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BOOSTER
NOVEMBER 11
S er v ing Ty l er C o unt y S inc e 19 3 0
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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VOLUME 93 NUMBER 45
CISD supt. submits resignation request By Chris Edwards news@tylercountybooster.com COLMESNEIL – Colmesneil ISD Superintendent Angela Matterson submitted a letter of resignation to the CISD Board of Trustees last week. Earlier this week, a mugshot purporting to be Matterson, surfaced on social media, and referenced an arrest in Colorado.
The mugshot does not list any charges but refers to an arrest that occurred on Oct. 21 and cites two different agencies: the Sheriff ’s offices of LaPlata and Archuleta counties. The resignation letter, accompanied by an email directed to faculty and staff, does not specify why Matterson is stepping down from the position, in which she
has served since 2014. At press time, calls to the district had not been returned. The letter states that Matterson’s final day as superintendent will be June 11, 2020. In the letter, Matterson states a necessity to “move forward in my educational pursuits,” and indicates that it was submitted in time so that the school board has ample time to select a
replacement. The particulars of the incident in Colorado are not known as of press time, but the Booster has reached out to those aforementioned agencies with an open records request. A representative with the Texas Education Agency confirmed that an arrest was reported, and TEA is in the process of suspending Mat-
terson’s educator credentials until the matter is resolved, per TEA policy. According to TEA, they were informed of the arrest on Tuesday. In Texas, the State Board of Educator Certification, which is a division of TEA, is responsible for the certification and discipline of Texas educators. There is a wide range of behaviors that the SBEC can take action
against, based on violations of the Texas Educator Code of Ethics, or any other grounds by law. In the letter, Matterson expressed gratitude for being able to serve as CISD Superintendent and highlighted some of the achievements for the district under her leadership but conceded “My work at Colmesneil ISD is done.”
CALEB FORTENBERRY | TCB Livingston Rotary Club member and “Don’t Meth with Me” volunteer Ann McDonald poses with a young “scientist” during last week’s presentation of the anti-drug program to Woodville ISD students. Part of the program’s educational content is to teach young people the dangers of methamphetamine by explaining how it is made and of its dangerous ingredients.
Program educates youth on meth dangers By Chris Edwards and Caleb Fortenberry
WOODVILLE – The Livingston Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Woodville Rotary Club, have begun taking steps to implement the “Don’t Meth with Me” program at Woodville ISD to fifth grade students. The program seeks to educate area youth on the dangers of methamphetamine use. Currently the Livingston and Cleveland Rotary clubs have committed to the ongoing program in the area, and beginning next
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year, the Woodville club will take over the program for Tyler County. Woodville Rotary President Jerry Springfield said research has indicated that fifth grade students are at an ideal age to present the program. “They are mature enough to understand the consequences and young enough, for the most part, to not have had it offered to them,” he said. Woodville Rotary treasurer Murlin Barker said the program speaks to a problem the community needs to address. “We saw a big need for this to be brought to Tyler County,” Barker said. Dr. Blair McDonald of Livingston lead the program last Tuesday for Woodville ISD fifth grade students to learn the consequences of the addictive drug. McDonald said “It’s all over the world, and the reason it’s all over the world is because it works.” “By large we are trying to find some way to get the information to kids. We found it stays with them,” he said. McDonald said that a survey of students who have seen the program remember it three years afterward. “89% of them say they remember the program” “We don’t know how it happens. We don’t know how it works, but it does.” Ann McDonald, of the Livingston Rotary Club, volunteers with the program and said it is all about “stopping the cycle in our community.” She said of all the drugs available on the black market, meth is not only the cheapest to obtain but the most harmSEE METH ON 3A
CALEB FORTENBERRY | TCB Last week, folks across the county celebrated Halloween, and Mario (or is that Joe Fortenberry?) and Princess Peach (an alias for Brandi Gulley) helped the kids at Woodville ISD celebrate this most colorful of holidays. For more creative costumes, check out page 1B.
Annual ‘Tea and Purse Auction’ Saturday By Chris Edwards news@tylercountybooster.com WOODVILLE – The Tyler County Child Welfare Board is hosting its annual fundraising event on Saturday, Nov. 9, the popular Tea and Purse Auction at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church. The event, which begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until noon is in its eleventh year. Last year’s event managed to net CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB more than $15,000. The event Tyler County Leos, pictured left-to-right, front row: Aly Tullos; Madison Benthall; Annie Rayburn and Jasmine Mitchell. benefits the “Adopt an Angel” Back row: Logan Tullos; Abby Wilson; Ken Jobe; Briana Kort and Payton Corona. Not pictured: Trey Spencer program, Tyler County’s foster children and other projects sponsored by the Child Welfare Board. “All proceeds embody the best qualities “My goal is to always get By Chris Edwards stay in Tyler County and will of our incredible organizaa graduating senior some news@tylercountybooster.com be used to help needy ‘angels’ tion. They are devoted young money,” Jobe said. have a Merry Christmas,” acpeople who realize the The Leos meet every WOODVILLE – In the wild, cording to Kathy Harris, who power of action.” second and fourth Monday a young lion is called a cub, serves with the CWB and Tyler County has had a at 6:30 p.m. at the Lions however, in Tyler County, is secretary of the Juvenile Leos chapter since OctoDen in Woodville. Jobe a group of young Lions is Probation Department. ber 2016, and Ken Jobe is said the club currently has committed to serving the Terry Allen, the chief ofnine members, but he hopes area under the name “Leos”. its sponsor. Jobe, who also ficer with the Tyler County serves as president of the those numbers will increase. The Leos (which is an Juvenile Probation Dept. and Woodville Lions Club, said The age of Leos is 14 to 18, acronym for “Leadership, head of the CWB, said that the organization provides a and to be a member, one Experience, Opportunity”) the event has gotten bigger are the youngest members of valuable opportunity for the must live in or go to school each year. Allen said “Our youth of the county to serve in Tyler County, Jobe said. Lions Clubs International. board buys foster children’s in various projects, as well as The club members enjoy According to Lions Interschool supplies, helps with national’s website, “Leos earn scholarships. SEE LEO ON 3A SEE AUCTION ON 3A
Leos get county youth involved in service
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