Local Stories
Steele to be interim PISD leader
Officials ponder unpaid fee solution
Police arrest Pampan in vehicle theft
Steele to be interim PISD leader
By DEE DEE LARAMORE
Editor
Jane Steele will lead Pampa Independent School District (PISD) in the interim while school board members seek a new superintendent through the help of a consulting firm.
Board members named Steele, PISD's assistant superintendent for instruction, as interim superintendent after meeting behind closed doors for more than an hour Tuesday night.
"After conducting extensive and lengthy interviews with some of the employees of the Pampa Independent School district, the board continues to be impressed by the excellent people we have on our staff and have asked Mrs. Jane Steele to serve as interim superintendent," said Board President Lee Porter in a press release today.
In a special meeting Monday, the board interviewed district employees for more than six hours.
Porter said this morning that he will be talking with Texas Association of School Board (TASB) officials "in the next day or so." TASB contains a superintendent search section that is available to local school boards such as Pampa's. He said there are other consulting firms that could be considered by the board, also.
Dr. Dawson Orr, current school superintendent, will be leaving Pampa at the end of this month to accept the same position with Wichita Falls ISD.
Orr's last official recommendation almost died for lack of a motion at Tuesday's meeting as the board wrestled with "effectiveness and efficiency standards" for Pampa High School.
"If my last official act dies for lack of a motion, so be it," the superintendent wryly commented.
After much discussion, the board finally set a 14.4 student-teacher ratio efficiency standard for Pampa High School, leaving school officials with the decision of how they would set up class schedules to meet that standard.
In November 2002, school board members said the school district must be in the top 20 percent of schools in the state by 2004 and in the top 10 percent or "exemplary" by state standards in 2006. Ratings are judged primarily by student test scores in four core subjects: math, English, reading and writing.
Since then, school administrators and board members are focusing on Pampa High School, which received a one-star (lowest) rating in a November 2002 Texas Monthly magazine article comparing Texas high schools.
Even before November, board member Jay Johnson had brought up what he saw as problems in the PHS accelerated block schedule, saying it was costly to the district and ineffective in preparing students for college.
Parents, students and teachers had brought differing opinions about the block schedule to the board - some strongly in favor, others strongly opposed.
Orr brought a comparison of exemplary schools similar to Pampa to last night's meeting. The comparison shows each school's student population, master schedule, and student-teacher ratio. Only one of the 27 schools had an accelerated block schedule. Most (16) were on a seven-period schedule and the average student teacher ratio for 900-1,100 student population schools was 14.4 or one teacher to approximately 14 students.
This year, PHS has a student enrollment of 1,058 and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2.
"This data, to me, says we can't really support a block schedule," Orr said. "I have to be candid. I recommend a seven-period day as the most defensible schedule if we're going to be held to effectiveness and efficiency."
He also said that for the sake of efficiency, PHS would need to go to a 14 or 14.4 student-teacher ratio which would mean seven fewer teachers and annual savings to the school district of $180,000 to $240,000.
Orr emphasized that PHS Principal John Kendall and the leadership committee needed guidance from the board before going further with restructuring plans.
Porter reiterated that the school board had charged PHS and the school district to improve, but did not want to "micromanage" or "tie their hands." He also said the board wanted quarterly progress reports.
"I'm interested in attendance and discipline," he said, "but I want (student state test) scores. That's how schools are being measured."
The number of teachers lost through implementing the 14.4 student ratio efficiency standard will be handled through attrition and reassignment, Orr said.
Porter said today he was satisfied with the board's action.
"Our goal is for the students to have the best education possible and at the same time be good stewards of the citizens' money," he said.
By NANCY YOUNG
Managing Editor
SKELLYTOWN - What the future of the Skellytown campus of White Deer Independent School District will be is still uncertain.
A proposed request to house parolees in a rehabilitation center in the vacant elementary school at Skellytown was withdrawn during a heated council meeting Tuesday night.
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 Skellytown residents packed into the town's Community Center to express their feelings and views in an emotional meeting.
Claude Hooks, who is also a member of the city council, had expressed an interest in opening a faith-based rehabilitation center at the former elementary school building in the small community. After approximately 20 to 30 minutes of listening to residents express their views on the project known as the "Nehemiah Project," Hooks withdrew his proposal and suggested the meeting be adjourned. Mayor Lucille Lawrence adjourned the meeting.
The proposal was made by Hooks at the Jan. 14 council meeting to open the facility for parolees during their first 90 days out of prison to reintegrate them back into society.
Hooks currently has five parolees in this program living at his home. One of the parolees is his son, Claude "Toddie" Hooks III.
The 39-year-old was released about a year ago after spending two years in Texas prison on a possession of marijuana charge.
"I was fortunate because I had family who never gave up on me," said Toddie. "So many of these men don't have that."
He said many of the men to be released from prison do not have a home or location to go upon release from prison. He described the program as a "reintegration program into society."
