COUPLAND SCHOOL
The CCC’s last three columns discussed the loss of Coupland School’s Superintendent Tammy Brinkman, who was loved and admired by the community and many teachers and staff members. She received pressure from the school board and resigned June 27. This occurred shortly after bonds passed May 6 to build a Coupland Middle School, mainly due to the efforts of Superintendent Brinkman.
As explained by CCC President Susan Schmidt, “Mrs. Brinkman was the spokesperson for the school bond. With her expertise and calm demeanor, she was able to handle any tough questions with knowledge and grace. Mrs. Brinkman was respected by the majority of her teachers and staff as well as members of the community.” At a special school board meeting May 15 with a standing-room-only crowd, all of the speakers who addressed the board were in favor of retaining Brinkman as superintendent.
Brinkman led the construction of the previous new school facilities in a competent manner, and the community had confidence in her to manage the new construction. Schmidt notes that the construction of the new Middle School is supposed to begin soon, and that with the loss of Brinkman, technical and financial expertise for the administration of the bond has been lost.
A petition asking for the resignations of the two board members who caused this situation has been presented to the board, but the members refused to resign. Schmidt asks for more people to become involved in this important part of our community.
“Come to the School Board meetings and let your voices be heard,” she said.
The School Board meeting schedule is on the school’s website under the school board section, which shows meeting agendas, www. couplandisd.org.
On Aug. 21, the Coupland community heard from Saul Hinojosa, the independent consultant who is assisting the school board in searching for a new superintendent.
“I am employed by the school district. The school’s law firm Walsh Gallegos recommended me,” said Hinojasa.
Hinojosa has been in education for 31 years, 15 as a superintendent.
Coupland’s interim superintendent Adren Pilger was also at the meeting.
Hinojosa’s purpose was “to gather input from the community on what they want for characteristics and qualifications of a superintendent,” said Pilger.
The job was recently posted on Texas Independent School System and will remain for 6 weeks. He has already received 10 requests for applications.
Pilger said he vets them and then brings the applications to the board who will conduct two rounds of interviews.
Hinojosa explains, “In October, we name a lone finalist. By November 7-10, we should have somebody hired.”
He has talked to the Coupland teachers and they want somebody to connect with the community and parents— somebody who really wants to be there and understands the culture of a small district. He notes, “Six graduates from Coupland are teachers here.”
As the area grows, Coupland will need to add a high school.
Hinojosa says, “There will have to be a bond, and the superintendent will have to sell the high school. We need somebody who can work with anybody.”
ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND
St. Peter’s Diners met Aug. 17 at Mas Fajitas, Taylor. Jack and Barbara Piper coordinated this gathering.
St. Peter’s held communion Aug. 20, at the 10:15 worship service.
Pastor Scott continued his sermon series on the Psalms. On Aug. 20, there was also an afternoon welcome reception for Crystal Wasdin, the wife of new Pastor Wasdin. It was a “come and go” event hosted by Cynthia Wittliff and Charlotte Albert at the Wittliff home.
Coffee Connections is every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room.
Albert notes that all area Senior Citizens are invited to the next Senior Citizens Luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 19. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., followed by Bingo and 42 Dominoes. Albert said, “If you wish to participate in Bingo, it is suggested but certainly not required to bring an item with a value of up to $10. We hope to see you there.”
Everyone is welcome at St. Peter’s worship services Sundays at 10:15 a.m. For more, email StPetersCoupland@ gmail.com or visit www. stpeterscoupland.org and click on calendar link.
NEW SWEDEN CHURCH
Church Secretary Susan Rountree notes that New Sweden offers Bible study on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning at 10 a.m., centering on the book of Romans.
There is a women’s Bible study on the first Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Rountree said, “A third Bible study for all is at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning before Worship Services. That study is a study of the scriptures used for the Sunday Worship Service.”
The church office hours are Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. The church telephone is 512281-0056.
Rountree notes that many people visit the historic church. She said, “If you would like a tour of the church, please call to arrange a visit.”
New Sweden Church address is 12809 New Sweden Church Rd. For more, email newswedenchurch@ gmail.com or visit www.newswedenelca. org. New Sweden welcomes everyone to all events.
NEW SWEDEN COMMUNITY The New Sweden community is opposing a concrete batch plant to be located off Manda Carlson Road.
Emily Erickson reported, “Over 100 residents of New Sweden and the surrounding rural communities attended a hearing on May 24 protesting Five Star Concrete’s permit application for a concrete batch plant at New Sweden. Five Star withdrew their application, then re-applied.”
A new hearing was posted for Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Pflugerville Courtyard by Marriott.
But Aug. 9 was a difficult date for farmers to attend because of seasonal farming activities so residents requested a postponement of the Aug. 9 meeting. Residents also asked for a venue change to the New Sweden Lutheran Church, 12809 New Sweden Church Rd., rather than Pflugerville. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality denied both these requests, and the Aug. 9 hearing was held in Pflugerville.
The result of this hearing is not known yet.
TCEQ policy says, “The executive director shall approve or deny the application no later than 35 days after the date of the public hearing, considering all comments received within the comment period, and base this decision on whether the application meets the requirements of the standard permit.” To stay informed about this issue, sign up at [email protected] and see the information at www. mandaschool.org.
TYPE CHURCH
Charlene Hanson Jordan announced that Wednesday Bible study started back up in August at 6 p.m. She said, “This summer’s Wednesday family fun nights culminated with a Back to School Bash on Aug. 2 that included yard games, a bounce house and hot dogs.”
Type Church has a Facebook page where you can listen to the sermons by Pastor Ryan Evans.
Type Church is east of Coupland at 1200 CR 466. Pastor Ryan’s can be contact by email [email protected] or call 281-229-8962.
Sunday Church Services are at 10:30 a.m. and welcomes everyone.
COUPLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, ESD#10 Administrative Support Maranda Cummings said ESD #10 Board Meetings are held at the Coupland Fire Station the second Tuesday of the month. “All information is posted on the ESD’s website at www.wcesd10.org,” Cummings said.
To volunteer for Williamson County ESD #10, contact John Roulston-Bates (District 1 Chief) at [email protected] or Zach Hall (District 2 Chief) at [email protected].
Updates and upcoming events can be found on the Williamson County ESD #10 Facebook page as well as the Coupland and Thrall Volunteer Fire Departments’ Facebook pages. CVFD thanks area firefighters and “the community-minded volunteers from Thrall who cooked for and fed us all.”
ESD#10 warns to take care when mowing. Mow early in the morning when it’s not so dry. Raise the deck height because rocks cause sparks. Don’t let dry grass get caught up in the mower; shut down and clear blockages.
Area departments are cooperating in responding to fires.
The CVFD said, “Hutto Fire Rescue is one department we call on when the need arises. We were happy to return the favor with two firefighters aboard our new Tender. This Tender was added to our fleet earlier this year. It allows us to get 3,000 gallons of water to areas without hydrants.”
