Local News
School board to tour new intermediate campus
RCISD trustees break in new boardroom
At the April 13 meeting of the Royse City Independent School District’s Board of Trustees, it was reported that the new intermediate school on Blackland Road is nearing completion — at least structurally.
“If you had to, you could have school in it in two weeks,” said Jerry Gallagher of Gallagher Construction Management, who added, “The key phrase being ‘If you had to’.”
The board was told that the floor is 95 percent complete, with the wood flooring slated to be installed this week. The sheet rock was installed with the taping and painting done. The kitchen was only lacking one appliance from being fully outfitted. The only major drawback still pending was the sewer.
“The sewer’s gonna be tight,” Gallagher said, stating that the completion of the lines would be 45 to 60 days out.
Gallagher said that the school was ready for visitors and invited the board to stop by anytime for a tour. RCISD superintendent Randy Hancock suggested that the board meet at the site early before the next regular meeting for an organized tour.
The next meeting is slated for May 11, and the board decided to meet at the school site at 5:30 p.m. The new intermediate has been named Harry Herndon Intermediate School. The existing intermediate campus has been named in honor of Ruth Cherry.
The April 13 meeting was also the first regular meeting to be held in the recently renovated school district headquarters, which has been renamed as the Ernest Epps Education Service Center located on Old Greenville Road (formerly Browning Primary School).
Gallagher complimented the board on the appearance of the building and jokingly threatened to hire away the district personnel who worked on the project.
At the suggestion of Hancock, RCHS senior Sean Smallwood became the first person to use the podium in the district’s new board room as he demonstrated his speed-reading skills for the school board. Smallwood, along with Camille Flores, Stacy Hood and Morgan Morman presented a program on cross examination debate as the team had won district and was preparing for regional competition. Kaley Dusek joined Smallwood, Flores and Morman in presenting speeches on school bus safety that will also be the focal point of an upcoming speech competition.
The school board also ordered a cancellation of the upcoming election as only sitting incumbents filed candidacy paperwork to be on the ballot. Incumbents who will remain on the board for three year terms are Don Palmer, Dr. Rhonda Phillips, and Charlie Carroll. Julie Stutts has filed to continue serving on Place 7, to which she was appointed when a trustee resigned.
The school board also elected to adopt the athletic department’s “RC” logo as the district’s official logo. Prior to the board meeting, the district was using a different logo which, according to Hancock, many people had said “looks nothing like an ‘R’ and a ‘C’.” The athletic logo is already featured on the new stadium and sports uniforms and has become the more recognized emblem representing the district.
The board of trustees has changed the day for regular RCISD meetings. The school board now meets on the second Monday of every month.
- Local News
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Local artists vy for Alliance People’s Choice Award
Brenda Elam, Susan Jump, Doris Vasek, and Tommie Ledford are just four of the talented local artists who are competing in the upcoming People’s Choice Award Competition which will be held on Sept. 11 at the Hilton Bella Harbor during the Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts annual fundraising gala.
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Fines waived as library switches automation systems
The public library in Royse City is switching to a new, more efficient automation system. As it makes the switch, the library will offer clemency for all overdue materials checked out before August 23, 2010.
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Comissioners to sell eight acres near new county courthouse
Rockwall County commissioners voted last week to retain a broker to sell about eight acres of county-owned property along Interstate 30.
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Equine Emergency | Rockwall Emergency personnel rescue horse
Rockwall Fire and Police Departments responded when a board broke in a trailer and the horse fell through. Fortunately, the driver stopped immediately so the horse was not injured by being dragged. They were also at the exit of I-30 and FM 549 and not actually traveling on the highway. The horse’s back leg was under the trailer, under the axle. Dr. Keith Taylor of Rockwall Veterinary Clinic also responded and sedated the horse. Taylor tied ropes around the horse’s legs so she could be pulled from the trailer. Belinda Green, a Throwaway Ponies volunteer, saw the first police officer on the scene and pulled over to help. She called TaPs for backup. Mary and Karen Bander brought their trailer and came to help. Though the professionals got the horse out, TaPs volunteers comforted and calmed the horse and eventually hauled her to her original destination. The horse only had minor cuts.
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Jobless picture improves slightly
Jobs are being created in Rockwall County and the local unemployment rate dipped slightly between June and July.
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Pot plane pilot grounded in Hunt County
Darin Fayne, the California man who was alleged to have flown a plane filled with marijuana across North Texas last month, was booked into the Hunt County Jail Saturday.
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Drug plane suspect to waive extradition to Texas
The suspect who is alleged to have flown a plane across North Texas, dropping bags of marijuana along the way, is expected to be returned to the state by the end of the month.
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Drought conditions worsening
The drought situation continues to worsen, especially in Northeast Texas.
Rockwall County was listed under significant drought conditions as of the start of the week, with two nearby counties included among the driest in the state. -
Rockwall Computer Council reconvenes
After a summer break, the Rockwall Computer Council (RCC) will meet on Sept. 1. at 6:30 p.m. at The Center, Rockwall City Place, 108 E. Washington St.
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Shepard seeking Congress seat
A Hopkins County man has been approved by the Texas Secretary of State to run as an independent candidate for the 4th Congressional District in the November general election.
Shane Shepard of Sulphur Springs has announced his candidacy for the United State House of Representatives for the 4th District of Texas. - More Local News Headlines
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Local artists vy for Alliance People’s Choice Award
