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Comal ISD in Comal County NEWS INFO RELEASE:2012  INFO NEWS  2012

Will there be enough water in our children's schools?

FIRE SAFETY at our schools in Comal ISD.

Are our Children SAFE at our schools?

 Do Comal ISD security cameras serve for our children's safety or solely to protect the school district? Is It just coincidental that security cameras never seem to have any corroborating footage?

Sept.2008- Do our Comal ISD schools in the Bulverde, Texas Comal County area have "Fire Protection"?  Did the Canyon Lake Water Service Company meet with Comal ISD officials to discuss water issues in the Comal ISD schools? Do Spring Branch and the Bulverde Fire department have enough water in the event of a major school fire? Should parents, patrons, and taxpayers be concern?

April 22, 2008 - 'NEWS' - INFO NEWS ... 2012

FIRE SAFETY:  
Comal ISD had their regular school board meeting tonight at Smithson Valley High. The board members chose to vote for all items in the agenda (without discussion) to allow for a short meeting. They do have dinner behind closed doors to discuss other board issues. One of ACTION agenda items VOTED FOR is: 
E; Construction Change Order for Mountain Valley Middle School; Background information: As part of the Additions/Renovations at Mountain Valley Middle we added several items in the scope of the project to improve the performance and functionality of the school.
FISCAL IMPACT & COST: The $16.8 million project is funded out of bond 2005 with budgeted construction costs of $14,500.00. We are requesting $850,000 increase to the project with $350,000 coming out of technology and the $500,000 from bond contingencies.
Comal ISD SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATION: Approve change order for Mountain Valley Middle School;
$350,000 Run technology through project instead of FFE
$1000,000 Sod football and practice fields instead of hydromulch
$200,000 Add three tennis courts to project
$155,000 Detention pond, drainage changes per TCEQ
$ 45,000 Lift station and electrical at MVMS bus yard
$850,000 TOTAL
This school was torn down and the fire sprinklers were removed. The district is not replacing the fire sprinklers. Superintendent Marc Walker has chosen to follow fire safety code in other ways.
There has been a concern about this subject. Why not replace the fire sprinklers? Aren’t our children worth going one step beyond??   I questioned if the sprinklers were going to be replaced and was told no, not all of them. Why is Comal ISD spending $200,000 for three tennis courts, yet will not spend for sprinklers in the school?
In the Comal ISD 2005 school bond (yes, 2005) it states that Mountain Valley will get major facelifts. Mountain Valley will get upgrades to include lights, restrooms, tile, paint, and carpet. That is all that is stated. Comal School bonds are written so vague, that one wonders how money is being spent on our buildings.  
Where is the accountability? I feel taxpayers deserved more explanation and details of how our tax money is being spent.
Now, I am not an attorney, however, I question what the law is when bond money is moved around from one project to another and\or when projects get changed and money from whatever bond exists is used for projects. As I mentioned, Comal ISD tends to present literature to the taxpayers with information that is so vague, the administration could practically do anything with the money.
Where is the accountability? Comal ISD is not very forthcoming when citizens request information on projects. I feel taxpayers deserve more explanation and details of how our money is spent. 

And they expect us to approve a 205,850,000 SCHOOL BOND??

Re: May 2008 Comal ISD School Bond;  Comal ISD superintendent Marc Walker and Board members, Dan Krueger, Bill Swint, Carol Keller, Carole Miller, Donna Holmes, Frank Baker, David Spencer, voted to allow voting at all CISD schools, which in turn, helped pass the school bond.  CISD employees were the majority that voted for the School bond.  Were the CISD employees pressured to vote for the bond? Afterall, the superintendent can remind our teachers and employees who their boss is. One would think this was a government entity, NOT a 'private business'.  What about the schools mission in educating our children?  

 Former Comal County Fire Marshal Blows The Whistle On CISD Fire Safety Mindset - 
source: By Douglas Kirk     Bulverde Standard   News
April 11, 2008
·         Original Bulverde Standard/STPNS article: Former Comal County Fire Marshal Blows The Whistle On CISD Fire Safety Mindset 
CANYON LAKE, Texas (STPNS) -- Last summer the Comal Independent School District decided to tear down a perfectly good elementary school with a full fire sprinkler system and replace it with another more costly school that is only partially sprinkled.

In August 2007, Fire officials distraught over this decision spoke out in an attempt to persuade Superintendent Marc Walker and board president Bill Swint to re-think what they considered to be a very poor decision.          

