Local schools meet the grade, earn “B”s in accountability ratings

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released 2022 A–F accountability ratings for districts and campuses, the first to be issued since 2019. All three of our local school districts received a B, with Devine ISD scoring 81, Lytle ISD-86, and Natalia ISD-88.

Continue reading “Local schools meet the grade, earn “B”s in accountability ratings”

Local schools struggle to fill job openings

Devine and Natalia ISDs are among many Texas schools battling staffing shortages for the upcoming school year . School is slated to start August 9 in Natalia, August 11 in Lytle, and August 22 in Devine.
Natalia ISD had 4 unfilled positions as of this week.
“In my 22 years in education, I have never seen it like this,” said Natalia ISD Superintendent Harry Piles. “This has been most challenging. I’ve never had multiple individuals actually decline a contract after going through all the interviews and getting to that point. I currently have four spots open, so what I am going to recommend to the board is that we hire paraprofessional aides to help fill in, while we continue to search for teachers.”
In other cases, some classes will just “be a little larger than we’d like,” especially at the secondary level where staffing has been most challenging, Piles adds. He also noted that he appreciates how staff has come together as a team to adjust and fill in where they are most needed.
Devine ISD has 10 open positions still listed on their website, and administrators were not immediately available to say if any of those have been filled. There are also 4 additional positions listed on their website, for which applications are accepted year-round.
Another educator commented that the shortage hit hard and fast.
“It’s hard to be competitive with the benefits offered by San Antonio schools,” said Dawn Schnieder, Director of Student Services at Devine ISD. She also noted, “The staffing shortage wasn’t even gradual. It sort of hit us all at once across the state.”
The statewide staffing shortage is so bad that several rural school districts in Texas have made the jump to 4-day school weeks to incentivize educators and compete, according to The Texas Tribune. In their extensive coverage they cited school safety issues, Covid protocol, and tensions surrounding race and gender issues. TEA also launched a Teacher Vacancy Task Force.
On the other hand, Lytle ISD was happy to state they have filled all positions, which Superintendent Michelle Smith attributes to a special effort by staff early on to help with recruitment of educators.
“Recruitment is at an all time low with the exiting of educators in the field if education and few college students electing the field as a degree plan,” Lytle Superintendent Smith said. “We have called on our Pirate family to assist in the recruitment of educators to fill our openings and we are proud to say they have come through with numerous quality applicants enabling us to start the year fully staffed. Our employees reached out to family and friends who might not otherwise have known about our openings. We hired several qualified educators as a result. We are also looking forward to using our PTECH grant to create a “grow your own program” beginning in 23/24 enabling our students to obtain a no cost bachelor’s degree in education.”
Devine’s Superintendent Grandjean was not immediately available for a comment on press day.

