Thursday, February 6, 2014
The
WWW.SPRINGTOWN-EPIGRAPH.NET Volume 50, Number 42
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Wacky weather quiz
Page 1B
Hoops boys clinch playoff berth
Page 10A
Realignment one of weirdest ever District similar, but football and hoops foes, regions are different BY MARK K. CAMPBELL Even before the Feb. 3 University Interscholastic League announcement that heralded the redrawing of Texas districts, things were different. The UIL had released in advance for the fi rst time, the numbers cut-off for every classification. Plus, a new classifi cation had been added, 6A, bumping each one up a notch – 5A became 6A, 4A became 5A, etc. And lower classifi cations were divided into divisions, i.e., Big School (Div. I) and Little School (Div. II). So, Springtown knew in advance that football and basketball would be playing in 4A, Div. I. But just who would their district mates be? A curve ball Well, that answer ended up being unique, one that had never happened to PLEASE SEE DISTRICT, PAGE 3A.
Search for key SISD positions underway BY MARK K. CAMPBELL It’s tough enough hiring a head football coach and athletic director. And fi nding a high school principal is no easy chore either. Springtown ISD superintendent Mike Kelley is trying to do both right now. Kelley said the “immediacy” of a football coach looms for that hire, but he is working on fi lling Springtown High School principal Chris Pennington’s slot, too. Current athletic director/head football coach Brad Turner locked in the gridiron schedule after the Feb. 3 realignment. The incoming coach will see a district similar to what SISD played previously. Finding prospects Kelley said he received as many as 60 applications for the AD/head football coach position, some from veterans and plenty from young coaches with big dreams. Both that position and the principal opening were well advertised, Kelley said. “Our district recently adopted one of the largest and most popular applicant tracking and recruiting systems in the United States, AppliTrack,” the superintendent said. This system allows for coordination through the Education Service Center Region 11, he noted. But other factors work in fi nding quality applicants. “The reality for these two positions is that word-of-mouth is going to generate a signifi cant number of applications. Even prior to posting, I received
quite a few inquiries from candidates who have some prior knowledge about our community and school.” Kelley said several exceptional candidates have applied and he had set up interviews for the week ending Feb. 7 for the AD position. Giving notice One tricky part of the process requires some discretion, Kelley said, noting that he was careful that reviews of hopefuls initially be “private and discreet.” He added, “Many of the principals and coaches who express interest in these openings will already be in good situations where they are, and I’d like to be sure that nothing we do causes a good candidate hesitation to apply.” Internal candidates are also being considered, Kelley said. Community input Kelley said the community will “have the opportunity to provide input regarding what they believe are critical characteristics. “Obviously, these two hires will be very signifi cant, and it’s important to me that I have a good understanding of what our stakeholders hope to see through this transition.” Coming to Springtown is a prized opportunity, the superintendent said. “These are both great jobs, and will present the opportunity to work with a terrifi c staff as well as outstanding students and athletes,” Kelley said. He wants to fi nd the right people for the jobs. “We want to be patient to ensure that we make great hires for both positions,” he said.
Last fall, Springtown faced Wichita Falls Hirschi in bi-district and won; for the next two autumns, Hirschi will be a non-district foe for the Porcupines. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Tattoo artist gets probation for inking teen 14-year-old’s mother also faces charges
Lydie Krenzke Mathers, of Springtown, faces charges for tattooing her 14-year-old daughter in 2012. Photos courtesy of the Parker County Sheriff’s Office.
BY NATALIE GENTRY Brian Lee Sporn, 40 – a tattoo artist from Springtown – pleaded guilty on Jan. 17 to a charge of violating tattoo/body piercing regulations for tattooing a 14-year-old girl in 2012. Even though he had permission from the teen’s mother, state law prohibits a tattoo on a person younger than 18 years old. Sporn was sentenced to one year probation, 40 hours of community service, and must pay $467 in fi nes and court costs. The mother – Lydie Krenzke Mathers, 32, of Springtown – also faces charges.
According to reports, Sporn tattooed the letters “SS” on the girl’s leg in the summer of 2012. Reports indicate that Sporn Brian Lee Sporn, of pleaded was Mather’s fi ancé at the Springtown, time and knew that the girl guilty to misdemeanor violating tattoo/body was a juvenile. In addition, the work was piercing regulation for not performed in a licensed his work on a teen. tattooing facility. Mathers said she also tattooed her daughter that summer. One design tattooed on the girl by Mathers is a heart with wings on her side; the other is a Care Bear on her hip. According to Parker County Attorney, John Forest, two misdemeanor charges of violating tattoo/body piercing regulations are pending against Mathers. The charges are Class B misdemeanors and a conviction carries a sentence of 180 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. According to a Parker County Sheriff’s Department news release, an anonymous tip initiated an investigation in the current case.
SISD tackles tough subject: abuse
BY NATALIE GENTRY It has been used by the SISD for apThe Springtown Independent proximately 15 years. School District (SISD) recently hosted a program that aims to reduce child- Presenting it appropriately Play It Safe presents the information hood sexual abuse. to students room-by-room through a combination of scripted sequences Approaching the topic Texas Education Code requires that and DVD clips. “The elementary program focuses all school districts provide child abuse anti-victimization programs in both on teaching children personal safety elementary and secondary schools and how to respond if put in an unsafe situation.” said Goshen Creek (TEC 38.004(b). According to the Play It Safe web- Elementary School Principal Wesley site: “The program is a specialized, Thomas. Themes discussed included stranger age-appropriate child sexual abuse risk reduction program for children danger, physical abuse, safe and unsafe touching, and how to identify a ages pre-K through twelfth grade.” The program – presented by The trusted adult when help is needed. Women’s Center of Tarrant County – In the lower grades, the presenters use puppets dressed in swimsuits to SISD superintendent Mike Kelley is in the process of hiring a high relies on researched-based activities illustrate which body areas should be and has been received by over 1.4 milschool principal and an athletic director/head football coach. off limits to others. lion children since it began in 1983. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Safe touching, confusing touching, and unsafe touching are terms utilized by Play It Safe to illustrate personal safety and boundaries. The websites says that there are multiple concepts that are reinforced throughout the program. First, the program acknowledges that most children only experience safe touches and most adults would never touch a child in an unsafe or confusing way. Second, it is essential that children tell an adult if they are unsure of a situation, or if they have been abused in some manner and it is sometimes necessary to tell more than one adult to get the help that is needed. Finally, the program emphasizes that the abuse is “never the child’s fault.” PLEASE SEE ABUSE, PAGE 3A.
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