News

The Cameron Independent School District approved the tax rate and budget for 2018-19 during a special meeting on Aug. 27.

The board adopted a tax rate of $1.37, the same rate as last year, with $1.04 for maintenance and operations and $.33 for interest and sinking/debt service.

CISD Director of Administrative Services Missi Giesenschlag the district adopted a budget of $18,688,678, with $15,998,490 in the general fund, $958,763 in the food service fund and $1,731,425 in the debt service fund. 

During the meeting the board also held a discussion about moving forward with the hiring of a school resource officer for the district.

Superintendent Allan Sapp told the board that Cameron City Manager Rhett Parker and the city’s attorney have come up with and agreement stating the city will be liable for the office and provide a car. The school district would cover salary and benefits for the officer and gas and repairs on the car.

Cameron ISD students have a new way to foster their love of reading. CISD’s new mobile library will soon be popping up around the community to offer free books to students to take home. The mobile library is an initiative of CISD and Cameron Connection in hopes of fostering a love of reading in all students to help to improve reading skills across the district. The mobile library will make its first community appearance at CISD’s annual community-wide cook-out on Sept. 6. The event will offer free food and drinks and will be held in the open field beside Little River Health Care across from Sonic.

The Yoe Band Booster Club had an opportunity to give back to the Cameron community and school district on Monday, Aug. 20. The group donated enough Yoe backpacks to give one to all kindergarten students at Ben Milam. “Sometimes it’s the little things in life that can create memories for students, or even change their look on life,” Band Booster President Juan Ramirez said. “I know that was a little deep into emotions but we hope our donation has that effect on these kindergarten students. I know I am starting early but these are hopefully future Yoe Band students.” The students thanked the boosters with a handwritten sign that they will hang in the Yoe High Band Hall. Pictured from left are: Yoe Band Booster President Juan Ramirez, and kindergarten teachers Kathy Barrett, Darla Martinez, Amy Tobias, Janet Hundle, Brandi Toups, Lindy Wagner, and Joni Hoyle. 

Milam County Commissioners will hold two public hearings on the proposed budget and tax rate.

The hearings will be at 9 a.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 5 at the Milam County Courthouse. The two sessions are for public feedback only there will be no explanations of the budget.

The Commissioner’s Court has proposed a three-cent increase in the 2018-19 county tax rate to 73 cents per $100 of valuation.

County Judge David Barkemeyer said there was considerable debate among the court this time on whether to raise the tax rate at all or to leave it at 70 cents, and they were almost equally divided on the issue in a column earlier this month.

He said he would accept all the blame for the proposed 2019 budget containing the three-cent increase. 

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce named Anderle Lumber Company as its Business of the Month for August. Anderle’s celebrates 71 years doing business in Cameron this year. Established in 1947 by Anton Anderle in the  Dutchtown area of Cameron, the business is currently into it’s third generation owned and operated by his son James Anderle, wife Connie, and grandson John Anderle, with David Bolivar as the store manager. The Anderle’s attribute their success to knowledgeable experienced employees offering personal customer service and to continued customer loyalty.

The annual award banquet and ladies appreciation for the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department was held at the Yards of Cameron on Aug. 10. 

During the awards ceremony outstanding firemen were honored for their service and along with service pins were given out. 

Richard Mueck was recognized for Lifetime Achievement. Joey Sumrall was named Firefighter of the Year. James Pratt was named Officer of the Year. Dustin Thomas earned The Chief’s Award. Laurie Green received her 20 Year Service Axe Award. 

The Department also recognized the Kelby Jasinski family. Jasinski, a15-year-old Burton resident and 2014-2015 Mascot for the Texas State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association, was killed in an early morning car wreck in July of this year.

State accountability ratings were released on Aug. 15 and Cameron Independent School District is headed in the right direction.

The district as a whole received a score of 77 or a C rating. That is a step up from last January’s preliminary rating of F.

“We are excited about the progress that the district has made,” CISD Superintendent Allan Sapp said. “But we are not done yet. We will continue to work.”

Cameron ISD did received three distinctions this year that show progress is being made. Cameron Elementary received a distinction for comparative academic growth and Cameron Junior High received distinctions for comparative academic growth and postsecondary readiness on their campus.

The report does not give an overall grade to a school district or specific campus. Instead, it gives four grades on the areas of student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and post-secondary readiness. 

The Aug. 31 football game against Mexia will be played at Alvarado High School in Alvarado.

Game Time: 7:30

Cameron Yoe will be the Visitor.

Admission will be $6 adult and student.

Accepted passes: District 10 3AAA Football Pass, District 10 3AAA 

Senior Pass

Stadium Address: 1301 S Pkwy Dr., Alvarado, Tx 76009

Parents and students at Ben Milam Elementary got ready to kick off a new school year during Meet the Teacher Night on Aug. 7 at the school. Cameron ISD will begin a new year on Aug. 15. Meet the Teacher events are set for tonight, Aug. 9, at Cameron Junior High and Cameron Elementary and Aug. 20 at Yoe High School. 

The Cameron City Council took a step towards an agreement with Cameron ISD to provide a resource officer for the district during its meeting Aug. 6.

The council voted to move forward with looking into a possible interlocal agreement with CISD for the officer.

CISD Superintendent Allan Sapp and Police Chief Lonnie Gosch have been talking about the possibility of the officer over the past few weeks as the school district has been working on the topic of school safety after last spring’s school shooting in Santa Fe.

The CISD school board directed Sapp to look into a school resource officer at its meeting in July. 

Sapp was on hand along with Gosch to explain how the position would work between the city and school district.

Sapp said the resource officer’s salary and benefits would be paid for by the school district, with the city providing a car. The officer would still be a Cameron Police Officer, they would just work on CISD campuses.