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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, August 31, 1999
School budget set at $15 million
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Aug. 31, 1999 -- Trustees for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD on
Monday adopted a $15 million budget and set the tax rate at $1.4371 per
$100 valuation.
"That is the highest we could go," said Supt. Don Love of the tax rate.
Taxes would provide $5 million, with another $9.5 million coming from
the state and $378,067 from other sources.
Love said he expects a carryover of $1.7 million from this year's $13.4
million budget.
The board approved some expenditures out of the fund balance, including
air-conditioned buses.
"We want to discuss dedicating some money for air conditioning for three
of our buses that are doing without," said Love.
Love said that about $30,000 is needed for the air conditioning on the
buses.
Love told board members that if the fund balance is as good as he thinks
it is the board might also consider consolidating some classes.
"That will be after the study by Monty Hunter, in which case he will
advise us if it's feasible," said Love.
The 1999-2000 budget was approved as presented.
"We anticipate a $1.78 million fund balance as of Aug. 31," said Love.
Love said the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD will receive $485,000 back from
the state, along with $50,000 more.
"Last year over $488,000 was owed to the state, so the next budget is
an excess budget," he said.
Financial director Cookie Canon said that two major things were not
completed that needed to be inserted into the budget. The roof at the Pecos
High School and the track were not finished. "Also at this time we do not
have a van yet," said Canon.
"Bids were sent out, but we couldn't find one with an air conditioner
in the front and end," said Love. "It will be bid out again after September,"
he said.
Public comments were accepted from the audience.
Bessie Haynes School teacher Meg Timmerman told board members about
the poor condition of the carpet in the library at that particular school.
"This is just my opinion, it doesn't reflect what the other teachers or
principal think, but I feel that we desperately need new carpeting in that
library," she said.
Board president Earl Bates said that the board would look into it and
see if there are any funds that could be allocated for that particular
problem.
"About 95 percent of the taxes are collected, real close to that," said
Love.
Love said that there are about $264,000 in delinquent taxes and are
added to the tax expenditures and balance.
About 2,923 students are currently enrolled in the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD.
"Our budget is set on the number of kids," said Love. "This is the first
time that we checked on the number on Aug. 31," he said.
"If we stay with 2,923 kids, we'll be able to make the budget," Love
said. "We'll do it easily as long as attendance factor is 95 percent,"
he said.
Love said that two-thirds of revenues is derived from the average daily
attendance.
"The average daily attendance is very important to our district," said
Love. "The higher the number of students, the more money it will bring
in," he said.
On the first day of school for the 1999-2000 year the number of students
was 2,650; the second day, 2,756; third day, 2,803; fourth day, 2,839 and
fifth day, 2,857.
That number is now up to 2,923 students.
In comparison, in 1998-1999, the first day of school listed 2,829 students;
second day, 2,904; third day, 2,969 and on the fourth day, 2,969.
Board members also approved the teacher appraisal calendar and PDAS
Appraisers for 1999-2000 school year.
New teacher orientation was approved for Aug. 9-20; completion of section
I of the Teacher Self-Report form due to the principal by Sept. 13 and
on Aug. 9, the appraisal period beings.
On Sept. 7, the observation period begins and no appraisals will be
made on Nov. 23; Dec. 17; Feb. 18; March 10 and April 20.
Completion of Section II and III of the Teacher Self-Report is due to
the principal at least two weeks prior to the Summative Conference.
On May 5, the Annual Summative Conference Period ends. Summative Annual
Appraisal Report-five working days before Summative Conference. The Appraisal
period ends at end of contract.
Appraisers for the new school year include Mary Lou Carrasco, Juanita
Davila, Donna Davis, Beau Jack Hendrick, Benny Hernandez, Don Love, Gail
Norris, Gome Olibas, Danny Rodriguez, Larry Sloan, Victor Tarin and Lucila
Valenzuela.
New appointments approved by the board were Winette Hillger, Bachelor
of Arts/History/University of Texas of the Permian Basin, no experience,
assignment: Pecos Elementary School Special Education and Tabitha Rosales,
Bachelor of Science/Elementary Education/West Texas A&M University,
no experience, assignment: Bessie Haynes Elementary School fifth grade
teacher.
Reassignments included, Faustino Acosta, from Pecos High School Special
Education teacher to Pecos High School Special Education teacher; John
Barrett, from Pecos Elementary School Special Education teacher to Pecos
High School Special Education teacher and Petra Herrera, from Bessie Haynes
Elementary fourth grade teacher to Bessie Haynes Elementary School fifth
grade bilingual teacher.
Changes in contract: Evangelina Arriola, from one-year term contract
for certified classroom teacher to one-year term contract for counselor
and Ruben Cervantes, from dual assignment one-year term contract for certified
classroom teacher to one-year term contract for counselor.
Former Pecos girl named Miss Lubbock Teen U.S.A.
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Aug. 31, 1999 -- Monica Vasquez was first runner-up in the Miss
Lubbock Teen U.S.A. pageant in February. Now she holds the title and will
compete for the national title in November.
The 16-year-old Frenship High School junior attended preschool in Pecos
for two years between a move here from California and the move to Lubbock
in 1988.
Her mother, the former Tommie Rodriguez, graduated from Pecos High School
in 1968, and her grandmother, Rosa Rodriguez, and aunts Janie Rodriguez
and Mary Garcia still live here.
Monica moved into the Miss Lubbock Teen U.S.A. spot after fellow student
Roni Lowe lost the title when she threatened the cheerleading squad.
