Schools

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) proudly announces that Cindy Wyles, Director of Print & Design Services, has been honored with the prestigious Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award for 2024. This accolade recognizes her outstanding contributions to the campus and the broader Orange community.

The Julie & Ben Rogers Community Service Award was established in 1979 to recognize faculty and staff members across the Lamar institutions who make a meaningful impact on the Golden Triangle through exceptional service and volunteer work. The Rogers family created this award to honor those who dedicate their time and talents to the community and to inspire others to do the same. Each year, four recipients are selected among the four colleges of Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Port Arthur, and Lamar State College Orange. Since its inception, the award has celebrated the contributions of countless individuals who have enriched the region through their dedication.

Ms. Wyles has been an integral part of LSCO since 2001, bringing over two decades of experience in print and design services. Her educational background includes an Associate of Science in Business (2015) and an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology Support Specialist (2011), both from LSCO. She also holds multiple certificates in IT support and web design.

Cindy embodies the true spirit of service, both on our campus and in the Orange community,” said Wendy Elmore, Provost & Executive Vice President at Lamar State College Orange. “Her dedication, compassion, and tireless work behind the scenes uplift everyone around her. She inspires us all to give more of ourselves and make a difference, just as she does every day.”

Beyond her professional role, Ms. Wyles is deeply committed to community service. She has served as the Chairperson for Birthright of Orange, Inc., Back-to-School Orange County Board of Directors for 12 years, and the LSCO Chair of United Way of Orange County for 6 years, demonstrating her dedication to supporting local initiatives. Ms. Wyles has also served as the LSCO Staff Senate President for 4 years and joined the Leadership of Southeast Texas 2024 Cohort.

On campus, she was recognized with the President’s Customer Service Award in 2008, again in 2022 with the Campus and Community Service Award, and the NISOD Excellence Award in 2023, highlighting her unwavering commitment to excellence and service. She has also served on many committees through the years, including the TSUS Public Art Committee, responsible for selecting and showcasing public art on campus.

In addition to administrative duties, Ms. Wyles shares her expertise as an adjunct instructor in Information Technology, Business and Community and Workforce Education at LSCO. She has been instrumental in developing and coordinating courses to enhance Microsoft Word and Excel skills within the community.

The LSCO community congratulates Cindy Wyles on receiving the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award, celebrating her exceptional dedication and service to the college and the Orange community.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated Independent School District’s (LCMCISD’s) intent to destroy the Special Education records of students born in the year of or prior to 1995 who are no longer receiving Special Education services. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise.

Special Education records collected by LCMCISD related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of Special Education in the District must be maintained under state and federal laws for five years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes his or her educational program at age 22 or moves from the district.

After five years, the records are no longer useful to the District, but they may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for Social Security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request the records in writing or in person at the following address:

LCMCISD Special Education Office
6586 FM 1130
Orange, TX 77632
Phone: 409-883-6970
Fax: 409-883-7593

Requests for records must be received prior to November 30, 2024.

West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District (WOCCISD) is pleased to announce an upcoming online auction for a selection of vehicles and buses. Interested bidders will have the opportunity to inspect the items before placing bids. The inspection period is scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, September 10, 2024: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, September 11, 2024: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, September 12, 2024: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Inspections are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact the WOCCISD Maintenance Department at 409-882-5550. All items in the auction are sold “as is, where is.”

The online auction will be hosted at www.renebates.com and will close on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. (Texas Auctioneers License #12100).

Successful bidders will be able to remove their purchased lots from Monday, September 16, 2024, through Friday, September 20, 2024, between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Removal is strictly by appointment only. Please note that WOCCISD staff and equipment will not be available to assist in the loading of items. To schedule a removal appointment, contact Pam Lestage, Administrative Assistant, at 409-882-5550.

For further inquiries regarding the auction, please contact Donald Turner, Director of Maintenance, at 409-882-5550 or via email at dotu@woccisd.net.

About West Orange-Cove CISD:
West Orange-Cove CISD is committed to providing quality educational opportunities and resources for the community. For more information about the district and its programs, please visit the official WOCCISD website.

The Orangefield Independent School District (ISD) board has approved a new salary schedule that includes a 3% raise to the midpoint of district employee salaries. Superintendent Shaun McAlpin highlighted the board’s commitment to supporting staff, stating, “This is an opportunity to put some money in their pocket to help out. This will help us take care of our staff and, in turn, benefit our students.”

The decision followed a lengthy salary workshop and a special school board meeting on Monday, where the Board of Trustees and the superintendent spent over two hours finalizing the details of the new pay structure.

The 3% midpoint raise ensures that all employees in similar positions receive an equal pay increase. Initially, the board considered a range of 1-3% for the raise, depending on available payroll funds. After careful deliberation, they opted for a maximum of 3%.

This adjustment marks a slight increase from the previous two years, during which employees received a 2.5% raise.

In addition to the salary raise, the updated schedule introduces a new Child Nutrition Secretary position, which was previously approved by the board, and the hiring process has been completed. The board also approved an increase in the daily rate for long-term substitutes, setting it at $100 daily.

Another proposed change includes annualizing pay for support staff, such as maintenance and custodial crews. This change would provide these employees with a consistent monthly income while still allowing for supplemental pay for overtime. It is also expected to simplify and expedite the district’s payroll process.

Bridge City Independent School District (BCISD) is happy to share that Bridge City Elementary and Bridge City Intermediate have qualified to serve free breakfast and lunch to ALL students for the 2024-2025 school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). No meal application is needed for these schools to receive this benefit – all BCE and BCI students are eligible.

Families with students at Bridge City High School and Bridge City Middle School should still complete a meal application to see if they can receive free or reduced-price meals. Be sure to include everyone in your household on the application. Applications can be completed online here.

More information on this program and Free and Reduced-Price Meals is available online here.