AUGUST 31, 2022 HAYS COUNTY STILL UNDER BURN BAN, DESPITE RAINFALL
KICKOFF TO FALL SPORTS PAGE 11
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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 42 • No. 50
Serving Hays County, TX
Most wins in Dripping Springs Tiger history
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Michael Kane, DSHS Tiger volleyball coach, made history with his 442nd victory – this surpasses former boys basketball coach, Poe Shelton.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
DSISD attends Lone Star Leadership Academy
STAFF REPORT
Students were nominated by educators to participate based on demonstrated DRIPPING SPRINGS leadership ability, academic – Three students from success and involvement in Dripping Springs ISD school/community activities. attended the Lone Star During the weeklong Leadership Academy overnight camps, these camp, hosted by nonprofit students developed Education in Action. leadership skills. Participants Dripping Springs High School junior Natalee Scholl experienced what they and sophomore Ryder Trent are learning in school were attendees at the Austin/ through visits to notable and historically significant San Antonio camp, while Texas sites. In addition, Dripping Springs Middle professionals at these sites School seventh-grader Jackson Moore attended the introduced students to a wide variety of unique Houston/Galveston camp. careers during each camp.
simulations, exercise creativity and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school. For more information about the camp, please visit https://educationinaction. org/lone-star-leadershipacademy.
The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State, according to a news release. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem-solving and decision-making
SCHOOL SAFETY
DSISD approves adding SRO BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS – Dripping Springs ISD is adding an additional school resource officer (SRO) for its campuses. On Monday, Aug. 29, the DSISD Board of Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hays County Sheriff ’s Office for an additional SRO, as the district has only had three since 2019. DSISD will pay $17,331
per deputy per quarter or $51,992 total for the first three quarters of services, according to the agreement. “The county commissioners’ office, for this MOU, is agreeing to split this position with us 50/50,” said Superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz. “It’s a change from some of our officers because they are being funded in part by the county, understanding that school districts are looking for ways to add SROs and to add support
TIPS ON SLEEP AND NUTRITION FOR STUDENTS – PAGE 12
for all of their schools for safety. We appreciate them helping us to add another position this year, they have committed for the next two years to splitfund for us this way.” This is the only officer that is split-funded this way, Morris-Kuentz clarified, as the other officers are funded differently. Another MOU addressing an overview of all of the positions will be brought back to the DSISD Board of Trustees in September.
CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
KAPS names lone finalist for superintendent BY MEGAN WEHRING WIMBERLEY – A new lone finalist to become superintendent for a Wimberley charter school has been selected. Since the beginning of the year, the Katherine Anne Porter School (KAPS) has been working to keep KAPS a “viable and necessary education opportunity” for the community, according to Board President Cynthia Millonzi in a statement. The superintendent that was employed when the current board assumed its position resigned – the board then conducted several interviews for an interim superintendent. On July 27, the KAPS Board of Directors selected Nadine Pabst as the lone finalist for superintendent with her employment to be effective Aug. 1. Pabst received multiple job offers with one that was worth further consideration – she made the decision to accept the other position. Following interviews over the course of weeks, the board named Dr. Subhas Mathew as the new lone finalist to become superintendent on Aug. 15. Under Texas law, a 21day wait period follows the naming of a lone finalist, then a school superintendent can be
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Dr. Subhas Mathew appointed and begin employment. Mathew will begin an interim superintendent role on Aug. 29. Following Texas' required 21day waiting period for superintendent appointments, Mathew will begin his employment officially as KAPS superintendent with a three-year contract, effective Sept. 15. Mathew seeks to build “genuine relationships with students, parents and educators, and to provide teaching and learning through collaboration and teamwork. Developing systems, processes and procedures for student success is the goal, utilizing the skills and experience gained from more than two decades of multifaceted leadership responsibilities, capped with a deep commitment to the education of all children under my tutelage,” according to a news release.