Cheerleading is Vasquez's "whole life," said her mother this morning.
She is an alternate cheerleader on the varsity squad, but is not on the
same squad as Lowe.
She studies dancing and is active on the student council, junior varisty
volleyball team and in National Hispanic Institute, an organization for
hispanic students bound for college.
After completing her journalism degree at Pepperdine University in Malibu,
Calif., Monica hopes to be an anchorwoman, said Mrs. Vasquez.
Monica is no novice at beauty pageants, having won numerous titles since
the age of 12. She was Miss North Texas Pre-Teen in 1996.
Her father, Fernando Vasquez, lives in Los Angeles, Calif.
Ostriches may lose home in court forfeiture
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Aug. 31, 1999 -- Ostriches on Rancho Road may soon be homeless
if District Judge Bob Parks grants a petition to forfeit their pens and
sheds to the Pecos Police Department.
Narcotics investigator Paul Deishler seized the pens and 2.02 acres
of land owned by Evaristo "Tito" Guerrero on April 20.
Guerrero, of 1002 S. Elm St., is believed to have fled to Mexico after
a warrant was issued for his arrest on marijuana smuggling charges.
Deishler said the ostrich pens were used to store and re-package marijuana
imported from Mexico. The packages were then shipped to points east for
distribution.
Evidence found in the pens and sheds during the April search include
a roll of grey duck tape, a roll of clear tape, roll of black trash bags,
five military-style duffel bags, all commonly used in packaging narcotics,
and a set of scales commonly used in weighing narcotics, Deishler said.
Lots included in the seizure are 8-15 and 36-43, Block 11, in the Martinez
Subdivision, Section 4, Block 5, H&GN RR Co. Survey.
Ostriches in the pens were not seized.
Celia Guerrero, as next friend of Alain Guerrero, a child, was served
notice of the forfeiture petition. If she files an objection to the forfeiture,
Judge Parks may schedule a hearing.
District Attorney Randy Reynolds filed the petition on behalf of the
state.
Mayor to study impact of annexation changes
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Aug. 31, 1999 -- Pecos is not among the cities racing to annex
property before the law changes Wednesday, said Mayor Dot Stafford.
In fact, it's been years since the Pecos City Council annexed property,
and they have discussed making a comprehensive plan before doing any major
annexation or zoning changes.
Stafford said that she wants more information about the changes in the
law made during the 1999 session of the Texas Legislature.
Texas Municipal League General Counsel Alan Bojorquez outlined some
of the changes affecting cities during the Region 4 TML meeting Friday
in the Swiss Clock Inn banquet room.
"I wanted to talk with him some more about that, but he got away," Stafford
said. "His talk was very informative."
City Attorney Scott Johnson said he has not seen the changes in the
laws, and is not sure how they might affect a city operating under a charter,
as does Pecos.
State Sen. Frank Madla introduced the bill that makes some significant
changes in annexation statutes.
The new law requires cities to immediately provide fire, police and
emergency medical services to annexed areas.
Before annexing an area, cities must notify each resident of the area
to be annexed and to negotiate with them if they protest.
Starting in 2002, cities must wait for three years to annex an area
if property owners oppose the move.
While waiting, property owners may not run up debt, decrease their tax
rate or do anything else to hurt the chances of annexation during the three-year
planning phase.
"I think the bill is going to level the playing field somewhat," said
Madla. "It still leaves the city in the driver's seat, but it requires
them to do a few things they're not accustomed to."
Attitude adjustment part of seminar plan
PECOS, Aug. 31, 1999 -- The second half of a development training seminar
sponsored by the Pecos Chamber of Commerce will be held beginning at 7
p.m. today, in the Reeves County Civic Center.
About 40 individuals were on hand for the first half Monday, and all
are expected to attend the last half tonight.
Several businesses and organizations in Pecos sent employees to the
motivational seminar with guest speaker Joel R. Combs.
The training is designed to provide tools to be used in personal attitude
development, sales skills, time management, personal relations effectiveness,
goal-setting and memory development.
Obituary
Cleo Welch
Services for Cleo Welch, 89, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Pecos
Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following in Fairview Cemetery.
She died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999, at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital
in Midland.
Mrs. Welch was born July 5, 1910, in Knox City, had lived in Pecos for
51 years, was retired and a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include seven daughters, Lee Frymire of Pecos, Jeanne Lubbe
of Commanche, Maxine Willis of Crane, Glenda Videtto of Odessa, Jerry Cook
of Alpine, Judy Guthrie of Woodward, Okla., and Kaye Hanks of Pecos; four
sons, Dwain Welch of Monahans, Durl Welch of Silver City, N.M., Dex Welch
of Midland, Doak Welch of New Braunfels; one brother, Buster Merworth of
Gorman; 23 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
Weather
PECOS, Aug. 31, 1999 -- High Monday 100; low last night 67. Tonight, partly
cloudy. Low in the upper 60s. Southeast wind 5-15 mph. Wednesday, partly
cloudy with a 20 percent chance of afternoon showers or thunderstorms.
High in the mid 90s. South wind 10-20 mph. Extended forecast, Wednesday
night, partly cloudy with a slight chance of evening showers or thunderstorms.
Low in the upper 60s. Thursday through Saturday, partly cloudy with a slight
chance of afternoon and evening showers or thunderstorms. Lows in the mid
to upper 60s. Highs in the 90s.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
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