|
|
|
||||||
|
| Trustees get a big salute Wednesday, January 20, 2010 Edwin Newton
The Springtown community paid tribute to the folks who wear many hats – the school district’s board of trustees – during a meeting Monday night in Springtown Elementary’s Hinkle Auditorium.
The theme of the evening was “Hats Off to Texas Trustees” in keeping with Gov. Rick Perry’s declaration that January is School Board Appreciation Month.
Almost 100 people – many of them students – stopped by to say thanks to board members. Superintendent Andrea Hungerford said she’s thankful for seven people who set aside so much of their free time to serve the district. “They devote so much time and effort to provide a quality education for our students,” she said. “Their job is not an easy one, but they have a commitment to serve their community and ensure that all students are given every opportunity to excel through education.”
Others followed up with the same sentiments. Matt Rowe, student council president at Springtown High School, thanked the board for helping provide the students with a “great education.” The council is making a donation to the Haiti Relief Fund in the school board’s honor. Carter Bien, president of the SHS math and science club, thanked the board for “striving to meet our academic needs at all times.” The club presented a gift bag to each member. Lettie Comancho, director/founder of Springtown’s chapter of Hispanics Caring for Others, expressed her appreciation for the board’s support of the program and for “exemplifying what caring for others is all about.” HICO presented personalized Pojo signs to board members. Springtown Intermediate School student council members decorated newspaper hats in honor of the evening’s theme. The students used a “hat themed idiom” to characterize the board’s contribution. The last line read “The SIS student council would just like to say – ‘hats off to you,” Middle School Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) students each told the board what PALs means to them. Their English teacher/sponsor Mrs. Palmarchuk gave board members a huge goodie bag of treats. Samantha Davis offered the board a special “thank you” for its support of Springtown’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser which is held – rent free – at the old football field. Because of community support, Relay for Life has been able to collect $177,000 for cancer research the past few years. Lois Larsen, principal at Springtown Elementary, presented the board with safari hats, T-shirts and clipboards. Tootie Hall, president of the Springtown Education Foundation, said a tree will be planted in the board’s honor at new Goshen Creek Elementary campus. Hall, a former school board president, said she knows a thing or two about the many hours trustees put into public service. “We want to tell you how much we appreciate all you have done for us,” she said. “We can’t say enough about what you’ve done.” Vicki Trichel, representing Springtown Elementary’s PTA, gave board members certificates of donations to buy books in the board’s honor. Dave Kaiser and his math students were on hand to show their appreciation for the board’s support of the school’s new robotics program. The students spent a few minutes giving board members hands-on lessons in how to manipulate the four-wheeled robots, including a session on how to use a robotic claw to move tennis balls. Board president Amy Walker said it was “amazing” to see so many good students together in one area in support of the board. She took a moment to address the crowd. “I think I can speak for the whole board – thank you for all your hard work,” she said. The senior member of the board is Al Garrett, who spent 12 years on the board beginning in 1985. He returned in October to replace board president Vivian Rogan, who resigned. The board also got back another veteran member, Darrell Mathis, who stepped down in May, but rejoined the board last fall to replace B.D. Smith. Walker, board vice president Kelly Mayo and Jody Lowery all have served multiple terms. Board secretary Keith Springfield, elected in May 2007, was the newcomer until Larry Don Carter took office last May. The board bears the responsibility of a $25 million budget, 3,500 students, 515 employees and six campuses. |
