Weekly Newsletter May 19, 2025

Dear Democrats,

Great turnout at the School Board meeting last Thursday! I think the trustees heard loud and clear our concerns about limiting access to library books and about having a Bible-centered curriculum. But we need to keep up the pressure. There is a Special School Board meeting on Monday, May 19, at 1:00pm where we could remind them that we are still concerned. We need to tell our state senator and representative that we oppose far-right restrictions on school and city libraries. And as always, we need to work towards the next elections where we will hold these folks accountable for their actions.

Upcoming events in the next few weeks 

Events flagged with an * have  more information below.

1. * The NISD School Board will have a special meeting to name the finalist for the superintendent position at 1:00pm in the E.J. Campbell District Support Center Annex, 420 South Shawnee Street. Public comments are limited to  agenda items, perhaps letting the finalist know about opposition to certain school policies?

2. The Nacogdoches Community Coalition will meet at 5:30pm on Monday, May 19, in the historic E.J. Campbell school building. There is only one entrance, through the cafeteria door on the parking lot. The address is 417 Shawnee Street (up the small alley beside the school). Contact Celena Garrett (936) 615-2797 or Joyce Mills (936)-552-9324 for more information.

3. The 21/7 Association will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 20, at noon at Cypress Ridge, 2701 Logan Circle where we will discuss the Community Change Awards. Contact Nancy Niehaus for more information.

4. Nacogdoches High School graduation is on Friday, May 23.

5. Nacogdoches Democrats will hold a town hall meeting on Saturday, June 7, at 2:00pm in the Courthouse Annex at 203 West Main Street. State Representative Vikki Goodwin will be there, we shall see if our Congressman Pete Sessions shows up. Stay tuned for details.

6. The International Farmers and Ranchers 2025 Annual Summit will be held on  June 12-13 in the Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center. This is a gathering for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and landowners to network, share knowledge, and learn about trends in agriculture.

7. The Blueberry Festival is on Saturday, June 14! Volunteer to staff the Nac Dems booth, chat with passers-by, and have a great time!

8. The national “No Kings Day” mass protest is on Saturday, June 14. The After the Blueberry Festival we will join together at the same time that Trump is having a military parade on his birthday. More information will follow.

9. The Juneteenth Parade and Celebration is Saturday, June 21. The Nac Dems will have a decorated truck in the parade and a booth in Festival Park, volunteers are needed for both.

Nacogdoches City Council

The Nacogdoches City Council will hold their regular meeting at 5:30pm on Tuesday, May 20, in the City Hall, 202 East Pilar Street. See the City’s “Friday Update” for more information about meeting and more on their Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/CityofNacogdoches. Agendas for city meetings can be found at https://www.nactx.us/agendas. Meetings are streamed at www.nactx.us/1198/Channel-21.

The agenda includes two zoning changes along West Seale Street, a zoning change near the intersection of East Austin Street and Appleby Sand Road, and a $444,000 contract for water line improvement on MLK Boulevard.

Commissions and Committees

The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, June 9, at 5:00pm in City Hall. No agenda is available yet.

City advisory boards

The City of Nacogdoches is now accepting applications for its advisory boards. Participate in local government and make your voice heard on issues from disabilities to zoning. Boards with available seats are:

o       Convention and Visitors Bureau Board

o       Historic Landmark Preservation Committee

o       Housing Authority Board

o       Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities

o       Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

o       Planning and Zoning Commission

o       Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5:00pm Friday, June 13. The City Council will appoint members to serve on these boards. For information about what the various Boards do go to https://www.nactx.us/819/Boards-Commissions.  To get an application call the City Secretary, at (936) 559-2506 or visit the City’s website at www.nactx.us

Nacogdoches County Commissioners

The Nacogdoches County Commissioners Court will have a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, at 9:00am in the Commissioners’ Courtroom, Suite 170 of the Nacogdoches County Courthouse, 101 West Main Street. Recordings of meetings are posted on the county website.  

Changes in Precinct 2

Precinct 2’s Justice of the Peace Dorothy Tigner-Thompson and Constable Clarence Yarbrough are both retiring at the end of the month after years of service to Nacogdoches County. During a special meeting on May 12 the County Commissioners appointed long-time county employee Karen Ballard to complete Tigner-Thompson’s term as JP and named former Nacogdoches County sheriff Joe Evans Sr. as constable to serve out Yarbrough’s term. Both appointments are effective June 1.

NISD School Board meetings

The NISD School Board will have a Special Meeting on Monday, May 19 at 1:00pm in the E.J. Campbell District Support Center Annex, 420 South Shawnee Street. The agenda includes the first reading of Revised Local Policy DC-Employment Practices and the naming of lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

Special Meeting public comments are limited to agenda items only, perhaps to inform the lone finalist of public opposition to limiting access to library books? Those wishing to address the Board during public comment can:

o   email their request or a completed request form including the agenda item number or topic by noon the day of the meeting to the District at administration@nacisd.org, or

o   bring their completed request form to the District Support Center, 4632 NE Stallings Drive by noon on the day of the meeting.

The time limit will be 3 minutes per person. A public comment form is available on the NISD website https://nacogdochesisdtx.sites.thrillshare.com/page/board-meetings

The NISD School Board will have an Agenda Review meeting on June 23 and a regular meeting on Thursday, June 26, both at 5:00pm in the E.J. Campbell District Support Center Annex, 420 South Shawnee Street (although the agendas have not yet been posted). Go to their website for more information.

Nacogdoches County Hospital District

Nacogdoches County Hospital District Board of Directors routinely meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. For information about the Hospital District go to their website https://nachd.org.

Major holidays and events in Nacogdoches and elsewhere in the near future

23 May                        NHS graduation

26 May                        Memorial Day

7 June                         Nacogdoches Democrats town hall

12-13 June                  International Agriculture & Forestry Summit

14 June                       Blueberry Festival

14 June                       National “No Kings” Day

19 June                       Juneteenth

21 June                       Juneteenth celebration – parade and picnic

Keep resisting!

Mike Strong

Nac Dems