"The parole office will examine everyone who would go into such a program," he said. He said many of the men have no place to go upon discharge from prison.
Finding jobs for the parolees is a concern. The younger Hooks is employed as a dispatcher for a trucking company.
Several times while Toddie was speaking he was interrupted by members in the audience. One person proclaimed, "We don't want to help them," as Hooks spoke.
He said there are already 20-30 parolees in Skellytown, and said there are two to three registered sex offenders to which an unidentified woman said, "But they live with their families."
Several of the people who spoke in the meeting expressed fears that sex offenders and child molesters would be released to the 90-day program. A petition containing more than 200 signatures was presented to Mayor Lawrence and the city council asking the council not to consider the project.
Declining property values and lack of jobs in the area for the men were two issues brought up by citizens.
Steve Page, on parole for delivery of a controlled substance and living at the Hooks home, said there would be no sex offenders in the center because the state wouldn't allow it. He said sex offenders cannot be within certain distances of a church. One unidentified woman contradicted Page and emo-
(See CITIZENS, Page 3)
tionally reported that a sex offender was allowed to sit at the school with the students.
The issue has divided residents in this small community of just over 600 people- even the preachers.
Danny Trussell, pastor of the River of Life Assembly of God, told the crowd that the men have done their time and should be given a chance.
He cited from the biblical book John 8, saying "he who is without sin should cast the first stone." Trussell asked the crowd to help the people integrate back into society "in the name of God."
Cornerstone Christian Center pastor, Bob Epperson, immediately jumped to his feet responding that, "in the name of God," the center should not be allowed.
City Secretary Cindy Cook said this morning that the community will continue to search for a use for the historical school building.
White Deer Independent School District Board of Trustees closed the Skellytown campus in May 2002 due to the declining enrollment. Students who live in Skellytown now ride buses to White Deer.
Cook said WDISD gave the school building and properties to the community of Skellytown in September 2002.
"We would like to have county offices and city offices in the building, but it is so big. The cost of utilities would be enormous," she said. "We'd like to have a business put their offices in there, but we have to have enough revenue to cover the cost of operations."
She said people in the community don't want to board up the windows, but they may have to do so as several windows have also been broken out.
"It's not that we don't want to do something with the building," she said. "It's that we can't afford it."
Cook said people were very afraid of what could happen to them and their children if the reintegration center was approved.
The City of Skellytown does not have a law enforcement officer. Mayor Lawrence said last night the town only had enough funds to hire one person part time.
When asked after the meeting what the future held for the faith-based Nehemiah Project, Toddie Hooks said, "I don't know. I'm going to go home and pray about it."
Officials ponder unpaid fee solution
By NANCY YOUNG
Managing Editor
Thousands of dollars in fines and court costs are owed Gray County, but that may soon change.
Even though judges have assessed fines and court costs for criminal offenses some offenders don't pay. The Gray County Commission is searching for a solution to collect the thousands of dollars owed.
Sonya Shieldknight, a former county/district clerk in Carson County, told the commission she will be starting to work in Hutchinson County on March 3 to collect their delinquent fees, and she would like to form a consortium of several counties involved.
She said Hutchinson County has agreed to be the host county and furnish an office for her as a home base. If Gray County and other counties agree to participate, she will apply for a grant from the Governor's office to cover 75 percent of the costs while the counties would divide up 25 percent.
The program is estimated to cost $46,000 for this year. Gray County's cost would be $5,367.
Shieldknight said she saw the collection problem when employed by Carson County and learned that counties all over Texas are experiencing it.
County Judge Richard Peet told the commission that when defendants appear in county court and are convicted that they are usually assessed probation, fines, court costs and sometimes community service.
"If they complete their probation and community service by the time the end of their probation, and they haven't paid their fines and court costs, we can't make them pay," he said.
Shieldknight said with a consortium of several counties she would be meeting with the defendants as they exit court to set up a payment plan with the court.
She said the money would be paid to the county clerk's office.
"The clerk will receive the money. I'm not a cashier," she said.
Jim Lehman, a collections specialist for the Texas State Office of Court Administration, said that counties have a much better opportunity to collect the money up front.
He said there have been several cluster projects in the consortium, but that this one would be the first multi-county and it would be a pilot program.
"The amount the county would invest in the pilot program would be collected in the first two weeks," said Lehman.
Adult Community Corrections Officer Jeff McClendon said he was working for Kerr County when the first program was set up in 1997, and it was successful.
Commissioner Gerald Wright expressed concern how Shieldknight could work the county court, both district courts, JP courts and juvenile courts in Gray County and collect in Hutchinson and other counties.
She said Hutchinson holds county court each Wednesday while Gray and the other counties don't hold it as often. She said she has not talked with the two district judges in Hutchinson County to see if they were going to participate.
