San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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Teachers across the Shepherd School District participated in a mentoring program. Research-based strategies will be used to help support the new teachers in the district.

By Tony Farkas
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SHEPHERD — The Shepherd ISD Board of Managers discussed ongoing maintenance projects, the largest of which is a new parking lot for the primary school.

The update came as part of the regular meeting held Thursday.

Other projects include refinishing floors of two gymnasiums.

The district also will providing school supplies, with the exception of backpacks, to all students.

Superintendent Jason Hewitt said the supply program started last year as a response to COVID.

“When the pandemic hit, we thought this would be the best way to help out,” he said. “We had some federal funds, and earmarked that for this program.”

In other business, the board:

•discussed receipt of the Carl D. Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Federal Program grant;

•approved the student code of conduct for the new school year;

•approved T-TESS appraisers and the appraisal calendar for 2022-2023;

•approved the call for the trustee election. Hewitt said the district is governed by both a board of trustees and a board of managers, and the trustees sidelined until the district is released from its conservatorship. However, the election process still must be followed;

•approved a joint election with San Jacinto County, and appointed Elections Administrator Vicki Shelly as early voting clerk;

•approved policy updates submitted by TEA;

•approved expenses for an EDpact LLC teacher incentive allotment consultant;

•approved the quarterly financial report; and

•approved application for renewal of the district’s droupout recovery program, which allows the district to work with students during non-traditional hours to help get them a diploma.

Brooke Rhoden introduces student volunteers.

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Special to the News-Times

SHEPHERD — The Shepherd School District will continue with the Community Eligibility Provision meal program, providing meals to students at no cost.
The CEP is offered under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and again for the 22-23 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals.

This approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
For information please contact Randy Milton at (936) 628-3396 ext. 4016 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD is offering a way for college graduates to become adjunct educators in the district for the upcoming school year.

If someone has a bachelor’s degree, they may become a COCISD teacher without the traditional credentials at no cost. The starting salary is $40,000 per year with a full benefits package.

Positions are available in grades pre-K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The district will provide extensive professional development and support.
Interested individuals may apply at www.cocisd.org/jobs.

For more information contact COCISD HR Coordinator Candy Yeager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Duna, a narcotics dog with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, searches a vehicle. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Times

SHEPHERD — A San Jacinto County K-9 assisting in a crash investigation was able to expose illegal substances which led to a felony arrest.

The animal named Duna, out in the field for the first time, found drugs in a vehicle involved in a major crash on Friday.

According to Sheriff Greg Capers, deputies with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division were on patrol on U.S. 59 in the Shepherd area, riding as a 2-man unit with Duna, a narcotics dog.

The deputies were alerted major crash on U.S. 59 just south of FM 223, and they responded to assist with the crash investigation and provide first aid.

While on the scene, the deputies assisted a trooper from the Texas Highway Patrol who was interviewing driver regarding the circumstances of the crash. The narcotics deputies began to notice inconsistencies with the driver’s story that raised their suspicion of possible illegal activity, Capers said.

Duna was deployed — for the first time on a roadside incident — and went around the exterior of the vehicle, and alerted at the open driver’s window of the vehicle, which led to an interior search. Deputies discovered a substance known to be THC wax, Capers said.

After performing field sobriety tests on the driver, who was not named, was arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

“I want to congratulate Duna on her first deployment on duty after being certified,” Capers said. “She is an asset to the Sheriff’s Office in an effort to combat the trafficking of narcotics in and through San Jacinto County.”