Having a school located on a major highway presents some safety difficulties for our school children. Fortunately, our City Council is willing to work with the ISD to improve the safety of our children. Recently, San Saba ISD gained approval to limit traffic on one of our busiest roads. Soon, 10th Street located in front of the San Saba Middle School main entrance will become a one-way street during a limit time during the day. The hours of 7:00 am extending to 8:00 am and again from 3:00 pm extending to 4:00 pm will be the time that vehicles may only head north on 10th Street making this a one-way street during this limited time of the day. A gate will be located indicating that no through traffic is allowed off of Wallace Street during this time of the day. Additionally, only right hand turns will be allowed off of 10th Street on to Wallace. If you have tried to navigate around San Saba High School or San Saba Middle School at these key times of the day, I think that you will agree that an issue exists both for students, pedestrians and vehicles. San Saba ISD is in the process of constructing the gates that will block off 10th street access from Wallace Street as well as block off entrance to the gravel parking lot where SSMS staff park during the day. It is our hope that the flow of traffic will become more conducive to protecting the safety of our school kiddos and staff. We thank the City for helping us study this issue and for finding a workable solution for all involved.

Also, please be aware too that new signage will be installed soon that will reflect a change in state law regarding cell phone use. The signage should reflect that cell phones can not be used when driving through a school zone. These signs will be located in all of the school zones around our campuses.

Early voting for the October 6 Tax Ratification Election has begun and will continue through October 2. Please make time to pick up a brochure that is located throughout our community, come by the office and visit with me, or send me an email and I will forward you the brochure. Also, please look at our website for this brochure under Public Information or Parent Resources. The school finance system is cumbersome and complex. The system was constructed to have ISD’s present their case to the local taxpayer for support. The problem with this type of system is that it is so hard to explain, hard to comprehend, and takes a great deal of time to fully understand its complexities. Please allow me to help you get a better understanding on the topic of school funding. Please come by my office, give me a call or email me and we will have a discussion. In an article published in the Weatherford Democrat, a quote from State Representative, Jim Keffer explains it best: “We wanted taxpayers and voters to have a bigger voice in the property appraisal and revenue increases they pay for. The school finance system increases taxpayer power over school tax hikes by requiring school districts to call elections if they want more money than the state-mandated maximum tax rate generates. They (school districts) must communicate their needs to the voters of the community, and let the voters decide if they want to make the investment (in their schools). In turn, the voters need to listen to their school districts and assist them with worth projects.”

Remember these dates: Early Voting – 9/21 – 10/2 and Election Day is 10/6 – Polling location is the San Saba ISD Central Administration Office at 808 West Wallace Street. As always, I encourage you to come speak with me about the election or any other concern you have regarding San Saba ISD. We have GREAT kiddos here in San Saba Texas and they work hard to make you proud of them. Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD. If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net . We are San Saba! We are together!