Kimbrough draws another 'fix-it' assignment for state

Jay Kimbrough (pictured), who has gained a reputation for being the go-to guy when the state agency ox is in the ditch, has been named as a special assistant to the new Juvenile Justice Department. The most recent revelation about the agency, which resulted from the combining of the troubled Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, alleges violence among youth inmates at the various facilities where youth are held and attacks on agency staff.

Kimbrough, who currently serves as assistant director of homeland security with the Texas Department of Public Safety, was appointed conservator of the Texas Youth Commission in 2007 after allegations of abuse and a cover-up at the agency. He also previously was called in to address reported scandals at the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Under his new charge at the Juvenile Justice Department, Kimbrough will oversee safety and security efforts at the agency. 

Amacker stepping down from media role at TxDOT

Karen Amacker, media relations director at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) since January 2011, has announced she is stepping down from that post, effective today, Friday. Amacker joined TxDOT in July 2008 as a media relations officer and was promoted to director three years later.

In an email to friends and associates, Amacker said she decided to "step away from my career" to spend more time with her family, which includes a one-year-old daughter.

Prior to joining TxDOT, Amacker served more than two years as marketing and communications director for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. She holds a BBA degree from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Gilman announces plans to leave CPRIT in October

Dr. Al Gilman (pictured), Nobel laureate and Texas' Cancer Research and Prevention Institute (CPRIT) chief scientific officer, has announced that he will leave CPRIT in October. The Dallas Morning News reported that in his resignation letter, Gilman was critical of the agency's focus on expanding "commercialization activities" over "research activities" and cited its review of an incubator grant award as an example. The one incubator grant awarded by CPRIT in March was $20 million for a joint project between Rice University and University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Gilman has served three years at CPRIT and, according to CPRIT Executive Director Bill Gimson, has been an integral part of CPRIT's early success. Gilman had a 10-year career with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville starting in 1971 and in 1981 was named chair of the Department of Pharmacology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. In 1994, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine when he discovered, characterized and purified a set of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins termed G proteins. Gilman in 2001 was named dean of the Southwestern Medical School and in 2006 became executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He retired from UT Southwestern in 2009 to take his current post with CPRIT.

Gilman earned his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Yale University and his M.D. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his postdoctoral training in the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics at the National Institutes of Health. A national search will be conducted by CPRIT to find his successor.

$314M in funding to go to I-35 widening project in North Texas

The North Central Texas Council of Governments recently announced a $314 million windfall in funding that will be used to widen Interstate 35 between Denton and Dallas. The funding, from the Texas Department of Transportation, was recently announced as part of a $500 million funding appropriation for the Dallas region. Officials say the $314 million will be used on a 28-mile section of the interstate highway.

The project would provide a new lane in each direction between the LBJ Freeway in Dallas and US Highway 380 north of Denton. Two reversible toll lanes would also be added, along with another bridge over Lewisville Lake. The price tag for the entire project is approximately $1.2 billion. If the project gains environmental and other agency approvals, construction could begin sometime in 2013. Officials say completion of the project could take five years.

Board of Professional Engineers recognized for quality commitment

For the second consecutive year, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE), has been recognized by the Quality Texas Foundation for its commitment to quality and high performance. TBPE, the state agency that regulates the practice of engineering and licensure of professional engineers, is the only Texas state agency to be recognized for this honor during the 2012 review cycle. The foundation encourages agencies to use the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and helps government entities and nonprofits improve performance through education, training and assessment.

TBPE Executive Director Lance Kinney (pictured) says the priority of the agency is to ensure quality and look for ways to improve the agency. "High performing companies and organizations utilize these concepts to be more successful and efficient, and I believe that it is good government practice for us to do the same," said Kinney. The agency is involved in an initiative that is part of the Baldrige program which encourages agency activities and agency employees toward improving processes and managing for results.

Midwestern names finalists for provost, vice president position

Three finalists have been named for the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Midwestern State University. The three were recommended by a search committee and will be scheduled for visits on the university campus.

