The SSHS Wildcat UIL Academic Team competed Friday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 10 at the District 15-4A Academic Meet.

The team won the District 15-4A championship with 823 points, garnering 63 individual medals, 5 first place teams, and 3 second place teams! SSHS students also earned the titles of District Journalism and Speech Champions. In all, 33 students qualified for region competition and 6 are alternates to region!

Sulphur Springs ISD is proud to unveil an exclusive program called The Wildcat League.
If you are 

• a resident of Sulphur Springs ISD
• 60 or older
• interested in SSISD current events and staying connected
• interested in meeting SSISD leaders
  gaining understanding of our many programs on each campus
• engaging in conversations about our school

please click the link below to complete the application.

Click for Application

Space is limited, so we will take the first 30 applicants at this time.
The Wildcat League will meet once a month, 9:00 - 11:00 AM, at the SSISD Board Room located at 631 Connally Street.  Please call 903-885-2153 ext. 1129 for any questions or trouble with the online application.

Meeting dates until summer break: March 5, April 2, April 30

Kindal Shackelford exhibited her marked swine at the Ft Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo this January. Kindal placed 2nd middle weight and won the Texas Pork Producers Certified Texas Bred class Champion!

Kylee Jo Anderson and her beefmaster heifer placed 7th in class at the San Antonio Jr show. Another top 10 placing for her this year.

Coen Bell and his Simmental heifer placed 2nd in class but not before they were named the Reserve Champion Showman at the San Antonio Simmental Superbowl!!!

This season actually started out pretty tough!  Our non-district schedule was brutal, including about a month and a half between home games.  We came into district with an 8-15 record, but we gained some valuable experience through those first few months. 

We did not have many returning players from last year's team, so we needed some expereince.  This paid off once district got here!  I'm very proud of our guys for continuing to believe, even when things were tough.

District Champs, and looking forward to a playoff run!

- Coach Earp, SSHS Head Boys Basketball

Click on the image below for a printable version of the 2024-2025 SSISD calendar.

Sulphur Springs FFA had a great time at the San Angelo Ag Mechanics show.

Leeroy Hernandez showed a 3 point hydraulic hay unroller.

Cinch Shackelford, Colton Privitt, Jacob Howell, and Lexie Logan showed a 12' stock trailer.

 Jayden Arledge showed a skirted truck bed. 

All projects received blue ribbons and the stock trailer placed second in class. Next up is San Antonio Ag Mechanics Show on February 22nd.

Sulphur Springs FFA Beef Heifer team had a great year at the 2024 Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in mid-January.

Alli Crump showed her Hereford heifer placing 9^th overall.

Coen Bell competed in the Beef Heifer Superintendents Challenge and placed 4^th out of 75 to earn an $8k Scholarship as well as showed his Simmental heifer placing 6^th in class.

Kylee Jo Anderson placed 4^th in a huge Beefmaster class.

These students have worked all year long for the major shows and their hard work has paid off tremendously this year. Some will be travelling to San Antonio later this month and Houston in March. 

Luke Norman also participated in the Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble, where he caught a wild calf and had to lead it into the winner circle. That earned him a $500 certificate to go buy a registered heifer to show at next years show. Stay tuned for more great things coming from the students in our FFA program! 

On January 5th, the SSHS cheerleaders competed in the UIL State Game Day Cheer Competition in Fort Worth.  After Performing a band chant, cheer routine, and fight song routine, they advanced three rounds, making SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD HISTORY!  

SSHS students, Tracey Shackelford, Jordan VanWinkle, and Crawford Johnson, made up the Congressional Debate Team that competed at State UIL Congress at the University of Texas in Austin last week. Congratulations to these students for making it to the STATE level in Congressional Debate.

Congratulations to these talented and hardworking students and coaches!

Trustees honored during school board recognition month

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Sulphur Springs ISD is celebrating the Trustees for their commitment to teachers and staff.  

The theme of this year’s School Board Recognition Month is Locally Elected, Community Connected, which highlights the connection between school board trustees and their communities.  If you know much about our trustees, you know that this year’s theme describes them correctly.

In the past few months, the SSISD Board of Trustees has guided the district in selecting a new superintendent, applying for grants to help purchase the first five air conditioned buses the district has ever had, received a perfect Financial Management Report score for the 13^th year in a row with the help of Sherry McGraw and the SSISD business office, and so much more.

“Thank you for your heart, your service, and your time.  I believe that the most powerful and profound gift that any of us have to offer is the gift of time.  Thank you for your time,” Dr. Deana Steeber said in appreciation of the SSISD School Board Members.

