Safeguarding agricultural chains through research, innovation
By Susan Himes The disruption of the food supply chain during the first few years of COVID made Americans aware of how critical the ability to move agricultural products reliably, safely and efficiently is, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts. A Texas A&M AgriLife-led team is doing their part to protect the U.S. food supply chain from future threats that are accidental, intentional or an act of Mother Nature. The project, Systematic Mapping of Cross-Border Threats to Enhance U.S. Agricultural Security, began…
MVISD enrollment was at 3,870 just a little over 10 years ago, and is expected to explode to more than 18,000 within the next 10 years.
By Anton Riecher In the Devine-Natalia-Lytle region, Medina County voters will decide on more than $54.4 million in bond issue proposals for their respective school districts this May. While certainly significant, that burden pales by comparison to what Medina Valley ISD alone is asking on its May ballot — $290 million. MVISD board member Jason Bonney attributes the need to phenomenal expansion in enrollment experienced by the district. “For the past few years we’ve had a crazy amount of enrollment and growth,” Bonney said. “We rank as the fifth fastest growing school district in Texas.” The $290 million request comes only about a year after voters approved a $376 million bond issue for construction of a second high school and other district improvements, district superintendent Scott Caloss said in a video posted to the district’s website. “In last year’s bonds we addressed the overcapacity at our high school,” Caloss said. “In this bond, we are having to address the capacities of our middle schools and elementaries.” If approved, the new bond issue would cover the addition of a middle school and two elementary campuses, among other district improvements. Medina Valley ISD covers 296 square miles of Medina and Bexar counties including the communities of Castroville, La Coste, Rio Medina, Dunlay and Mico. The district boasts more than 8,700 students distributed across eight campuses – five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Despite the trumpeting of development along the Austin-San Antonio corridor, a generous amount of San Antonio’s metropolitan growth is moving west into Medina County. The county subdivision map displays an explosion of housing projects west of Loop 1604 bearing names such as Potranco West, Alsatian Oaks, Megan’s Landing and Hunter Ranch. That expansion shows no sign of letting up. Only last March plans for a new $700 million subdivision between Castroville and San Antonio was announced. Add to this Microsoft’s new $1 billion data center just outside of Castroville and the result is a school district swamped by incoming families. “Because the growth in the San Antonio-Bexar County area is so overwhelming the current middle schools and high school just cannot facilitate the number of students projected,” Bonney said. “We are projected to be at our maximum in our current middle schools and elementary schools by next year.” As of 2023 district enrollment stood at 8,727 students, of which slightly more than 5,225 attend elementary schools. Even with a new elementary opening this fall, that attendance is expected to be over the district’s capacity by 2025-26. By 2028-29, elementary attendance is projected to reach 7,000 students. The district’s middle schools, with slightly over 2,000 students in attendance, are also expected to be overcapacity by 2025-26. Middle school attendance is expected to hit 3,000 students by 2028-29.
Within a decade, total district enrollment is projected to swell by at least 1,000 new students, projections posted on the district’s website state. While Texans continue to struggle with high property taxes, a key point in winning support for the MVISD bond issue is that no tax rate increase is tied to the latest bond proposal. Each new home sold increases the appraised value of the property it stands on, Bonney said. The projection on population growth in the next few years stands at between 10 and 12 percent. That represents 14,000 new homes either…
At the January 22, 2024, Lytle Independent School District School Board meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously in support of a May 2024 Bond Election to address growth, renovations, new construction, and further supports academic opportunities for our Lytle community. Major projects included in the proposed bond: -Addition of 16 Classroom Spaces at Primary -Gym Addition at Primary -Parking Addition/…
There will be a benefit plate sale for Mr. John Wofford on Saturday, May 4th starting at 11am until sold out. He is battling cancer and so the community is pitching in to help out. There will be two locations: Chopped brisket sandwiches w/ chips and a drink will be sold for $10 at the Devine Little League Field. 2nd location: A sliced brisket & sausage plate with rice, beans and a drink for $15 will be sold at the old car wash across from Parker’s Lumber Yard Both will be held the same day May 4th starting at 11am. You can purchase pre-sale tickets at Devine News office Mondays & Tuesdays or at Downing Well Service. Call 210-315-7626 for questions.
Voters in Natalia ISD will decide on two propositions. Natalia ISD will start Early Voting on April22 running through April 30th. Election Day will be May 4th. Here is a little about the two bonds totaling approximately $23 million. Prop A is a $17,465,000 bond which will provide additions and updates to the Elementary some of which include new…
benefit will consist of a BBQ plate sale, silent auction, face painting, music and more! Stop by Divine Savior Lutheran Church to be part of something special.
BBQ, Silent Auction, Live Music April 20 for Burke
BBQ Brisket, Sausage, Potato Salad, Beans, Brownie, and Tea All for $12.00 per plate
Silent Auction-face painting, live music by “DJ”Bobby G 11AM-1PM at the Fellowship Hall ( 405 Ingram Rd ) Silent Auction will close at 2:00
Chief Martin Chavez loves what he does, and applied for this postition as soon as he saw it come available.
By Victoria Arredondo Staff Writer After reviewing many applicants, the City of Natalia is excited to announce a new chief of police, Martin Chavez. Chavez’s interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement sparked at an early age. “When I was in elementary, I was a school safety patrol,” Chavez said. “I’ve always been a public servant since I was a kid — I like helping people.” Chavez grew up in San Antonio, after his family moved to Texas from Riverside, California. After graduating from Harlandale High School in…
The Garza family who lost their home to a fire in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 3, is still in need of a temporary shelter such as a camper trailer or RV to call home. They will forever be grateful for the outpouring of clothing and donations the community has given, and are now looking for a place to start over. Their home which was located on family land on FM 2200 near Devine has been deemed a total loss, along with all of their possessions. If you have a RV or mobile home you’d like to donate, please contact the girl’s grandmother Katie at 210-413-9602 or you may reach out to The Devine News office.
Kourtni Geyer broke the Devine High School record, with her 10’ 4” pole vault. The record was previously held by Brianna Bowyer who hit 10’3” in 2021.
Kylie Monreal smoked ‘em in the 300M hurdles with a time of 45.30, setting a new DHS record as well. That record was previously held by Dakota Dougherty in 2008 with 45.49.
BREAKING RECORDS!
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer District Championships for the Arabian Track Team are nothing new, and nothing new happened once again in Floresville Wednesday, April 3-4 as Devine posted 174 points to ease past runner-up Floresville who put up 162 points. Pleasanton was a distant third place with 97 points. Four Arabians left Floresville as individual district champions as well as Kourtni Geyer vaulted to new heights in Pole Vault, Kylie Monreal smoked ‘em in 300m Hurdles, Kenzie Schott blistered the competition in…
Registration for the Some Run Fun Run /Walk will kick off at 7:30 a.m. followed by a full day. The “Family Fun Day” admission opens at 10am, with a meet and greet with the Singing Princesses, Paw Patrol, and Power Rangers and Batman.