Then
Comal County Fire Marshal Lin Manford went on the record saying that while the planned school met the minimum fire code, the technology of a sprinkler system in making a school safer was well documented.  He was joined in his position by Deputy Fire Marshal Wayne Ellington (the current Comal County Fire Marshal), and certified fire inspector Darren L. Brinkkoeter, who also stepped up in an effort to convince CISD of its error.  In a series of articles we published on the matter, Canyon Lake Fire/EMS Chief Shaw Wherry also made his opinion known.

"I am shocked and extremely troubled that this is happening," said Wherry.  

"We have so many examples of why and how sprinklers save lives and property and this level of regression is deplorable."  

During his effort to insure the safety of the school children, Manford was contacted by CISD Board President Bill Swint, who invited Manford to a meeting at the new CISD central office.

Manford and Ellington attended the meeting, which included superintendent Marc Walker, former CISD maintenance director Roy Linnartz (now a consultant), assistant superintendent Thomas Bloxham, CISD board president Bill Swint, former CISD board president Dan Krueger, a representative from Pfluger and Associates, architects, and a couple of other unidentified gentlemen.  

Notably, Communication Director Kari Hutchison was not in attendance.          
Swint later told this newspaper that "The purpose of the meeting was to share any concerns relative to communication between the district and the Fire Marshall's [sic] office. I believe we have all agreed  on a process that achieves this goal.."

Why the communication director would not be present at a meeting purportedly to discuss "communication" has never been explained.      

What happened in the high level shut door meeting has not been disclosed, until now.    

We did know that the meeting took place, as Swint admitted to it after our contact of August 20, 2007.  

However, no one was willing to fully or adequately characterize the nature of the meeting or what was said--evidently because--we now know, officials were attempting to keep secret the wholesale realization and acknowledgement that the school in Sattler was receiving less than state-of-the art fire safety features.  

According to Manford now, Walker and Krueger even admitted that the school would be safer with a full sprinkler system and the architect said they would rather install sprinklers in all the schools.  So why wasn't it being done?  

As Walker informed Manford at the time, the school in Sattler would be sub-standard as compared to the new high school at Canyon Lake (but he didn't say it in those words), simply because CISD did not have enough money.   The high school would be fully sprinkled, whereas the Canyon Lake Middle School would not be.

What shocked Manford and Ellington at the time is how the booster club comes in to the equation, a fact that Manford now reveals in an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Amazingly, Walker is out stumping for another huge bond issue--$205,850,000 this time--to be decided May 10.  It has been stated by some that money from the 2005 $189,230,000 bond issue is now being used to make land purchases that will evidently be used in the construction of facilities not yet authorized by the 2008 bond issue.  If this is true, the legality is suspect.  And, if it is true, then Walker's statement to the Fire Marshal that there wasn't enough money to install a full sprinkler system in the new Mt. Valley Middle Middle School just isn't factual.  How could you have money left over from a previous bond issue to buy land, but not enough to take fire safety with greater seriousness?      

Jeopardizing the safety of school children by not providing consistent fire safety features from school to school, features which state and national fire associations highly recommend, has lead to consternation on the part of fire and other officials all across Comal County.

So concerned was the
New Braunfels City Council that they passed an ordinance just this

 ~Thank you for visiting AccessComalISD website ~

Are our Children SAFE at our schools?

Do Comal ISD security cameras serve for our children's safety or solely to protect the school district? Is It just coincidental that security cameras never seem to have any corroborating footage?

Is Comal ISD failing in providing adequate security for our students?


  
 U.S.A. Troops Minimize
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
God Bless Our Soldiers
click on FLAG
A Safe and Merry Christmas
God Bless Our Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

11/11/2011 Thank OUR VETERANS,
OUR HEROES;
Soldiers, Sailors,Airmen and Marines

A war veteran puts his life on the line for Duty, Honor, Country, Family, Fellow soldiers, and Self. They sacrifice a secure living at home with a family. Most times they sacrifice their health and safety to complete the task given to them. They sacrifice having warm meals, a dry snug place to sleep, clean comfortable clothing, personal hygiene, their youth, their personal security, and many other... things. The vast majority of soldiers that suffer from the effects of war do so knowing that there is no definitive cure for whatever ails them. Lost limbs cannot be replaced, clean slates of conscience cannot be given to a troubled mind, and painful memories cannot be erased. What many seek is not necessarily a cure as much as it is acknowledgement of the state of their physical and mental health as well as the sacrifices they have made. We have more than 150,000 men and women deployed, with their families at home also making a sacrifice in the name of protecting America. These brave soldiers have quite the footsteps to follow as generations before them have left a remarkable legacy of preserving our nation's liberty and justice. This Veterans Day, I hope we all pause to remember this enduring commitment and sacrifice. Veterans are tough.