Trustees serve three-year terms with elections held annually in May.  The Board elects a president, vice president and secretary following the May elections, to serve a one-year term.  They meet each month at the Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building, 631 Connally Street.

Elected members that are currently serving are:

Craig Roberts

President

• Previously served as Vice President
• Regional Chairman of Guaranty Bank & Trust
• Elected in 2019

Jason Dietze

Vice President

• Previously served as Secretary, Vice President, and President
• Executive Minister of Grace Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs
• Elected in 2009

Kerry Wright

Secretary

• Previously served as Secretary, Vice President, and President
• President of CPI Technologies, LLC
• Elected in 2009

John Prickette

Member

• Previously served as Vice President and President
• Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Grocery Supply Company
• Appointed in 2012 to carry out a term for resigning board member
• Elected in 2013

Leesa Toliver

Member

• Previously served as Secretary, Vice President, President, and is a TASB Master Trustee
• Retired SSISD administrator and currently volunteers in the community
• Elected in 2013

Darla Reed

Member

• Former SSISD teacher who continues to volunteer in the district
• Elected in 2023

Adam Teer

Member

• General Manager of the Clarion Pointe and the Area Operations Manager for Helm Hotels Group
• Elected in 2023

- Pat Leber

  Chief of Police

  Sulphur Springs ISD Police Department

- Deana Steeber, Ed.D.

  Superintendent

  Sulphur Springs ISD

GROWs mission to increase girls' interest and engagement in STEM is a noble and important one. Research has shown that girls are underrepresented in STEM fields and providing them with more opportunities to explore and engage with science, technology, engineering, and math can help close this gap. By cultivating a culture where risk-taking is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected, Sulphur Springs Independent School District is taking a bold step in promoting STEM education for girls. Participating in engaging STEM activities can help girls develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and a passion for learning that can serve them well throughout their lives.

This program is available for 4th and 5th-grade girls who attend Sulphur Springs Elementary School. G.R.O.W. will meet once a month from 3:30-4:30 in the SSES cafeteria. 

GROW 2024 Sessions:

January 25th - Introduction to Biology: DNA Extraction

February 22nd – Girls Can Weld Too

March 21st – Build Your Own Eclipse Viewer

April 25th – Presentation from Texas Storm Chasers

Information/Pictures provided by Hannah Garrett, District Science Coordinator

- Michael Rhodes, SSHS Automotive Technology

https://www.ntxad.com/automotive-careers-education/2023-auto-tech-competition/

This past weekend the 3rd Annual Pen of 3 Commercial Heifer Show was held at the Sulphur Springs Civic Center.  Pictured on the left is Catherine Starzyk who won the Senior Herdsman award.  She was interviewed in front of two judges and answered questions about her pen of heifers.  Pictured on the right is Kohen Moss who was the Open Division Champion.

Fourteen Sulphur Springs FFA Members showed and sold a pen of heifers.  They all started with 4-6 head of commercial heifers and raised them to breeding age.  This is a huge financial investment for these students and families.  The sale was a success this year!  These fourteen students received a total of $132,000 that will go toward expenses/investing in the next set of heifers or to their college savings.

This is one of my favorite shows because it brings the true industry experience into the show world.

- John Holland, SSHS FFA Advisor

https://forms.gle/biPzbiCj1qrVRuXJA

Sulphur Springs ISD after school program will be located at Barbara Bush Primary School Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:45.  For more information read below.          

Sulphur Springs ISD will be implementing a program available to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).  Please read the press release below.

July 27, 2023

Dan Froneberger and Three Others to be Inducted into ATAT Hall of Fame

The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas recognizes and honors nominated agricultural science teachers for their commendable careers with induction into the ATAT Hall of Fame.  This Friday, July 28, 2023, in Dallas, four of Sulphur Springs’ finest and most respected agricultural science teachers will be inducted.  These include Danny Johnson with 45 years of dedication, John Boles with 35 years, Tom Howell with 29 years, and Dan Froneberger with 25 years.  Mr. Boles and Mr. Howell have passed away but their families will be present to witness this prestigious honor.

“As I was working on paperwork to get Mr. Howell, Mr. Boles, and Mr. Johnson nominated, former students, along with my son and daughter, were nominating me.  I had no idea,” Mr. Froneberger shook his head, still surprised and honored.  Mr. Froneberger was an ag teacher from 1990 to 2002 in Winona, Texas. He lead his ag students of SSISD from 2003 to 2015.  During this time, he also taught Ag Structures at A&M Commerce and Welding at Paris Junior College at night.  Mr. Froneberger continues to work for SSISD and now serves as the Maintenance Director. 

