COUPLAND SCHOOL BONDS PASS COUPLAND – On May 6, a bond election was held in the Coupland Independent School District to fund construction of a new middle school. The bonds passed with 131 in favor and 94 against.
Superintendent Tammy Brinkman was instrumental in getting the bonds approved, supporters said.
She got information to the public, including hosting explanatory meetings.
There also was a Political Action Committee that produced signs and helped get information to voters.
SCHOOL MULLS SUPERINTENDENT On May 15, the school board along with Superintendent Tammy Brinkman held a specialcalled meeting in the school library to discuss Brinkman’s employment and the possibility of her resignation. The community turned out to support Brinkman, and the meeting was standing-room only. At the beginning, there was a public comment period, and 19 people signed up to speak. Speakers included Brinkman’s husband, teachers, other staff members and the public. Every single speaker praised Brinkman and asked her to stay on as superintendent. Many credited her as the reason the school bonds had just passed to construct a new middle school.
The first speaker, Paul Brinkman, the school’s technology specialist and the superintendent’s husband, detailed some problems at the school when his wife took over.
He said, “Tammy fixed all that. She followed state and federal guidelines.”
Sandra Wernli, who has two daughters who are Coupland teachers, said, “Superintendent Brinkman worked tirelessly. We support you, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Gerri Woods, a staff member for 33 years, said, “She is caring of the kids and staff members. I feel comfortable with her as the boss.”
Coupland Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Piper said to the board, “Tammy has done such an outstanding job.”
Teacher Rebecca Vernier said to Brinkman, “We love you, please stay.”
Coupland Civic Organization board member Judy Downing commented, “She is very professional with in-depth knowledge that helped to get the bonds passed. She knows what we need.”
Becky Sutton noted, “Superintendent Brinkman, you are the reason I voted for the bonds. Please stay.”
Suzie Dunlop was the chair of the PAC that worked to pass the bonds.
She said, “We worked hard and Tammy was incredible. She did everything right.”
David Pruett, bus driver and PTA treasurer, said, “She got the buses fixed.
When the bus drivers need help, she is there. She is always straightforward and backs up every teacher. She worked overtime to get the bond passed.”
The board went into closed session for discussion. The public went outside for 45 minutes, and most of them stayed to hear the results of the executive session. There was disappointment that no conclusions were reached.
Board President Crystal Ward said, “She (Brinkman) has not amended her resignation. We will continue working to come to a resolution. We will follow up with another meeting.”
The board held another meeting May 22 and called for an executive session.
They discussed consulting with an attorney and consideration of an interim superintendent. The community awaits an answer.
RETIREMENT PARTY
On May 19, Coupland ISD hosted a retirement party for teacher Kathy Kramer Hill and staff member Gerri Woods. Held in the library, many past and current colleagues showed up to honor these two longtime school employees. Woods served 33 years.
Hill has been teaching a total of 31 years, 26 of them at Coupland.
Gary Chandler, former superintendent, came and spoke. He arrived at the school in 1996 and was here for 20 years.
He quipped, “Gerri came with the building.”
Chandler hired Hill in 1997. Also attending was George McAdams, former science and music teacher.
Also present were former staff member Sarah Jezek and former librarian Cecilia Stuchley. They had their retirement parties last year. Kandice Samuelson, former school board president, also stopped by.
There was a cake and refreshments, and Woods and Hill were given gifts, cards and bouquets.
COUPLAND REQUESTS BOND FUNDING FOR CR 458 On March 28, the Williamson County Commissioners Court formed a Citizens Bond Committee to consider the need for county roads and parks. Cities are presenting projects to the committee, which in turn will propose projects to the commissioners for potential funding in the November bond election.
The city officials made a presentation May 17 at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor. Even though cities were allowed to ask for funding for three projects, the Coupland City Council requested support for only one extremely important project — the rebuilding of CR 458, which runs from the border of Williamson and Travis counties to Texas 95, a length of 2.12 miles.