DEVINE ISD (the following openings and job descriptions were still posted as of this July 26):
Elementary School Special Education Aide (PK-2)
Must meet ESSA ‘Highly Qualified’ requirements (48 college hrs./2 yrs. or attend TOPP training at ESC 20) and local criteria. Must have knowledge of basic computer operations and skills; ability to operate personal computer and educational software; ability to work with students and teachers effectively; effective organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Criminal Background/Fingerprinting Required.
Intermediate School 4th Grade Teacher
Generalist EC-4 and/or 4-8 or Generalist EC-6 Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and maintain highly structured and orderly environment; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Intermediate School Special Education Teacher (3-5)
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas special education teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; knowledge of special needs students; ability to develop IEP through ARD committee process; plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies.
CPI training preferred.
Middle School Special Education (Math) Teacher (6-8)
Math 4-8 (preferred) or Generalist 4-8 and Special
Education Certified Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas special education teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subject; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; knowledge of special needs students; ability to develop IEP through ARD committee process; plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies. CPI and behavior management training preferred.
High School Teacher (9-12) (ESSER funded)
ELAR 8-12 or Math 8-12 (preferred); Science or Composite Science 8-12; Social Studies or Social Studies Composite Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
High School English Teacher (9-12) tentative
ELAR 8-12
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct student and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Pre AP & AP certified preferred or training required. ESL certified preferred or willingness to obtain certification
High School Math Teacher (9-12)
Certified Math 8-12
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; MA preferred. Pre-AP and AP Calculus certified preferred or training required. ESL certification preferred or willingness to obtain certification.
High School Science Teacher (9-12) OR High School Science Teacher w/Boys’ Athletic Coach or Girls’ Head Softball (9-12)
Science Composite 6-12 or Science Composite 9-12 or Science 6-12 or Science 9-12
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
High School Math Teacher (9-12) OR High School Math Teacher/Boys’ Athletic Coach or Girls’ Head Softball (9-12)
Certified Math 8-12 and Physical Education K-12
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; MA preferred. Pre-AP and AP certified preferred or training required. ESL certification preferred or willingness to obtain certification
High School Spanish Teacher/Athletic Coach (9-12)
Secondary Spanish 6-12; Physical Education K-12
Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; ability to demonstrate competency in core academic subjects; general knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and manage behavior; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Substitutes for Nurses
Minimum Requirement-Medical Assistant
Bus Drivers
CDL and Criminal Background/Fingerprinting Required
Custodian(s)
Criminal Background/Fingerprinting Required
Cafeteria Worker
Criminal Background/Fingerprinting Required
We are an equal opportunity employer who fully and actively supports equal access for all people, regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin or Disability.

Natalia ISD (the following openings and job descriptions were still posted as of this July 26):

Digital Communications Teacher & District Public Relations (9th-12th)
2022-23 JobID: 475
Position Type: High School Teaching
Business Education Teacher (9th-12th)
(Coaching Opportunities available)
JobID: 490
Position Type: High School Teaching
Math Intervention Teacher (6th-8th; ESSER)
2022-23 School year JobID: 481
Position Type: Junior High School Teaching

US History Teacher
2022-23 School year

6-1 vote, Natalia enters Guardian Program to protect schools

By Anton Reicher
The Natalia ISD school board voted Monday to approve proposed 2022-2023 district budget of $13.5 million, a 7.6 percent increase from the previous year.
Also, the board voted 6-1 to institute the Texas School Guardian Program, an integrated school security program to manage the risk of active shooter violence by arming key members of the staff and faculty. The program is already in place in the Devine, Hondo and D’Hanis school districts.
Regarding the budget vote, the new budget raises the starting pay for classroom teachers five percent. Under the new compensation plan, teachers will see a minimum increase of $750 up to $3,850 depending on the years of experience held.
Board president Eric Smith attributed the balanced budget to district director of finance Norma Fiddle working closely with the district administrators.
In other action, the board heard presentations from the district administration and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office about the Guardian program, developed as an effort to have an armed defensive approach to an active shooter on campus.
“We will be working with the city and the sheriff’s office to select appropriate staff members for the program,” Smith said. “We also implemented a $500 stipend for the staff members who will be going through the rigorous training to be ready for the next school year.”
The action comes in the wake of the May 24 shooting massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that left 19 students and two teachers dead. Smith said the action by the board was informed by a community survey conducted by the district in which 88 percent of the 700 responses favored research into the possible adoption of the program.
The program requires 16 hours of training by a licensed and certified Department of Public Safety instructor. Training requires live fire qualification and simulation exercises.
Paul Almendarez voted against implementing the new security program, with all other board members voting in favor.

Valedictorian escorted by firefighters in honor of her dad

Pictured above, Daniana Vera is escorted at graduation by these two firefighters in honor of her dad, the late Danny Vera. Photo by Mable Byrd

Veronica Vera would like to say a big “thank you” to Chief Charles Hood and SAFD for being there to support Natalia HS Valedictorian, Daniana Vera, just like her dad would have wanted to. “Danny has been gone for 6 years now and it is so amazing for these guys to still fill in. This is a true brotherhood of firefighters!”

Schools ask county for help funding officers, Sheriff also discusses need for 6 more deputies to keep up with growing population countywide

Sheriff Randy Brown shares the realities of how deputies are already spread thin across our growing county.