The finalists include:

• Dr. Christopher Ames (right), Special Assistant to the President at Washington College in Maryland. Ames holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas and a Ph.D. from Stanford University;
• Dr. Ralph J. Rascati (center), Associate Vice President for Advising, Retention and Graduation Initiatives and Dean of the University College at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Rascati earned his bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts; and
• Dr. Betty Stewart (left), Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Eckerd College in Florida. Stewart earned her bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Boston U's Farnsworth named dean of UT Law School

Ward Farnsworth (pictured), associate dean for academic affairs at Boston University Boston University, is the new dean of the School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin, effective June 1. He succeeds former Dean Larry Sager, who was asked to step down last year.

Farnsworth, who holds a law degree from the University of Chicago, is a former law clerk to Richard A. Posner, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, as well as to Anthony M. Kennedy, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Khator announces reorganization of UH government relations

With the resignation of longtime University of Houston Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Government Relations Grover Campbell (top left), a reorganization of the UH System government relations office has been announced by UH System Chancellor Renu Khator. Campbell has served the UH System for 27 years, having joined the UH team in 1984. His resignation is effective May 31.

Khator has since announced that Darrin Hall (top right), current head of intergovernmental relations for the city of Houston, will become executive director of the UH System Office of Government Relations. Additionally, Alison Leland (bottom left), who teaches in the UH Honors College, has been tapped by Khator to serve as interim director in charge of community outreach in the newly organized office.

Hall and Leland will begin their new jobs on June 18. A former UH student, Hall served as a senior aide and deputy director of government affairs for then-Houston Mayor Bill White and has also served in the administration of current Mayor Annise Parker. Leland, an attorney and wife of the late U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland, will direct various community projects at the university.

Also, Executive Associate to the Chancellor/President James Anderson (bottom right) has announced his retirement, effective June 1, when he will be moving to California. In his position with UH, Anderson represents the chancellor and president in both external and internal university activities, serving as a liaison to communities, businesses, civic and governmental agencies, developing university partnerships and related academic activities and working with projects and initiatives in the Office of the Chancellor and President.

Sam Houston State University may build new research park

In an effort to spur job growth and new businesses in Huntsville, Sam Houston State University officials recently moved forward with a proposed new 160-acre research park to perform criminal justice and other research activities.

The proposed site for the research park is on SH19 and Ellisor Road, said Al Hooten (pictured), vice president of finance and operations for the university. A similar research park operated by Louisiana State University has created about 10,000 jobs in Baton Rouge over the last 25 years, Hooten said.

University officials are working on a master plan for the research center and with a landowner, who has agreed to donate from 60 to 80 acres of land for the center. Construction on the project should begin about six months after the master plan is approved and a traffic study of SH19 is completed, Hooten said. City council members also agreed to apply for an $877,757 grant to pay for extending a 12-inch water line to the research park site, he said.

El Paso Community College tags Serrata as new president

The board of trustees of El Paso Community College recently tapped William Serrata (pictured) as the college's new president. Serrata, who currently is vice president of student affairs at South Texas College in McAllen, is expected to begin his new duties in El Paso on Aug. 1.

Serrata also was director of admissions and registrar, director of enrollment services and registrar and interim chief student services officer. He replaced the former president, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, who resigned to take on the presidency of Austin Community College.

Joint UT-TAMU System library construction begins soon

Construction on a joint facility near Bryan to preserve library resources of The University of Texas System and Texas A&M University is expected to begin in June. The project recently received approval of a $6.3 million appropriation toward the project. Officials expect the facility to house approximately 1 million books that will be made available to scholars and others making requests.

To be constructed on the TAMU Riverside Campus, the library will include 18,000 square feet. When completed in March of next year, the facility will help relieve some of the space issues of the libraries in the two systems. The new facility was preceded by a joint library storage facility at The University of Texas at Austin's J.J. Pickle Research Campus, where volumes requiring a more structured environmental control are housed. While both systems will share the expense of building the new facility, A&M will provide staffing.

The two systems have had previous success in such partnerships. The two established the Texas Digital Library, an online repository for electronic theses and dissertation. It now includes more than a dozen regional members, among them several schools from both systems.

UT-Pan Am announces Charlton as associate vice provost

Jonikka Charlton (pictured), a member of the faculty of the Department of English in the College of Arts and Humanities at The University of Texas-Pan American, has been named Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education-Student Success Initiatives at the university.