The road is totally within the city limits of Coupland.
The road is in bad shape and Coupland continually pays for patching. It is becoming a more heavily used route between FM 973 and 95, with truck traffic tearing up the repairs that are continually being made by Coupland.
Rather than continuing this drain on Coupland’s resources year after year, the presentation showed it would be more efficient and safer for motorists to rebuild the road.
Coupland’s presentation to the committee was made by City Engineer Tony Prete of Waeltz and Prete, and Alderman John Roulston-Bates. Mayor Jack Piper said a few words at the end of the discussion.
Also present were Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Piper and other Coupland council members including Karen Marosko, Susan Garry and Russell Schmidt.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland has a new permanent pastor. The Rev.
Charles Stark has been serving as interim pastor while the St. Peter’s search committee looked for a permanent minister.
The Rev. Scott Wasdin will start as pastor July 1. He served at First Congregational Church, a United Church of Christ church in Whitman, Massachusetts, as well as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches in Virginia and Georgia.
Wasdin also has experience in school administration, fundraising and working with youth, including serving as headmaster of Southampton Academy in Virginia and coaching basketball. He was raised in a small town in Georgia and believes in community values. Wasdin and his wife, Crystal, have an 8-year-old daughter and three sons ages 11, 10 and 9. He has helped Crystal start Abbey London Boutique, an online children’s boutique.
Senior Citizens’ Luncheon Co-Chair Lois Schmidt said, “We had another good turnout at our May 16 luncheon.
There were 56 senior citizens attending.”
Hostesses included Sandra and Don Wernli, Becky Sutton, Janet Doss, Hermania Vitek, Cindy Alexander, Cynthia Wittliff, Bonnie Sladek, Linda Miller, JoAnn Ging, Charlotte Albert and Schmidt. Helpers were Wanda Walther, Arthur Henze and Teddy Wittliff, Schmidt added, “Lots of ladies played bingo, and there were three tables playing ‘42’ dominoes. Pastor Charles did our blessing. We thank Charlotte Albert for our decorations. Also, we thank Joyce Henze for leading bingo.”
The next luncheon will be picnic-style 11:30 a.m.
July 18. “Root-beer floats will be served,” Schmidt added. “So be sure to come.” Bingo and “42” dominoes will be played.
St. Peter’s Diners met May 18 at Dale’s Essenhaus in Walburg, with Arthur and Joyce Henze coordinating. The church council met May 21. Coffee Connections is every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room.
May 28 is Pentecost Sunday. During morning worship, there will be baptisms for two children.
Following services there will be a potluck lunch.
Everyone is welcome at St. Peter’s worship services at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. For more information, email StPetersCoupland@gmail. com or go to the website stpeterscoupland.org and click on the calendar link at the top.
NEW SWEDEN CHURCH
The 70th Swedish Midsummer Celebration will be June 22, at 5 p.m., at the Elgin SPJST Hall. Wear Swedish attire. There will be a May Pole and silent auction. The social hour is at 5 p.m., and the meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Swedish bakery with delicious desserts.
The annual God & Country Celebration will be June 25. Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be available for purchase beginning at 5 p.m. The service in the sanctuary starts at 7 p.m. The military will be recognized. Ice cream will be served after the service in the Parish Hall.
The backpacks for school children project will be underway from July 23 to July 30. There are 50 backpacks to fill. Please bring school supplies to church. Monetary donations are also accepted.
The backpacks will be blessed during the Sunday church service Aug. 6.
The church picnic will be Sunday, July 23, at 5 p.m., with games, fellowship, and a potluck meal.
Church Secretary Barbara Carisalez notes, “New Sweden Lutheran Church continues to have morning Bible study at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday and Thursday mornings of the month, Game nights are at 7 p.m. on the second, third and fourth Thursdays of the month.”
New Sweden Church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road. For information, see newswedenchurch@ gmail.com and www.newswedenelca.org.
Carisalez adds, “New Sweden Lutheran Church welcomes everyone to all our events and activities.”