In the wake of the May 24 shooting massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that left 19 students and two teachers dead, administrators from the several Medina County school districts met with county commissioners to request funding for 1 additional school resource officer be assigned to every school district.
Eric Smith, president of the Natalia school board, led the presentation made during a June 2 regular session of the commissioners’ court.
“I will not throw out fancy stats or figures on school shootings in the U.S. or Uvalde,” Smith said. “I’m pretty sure each of us is aware and it makes us, including me, sick to our stomachs every time we turn on the news.”
Also speaking for the gathered administrators was Shannon Beasley, vice president of the Medina Valley school board.
“It touches us deeply and is what we as trustees and stewards of our students consider the worst nightmare,” Beasley said.
David Lynch, precinct 2 commissioner, led the meeting in the absence of County Judge Chris Schuchart. He emphasized that the SRO request had been added to the court’s agenda solely as a matter of discussion.
“This is not an action item,” he said. “We want to hear your concerns and maybe have a little dialogue.”
“We are all products of Medina County schools,” Lynch added.” Our wives are products of Medina County schools. Our children, our grandchildren are too. So, we understand the need for security and safety as a foremost priority.”
“Also we have been on the phone with Pete Flores and Andrew Murr, who said ‘We have State funding….funding that nobody ever asks for. So that may be another piece to this puzzle,” Lynch said.
He said he was sure Judge Schuchart would want to be on hand for any final decision by the commissioners.
Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown verified that the county at present has six SROs for the entire county, which are all placed at Medina Valley ISD schools. The cost to add a single new officer on board, including training and vehicle, could be nearly $130,000, he estimated. For seven, that’s a little under $1 million dollars ($910,000).
“We need to stop calling them SROs,” Brown said. “They are not school resource officers. We need police in the schools that can do the job.”
Even with immediate approval of such a hire, finding the right person to fill the role will be difficult, he said.
“If we can figure out how to do this I support you 100 percent,” Brown said. “I don’t know where the money is going to come from but our greatest treasurers are in those school buildings.”
“When I was driving back from Uvalde that night, I started checking into costs,” Sheriff Brown said. “We’ve got to do everything we can to make schools are safe as we can for everyone.”
Sheriff stated that “With all the growth in the county, it’s just unbelievable the number of calls we have.”
He noted that he would like to have 7 more deputies on staff. He also stated that in the future he would like to see deputies in schools countywide.
“I don’t need somebody in the schools that calls us. I need somebody in the school that IS us. I know a lot of school districts have approached us and would like to have a deputy on campus.”
“I guarantee you if something happens, we’ll be there. …It’s hard to say we are going to be there in 5 minutes though if we are all the way up on Hwy 16. Someday, I am going to have enough people to divide the county into 4 different quadrants,” he said in hopes that he can have deputies better positioned to help when an emergency arises.
Towards the end of his speech, Sheriff Brown commented, “We can talk and talk and talk….but we need to stop talking and do something.”
Sheriff Brown mentioned there is a COPS grant that has a deadline of June 9, but felt it may be too late for locals to apply. (see separate article)
On hand from Devine ISD were superintendent Todd Grandjean, assistant high school principal Daryl Wendel, school board president Nancy Pepper, board member Ali Buvinghausen and financial resource officer Shannon Ramirez, Harry Piles of Natalia ISD. Board members from the various districts were also present.
Superintendent Grandjean commented that Devine has instituted the Guardian program (which allows certain staff to carry a concealed weapon), and that regional training for other local districts is available.
Smith opened his presentation with a detailed breakdown of the security presently available at schools throughout the county.
“When you look at the six districts here today the largest is Medina Valley with over 7,500 children and eight different campuses, six of which have school resource officers paid for by Medina Valley ISD,” Smith said.
Hondo ISD has one police officer funded by the school district and another locally funded through the city of Hondo, he said. Devine has one SRO officer who travels between all campuses as needed, and the expense is shared by the city, with a majority covered by the school. Like Devine, Hondo is part of the Texas School Guardian Program, an armed defensive approach to active shooters on campus.
Although D’Hanis ISD also has the Guardian program, the district does not include an incorporated city and does not have a school resource officer.
Natalia ISD has one police officer from city police but funded by the district. The district cut short its school year following a Natalia student being charged with terroristic threat.
Lytle ISD has one Medina County sheriff’s deputy who is funded by the school district at a cost of $60,000 annually, Smith said.
