DISD to host town hall meeting April 20 about proposed bond

Devine ISD Superintendent Dr. Todd Grandjeant will host the second meeting Thursday, April 20 at the DSAC auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“I want our community to be informed about the propositions in the bond, and to be able to have any concerns addressed,” Dr. Grandjean said.
He will have a short presentation, and then attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Dr. Grandjean will also conduct tours of all the campuses Monday, April 10. Those who would like to attend should meet in the DSAC parking lot at 6:30 p.m. A bus will be provided to take everyone to all the campuses.
“After touring all campuses and having direct interaction with principals and teachers, it became apparent that our children need many things to happen as far as facilities are concerned in this district. I think we were very thoughtful in our process and were very cognizant of the costs of each project,” Misty Thompson, Facilities Committee, said.
Early voting is April 24-28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., April 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and May 1-2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Polling location for Medina County residents is the Precinct 4 Annex Building, 317 TX-132 N. For Frio County residents, early voting will take place at the Bigfoot Alternative Center, 13777 FM 472 in Bigfoot.
Election Day is Saturday, May 6, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Polling locations are the same as in early voting.

Lori Wilson finalist for TABC 3A Coach of the Year

Lori Wilson finalist for TABC 3A Coach of the Year.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
    Lytle Lady Pirate Head Coach Lori Wilson was one of four finalists from around the state in Class 3A for the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Dean Weese Outstanding Coach of the Year Award.  Wilson recently led her team to another berth in the Regional Tournament before falling in the championship game to Columbus.
    Wilson guided her team to a 27-10 overall record and won her district’s championship for the third consecutive year.
    Antonio Burks from Rice was voted as the winner with Kurt Richardson of Shallowater, and Chad Woodard of Paradise joining Wilson as the remaining finalists.
    Congratulations, Coach Wilson, on being recognized as one of the top coaches from around the state!

MVISD asking for High School #2, Ag and Jr. ROTC Facility, safety and traffic improvements all part of $376 Million Dollar Bond

At the February 6, 2023 Special Called Board Meeting the MVISD School Board voted to order a bond election on May 6, 2023 in the amount of $376 million with a tax increase of 2.8 cents.
To see the additional cost to your existing tax bill, visit mvisd.com and plug in your home value into the calculator. Details of the bond as well as drawings of what the new high school and traffic improvement will look like are on the website also.
Early voting is from April 24 to May 2, with the election day of May 6, 2023.
The breakdown of the bond:
High School #2 – $323M
Safety & Security Enhancements – $5M
Traffic Improvements – $4M
Agricultural & Jr. ROTC Facility – $14M
Land Purchases – $30M
These bond projects were brought to the board for consideration based on extensive community input by a diverse group of citizens throughout the district. The MVISD Community Bond Advisory Committee, made up of 30+ community members, met regularly throughout the last few months, with the main goal of addressing the district’s fast-growth.
Currently MVISD has an enrollment of 7,700 and is expected to double in size by 2032. Medina Valley ISD covers about 300 square miles and is located west of San Antonio. The proud students of MVISD come from Castroville, La Coste, Rio Medina, Dunlay, Mico, parts of San Antonio, and surrounding areas. The District has approximately 7,700 students with eight campuses: five elementary, two middle, and one high school. Over the past several years, Medina Valley has consistently seen growth in student enrollment with an increase of 7% – 10% new students every year. The District consistently outscores all State averages in accountability ratings and testing, producing well-rounded career-minded students. The school community is constantly evolving from year to year with new state-of-the-art facilities and building additions. The District excels in all academic and extracurricular activities and has a large fan base for all activities.
Facts:
MVISD has added more than 1,000 students over the last year.
2032-2033 Projected Enrollment is 15,628.
There are currently 50+ active subdivisions and 10+ future subdivisions in MVISD.
Projections show an additional 3,800 students over the next five years.
Medina Valley ISD covers close to 300 square miles.
There are 24,921 projected future homes in MVISD.
Medina Valley ISD is an A Rated School District by TEA.
Medina Valley ISD has earned the highest rating possible on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for the past 20 consecutive years.