When asked to talk a little about his 25 year career as an ag teacher, Mr. Froneberger mostly boasted of his former students.  He explained how they made surgery tables for horses that traveled as far as California, trailers, and hydraulic equipment.  He proudly talked about former students’ impressive careers.  Some are now fighter pilots, U.S. Army Parachuting Golden Knights, an Army Ranger, eight American Farmers, countless students that went on to be ag teachers, and even some that ended up welding as far as Hawaii and Kuwait.  He was able to travel to some amazing places with students throughout his career and grinned when thinking about the exhausting nights that projects kept them sleeping in the shop to complete on time for a show.  He finished smiling in remembrance, saying, “It’s a neat career…neat career.”

Sulphur Springs ISD appreciates our past and present ag teachers.  If you have never been witness to an ag teacher’s schedule throughout the year, it is difficult to understand the devotion and commitment it takes to hold this title.  Congratulations and thank you to the four ATAT Hall of Fame inductees and their families.  Thank you to our current ag teachers that go above and beyond each year to instill work ethic, teach trades that can form futures, foster leadership skills, and devote so much time to the students of SSISD.

Howell

Framed picture on Froneberger's desk of:  L to R - Froneberger, Boles, Johnson

           Froneberger

Pay Scale Increases for SSISD Teachers and Staff

July 10,2023 School Board Meeting

Sulphur Springs Administration Building, July 10, 2023

The SSISD Board of Trustees held a board meeting last night at 6:00pm.  Dr. Deana Steeber presented information on pay scale market comparisons.  Market medians were measured among selected school districts that are comparable to SSISD based on location and regional considerations.  Dr. Steeber and Sherry McGraw have been working diligently together on the budget over the past couple of weeks in order to meet the market median pay for SSISD employees. 

It is my pleasure to announce that the SSISD Board of Trustees approved the new teacher pay scale that was presented.  In addition to teachers, all other employees will see a 3% raise based on the midpoint amount for individual named positions.  Steeber stated in an email first thing this morning to all of SSISD, “Please know that this is a starting point.  We recognize the importance of competitive compensation and will continue to work towards better pay and benefits for all employees.”  

Thank you to Dr. Steeber, Sherry McGraw and the business office, and the SSISD Board of Trustees for this exciting news!  It's a great day to be a Wildcat!

Angela Grimes

 Communications Coordinator

Sulphur Springs ISD

Medalists – UIL State Academic Meet 2023

UIL FILM (Coaches – Phillip Dick, Jordan Owens)

Traditional Animation

Alexis Villarino - State Champion (Animation)

Narrative Nathan Bilyeau – 6th Place (Narrative)

ESSAYS (Coach – Gail Herman)

Barbara Jordan Historical Essay

Lexi McCoy – State Champion

Jaya Smith – 2nd Place

Latino History Essay

Alexis Villarino – State Champion

Camilla Hidalgo – 3rd Place

JOURNALISM (Coaches – Madison Millsap, Gail Herman)

News Writing

Lexi McCoy – 3rd Place

Feature Writing

Payton Hooks – State Champion

Editorial Writing

Asia Chen – 4th Place

Headline Writing

Lausen Ost – State Champion*

Abigail Bautista – 5th Place

Copy Editing

Lexi McCoy – 2nd Place

Journalism Team – State Champion

Abigail Bautista, Asia Chen, Payton Hooks, Lexi McCoy, and Lausen Ost

SPELLING & VOCABULARY (Coach – Gail Herman)

Spelling Team – 2nd Place

Abigail Bautista, Kami White, Celeste Hernandez, and Allyssa Isonhood

SOCIAL STUDIES (Coach – Madison Millsap)

Alfredo Renteria – 6th Place

LITERARY CRITICISM (Coach – Gail Herman)

Alexis Villarino – 2nd Place

Alan Tellez – 4th Place

Kami White – 5th Place

Literary Criticism Team – State Champions

Alexis Villarino, Alan Tellez, Kami White, and Betzy Chacon

*TOPS – Best Score in All Conferences

STATE Qualifiers & Coaches 2023:

Students: Abigail Bautista, Nathan Bilyeau, Betzy Chacon, Artesia Cheak, Asia Chen, Austin Crump, Craig Draper, Celeste Hernandez, Camila Hidalgo, Payton Hooks, Alyssa Isonhood, Crawford Johnson, Jessi Li, Alexis McCoy, Lausen Ost, Alfredo Renteria, Jaya Smith, Alan Tellez, Jordan VanWinkle, Alexis Villarino, Kami White, Addisyn Wall, Aiden Woodard

Coaches: Philip Dick, Gerald Grafton, Gail Herman, