City, school work together for residential road
San Jacinto News- Times - November 2009

SHPHERD – A 60-foot right-of-way to the City of Shepherd for use as a road for Dixon Subdivision residents hit another snag last week during the Shepherd Independent School Board meeting Last week during a meeting of .the Shepherd City Council, the acceptance of a 60-foot easement from Shepherd Independent School District for the purpose of an exit route for Dixon Subdivision residents was approved by council members. Following the city meeting, however, members of the Shepherd School Board voted down their agenda item to deed the 60-foot piece of land to the city because the district failed to get on the agenda a length of time in which the city expects to complete the road, according to Shepherd Independent School District Superintendent Jody Cronin. Cronin said he expects a vote to deed the 60-foot right-ofway will be approved during the next meeting of the board, giving the city one year to 18 months to complete the road or else the easement will revert back to the school district. For several years, residents of Dixon Subdivision have sought an alternative road to enter and exit the subdivision, particularily in emergency situations. In other business, Shepherd Primary Principal Lanie Smith reported that students collected over 1,400 canned food items for Helping Hands Food Pantry during Red Ribbon Week. She said about 300 children and parents enjoyed the Reading Camp Out held Nov. 11 and a Patriotic Assembly that was held Nov. 11. Each second grade class sang a song that represented a different military branch, Smith said. Christmas musical programs will be Dec. 3, Kindergarten; Dec. 8, First Grade and Dec. 10, Second Grade. They will be held at the Middle School Café, Smith said. Shepherd Intermediate Principal Charlene Lowe reported that her students also participated in the canned food drive. Students are making gains in math on benchmarks, she said and the Christmas program will be held Dec. 11, at 1:45 in the gym. Shepherd Middle School Principal Tammy Jordan reported that her campus also collected canned foods for Helping Hands and that girls and boys basketball is getting underway. Shepherd High School Principal Jimmy Meekins reported that Kenny Barnes placed second in Creed Reading at District Level and will advance to area competition. He said he received results for TAKS Exit retakes; 54 students have recovered credits or earned credits through E2020; SHS will be an ACT testing site beginning in the spring. Concerning construction in the district Pat Murphy, director of transportation and maintenance, reported that blinds were installed at Shepherd Middle School and the fencing will start this week; cabinets were installed at the high school; some landscaping is being done on all campuses; materials have arrived for the softball field project. A motion was made by Darryl Richardson and was seconded by Mike Courvelle to approve by resolution, candidate Susan Bailes for the Board of Directors of the San Jacinto County Appraisal District receiving 915 votes and give the remaining 15 votes to candidate Laddy McAnally. The motion carried. Action items included a motion made by David Smith and seconded by John Page to give Drymalla Construction approval to get bids for Phase II projects. The motion carried. A motion was made by John Page and seconded by Charles Dodd to renew the special education retainer agreement with Walsh Anderson. The motion carried. The motion was made by David Smith and seconded by Mike Flynt to approve the 2009-2010 Textbook Committee. The motion carried. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec.14, at 7 p.m.