God Bless our Troops and Our Veterans, without them America would surely perish.  US Dept.of VETERANS AFFAIRS http://www.va.gov/


 Are we doing enough for our U.S.  Military?


 
MEMORIAL DAY 2011
We will not forget you. 
Respectfully, -----
 
Please help our US Soldiers in
Fort Hood, Texas ..read morehttp://www.ivaw.org/

 VETERAN’S DAY
Thank you for your service
On Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines  
Remember our Veterans
MEMORIAL DAY 2011
Remember our Veterans
Are we doing enough for our U.S.  Military? 
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?

May 2011 -
In today's society, should
our children serve our
US Military at least
two years before College?
 
11/09-Please,
OUR PRAYERS FOR
OUR U.S. SOLDIERS
AND THEIR FAMILILES AT  FORT HOOD,TEXAS
FR: A SOLDIER'S MOM 

 11\09 - VETERAN’S DAY
Thank you for your service

US Dept.of VETERANS AFFAIRS

On Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,

Airmen and Marines  


Executive Order Seeks More Veterans in Government read story

Cornyn/GI Bill
Dear U.S. Senator
John Cornyn,
Please support our troops.
Is there ‘funding’ for
health programs for
our U.S  Veterans?
Are we doing enough
for our military?
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?
Sept.2009-
In today's society, should
our children serve our
US Military at least
two years before College?

Do DEVELOPERS RULE
IN San Antonio,Texas?
July 23, 2009  

http://www.ivaw.org/

 www.votevets.org/

In 1776, the Declaration of
Independence was signed.
HAPPY  4th  of  JULY!
Memorial Day 2009:
Sacrifices made by
our U.S. Military.
The Star Spangled Banner

__________________

Fr: mom ~ By 2nd. Lt.  ---- ------- [beginning]
On the evening of July 24, I was graced with the opportunity to meet some of my heroes. They live right here in Bulverde – you, yourselves have probably shared a dinner with them, waved in passing, or driven by them. You may call them “neighbors” or schoolmates or coworkers. They are the veterans and current service personnel who are forever a part of the Armed Forces; they are the mothers, fathers and relatives of these individuals who offer their loving support and, unfortunately, have or may have to weather the tragic news of a loved one being taken too soon.
They joined me in the council chambers of City Hall that evening to shake hands and offer stories. How small I felt with my seven months of service in the midst of several hundred years of military experience imbued in the many veterans honored that night. My bare right arm, without a combat patch, mixed in with the families of those who are wondering what their sons and daughters are doing in Iraq at the moment. I was humbled seeing my mother hug the tearful parents of -----------, who gave his life in that same country where many of us will eventually serve.
It was a feeling that was surreal, but also a blessing. I deploy to Iraq in December, and though I am still very anxious, I felt something inside rest. It was the realization that although I may be in another country, surrounded by a foreign culture, and that I would have to leave Bulverde, Bulverde would not leave me. I will always carry, in my heart, the support the people of Bulverde showed me that night.   [end]
Not only did our son remember this special night but the people of our community reinforced their support with every card, letter, email, gift and package they sent. -----, now a seasoned 1LT combat veteran, will be returning home early next month. It has been over a year since we have seen our son and I am so looking forward to his homecoming! My husband and I will be at the  Fort Campbell airport to welcome him and his troops home. I would like to thank everyone who has supported him and his troops over the past year of deployment. If there are any messages you would like me to pass along to him and his troops please email me at  ------- or drop them off at our house. And please continue to support our troops!

MEMORIAL DAY

Remember our Veterans
Message from a son
to a mom…
May 2008
 mom,thank you 
for the support, I’m
going to call soon,
I love you all.
I’m working hard as
always and everyone else
here is too. just know that
I’m happy to be part of
something that means
a lot to me and I know
things are crazy here but
we are here,and  it’s 
important that we as
Americans do and be the
best  we  can be here 
 in Iraq,...and we are.
I wish the girls 
(his sisters) could 
understand that they have
more than just cell phones, 
computers  and cable television,
 ..they have Freedom.
Please reiterate this to
them especially since its
Memorial Day
weekend. I hope
everyone is fine,
and this son 
of yours  is strong.
It wouldn’t be easy if I
didn’t  have the loving
and supportive family
that I have. thanks!
love,---
 Thanksgiving 2008-
I am so Thankful my son returned 
home to us from Iraq. We are grateful.
I pray Lord, please bring our troops
back home to the USA sooner than later.
For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and
Marines serving in the Military
and at WAR, please know
you are in our prayers. For our
USA veterans, who are the wiser,
you are not forgotten. mom
 
