Homecoming p. 16
Gregory Bordelon
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Allen High School, Allen, Texas, 75002 Volume 29, Issue 1, October 5, 2011
the cuts that have already been made. “[These] kind of problems are big now, and without this they’re going to get much bigger,” Superintendent Ken Helvey said. “So that’s what this is all about, opportunities for students and a personalized learning experience[...] So the reason we called the TRE is [...] we simply weren’t willing to go backwards in our opportunities we’re providing students without at least going a step.”
The decision to raise the tax came after the Texas Legislature cut funding for public schools by $4 billion, which will cause Allen to lose $21 million over the next two years in state funding. The district has already taken measures to adapt to less funding, including eliminating 44 teacher positions and 40 support staff positions, increasing class sizes, reduce energy consumption and reducing budgets by 10 percent. Raising the tax
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by 13 cents per $100 will generate approximately $10 million in revenue for the school district, specifically for operating expenses. “We’ve been in the business of trying to be as lean as we can over the last few years,” Helvey said, “but this was too big, we couldn’t do that.” Because of the lack of funding, classes sizes are increasing to make up for the lack of teachers. Helvey continued on page 2
Staff writers share their opinions on Daried’s, the spa and cafe.
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n order to compensate for various cuts in funding from the Texas Legislature, the Allen ISD Board of Trustees initiated a tax ratification election, or TRE, for voters to approve raising the school tax rate to $1.67 per $100 value, compared to $1.54 last year. Voting will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Administration Building. Without the raised tax, the district will face various budget cuts in addition to
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District holds election to approve increased tax rate
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Learn more about the new CTE center.
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has cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects her speech, movement and muscles so that it is difficult for her to talk efficiently and move smoothly. However, through
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how the thousands of people watching her will react, but as the camera slowly turns towards her, she knows it’s time. Senior Katherine Battle
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Swim team answers questions from David Barr about upcoming season.
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oments before she appears on air, her palms begin to sweat and her heart beats become faster and faster by the minute. She doesn’t know
Courtney Lynch visits England as riots break out across Europe.
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Senior with cerebral palsy appears on KGLE 3 morning announcements
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by reporting the weather despite her cerebral palsy.
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Perseverance Kathrine Battle’s mother, Robyn Battle, supports Kathrine as she chooses to challenge herself
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Battling through broadcast her friends, family and her own efforts, she now serves as a weather anchor on KGLE 3 News. “The school’s been really supportive,” Katherine said. “It [makes] me feel good that people [care] about what I [am] saying and [care] to listen to it and [notice] how hard it is.” Katherine plans to come on the announcements every Wednesday. Regardless of her physical disabilities, she enjoys her job on set and the team atmosphere and support of the broadcasting crew. “With her, it’s taking a really big risk,” broadcast teacher Dusty Parrish said. “You never know, teenager or not, people can be great and people can be mean and cruel. I’ve seen all those sides of people and I’m very protective of all my students, so my first concern [is how Katherine feels] about it. If she’s comfortable doing it then I’m going to support her 100 percent.” Katherine is also a member of the Book Discussion Club and Library Advisory Board. Although her disabilities get in her way, Katherine said she takes pleasure in being able to pass those obstacles. Two years ago in Nov. 2009, Katherine was
Three PALs visit New York for the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11.
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