Grand Saline Council, School Chief Discuss AEP Program

GRAND SALINE—If there were uneasy feelings between the city of Grand Saline and the Van Zandt/Rains Alternative Education Program Cooperative, those feelings likely improved after Tuesday’s city council meeting.

In August, the council voted to begin charging Grand Saline ISD $200 per building per month with a minimum of $600 per month for the city-owned property on which the AEP buildings sit.

Tuesday, council members listened to a presentation by Grand Saline ISD Superintendent Mark Keahey about the AEP program, which is administered by the school district.

Keahey touted the success of the Van Zandt program, which serves five other school districts in the county as well as Alba-Golden ISD in the Rains County.

"I’ve seen first-hand the differences in AEP program. I feel ours is so successful because it offers more than most AEP programs do," Keahey said.

He also said the program’s physical presence next to the Van Zandt County Juvenile Justice Center makes it easier for AEP students to participate in counseling and other programs offered at the center.

"I feel there could be poorer attendance in those programs if the AEP were in a different town," he said.

Keahey later added that the AEP program provides a positive impact on the Grand Saline economy with six employees.

Council member Jay Rohus said there might have been a misunderstanding of the intent behind the city’s decision to begin charging rent on the property.

Keahey agreed, but added, "If it’s something the city doesn’t want, if the city wants us (AEP program) out, we need to know so we can start making plans for next year."

Rohus later replied, "I think the council just felt like that property is worth something and came up with a figure we felt was fair for its use."

Keahey was accompanied at the meeting by AEP Director Richard Anderson, two of the program’s teachers and Alba-Golden ISD Superintendent Dewayne Ellis.

By the end of the discussion, all in the room agreed there had been an uneasy relationship between the two entities in past years.

"I think you hit the nail on the head that there has been some separation between the city and the school," council member Don Latham said. "But I can see you have dedicated people there and they are doing a good job.

"I think some of the citizens may be a little confused as to just what it is," Latham added. "As for the decision to charge rent for the property, that was just a business decision by the city."

Grand Saline Mayor Terry Tolar referenced "personality conflicts" between previous city council members and school administrators in the past, but said he did not feel those conflicts remained now.

"I can tell you this administration can work with your administration," Latham said to Keahey near the end of the discussion.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council heard a brief presentation by Ray Burch, operator of an emergency assistance helicopter service based at his private airstrip south of Grand Saline.

Burch said he is seeking financial assistance from the city to cover insurance costs for the helicopter. He said he has already received commitments of $1,500 each from the city of Canton — the Department of Defense originally consigned the helicopter to Canton — and the city of Van.

After a brief round of questions from council members, Tolar said the city might not be able to help financially, but added he might be able to acquire some radio equipment for the helicopter through East Texas Council of Governments.

In other matters, the council took the following action:

— Approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Wills Point for animal impound facilities that allows the city of Grand Saline to negotiate the fees.

— Approved an interlocal agreement with Tarrant County for the purchase of commodities through Tarrant County’s annual contracts.

— Approved a new agreement with city attorney Joel Elliott at a fee of $200 per hour.