Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, Nov. 1, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
FAIR AND RODEO DRAWS
The fair and rodeo was held last week at the Williamson County Expo Center from Wednesday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 28. Attendees enjoyed carnival rides, live music, rodeo action and other activities.
Williamson County Fair and Rodeo President Bryon Borchers said the overall number of people who attended the fair throughout the four days capped anywhere around 15,000 to 17,000 fairgoers. He said the attendance was above average even without ideal weather. He added that with the first night having free admission and familyoriented festivities, this year had the highest turnout ever for a Wednesday night.
Popular singer Aaron Watson performing during the final night was probably “one of the biggest get togethers” he’s ever seen at the Expo Center.
CAR SHOW DRIVES GOOD TIME The city of Taylor rolled out the red carpet for some stylish rides this weekend.
All sorts of cars and trucks were present at the 2023 Main Street Car Show Saturday, Oct. 28.
Ruby Fisher, the city of Taylor’s special events coordinator, said over 400 cars were parked on Main Street and its surrounding areas.
She added that she estimates over 4,000 people attended the show to look at the cars on display. This year’s car show was the 10th edition of the event in Taylor.
Cars were allowed to begin parking at 7 a.m. The hot rods were parked on parts of Main, Fifth, Fourth, Third, Talbot and Porter streets.
The show celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Corvette throughout the day. To celebrate, the Farmer’s Market pavilion at Heritage Square contained different generations of the car.
GRADE A
HUTTO — The rating system that holds school districts accountable for the quality of their financial management practices has given Hutto Independent School District a 96 out of 100 possible points. The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) score is based on 20 best practice indicators. The current evaluation was based on the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Steed said the state basically takes all of the key components a financial department needs to accomplish and breaks that down in a rating system that taxpayers can use to see whether the school is being fiscally responsible.
The district received the highest scores available on all indicators but one — the correlation between future debt requirements and the district’s assessed property value. They received six out of 10 possible points.
One area that is known to spark interest in board members and the public is administrative costs. The district scored full points in the section concerned with budget.
DISTRICT REFLECTS ON TRIP
Taylor Independent School district staff members recently traveled across the state to learn about how another school district operates.
District participants visited Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District, a school in the Rio Grande Valley, which consistently receives high accountability ratings.
Other visitors included T.H. Johnson teacher Lauren Jaecks, Naomi Pasemann Elementary teacher Stayci Burris, NPE principal Cynthia Proctor, Main Street Elementary teacher Luz Bowers, MSE principal Kerri Pierce, early childhood instructor Cindy Terrazas and teaching and learning director Abby Turner.
The visitors went to Los Fresnos CISD elementary schools to see what systems they have in place. The groups were split into two, with one portion visiting the northern elementary schools and the other visiting southern elementary schools in the district.
Jennifer Patschke, assistant superintendent of human resources and federal programs, also attended the trip. She spoke about some of her takeaways from Los Fresnos CISD, which she divided into three categories: the culture and systems of the district, equipping teachers and admin with high quality resources and that the other district uses data frequently to dictate how to help its students.
A child hangs onto sheep during mutton bustin’ event. Similar to bull riding, a kid tries to stay on top of a sheep for as long as possible. Photos by Hunter Dworaczyk
All vehicles, vintage or modern, were welcomed to participate in the Main Street Car Show in Taylor. At least 400 cars took part in this year’s show.
