MISSION—Since the early 1900s, farmers have always had an abundance of cheap water, according to Rod Santa Ana, communication specialist for the Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco. Since that time, flood irrigation has always been commonplace, but at the same time very wasteful, he said.

In times of drought, water shortages present problems for farmers and their crops. Texas A&M Agrilife has worked with farmers for years, providing research and better methods for delivering life-giving water to sun-baked fields in South Texas.

Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension are both housed in Weslaco but handle two separate jobs. While research studies agriculture, extension disseminates that research information to the public.

With the current drought conditions in the Rio Grande Valley, not only are residents in municipalities affected, but farmers and their crops are threatened as well. Santa Ana said this year farmers would see the smallest crop of cotton in years.

Read more: Texas A&M Agrilife tackles water conservation

MISSION—With a vision to provide all Mission CISD ninth graders and K.White Jr. High sixth graders a Google Chromebook, the school board recently approved the 1 to 1 Technology Pilot Project. The Chromebooks will provide students access to digital textbooks, and can be used for note taking and completing assignments.

The total cost of the shift to Chromebooks is estimated at just over $1.8 million, including the devices and the technology upgrades needed to provide wireless access at the three campuses affected.

The Google Chromebook is a new device based off of the Google’s “cloud” operating system, which allows students to access documents anywhere at any time, according to Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Lucio Mendoza.

Read more: Mission Schools to spend $1.8M on Google Chromebooks, wireless upgrades

MISSION—The Mission Consolidated Independent School District Board held a special meeting on June 4 discussing the status of the long-delayed contract for the Mission High School Phase III renovation project with ERO Architects.

Over the last few months there have been ongoing discussions over the status of the contract between the district and ERO.

In March, the board decided to not enter negotiations over the high school project due to a payment for a baseline study of just over $634,000, which, according to Board President Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, was not approved by the board.

Read more: MCISD Board President refuses to sign ERO contract

The public is invited to enjoy the friendly competition at the Mission Lions Club Mud Volleyball Tournament Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. The event, being held at 4 3/4 Mile North Conway, will have a number of food booths provided by local non-profit organizations.

Read more: Mud Volleyball Tournament is Saturday

MISSION — Melissa Clarke, a second-grade teacher at Lloyd and Dolly Bentsen Elementary in Sharyland Independent School District, said the first time she was in front of a class, she knew she was home.

Clarke was recently named SISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

She graduated from a bible college in Pennsylvania in 1985. She thought she would then go into teaching, but she got married, moved and had kids. She decided to stay home and raise her children and go wherever the family led her.

It wasn’t until years later she found herself in the McAllen area, divorced, with nothing to do. She didn’t know anyone and didn’t have a job.

Read more: Clarke found a home in teaching

MISSION — Dianne Smedley says her mother’s devotion to teaching and coaching is what inspired her to follow in her footsteps.

Smedley was recently named Sharyland independent School District’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Growing up, Smedly witnessed the influence her mother made in the lives of her students. She also saw the rewards her mother received.

Her parents gave her the foundation she needed to be successful and the confidence to lead by example, she said.

In her college years she began volunteering, helping coach junior high basketball and track at a local school.

Read more: Mother’s devotion inspires daughter

PALMVIEW—The City of Palmview is considering moving forward an annexation of approximately 900 acres of land.

The territory proposed for the annexation, if approved, will extend the city south of U.S. Highway 83.

A public meeting will be held at the Palmview City Hall Council Chambers on June 14 at 4:30 p.m., where community members can address concerns over the annexation.

Read more: Palmview to annex 900 acres

MISSION — The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) board received a presentation from Compensation Consultant Luz Cadena with the Texas Association of School Boards.

“We’ve taken a very serious look in terms of the compensation review process, we started it earlier in the year,” Mario Solis, the assistant superintendent for human resources and student services said. “Part of the issue that we wanted to address, over the last several years we were not having any type of pay raises due to financial issues and the changes in funding for school districts.”

Read more: MCISD reviews salary study