Athens ISD considers four-day instructional week; Employees, parents and secondary students to be surveyed

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

The employees of Athens ISD knew something important was in the air Monday afternoon as they gathered at the Athens High School auditorium following student dismissal for a districtwide meeting. After greeting those gathered with some light humor, Superintendent Blake Stiles jumped straight to the heart of the matter.

“A four-day instructional week,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.” Before he could continue, applause broke out.

Over the next half hour, Stiles, joined by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims and Assistant Superintendent Jami Ivey, explained the key components of the proposed new calendar — stressing that the Monday-through-Thursday instructional week remains only a proposal at this time, and, if implemented, it would be launched as a three-year pilot program. Any school calendar must be approved by the seven elected members of the board of trustees. A survey soliciting input will be sent to employees, parents and secondary students of Athens ISD on Wednesday.

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Cardinal football combine scheduled Dec. 8

Are you a high school football player looking for a chance to play at the next level?

Here’s a chance to catch the attention of the coaching staff at Trinity Valley Community College.

The annual Cardinal Football Combine, designed to give seniors an opportunity to be a part of the recruiting process, is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 8.

The combine is scheduled to begin at noon with the registration process at the Cardinal field house. The event will then move to Bruce Field at 1:30 p.m. for drills and testing.

The cost of the combine is $25, due at the time of registration.

For more information, contact the football staff at 903-670-2628.

Repeat felon sentenced to 99 years, life

Press release

A one-man crime spree beginning in the summer of 2017 ended on Wednesday with the maximum sentence available handed down on eleven different charges.

Clifton Denean Dora, 59, pled guilty to six counts of Burglary, two counts of Theft, Theft of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle. He elected to have Judge Scott McKee of the 392nd District Court assess his punishment.

In a three-day punishment hearing, Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Palmer and Daniel Cox presented evidence to Judge McKee regarding the offenses for which Dora pled guilty, in addition to evidence of his extensive criminal history.

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Sheriff’s Office tactical team arrests drug dealer in Athens

Robert Martinez Maldonado

Press release

Sheriff Botie Hillhouse’s Tactical Team hit a North Athens home at 4 a.m. Monday and arrested an armed drug dealer with methamphetamines and material commonly used to distribute the illegal drug.

Robert Martinez Maldonado, 30, of Athens, was the sole occupant when the search warrant was executed by the specialized Tactical Team and Officers from the Athens Police Department.

“We have had our eyes on this residence, suspecting it was a center for drug manufacturing and delivery,” Sheriff Hillhouse said. “Now it is shut down and out of business.”

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