Charlton began working at UTPA in 2005 and two years later was appointed coordinator of the First-Year Writing Program for the Department of English. She has also been assessment coordinator for General Education/Writing at UTPA since 2007.

Charlton earned her bachelor's degree from East Texas State University and her master's from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University, where she served as an instructor of English from 2001-2005.

Prairie View A&M University is seeking a director of Environmental Health and Safety. The State Comptroller's Office has advertised for a Human Resources Generalist and the Alamo Area Council of Governments has an opening for a Services Coordinator Specialist. These and dozens of other public sector jobs are listed on our job board. Click here to view jobs. Free job postings for state and local governments, nonprofits and other public sector entities. If you have jobs available, send your posting to editor@spartnerships.com.

VIA announces text messaging for determining bus arrival times

This is one instance in which texting and transportation DO mix.

VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio's public transit system, has introduced a new initiative that will allow bus riders in the city to get bus arrival information real-time through their mobile devices. Bus riders can find out when their next bus arrives by texting any VIA Metropolitan Transit bus stop number to 52020. Every VIA bus will be equipped with GPS tracking technology that allows for the tracking of each bus and allowing real-time information on when the bus will arrive.

A text message about a particular bus schedule will get a response from the system that is tracking buses to see if the bus is on time and, if not, will predict the time it will arrive. The information also will be available by email to nextbus@viainfo.net, with the bus stop number in the subject line. VIA is working to develop applications for Android and iPhone users, which should be available by the end of this year. 

El Paso moves forward to issue $110M in bonds for capital projects

El Paso County commissioners recently agreed to publish notice of the intent to issue $110 million in certificates of obligation to pay for several construction projects and to buy equipment.

If commissioners vote in June to issue the bonds, the proceeds will be used to complete the Tornillo-Guadalupe port of entry and to expand a jail annex, the county judge said. Commissioners also plan to spend about $9 million to upgrade information technology, $8.5 million to expand and improve courthouse annexes on the east and west sides of the county, $5 million for general improvements and repairs throughout the county and $3.5 million to buy 70 patrol vehicles and two transport vehicles for the Sheriff's Office.

Brownsville ISD buses to get pollution-control equipment installed

Nearly 130 buses in the Brownsville ISD will be outfitted with pollution-control equipment thanks to a $1.7 million grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Texas Clean School Bus Program. The retrofits will help reduced school children's exposure to particulate matter. "Retrofitting a good portion of our bus fleet provides significant benefits to our children and community in the form of cleaner air," said BISD Superintendent Carl Montoya (pictured).

The diesel particulate filters to be installed on 129 of the district's older diesel school buses are expected to reduce particulate matter by 85-90 percent. BISD has 57 schools that serve approximately 50,000 children and runs more than 300 buses. Approximately 27,000 of the students ride a bus each day.

Since the Texas Clean School Bus Program began in 2008, TCEQ has granted $2.9 million in the Valley and more than $16 million statewide to retrofit approximately 6,400 school buses with pollution-control equipment.

Rio Hondo meeting with USDA to seek OK for upgrading water plant

Rio Hondo commissioners plan to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine whether the city can use a $1.3 million federal grant and a $2.8 million federal loan to build a new water plant. The other option would be for the city to return the federal funding awarded in 2007. The USDA requires the grant and loan to be used within five years or be returned.

City commissioners continue to debate whether to spend about $1.2 million to renovate the water plant built in 1985 or to build a new water plant using a 40-year loan from the USDA and may make that decision following the meeting with USDA officials.

El Paso to spend $2.5 million to upgrade convention, arts center

El Paso City Council members recently approved a two-year improvement plan that includes $2.5 million to upgrade the convention and performing arts centers, located in the downtown area. The plan also includes upgrades to the downtown visitor's center, Abraham Chavez Theatre and Plaza Theatre.

The majority of the funding will go to upgrade the convention center, with about $1.1 million earmarked for a new security system, renovating concession areas and adding new technology, said Bryan Crowe (pictured), assistant general manager of the convention center. Plans call for spending about $175,000 at the Chavez theatre to repair the elevators, upgrade lighting and the roof. The administratioin building of the convention center and visitor bureau, along with the Plaza Theatre, also will get facelifts that include fire detection systems with sprinklers and remodeled restrooms, he said.

