coming year.
• changed depository banks, accepting a proposal from Prosperity Bank.
• formally approved the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Update 85 on a second reading.
• reviewed, but took no action, on the student handbook, which has few changes.
• accepted the district’s investment policy as proposed.
• accepted seven resignations and hired two individuals, following a closed-door discussion.
Resignations were accepted from Spanish teacher Ruth Adame, high school coach/special ed teacher Phillip Smith, high school coach/reading teacher Laura Belt, husband-and-wife duo Alene and John Gragowski (she was an aide, while he handled alternative school placements), special ed aide Aimee Johnson and retiring Ronnie Noble, a middle school computer teacher.
Trustees hired Karey Smith and Dee Dee Lancaster, subject to assignment, and also approved the salary schedule for auxiliary and professional employees as amended.

Tool council accepts resignations
from councilman, fire chief
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Reports
TOOL–In separate actions, the Tool City Council accepted the resignations of mayor pro-tem Leland Pitts and of Fire Chief Bruce “Doc” Thurston at their June 18 regular session.
In a letter addressed to the council, Pitts listed time constraints and additional demands of his job at Citizens State Bank.
Mayor Mike Black added there were also health issues for both Pitts and a family member.
Councilman A.J. “Red” Phillips made the motion to accept “with deep regrets,” and asked for the city to send a letter of appreciation to Pitts for his years of service.
Thurston expressed personal and family considerations as his reasons for resigning, Black said in a telephone conversation.
Councilman Tracy Bush asked if the resignation was of Thurston’s own free will. It was, Black responded.
Tool resident Maurice Favor said the resigning fire chief felt as if “his feet were cut out from under him.”
A disagreement over the purchase of an older fire engine and a newer one, set to be delivered next week, is said to have sparked the action.
The council appointed Mike Howell as the new fire chief.
Howell is an experienced firefighter, and will be attending Fire Chiefs School at Texas A&M-Commerce Sunday through Friday, July 19-24, Black said.
In other business, council members:
• heard a discussion on allowing fireworks to be sold in the city of Tool.
Suggestions included a $500 permit fee, plus trying a two-year temporary permit before requiring the vendor to build a permanent structure.
The temporary structure would still have to meet city codes, and would be set up no more than five days before the allowed time to sell fireworks, and then removed by one week after, Black said.
The item was tabled until all provisions could be discussed, with a draft ordinance to be presented at a special meeting.
• approved renewing a contract with Nett-Working Technologies.
The new contract includes an increase in price for labor when repairs are needed, from $65 to $75 per hour.

Adopt-a-cat month
noted by Humane Society
Special to The Monitor
TOOL–The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake (HSCCL) is celebrating the American Humane Association’s national Adopt-a-Cat Month in June.
Kitten season starts in early spring and peaks in late spring, flooding animal shelters with dozen of homeless kitten litters.
“When cats are not neutered or spayed, they reproduce easily, and spring and summer are the seasons when cats are most active, resulting in more kittens showing up at our doors,” HSCCL shelter manager Krista McAnally said.
“We encourage the residents of the Cedar Creek Lake area and the City of Kaufman to visit and meet the 26 adult cats and 30 kittens that are looking for loving, permanent homes,” she added.
The HSCCL encourages people to enrich their lives by adopting a cat.
Following are some of the reasons to adopt a cat or kitten:
• Cats are great companions; most felines love to keep you company.
• Cats can be comfortable in smaller places, where dogs need room to run and exercise
• Some cats even love to carry on a conversation.
• Kittens are entertaining; it can be beneficial to adopt more than one cat or kitten, especially if the pets will be left alone for long periods of time. Young kittens need to engage in vigorous play for several hours a day, and another kitten can help.
• A cat’s purr can help you relieve everyday troubles and stress.
• Cats have unique temperaments for different households and environments.
• Most cats are already house trained, or can be trained very easily.
• Cats love to groom themselves.
• Many cats and kittens are in need of a good home.
If you’re not in the position to adopt a cat or kitten, please consider donating the following items: kitty litter, bleach, canned cat food, dish and laundry detergent, paper towels, latex gloves, cloth towels, or 39-gallon heavy duty trash bags.
Dry dog food is also very much in need. These items can be dropped off at the shelter at 10200 CR 2403 in Tool, or in the collection boxes located at Brookshire’s in Seven Points, Dairy Queen in Kemp, Southside Bank in Gun Barrel City and Citizens Bank in Mabank.
For other locations, call (903) 432-3422.
About the HSCCL:
The HSCCL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating solely on donations.
They take in stray animals from the lake area, the City of Kaufman, and the City of Crandall.
In 2008, they took in more than 3,000 animals and had a 38 percent adoption/rescue rate, which is higher than the national average of 35 percent.