District Attorney Rick Roach suggested Shieldknight talk with 31st District Judge Steven Emmert and 223rd District Judge Lee Waters to see if they are interested.
"I think it is a wonderful idea in concept," said Roach. "I just think it is important to talk with the judges and probation offices. I don't see how we can lose on this."
Lehman said probation officers are part rehabilitation officers and part law enforcement.
"They weren't hired to be collectors," he said.
Peet said the probation officers collect the probation fees, but sometimes the fines and court costs are not collected.
He said the DA's office has implemented a policy that felony probationers must pay half of the fine on the day they go to court and the balance in 90 days.
McClendon said that there are about 10 percent of the offenders that just won't pay.
During a meeting Dec. 31, Judge Peet said that during 2001 the county court assessed $180,574.50 in fines. Of that amount, he said $83,358.38 was paid, and said some chose to sit the time in jail at $100 per day. A total of $35,701 was declared paid by them sitting it out in jail, he said. He also said approximately $37,000 is outstanding in juvenile fees.
Hutchinson County Judge Jack Worsham implemented a new directive in that county court Jan. 1. He said prisoners would only be credited for $50 per day in that county if they don't participate in the work program.
He said approximately $180,000 was assessed by the county court in 2001, and only $30,000 in fees were paid.
The commission deferred any action until the next meeting on Jan. 31.
Police arrest Pampan in vehicle theft
A Pampa woman was in Gray County jail today in lieu of bond after being charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. A passenger in the car was in Gray County jail on drug possession charges.
Ashley Dawn Ragan, 24, 706 N. Frost, was arrested about 8:40 p.m. Sunday in the 2100 block of Russell on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Zachary Lee Mears, 22, 2508 Christie, a passenger in the car, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana.
Gray County Justice of the Peace Kurt Curfman today set bond for Ragan at $4,000. She was also being held in Gray County jail, according to sheriff's officers, on municipal traffic charges.
Curfman set bond for Mears at $1,000 on charges of possession of marijuana, under two ounces.
Officers said they had received a report of a stolen Ford Mustang on Sunday. Ragan and Mears were arrested after Pampa Police Officer Fawnswa Burrows pulled over a woman driving a Mustang meeting the description of the vehicle that had been reported stolen.
By DEE DEE LARAMORE
Editor
Pampa Independent School District's board of trustees search for a superintendent of schools begins Monday, Jan. 20, by looking within the district itself.
"We want to find the best person available," PISD Board President Lee Porter said after a meeting Jan. 6, "and we're not convinced the best person is not right here in Pampa."
Local school board members plan to interview some school district employees in a called meeting set for 5:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20, at Carver Center , 321 W. Albert.
"Although the board has not received any applications in regard to the pending vacancy, the board would like to interview some of the current employees of the Pampa Independent School District ..." Porter stated in a Jan. 7 press release.
Dr. Dawson Orr, after 13 years of heading Pampa's public schools, will become the Wichita Falls ISD superintendent Feb. 3.
The board and school administration are hosting a reception honoring Dr. Orr and his wife Carol at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Pampa High School library.
"Since Orr has been here 13 years, none of the board now has gone through hiring a new superintendent," Porter said. "We're breaking new ground. We're trying to be deliberate and make the best possible choice.
"We're continuing the charge that we gave the district (to reach exemplary status by 2004) and we want to hire the best person to guide them in doing that," he added.
In the meeting on Jan. 6, school board members voted to name only the finalist for the superintendent's position. While in closed session, they reviewed individual qualifications of possible candidates, according to Porter, then met with Orr in open session to outline the interview procedure, including questions to be asked.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the board will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. at Carver Center. Two items on the agenda pertain to the superintendent selection: consideration of appointment of an interim superintendent and appointment of a superintendent finalist.
These are only two of a long list of action items scheduled Tuesday.
A public hearing on Pampa ISD's 2001-2002 academic excellence indicator system annual performance report is planned. Pampa ISD district-wide received an accountability rating of "academically acceptable" last year. Two schools, Austin and Travis elementaries, received "recognized" ratings, while the rest of the schools in the district earned "acceptable."
Representatives of Brown, Graham and Co. are to present the annual financial audit and the state-required compensatory education audit at the meeting, also.
In one step toward the board's charge for the district to reach "exemplary" status by 2004, they will consider effectiveness and efficiency standards for the Pampa High School restructuring plan.
They also plan to approve goals related to the federal "No Child Left Behind Act."
Bids and contracts to be considered Tuesday include participation in the West Texas food Cooperative and Commodity Processing, contracts with BGR Architects for services at Pampa Middle School (PMS) and Pampa High School (PHS), and bids for PMS and PHS auditorium lighting, elementary gym floors and copier paper.
Reports scheduled for the meeting include a discussion of the choir trip, expired terms of Region 16 Education Service Center's Board of Directors, and a governor's proclamation of January as School Board Recognition Month.