Western Governors University Texas selects advisory board

Western Governors University Texas, a private nonprofit university established in 2011, recently selected a 13-member board to advise the chancellor. WGU Texas provides online courses to students seeking bachelor's and master's' degrees. A 13-member Board of Trustees will continue overseeing the online university and its branches.

Serving on the advisory board are Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley, an executive vice president and chief administrative officer for CPS Energy in San Antonio; Patricia Diaz-Dennis, retired senior vice president and assistant general counsel for AT&T in San Antonio; John Fitzpatrick, director of Educate Texas, Dallas; Bernie Francis, chief executive officer of Business Control Systems and First Class Caregivers Inc. of Dallas; Karen Garza, a superintendent at Lubbock Independent School District; Bonnie Gonzalez, CEO of Workforce Solutions in McAllen; and Woody Hunt, chairman and CEO of Hunt Companies in El Paso. Also on the advisory board are Alice Rodriguez, an executive of JPMorgan Chase Bank in Dallas; L.E. Simmons, president of SCF Partners in Houston; Lora Villarreal, a vice president for Xerox Services of Dallas; Andres Alcantar, chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, Austin; Dr. Reynaldo García, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Colleges, Austin; and Robert Scott, Texas Commissioner of Education, Head of the Texas Education Agency, Austin.

Lago Vista moves forward with $200,000 public library expansion

Lago Vista City Council members recently approved spending $200,000 to expand the current public library by 2,000 square feet by using adjoining space that once served as a fire station.

The first phase of the expansion project should be completed by the end of summer and will be used for meeting space, more room for the children's session and storage, said Assistant City Manager Frank Robbins. The next step is to add a 9,000-square-foot addition to the library within the next five years, Robbins said.

Grapevine leaning toward $28.6 million activities center

After reviewing three options for expanding the Community Activities Center, Grapevine City Council members selected a $28.6 million design plan for the Community Activities Center.

The favored design, which incorporates the current activities center, includes 7,500 square feet of aquatic features, a community room, space for seniors, an indoor playground for children, upgraded locker rooms, weight and fitness spaces and a large community room. This plan will increase space from 48,000 square feet to 108,000 square feet and feature a new entrance, a separate entrance to the senior center and with a covered walkway to the library.

The first option, estimated at $20.7 million, had less space for water features and seniors would remain at the current Senior Activities Center, which would be upgraded. Estimated to cost about $25.1 million, the second option would have placed the seniors in the Community Activities Center and offered about 6,400 square feet of water features.

The Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) 43rd Annual Summer Conference will be June 7and 8 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos. To view the agenda with speakers and topics, click here. Some of the topics include Challenges Facing Employee Benefits; Lead Your Team, Don't Just Manage the Process; the State Audit Plan; and Data Center Consolidation & Technology Sourcing. The conference registration deadline is May 18 and the hotel reservation deadline is May 7. Click here to register. Questions should be addressed to Trina Edwards at trina.edwards@dps.texas.gov or by phone at 437-4056. 

Llano revises plan, seeks new bids for stabilizing Red Top Jail

Llano City Council members recently agreed to ask for another round of bids with a revised scope of work to repair the Red Top Jail. Citing lack of funding and the high cost, council members last year rejected a $394,000 bid from a Round Rock company to repair the jail foundation, the city manager said. Since then, Texas Historic Commission officials said they have set aside $25,000 toward paying for the jail repairs, and hope the redesigned plan will attract lower bids for the jail project, the city manager said.

Todd retires as assistant superintendent at Lindale ISD

After 43 years as an educator, Assistant Superintendent Carolyn Todd (pictured) of Lindale Independent School District recently retired from that post. In her 33 years with Lindale ISD, she was a teacher and principal as well as the assistant superintendent.

Brown County to seek bids for communications equipment

Brown County commissioners recently agreed to seek bids for emergency management radio equipment for use by police departments, county constables and lake patrols throughout the county. Funding for the emergency radio equipment is from a 2010 Homeland Security grant, said Brent Bush, emergency management director for the county.