Lytle ISD calls
for special election May 6

Jeremy Davenport filed as a write in candidate running against Jessica Perales, so Lytle ISD will be having an election after all.
The ballot will say: Vote for one or none.
Trustee Special Election for Single Member District 2 will be on May 6, 2023 between Jessica Perales, and write-in candidate Jeremy Davenport.
In order to vote in the trustee Single Member District 2 election voters must be registered to vote in Single Member District 2.
Note: Lytle ISD is only conducting a special election. They were able to cancel the general election, which is the annual election due to unopposed candidates. The special election is due to having two SMD vacancies however, they canceled the SMD 5 election, but not the other as there was one write-in candidate for SMD 2 before the deadline.
Polling places include the following for both Early Voting and Election Day:
Lytle ISD Administration Office, 1537 Cottage St., Lytle, Tx.
Medina County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M Room 108, Hondo, Tx.
Medina County ESD No. 1, Station #15, 17934 FM 1957, Rio Medina, Tx.
Medina County Pct. 4 Annex, 317 State Hwy. 132 N., Devine, Tx.
Medina County Pct. 2 Annex, 8366 FM 471 S., Castroville, Tx.
Early Voting weekday dates: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
One Saturday voting day, April 29 from 9am-2pm.
Election Day is May 6, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Devine’s DeLeon 9th at State Meet

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
  Devine powerlifter Seth Deleon moved up from 12th place going into the State Meet to finish at number nine in the 148-pound division by the time it was said and done.  DeLeon set personal records in the squat with 465 lbs and with his total lifted which is now 1,225lbs.
    Congratulations, Seth, on a fantastic junior season and Warhorse Nation is looking forward to what you can accomplish in 2024 as a senior!
148lb results (squat-bench-deadlift)
    1st Jeremiah Metzgar-Sealy 510-345-545-1,400 2nd Jessiah Barr-Gonzales 520-330-510-1,360 3rd Weston Hill-Sanger 535-280-520-1,335 4th Javier Martinez-Perryton 500-335-485-1,320 5th Drew Carter-Salado 515-335-465-1,315 6th Noah Garcia-Somerset 525-370-380-1,275 7th Juan Garcia-Beeville Jones 460-310-500-1,270 8th PJ Brown-Alice 425-320-485-1,230 9th Seth DeLeon-Devine 465-320-440-1,225 10th Anthony Cuellar-Brownsboro-465-325-430-1,220 11th Anthony Lopez-Ferris 500-310-400-1,210 12th Chandler Tran-Snyder 470-285-450-1,205 13th Jasael Ruiz-Marble Falls 465-240-500-1,205 14th Rowdy Parker-Bridgeport 485-225-460-1,170 15th Demarion Sanders-Tyler Chapel Hill 380-275-510-1,165 BO Tristian Davila-Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway BO Roberto Suarez-Lumberton.

State Champ!

Lytle Pirate lifter Mario Diaz brought home the Gold last week from the State Powerlifting Meet. See more in Sports.

Congratulations to Lytle Pirate powerlifter Mario Diaz as he claimed the first place title last Friday, March 24th, after competing at the state powerlifting championship held at the Taylor Count Expo Center in Abilene, Texas. What a great way to end this year’s 2023 powerlifting season, way to go Mario! Mario Diaz, region 3, 198lb weight class, squat 650, bench 375, deadlift 600, total 1625.

Town hall meetings April 3 & 20 about proposed bond
for Devine ISD

Devine ISD Superintendent Dr. Todd Grandjeant will host the first of two town hall meetings about the proposed bond Monday, April 3 at the DSAC auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m.
He will host the second meeting Thursday, April 20 at the same location and time.
“I want our community to be informed about the propositions in the bond, and to be able to have any concerns addressed,” Dr. Grandjean said.
He will have a short presentation, and then attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Dr. Grandjean will also conduct tours of all the campuses Monday, April 10. Those who would like to attend should meet in the DSAC parking lot at 6:30 p.m. A bus will be provided to take everyone to all the campuses.
“After touring all campuses and having direct interaction with principals and teachers, it became apparent that our children need many things to happen as far as facilities are concerned in this district. I think we were very thoughtful in our process and were very cognizant of the costs of each project,” Misty Thompson, Facilities Committee, said.
Early voting is April 24-28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., April 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and May 1-2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Polling location for Medina County residents is the Precinct 4 Annex Building, 317 TX-132 N. For Frio County residents, early voting will take place at the Bigfoot Alternative Center, 13777 FM 472 in Bigfoot.
Election Day is Saturday, May 6, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Polling locations are the same as in early voting.
Complete video coverage of the public hearing is available at the Devine News’ YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/fmw2W0XsPsc

