People, Places & Events

“There has been tremendous progress since last month when I was here,” architect Randy Fromberg told the trustees.
“You will be able to move into the classrooms on time,” construction manager Blair Williams promised.
“I am still concerned about (the design of) the handrails on the stairs,” school board president Keith Foisey said.
There will be money left over after the school is finished to work on a change, Fromberg answered.

Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Plumbing stubs in the floor show where stations will be centered in one of the second-floor science labs inside the new Kemp High School.

“I heard there was some storm damage to the structure,” trustee Jim Collinsworth said.
“Some roof materials were blown away, but I’m not aware of any damage,” Williams said.
Kemp maintenance staff noted wind damage to guttering on the south wing.
“I’ll look into it,” Blair replied.
School board members noted they would host a special walk-through of the new facility as part of the “Board Buzz” Tuesday (see related story, page 1A, and photos, this page).
In other business, the trustees:
• decided to retain Riata Financial Group as its Cafeteria Plan Manager. It was a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” board members agreed.

Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Incoming freshman Meagan Powell peeks through a slit in a plastic cover over a second-floor window into the cavernous new gym during Tuesday’s walk-through.

Trustees heard presentations from both Rusty Freeman of Riata and Wayne Deselle of TCG Consulting on behalf of Region 10.
KHS teacher Barbara McFaul spoke against changing carriers, and praised the current carrier.
“I will never believe that they (Riata and Freeman) have not had the best interests of Kemp at heart,” she said.
Freeman acts as a third-party administrator who looks after certain employee benefits.
“I have been serving the Kemp district for 17 years,” Freeman explained.
 

Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Visitors walk through the cavernous competition gym at the new Kemp High School during Tuesday’s tour. As planned, the gym will seat more than 1,000 fans.

• kept lunch prices unchanged from last year.
• authorized superintendent Dr. Peter Running to negotiate a contract for electric utility service.
•amended board policy DEC (local) compensation and benefits, allowing employees to donate leave and sick leave time to a fellow employee, if needed.
Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Visitors gather on the stage inside the new Kemp High School's 600-seat auditorium during Tuesday’s walk-through. The auditorium features a separate dressing-room area with storage, as well as a self-contained band hall.

• discussed a “students turn your cell phones on” program.
The program teaches students the appropriate situations for texting and information gathering.
• heard Running was the second choice for Superintendent of the Year.
• heard a parent’s complaint about too much emphasis on dress code violations.
Her son and daughter have been stopped in the halls too often, she said.

Cedar Isle hosts Support Our Troops
Monitor Staff Reports
SEVEN POINTS–Bringing the community together in a big way to support four local military personnel and their platoons stationed in far away places is the goal of the Cedar Isle Restaurant and Baja Beach Club in Seven Points.
The troops are stationed away from stores and are unable to get everyday necessities they need, so the community is invited to bring items that can be included in care packages for the troops.
The event begins at 2 p.m. and features live entertainment, games and other activities.
The event will raise money through donations, games and the selling of T-shirts. The monies raised will be used to purchase additional items to send to the troops.
The games present an opportunity for businesses to set up a tables amd promote the business. The carnival style games will raise money from ticket sales for additional items for the care packages.
The event also offers everyone in the community the chance to be a part of the effort.
To volunteer or for information call Blake or Amber Dunn at (903) 880-6849 or Tiffany Padgett at (903) 275-7527.
 

Dog training classes scheduled
Special to The Monitor
CEDAR CREEK LAKE –Summer dog training classes are scheduled to begin Thursday July 9, in the Cedar Creek Lake area.
Joan Guertin of Common Sense Dog Training will conduct puppy and adult training.
Beginning classes at 6:15 p.m. and an intermediate class at 7:30 p.m. for former students who desire more training skills.
Cost of the program is $95 with a portion of the training fee donated to Friends of the Animals in support of their efforts in providing low-cost spaying and neutering for area pets.
It is never too early or too late to train a dog. Dogs can learn good manners at any age.
The secret lies in using gentle, positive, motivational methods that encourage the dog to want to learn.
Bad behavior is often the reason that dogs end up abandoned at shelters. A dog with good manners will be a lifelong friend and member of the family.
Guertin’s success lies in 50 plus years of work with all breeds and the development of a program designed to stimulate the dog’s desire to learn.
In addition to basic training skills for the owner, the five-week puppy and beginning program will stress resolution of problem behaviors such as jumping, pulling on the leash, barking, digging, chewing and most importantly, teaching the dog to come when called.
The intermediate dog class is for those who have completed a beginning class and want to enhance basic skills and add more advanced skills.
All enrollees must be current on vaccinations and brought to class on an appropriate leash and collar.
Proof of vaccinations will be required upon registration.
For information on class location and requirements for class admission, call (903) 887-3803 and leave a message or (903) 340-7087 (cell).