Rancho Alegre wins $1 million grant to improve drainage

Rancho Alegre recently received notice that the Texas General Land Office will award the city a $1 million grant to improve drainage to more than 500 homes in the area. Plans call for installing culverts to divert rain into a nearby creek.

Thorndale ISD selects Spinn

as new superintendent

Thorndale Independent School District trustees recently selected Dr. Craig Spinn (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Spinn, an educator for 26 years, currently is the principal for the Burnet Consolidated ISD. Spinn has a bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University, a master's degree from Angelo State University and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University.

Kemp disbands police

department to cut costs

Citing budget problems, Kemp city officials recently laid off the police chief, four police officers and a part-time secretary, ending all police department operations on Wednesday of this week. Officials of the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office said that sheriff's office deputies will provide police services to the estimated 1,100 residents of Kemp in the absence of the police department.

Baylor to name stadium

John Eddie Williams Field

Following a series of large donations to Baylor University, officials of the Waco-based university recently named the new football stadium after John Eddie Williams, a Houston lawyer and alumnus.

The John Eddie Williams Field will be located on 93-acres of land off Interstate 35 and be connected to the campus by a bridge over the Brazos River. With a capacity of 45,000 spectators and the ability to enlarge to hold 55,000 fans, the new football stadium also will feature open concourses with views directly into the stadium, suites, loge boxes, indoor and outdoor club seating, student seating in a designated area, an event center and a stadium club along with a canopy to shade half of the stadium during the day. The new stadium should be completed in fall 2014, Baylor officials said.

Williams and his wife, one of the top five contributors to Baylor, also donated funding to help build the Baylor Law School and the Sheridan and John Eddie Williams Legal Research and Technology Center at Baylor Law School. A former student athlete at Baylor, Williams received the President's Award in 2009 and the 2008 Clarence Darrow Award from Baylor.

Powers tagged as interim superintendent at Wichita Falls

Trustees for the Wichita Falls Independent School District recently selected Dr. Tim Powers, the assistant superintendent, as the interim superintendent. Powers, who also served as interim superintendent in 2009, will replace Dr. George Kazanas. Powers said he would not apply for the superintendent's job.

Board members hired a consulting firm to help in the search for a new superintendent and plan to discuss applicants at their meeting on June 7.

Allen resigns as assistant superintendent at Midway ISD

Following his selection as a deputy superintendent for Lake Travis Independent School District, Dr. Chris Allen (pictured) recently resigned as an assistant superintendent at Midway ISD. Allen is expected to begin his new duties at the Lake Travis district in late June.

League City finalizes contract

for Loftin as new city manager

League City council members recently agreed to a contract calling for a $170,000 a year salary and four weeks of paid vacation for Mike Loftin, who recently became the new city manager.

Loftin, who was the assistant city manager for management services for two years, suggested the contract omit a termination package, which would make him an at-will employee who can be terminated for good cause, bad cause or for no reason at all.

Loftin became interim city manager in February after Assistant City Manager Rich Oller resigned as acting city manager following the resignation of City Manager Marcus Jahns in July 2011.

Bee Caves Council creates director of finance position

The Bee Caves City Council has approved the creation of a director of finance position to replace the current deputy city administrator position. The deputy post was recently left unfilled by the resignation of Travis Askey.

The person named to the newly created post will advise the city administrator on financial issues, manage city finance and accounting services, prepare data reports and recommendations, oversee the financial and management information system and assist in management of city funds' investments.

Canales tapped as new city secretary for city of Waelder

Waelder city officials recently selected Jessica Canales as the new city secretary. Canales previously was the secretary to the superintendent of Gonzales Independent School District. She began her new duties in Waelder this week.

Weslaco ISD selects Alejandro

as finalist for superintendent

Trustees for Weslaco Independent School District recently selected Ruben Alejandro (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Alejandro is a 33-year school district employee who served as interim superintendent following the departure last fall of former Superintendent Richard Rivera. Alejandro previously was a deputy superintendent for the Weslaco school district.

Galveston County judges select Glenn as new district clerk

The six district judges in Galveston County recently selected Doryn Danner Glenn as the new district clerk to replace Jason Murray, who resigned from that post after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.