VETERAN'S DAY.. 
Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines
--------------------------------
Gates Speaks of Troops’
Courage,Dedication,
Patriotism -  
 By Jim Garamone -
American Forces Press Service
source:U.S. Department
of Defense\                                 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
2008- 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Happy Fourth of JULY 1776
232 years ... Our Troops
are doing a great JOB!                
  From Parents of Soldiers
 Please continue to send our
Soldiers at war letters and
cards from  home.
They  truly appreciate it.
I can envision a smile for
a card or note received, that
simply says …
Thank you for our  freedom.
             Be Safe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the sister  
of a soldier at war.
A little piece of home warms our
soldiers Heart and brings a
smile to their faces.
It keeps them going and fills
them with faith
That we believe in what they
are doing and they know they
will be home soon.
My brother even told me that
my letters are Precious to him
and he appreciates them very
Much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From mom:
If people would send some of his
troops just a simple card if nothing
else.
Having personally experienced 
separation from family while I was
on active duty, I can tell you
that it means  so very much to
receive mail.
There were days that it seemed
everything went wrong but
a card in the mail made the
whole day worth living and 
gave me back a positive attitude.
His Dad and I do what
we can sending a full flat
rate box each week to our son
which he shares with his troops.
Those who receive share with
those that don't.
----------------
From a MOM....
It's not right for
"COMMERCIAL
AIRLINES" to.....
charge our U.S. Troops
for additional baggage fees.
 
Plus, it's not right to charge
our students as long as it's
a school activity.   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       MEMORIAL DAY
Remember our Veterans
Message from a son to a mom…
May 2008
 
mom,
thank you for the support, I’m going to
call soon,I love you all. I’m working hard as
always and everyone else here is too. 
just know that I’m happy to be part
of something that means  a lot to me and
 know things are crazy here but we are
here, and  it’s  important that we as
Americans do and be the best  we  
can be here  in Iraq,...and we are.
I wish the girls  (his sisters) could 
understand that they have more than
just cell phones, computers and cable
television, ..they have Freedom. 
Please reiterate this to them especially
since its
Memorial Dayweekend. i hope
everyone is fine,and this son of yours
 is strong. It wouldn’t be easy if I didn’t
 have the loving and supportive  family 
that I have. thanks!
love,   -----

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in September of 

2005, on the first day
of school, Martha Cothren,
a social studies school
teacher at Robinson High
School in Little Rock,
did something not to be
forgotten.
 On the first day of school, with the
permission of the school superintendent,
the principal and the building supervisor,
she removed all of the desks out of her
classroom. When the first period kids
entered the room they discovered that
there were no desks.
 
Looking around, confused, they asked,  
'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
 
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until
you tell me what you have done to earn
the right to sit at a desk.'
 
They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 
   'No,' she said.
 
 Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them,
'No, it's not even your behavior.
 
And so, they came and went, the first period,
second period, third period. Still no desks in
the classroom.
 
By early afternoon television news crews
had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's
classroom to report about this crazy
teacher who had taken all the desks
out of her room.
 
The final period of the day came and as
the puzzled students found seats on the floor
of the deskless classroom.
 
Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no
one has been able to tell me just what he/she
has done to earn the right to sit at the desks
that are ordinarily found in this classroom.
Now I am going to tell you.'
 
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to
the door of her classroom and opened it.
 
Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in
uniforms, walked into that classroom,
each one carrying a school desk.
The Vets began placing the school
desks in rows, and then they would
walk over and stand alongside the wall.
 
By the time the last soldier had set the
final desk in place those kids started to
understand, perhaps for the first time in
their lives, just how the right to sit
at those desks had been earned.
 
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to
sit at these desks. These heroes did it for
you. They placed the desks here for you.
Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your
responsibility to learn, to be good students,
to be good citizens.
They paid the price so that you could
have the freedom to get an education.
Don't ever forget it.'
 

(By the way, this is a true story.)

 

If you can read this, thank a Teacher.  

Since you read it in English,

Thank a Soldier.

-----------------------------------------------------
          2008
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE
Are we doing enough
for our military? 
Do our U. S. soldiers have the tools necessary to do their jobs?
Are they provided with what they need to be safe and productive?

 

Do DEVELOPERS RULE
IN San Antonio,Texas? 

11\09VETERAN’S DAY
Thank you for your service
VETERAN'S DAY..

US Dept.of VETERANS AFFAIRS

On Veteran's Day, thank
 our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines
Are we doing enough
for our military?

 

  
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