“I was happy when I reached out to those six districts that represent Medina County public schools educating 12,000 children and employing over 2,000 staff,” Smith said. “They were in full support of why I am here.”
He noted that this was the second time he had made this request for his school district.
“Several years ago I requested that you would consider looking into possibly giving some kind of tax reduction to offset appraisals that we know you do not control but to try and offset the cost,” Smith said.
The decision at that time was not to go forward with a tax reduction scheme, he said.
“I will not criticize the decision you make in regard to our (latest) request,” Smith said. “I would just ask that you remember 51,000 residents in our county that have 12,000 relatives attending these schools.”
He added that what was being requested was not a luxury “but a necessity.” But, even at that, additional SROs “would not be an end-all solution and would not guarantee our children would not be in harm’s way.”
Following Smith’s presentation, Beasley said Medina Valley ISD has had a strong focus on school safety since 2018. However, discussing in detail security measures in place is not in the best interest of the students.
“Unfortunately, what the media portrays is often not the whole story,” Beasley said. “As any of us elected officials know often things happen that we can’t talk about.”
Commissioners emphasized that the fund balance might look like an easy source of funding when things are going good. However, circumstances can change quickly. That healthy fund balance might make the difference between personnel layoffs or funding important projects, they noted.
“We’re not saying no to anything but our fund balance and the shape that it is in is very important to the commissioners,” Lynch said. “Trying to meet your needs and desires without affecting that is something we’ll have to work through.”
A one-time expense using the fund balance is one thing, he said. However, SRO officers are an ongoing expense.
“That revenue flow is going to have to come from somewhere and it will be the taxpayers that fund that ultimately,” Lynch said.
Beyond county and district funding to initially hire new SROs, permanent funding may be available from the state. Lynch and Larry Sittre, precinct 2 commissioner, said they had been in touch with state Rep. Andrew Murr and state representative candidate Pete Flores about the issue.
“They feel that this is a state funding issue so they would like for representatives of the school districts to reach out and ask for the money,” Lynch said.
Sittre stated, “This commissioners court is probably more pro fund the police than anyone….Pete Flores sent me an article. He sent me a $100 million package that’s been in place for 2 years. In the meantime I contacted Andrew Murr this weekend. The $100 million is available. He said to give them his phone number…..Fill out the paperwork. That’s a fast start, instead of waiting for anyone to okay something in Austin, which I know is probably never gonna take place.”
In reference to last week’s newspaper, which discussed the county’s recent $2.1 million purchase of two new buildings, Sittre noted, “On the $2.1 million spending here, This has nothing to do with the budget, whatsoever. We can’t use that as budget money.”
He also noted that the county’s most recent Audit, which was presented the county a few weeks ago, presents information about county funds from the fiscal year that ended in 2021, (which was noted in the article).
In reference to state funding that Flores and Murr mentioned, Beasley replied that it was unsure if that state funding would go to the counties or directly to the districts. Smith noted that hundreds of districts in the state have no SROs whatsoever, making them the most likely candidates for early funding.
“The way we look at it what we can do today gives us the time to figure this out later,” Smith said. “Even if it is just one year (from the county) it gives us time to go after the state, go after whoever we need to and get extra funding.”
According to Sittre, the funds being targeted from the county to pay for the added SROs would require voter approval under current property tax law.
“This isn’t a one-time thing of ‘I’ll give you $100,000, $200,000 or a half million dollars and it’s over with,” Sittre said. “That money is not in the budget.”
Commisioners Nueman, Lynch and Beck all suggested having workshop or round table sessions between county and school district officials to resolve the issue.
In other action, the commissioners acted various subdivision development projects including preliminary approval of The Enclave at Potranco Oaks, unit 2, located in Precinct 2 off Potranco Road. The commissioners also approved phase three of Hunter’s Ranch subdivision located in Precinct 2 off Potranco Road.
Final approval of Hunter’s Ranch subdivision units nine and 11 off FM 1957 pending action by San Antonio officials was okayed by commissioners. Also, units one and two of the Boehme Ranch subdivision in Precinct 2 off County Road 466 received court approval.
The court voted to accept a $1 million construction bond for Valley Oaks subdivision, phase 1, in Precinct 1 off CR 241. Also approved was a replat of several lots in the Valentine Ranch subdivision, phase 1, in precinct 1 off Park Road 37.
Likewise, the commissioners gave preliminary approval to replat several lots in the San Martin Hills subdivision, unit 2, located in Precinct 1 off CR 241.
Regarding Medina County Emergency Services District No. 1 in Castroville, the commissioners voted to approved the resignation of Pamela Mathis to be replaced by Jenny Ferren.