Glenn served from 2007 to 2010 as the chief deputy clerk under former District Clerk Latonia Wilson and became director of governmental affairs when Murray assumed office. Glenn, an attorney who began working as a summer clerk in the District Clerk's Office in 1986, said she will not stand for election as district clerk in the November election.

South San Antonio ISD eyeing

six candidates for superintendent

South San Antonio Independent School District board members recently invited six applicants for superintendent to interview with trustees.

District officials declined to identify the finalists for superintendent to replace former Superintendent Ron Durbon, who was terminated from that post in 2011.

Trustees plan to select a lone finalist for superintendent on May 30, the board president said. Interim Superintendent Linda Zeigler, a 26-year employee of South San Antonio ISD, said she applied for the superintendent's job.

Huntsville selects Pinto

as interim city manager

Following the resignation of former City Manager Bill Baine, Huntsville City Council members recently selected Chuck Pinto (pictured) as the interim city manager. Pinto previously was city manager in Seabrook and was hired through a consulting firm.

City officials also are collecting more information on executive search firms, identifying the qualifications that council members want in a city manager and appointing a search committee comprised of council members, city staff and citizens to assist in the search for a new city manager.

HISD announces Cardona as

new chief middle school officer

Michael Cardona (pictured), principal at North East ISD's Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio since 2009, has been named Houston ISD's chief middle school officer. Prior to becoming high school principal in San Antonio, Cardona was principal of North East's Driscoll Middle School for three years.

Cardona began his education career in 1992 as a teacher working with students with disabilities. He will report for duty at HISD on July 2, replacing Dr. S. Dallas Dance, who was recently named superintendent of the Baltimore County Public Schools in Maryland.

Cardona holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a master's from Texas A&M University. He is currently studying for his doctorate at Texas A&M.

• Fredrick "Rick" Rylander of Iraan, Texas Water Development Board;
• Lewis McMahan of Dallas, Texas Water Development Board;
• Lynwood Givens of Plano, Texas State Library and Archives Commission;
• Sharon Carr of Katy, Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Dallas group pushing for new hotel tax to pay for advertising

Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) officials recently asked Dallas City Council members to authorize an additional 2 percent sales tax on hotels with more than 100 rooms to pay for advertising the city's convention and vacation attractions. The CVB currently has about $5 million a year to spend on tourism and advertising and the new tax is estimated to provide an additional $10 million a year in revenue if council members approve, said Phillip Jones, president of the CVB.

Some of the funding from the proposed 2 percent Tourism PID assessment will be used to produce a national commercial promoting Dallas, Jones said. 

Arnold to retire as superintendent of White Settlement schools

White Settlement Superintendent Audrey Arnold (pictured) recently announced her retirement from that post effective in mid-summer. School board members also agreed to hire a search firm, Arrow Educational Services, to assist in finding a new superintendent to replace Arnold. Arnold joined the White Settlement district in 1993 as an educational diagnostician and an assistant high school principal. She later served as an assistant superintendent of instruction and as a deputy superintendent prior to being selected superintendent five years ago.

Marshall to reopen sale

of municipal golf course

Marshall city officials recently agreed to reopen bidding on the Oaklawn Golf Course after an attempt by an online liquidator failed in selling the property owned by the city. Bids on the 97.2-acre golf course will reopen on May 23 after a required two-week advertising period, said Jack Redmon, director of parks and recreation. As a result of the economy, the city is in the hole for almost $100,000 in operating expenses at the golf course and needs about $250,000 to repair the irrigation system, he said.

In another effort to reduce spending and increase revenue, city officials also plan to sell city property on Austin Street if the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce relocates its office as proposed by city officials. Any proceeds from the sale must be dedicated to the library, according to an agreement ceding the property to the city, the city manager said.

Denton ISD agrees to release Braswell from current contract

Denton Independent School District board members recently agreed to an offer from Superintendent Ray Braswell (pictured) for a release from contractual obligations with the school district. Trustees also selected Jamie Wilson, deputy superintendent, as the lone finalist for superintendent to replace Braswell.

Braswell, who joined Denton ISD in 1979, also was a principal, a director and an interim and associate superintendent for the district. He became superintendent in 1999.