Devine schools get safety grant, extends contracts for 17 administrators

Dollars for Scholars president Bob Bendele, left, accepts a check for $2,994 from Devine ISD Superintendent Todd Grandjean as the district’s latest contribution to the foundation. Founded in 2009 by four 1950s era graduates of Devine High School, Dollars for Scholars invests the donations and uses the interest to fund scholarships for Devine High graduates seeking a post secondary education. More than $30,000 in scholarship have been awarded annually by the foundation since 2013. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Devine ISD has been awarded $200,000 in state grant funds to be used for safety initiatives, district superintendent Todd Grandjean told the Devine school board Monday.
He explained that assistant superintendent Daryl Wendel had submitted applications for two school safety grant programs “and we have actually been approved for one of the grants so far.”
The other application is still in progress, Grandjean said.
State officials approved the transfer of $105.5 million to support additional school safety and mental health initiatives through August 31, 2023. This additional funding will boost actions the State of Texas has already taken to make schools safer and support the mental health of children, teachers, and families following the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
The money was transferred to state agencies and programs to enhance school safety and mental health services in Uvalde and throughout Texas.
Campus administrators continue to work and train their staff using the Safe and Supportive Schools system. SSSP is a coordinated multi-tiered support system that addresses school climate with regard to social, emotional, behavioral and mental health concerns.
Special programs director Abigail Beadle “is conducting grade level and departmental meetings at the secondary level the last few weeks to explore the impact of our curriculum instruction initiatives and our vision,” Grandjean said.
A “secondary education walk” is scheduled for Tuesday, he said.
“That’s where we take all the principals in the district and central administration and we walk them through elementary and intermediate,” Grandjean said. “We pop in and out of teachers’ classes so the other campuses get to see what is happening at the different grade levels.”
The board met in executive session, and a motion was made by Carl Brown moved and seconded by Henry Moreno to approve extending administrator contracts as recommended by the superintendent.  The motion passed, 7-0.
The following contracts were extended for the 2023-24 school year:
Jesse Hinojosa
Mandy Cross
Lysandra Reyes
LeeAnn Runnels
Jeffery Stivors
Evan Eads
Jodiann Dzierzanowski
Michael Gomez
Magdalena Strickland
Abigail Beadle
Kandi Darnell
Valerie Dykstra
Juan Gonzalez
Shannon Ramirez
Dawn Schneider
Daryl Wendel
James Sessions

Complete video coverage of the public hearing is available at the Devine News’ YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/fmw2W0XsPsc

Local Elections on May 6
Where, when, why, how much
Early voting April 24- May 2

 City of Devine-  Vote at City Hall
 Vote For or Against
Bond Election- $18 Million for drainage and flood control
Everyone can vote in the Bond election
Everyone can vote in mayoral race.
Mayor- Cory Thompson (i) and Butch Cook
District 2 and 4 get to vote in their races as well
Council Dist.2- Angela Pichardo (i) and Michael Hernandez
Dist 4 – Debbie Randall
 
Devine ISD- Vote at County Building
Vote For or Against
Proposition A- 31.5 Million  for Safety and Renovations of Schools,  Band Hall
Proposition B- 1.5 Million – for 4 New Tennis Courts
 
Medina County- Vote at County Building
 (across from Tractor Supply)
Medina County ESD 2 (Devine Fire area)- add 1.25 % to sales tax
Medina County ESD 5- (Natalia Fire area) add 1.25% to sales tax
Medina County ESD 4- (EMS Devine/Natalia areas – add .50% to sales tax
ESD4 overlaps both fire districts (2&5), since EMS can bill for services they are asking for only .25 from each district, so .25+.25=  .5% sales tax
*Note: 8.25% is the maximum any city or county in Texas can charge for sales tax. Medina County is at 6.75% currently, so that leaves 1.5% open.
 
Lyle ISD- cancelled election, no contested races
City of Lytle- cancelled election- no contested races
Natalia City/Schools- no elections
LaCoste City- no elections

Sheriff applauds quick actions of school staff after janitor sees woman with gun near school in D’Hanis

The Medina County Sheriff’s office received an alarming report of a person walking with a long rifle near the school in D’Hanis last Friday afternoon. A thorough investigation led to discovery of the suspect and one un-related arrest warrant for a stolen firearm at the same residence.
Even though the suspect’s weapon turned out to be a bb/pellet gun, he applauded the quick action taken by school staff.
“Everyone did just as they should,” Sheriff Randy Brown said after completing a thorough investigation. “The janitor saw a woman walking with a long rifle-like gun near the school and the school went into lockdown quickly as the principal contacted us. Our investigation led us to identifying the probable person and the gun.”
“The gun turned out to be a long bb/pellet gun, but looks similar to an AR rifle,” Sheriff Brown said. “While there, we noticed there were other guns at the residence. We ended up executing a search warrant at the residence, which is owned by a man who is a convicted felon, and one of those firearms was reported stolen.”
“The woman who was reported walking with the bb/pellet gun did not commit a crime, however, the man who owns the home will face charges for the stolen firearm in the home,” Sheriff Brown said.
The woman told investigators she was just walking from one house to another.