By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder

Natalia cuts school year short, student charged with Terroristic Threat

Natalia Police Chief Valerie Naff said one student has been charged with Terroristic Threat in connection to the events that unfolded in Natalia last Friday.
“A junior high student was charged with Terroristic Threat, which is a 3rd degree felony. It’s a very serious offense,” Chief Naff said. “There was never a weapon on campus, but we have to take these threats very seriously.”
“If you ever see or hear anything, please report it directly to the school or to police, rather than posting it online or texting your friends. Not coming directly to the school or police leads to a serious delay in handling the matter.”
Superintendent Harry Piles stated, “The recent tragedy in Uvalde has reminded us of the importance of safety and security in our schools. We want to assure our families that our district has an updated emergency operations plan.
“There were rumors and concerns brought to the district’s attention that have been investigated by the district and law enforcement, and are being resolved. There was no imminent danger to the students or the staff, as the student making the comments was never on campus. I know that informing our community is essential; however, we must deal with the concern first, and then ensure that all the facts are correct instead of sharing inaccurate information too quickly. I will always strive to find a balance between the two.
“As a parent, I also understand your concern and worry for your children; with that being said, the district has listened to the community’s concerns, and to put our community at ease, the district has decided to declare today (May 27, 2022) as the last day of the 2021-2022 school year.”
Campus year-end events have been adjusted and rescheduled. Graduation will continue as scheduled.
Tuesday, May 31, 2022- Elementary Awards & Kinder Commencement in the High School Gym 5:30 PM
Wednesday, June 1, 2022- High School Awards for Seniors in the High School Gym 6:00 PM
Thursday, June 2, 2022- JH Awards in the High School Gym
6th grade @ 5:00 PM
7th grade @ 6:00 PM
8th grade @ 7:30 PM
Friday, June 3, 2022- High School Graduation Practice on the Mustang Stadium10:00 AM
Saturday, June 4, 2022- Graduation Commencement at the Mustang Stadium 8:00 PM
The district reminds citizens and students, “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.”
There is an Anonymous Alerts line found on the district website.

Natalia ISD approves $1.6 million in projects for schools

The Natalia ISD school board voted April 25 to approve a $1.6 million package of capital projects including renovations to the junior high gymnasium.

Turf for the new football field, including excavation, removal, subgrade correction, field drainage and synthetic turf is estimated to cost $1 Million ($1,043,700). The turf comes with an eight-year warranty and a 10-year life expectancy. Resurfacing the track is projected at $237,610.

Continue reading “Natalia ISD approves $1.6 million in projects for schools”

Natalia Elementary students place in UIL Contests

Gracey Castillo, First Place in Ready Writing 3rd Grade (Coached by Kristal Burris).

3rd Grade Chess Puzzles Team, 2nd Place overall. Jaime Gomez, 3rd Place, Eithan Cabledue, Best Alternate. (Coached by Amy Walker).

Natalia Elementary participated in UIL events held at Natalia ISD in January; except for speaking events which were held in Poth on January 25th. Continue reading “Natalia Elementary students place in UIL Contests”