JUNE 1, 2022 YOUTH GETS RED CROSS MEDAL
UVALDE STRONG
Buda boy recognized for lifesaving efforts – Page 6
Community gathers for vigil – Page 4
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Hays CISD approves positions
Vol. 128 • No. 12
Serving Hays County, TX
UNSUNG HERO
Local crossing guard honored
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON HAYS COUNTY – Hays CISD is preparing for the new school year by releasing allocations and stipends early to be included in the 2022-2023 compensation plan. During the Hays CISD board of trustees meeting on May 23, the trustees approved in a 6-0 vote the various new positions, reclassifications and stipends under the Curriculum & Instruction allocation, as well as two security monitors under the Maintenance & Operations allocation. Trustee Will McManus was not present for the meeting. Included in the Curriculum & Instruction allocation were the addition of three color guard teaching positions, which garnered considerable public support during the public forum portion of the board meeting. Currently, there are no permanent, full-time color guard director positions at any of the district’s three high schools (Hays, Johnson and Lehman) that offer the program. Ali Martinez has served as the Hays High School guard director for the past three years, and also works as a paraprofessional in the district on top of directing the guard. According to Lesley Allen, a guard parent who also served as the Band Booster President from 2018 to 2021, Martinez’s salary comes from Band Boosters fundraising. Allen said that using Band Boosters to pay her salary takes away significant funds needed for the guard and band program as a whole. If the district were to pay her salary, the funds could be spent on other necessary things, like marching technicians, equipment, props, private lessons or financial help for enrollment fees for
See HCISD, page 12
BY MEGAN WEHRING
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLETTE DYER JOHNSON
Edward Henderson, crossing guard at Barton Middle School, was recognized by parents and community members. What started out as a simple post, turned into a day of support for Henderson and other crossing guards.
Little legs, BIG heart BY MEGAN WEHRING Buda – It’s been said that a dog is a man’s best friend. For one dog, her legacy continues to be remembered by many. Daisy, who once was the furry ambassador for the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Buda, was a dainty dachshund who took her duties very seriously. While she died last year, her memory and legacy
HAYS COUNTY – You never know what or who can lift a child’s spirit. For Hays CISD students, it is Edward Henderson – a crossing guard at Barton Middle School. In an effort to give back to someone who gives the community his all, several parents gathered to give Henderson an Appreciation Day, while he was stationed for his shift. What started out as a simple post on Facebook from parent Colette Dyer Johnson turned into a wave of support – including honoring other crossing guards in the district. “I think the crossing guards are the unsung heroes of the district,” Dyer Johnson said. “So many times, we have a lot of different appreciation things for other folks in the district and we felt like this was an opportunity to highlight them for a change.” On Friday, May 20, Dyer Johnson arrived bright and early at Henderson’s intersection to deliver a basket with balloons and goodies. Community members showed up throughout the day to add even more from gift cards to breakfast tacos. “There’s so much that our kids go through these days,” Dyer Johnson said. “They have so many different
continues to live on – especially for her owner, Carol Collins, who currently serves as the Community Outreach Manager for the hospital. Before Collins moved with Daisy to the U.S. in 2013, they were living in India and Daisy had a chance to be a comfort for many orphan children. Later, they participated in the
See DAISY, page 12
PHOTO COURTESY OF ABBY HENDERSON
Among the many employees in the district, Henderson was recently recognized as the Auxiliary Employee of the Year. things coming at them right now. I work with mental health services for our children and it’s an epidemic right now. I just think that crossing guards give a great example that giving a smile or encouragement can go a long way. I always tell my kids that you never know where people are and how they are.” As of Dyer Johnson’s Facebook post on May 20, Henderson has had eight close calls with vehicles.
COURTESY PHOTO
Daisy stood on top of the Buda City Hall sign, smiling as the furry ambassador for the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Buda.
County to get public defender office BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
HAYS COUNTY — Hays County is working to address the overcrowded jail system and thousands of taxpayer dollars spent on inmates. But most importantly, ensuring criminal justice for all. On May 24, the Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to award a request for proposal (RFP) to
WHERE'S THE BEEF?
New meat market coming to Buda – Page 5
Neighborhood Defender Services in order to create Hays County’s first public defender office (PDO). This comes after three years of advocacy efforts by Mano Amiga, a local nonprofit that works to organize systemic and cultural change in the community. The efforts have been met with considerable support from Commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe (Pct. 1) and Lon Shell (Pct. 3) and Judge Ruben Becerra.
In August 2021, the commissioners unanimously voted to earmark $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a PDO. In November, commissioners authorized a RFP to find a vendor to run the office, receiving proposals from Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) and
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See COUNTY, page 12