Trinity County News 2

Write a comment

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TRINITY — As with many school districts this year, Trinity found that while most STAAR test scores came in as expected, there were some areas that were surprising.

Superintendent John Kaufman said that overall he and the principals were happy with the scores, but did say they’re not where they should be.

The scores were discussed at the June 26 meeting of the Trinity ISD board.

The Elementary grades did well generally, he said; third grade was at 65 percent meets or masters in math, and at about 47 percent meets or masters in reading. Also, one grade in Middle School was struggling in math, and the High School was able to come out at 2018-19 levels, the last year tracked because of COVID-19.

Kaufman said he attributes the scores to the pandemic, as remote learning is not as effective as it could be, and unforeseen closures, such as the week before Christmas, the week of the winter storm, and starting school late because of weather. 

“We had some obstacles that all contributed,” he said. “Overall, I think we did OK. We have a way to go, but as a district, we’re moving on the right track.”

In a separate matter, the board discussed ESSER grants, of which the district will receive $1.2 million in Round 2, and $3.3 million for Round 3.

Kaufman said the district will focus on mental health needs by increasing counseling services, and district improvements, such as removing carpet from classrooms, fixing roads, and hiring additional teachers and custodial work.

In other business, the board:

• approved the district appraisal calendar;
• approved using Collier Construction for constructing additional parking for football field at a cost of $143,000. The new parking will be at the practice field;
• renewed the employee-only high-deductible teacher retirement system insurance, which school pays in full;
• approved contracts with the regional ESC;
• extended the depository contract for two years with First National Bank; and
• approved hiring new teachers, including Katie Cook, RN; Cassie Campbell, High School science; Megan Pless, eighth-grade English language arts; Mary McMillan, fourth grade; Kerri Campbell, third grade; and Robyn Copley, seventh-grade math; and Mental Health Interventionist Charles Kibble.

Write a comment

News-Standard staff

The cities of Trinity and Groveton will hold individual celebrations for the Fourth of July — Trinity’s on Saturday and Groveton’s on Sunday.

Both will have events that will make for a great afternoons.

On July 3, Trinity will host a barbecue cook-off, a car show, games for kids of all ages, music and vendors, culminating with a fireworks show when the sun goes down.

The third annual Car Show, hosted by the Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 103 Stadium St. The inaugural Beat the Heat BBQ Cook-Off, being held at the Trinity Community Center, 604 S. Robb St., kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Organizer Steven Jones said he is actively seeking tasters for the judges. He can be reached at (936) 662-2319

The IBCA-sponsored event boasts a $20,000 guaranteed cash payout for a $250 entry fee. The deadline for entries and payments is July 2.

The also will be games, bouncy houses, music, entertainment and vendors, as well as fireworks.

For information for the cook-off, volunteering to taste or online registration, go to www.cityoftrinity.com, or call Jones at (936) 662-2319 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cook-Off Schedule

Friday, July 2

3-6 p.m. Tray pickup

6 p.m. Head cooks meeting

7 p.m. Chef’s Choice turn-in

8 p.m. Margarita turn-in

Saturday, July 3

10 a.m. Bloody Mary turn-in

11 a.m. Bean turn-in

Noon Chicken turn-in — two (2) separate 1/2 fully jointed chicken halves (to include breast, wing, thigh and drumstick.)

1:30 p.m. Pork spareribs (9 individual pieces)

2:30 p.m. Kid's Que meat pick up

3 p.m. Brisket (9 slices)

3:30 p.m. Kid's Que turn-in

Awards for both Kid's Que and IBCA BBQ time to be determined.

Then on Sunday, the Groveton Lions Club is hosting July 4th celebrations, beginning at 3 p.m. at the "Y" intersection of Highway 287 and State Highway 94.

The annual Trinity County Fourth of July Celebration-Deep East Texas Style will have vendors, food, live music, a classic car show, and a huge fireworks extravaganza.

Everything kicks off with a parade through Groveton at 2 p.m., and gates will open to the public at 3 p.m. 

There is no registration fee for the parade; participants need to be at the Groveton High School stadium parking lot at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The fireworks extravaganza will begin at 9 p.m. 

Sponsors for the event are still welcome, and will be given their name on signs, banners, T-shirts and more.

For more information, contact Rodney Langley at (936) 222-2703.

Write a comment

Trinity County Commissioners (from left) Tommy Park, Neal Smith, County Judge Doug Page, Mike Loftin and Steven Truss stand with Charlene Martin, a specialist with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on June 22 as the county proclaimed June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month. (Photo by Tony Farkas/TCNS)

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GROVETON — In the wake of the reception of unanticipated funds, Trinity County will now seek to hire its own grant administrator to help manage all of its grants, as well as seek new funds for county projects.

The County Commissioner’s Court approved the measure at its June 22 regular meeting.

The position will answer to County Treasurer Bob Dockens, who said that if everything works as it is supposed to, there could be some good-sized checks coming to the county.

The county decided to hire it own, instead of using grant writing services, in order to save funds. Dockens said that in the course of their researching a grant-writing position, they found that  using such services are more expensive — at 10 percent of the grant amount — than a paid position.

The position will pay between $30,000 to $32,000 annually, according to Dockens.

The county also voted to rescind its requests for seeking grant services.

The discussion was spurred by the county’s receipt of around $619,000 in funds it was unaware of, and the court discussed how to spend them. The county approved giving each road district $100,000, as well as for a proposed shortfall in the Sheriff’s Office budget and to pay for a cabling project.

In a separate matter, the county received during its public forum the resignation of Precinct 1 Constable Jeremy Alexander.

Alexander said he is accepting a position in the private sector, citing the low pay he is receiving as constable.

In other business, the county:

• approved an official bond for Precinct 3 Constable Carl Casey;
• approved staying with the county’s current health benefits plan through the Texas Association of Counties;
• proclaimed June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month;
• appointed County Treasurer Bob Dockens as the county’s representative on the board of Deep East Texas Council of Governments;
• approved a cabling and security wall installation project to improve internet speed and security at the Sheriff’s Office; and
• approved an annual report to the Trinity County Grand Jury regarding roads maintained by the county in each precinct, even though Commissioner Neal Smith pointed out that the report contained inconsistencies and errors. He said the county needed to get an accurate account and measurements of roads the county maintains.

Photo by Tony Farkas/TCNS

Trinity County Commissioners (from left) Tommy Park, Neal Smith, County Judge Doug Page, Mike Loftin and Steven Truss stand with Charlene Martin, a specialist with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on June 22 as the county proclaimed June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month. 

Write a comment

TCNS staff

CENTERVILLE — The Centerville ISD School Board is loosening the purse strings a bit, just in time for the next school year.

Superintendent Mark Brown said the board approved a new teacher salary schedule at its regular meeting on June 17.

Brown said the board OK’d the measure, one that extends the pay scale from 20 years to 25 years, and gives a 2 percent increase across the scale.

In other business, the board:

• discussed new updates to school policies based on recommendations from the Texas Association of School Boards. No action was taken, as it was only an initial hearing, Brown said; and
• approved the hiring of Cheryl Sterret as a math teacher for the elementary school.

The Centerville ISD School Board meets the third Thursday of the month, changing the meeting date from the third Monday, at 7 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for July 15.