February 10, 2012

One week after Sharyland Independent School District board extended Superintendent Scott Owings’ contract, trustees accepted his resignation. The resignation letter stated Owings resigned due to state budget cuts and not receiving a raise in the past two years. Owings resignation was also at the heels of allegations that he harassed two female school officials at a Texas Association of School Administrators conference. His resignation was effective as of June 2012, but Owings’ last month present with the district was February.

Read more: Mission area top stories for 2012 in review

MISSION— Migrant students are spending their Saturday mornings in school – learning about robotics, math and engineering.

Read more: MCISD Migrant Program pushes college readiness through robotics project

Rumors of possible campus violence at Sharyland High School this week have prompted police and school officials to heighten security measures at the campus.

Sharyland ISD issued a statement to parents regarding measures being taken in response to rumors of possible violence at one of the district's campuses this week. The recorded statement was released Tuesday evening through the Skyward portal that is used to provide parents with updates and announcements concerning their children's school.

It was rumored that a student made comments regarding taking a gun to the high school on Friday, the last day of school for Sharyland before the Christmas break.

Read more: Mission Police respond to rumors of high school violence

Jahaira Gonzalez took advantage of Tractor Supply's free photos with Santa for pet owners with their little friends. Jahaira is shown with Khloe, her Shih Tzu (that's "lion dog" in Chinese), and the famous man in the red suit. Mission Post Office employees may recognize the white bearded Santa as co-worker, Luis Reyna, who volunteered to play the part.

Sharyland ISD held a groundbreaking ceremony for the district's second high school on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Board members, past and present, school district staff, and others involved with the new high school gathered for ceremony at the site of the proposed $41 million high school to be built at 6 ½ mile N. Shary Road.

Dr. Noe Oliveira, school board president, said the most distinguished guest at the event was Mrs. C.K. Koelle, the previous owner of the property where the new school will be built. Oliveira said the new high school will feature pictures of the Koelle family on the property.

School superintendent Dr. Virginia Richter said, "What an exciting time in Sharyland."

Read more: SISD breaks ground for second high school

LA JOYA – After failing two audits of the school district's free lunch and breakfast programs over the past year, La Joya Independent School District received good news last week. The program's federal funding will be restored due to a third audit showing the previous problems of over counting had been resolved.

A November 2011 audit by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) showed the district had reported over 4,600 excess meals. A follow-up audit last March revealed another 3,200 excess meals were reported served by the district. This promoted the TDA to suspend funding of the La Joya ISD's free meals program. The district continued to serve the children's meals, costing the district an estimated $1.5 million per month.

Following the announcement last Thursday by the TDA, the district is now expected to be reimbursed $12 million to $15 million for the meals served during the suspension period.

Read more: La Joya ISD passes meal audit

MISSION—Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort was awarded Park of the Year in the medium size category Nov. 30 by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Resort managers Guy and Juanita Carvajal were in Las Vegas to accept the award.

The association recognized the achievements of top private park operators, state associations and industry volunteers during its annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo last month in Las Vegas. Park of the Year awards were given to RV parks and resorts based on several criteria, including customer service, employee training, operational excellence, national directory ratings and community service.

Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort is owned by developer and builder Mike Rhodes and his wife Lori. It is a 250-site RV Resort located near Bentsen State Park and the National Butterfly Center on S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission. Earlier this fall, Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort was also named Medium Park of the Year by TRVA – Texas Recreational Vehicle Association – at their annual conference in Austin.

Read more: Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort awarded National Park of the Year

The Progress Times, Sharyland Times and Winter Texan Times offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 to allow our employees to celebrate Christmas with their families. Our offices will also be closed on New Year's Day.

The Progress Times and Sharyland Times will not publish the week of Christmas on Friday, Dec. 28. Both publications will resume their regular weekly schedule Jan.4, 2013.

The Winter Texan Times publication schedule, however, will not be affected. The Winter Texan Times will be published on Thursday as usual Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.

We wish all our readers and advertisers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.