Published: November 19, 2008 08:27 am         

11/19 Local briefs

Godley buses go high-tech



GODLEY — Godley ISD school buses are going state-of-the-art in the realm of security, school trustees learned Monday night.

All 25 buses in the fleet will be equipped with new digital cameras to replace outdated analog cameras. Bids were accepted at the board meeting.

“As opposed to one video camera per bus, we will now have four digital cameras per bus,” assistant superintendent Dr. Joe Danna said. “It will be easier to retrieve data and take it to campus administration if issues arise that need to be dealt with.

“There will also be a tracking device on the bus to record how long the bus idled at each stop and the speed the driver was going. If parents call and say the driver was speeding, we can find out. It’s an extra safety device.”

In other action, the board received a report on district enrollment, which is down but not significantly, and an update on school district construction. All projects are on schedule, Danna said.

— Pete Kendall



Tire drop off extended



Sufficient funding from a Bluebonnet RC&D grant exists for the city of Cleburne to extend the tire recycling program through Dec. 6, said Julie Winchell, Cleburne environmental coordinator.

Johnson County residents may drop unwanted tires off at the Cleburne Transfer Station on 2625 Pipeline Road. Operation hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The drop off is to the left after entering the gate.

Semi tires and tires from businesses will not be accepted. Collected tires will be processed and recycled into fuel.

For information, call 817-645-0961.

— Matt Smith



Traffic signal out of picture in Keene



KEENE — Keene ISD superintendent Kevin Sellers told school trustees Monday night that the district won’t be receiving a requested traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 67 and Eastern Street.

Sellers said he has not received word in writing from the Texas Department of Transportation, but TxDOT has given him the bad news verbally.

“My opinion is that’s a very busy intersection,” Sellers said. “TxDOT is supposed to be sending me a letter giving me a list of eight criteria [for the signal] so I will understand why they feel it’s not dangerous.

“I’m anxious to see those criteria. We have students crossing the highway at that intersection every morning and afternoon. It’s dangerous for them and for our safety patrol people.”

In other action, the board heard an update on accountability ratings and gold performance state recognition.

“We know the areas we need to work on are math and science,” Sellers said. “We feel really good about what each campus is doing to address those needs.”

Keene Elementary received acknowledgment in reading and English language arts; the junior high in reading, English language arts, math, writing and a comparative improvement acknowledgment in math; and the high school in reading, English language arts, social studies and a comparative improvement acknowledgment in English language arts and math.

— Pete Kendall



Burleson gas station robbed



Burleson police responded on a gas station robbery call at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Northwest Renfro Street, said Sally Ellertson, city spokeswoman.

Police subsequently responded to an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Wilson Street where the suspect is believed to be.

Additional details about the suspect or the robbery have not been released.

— Matt Smith

     

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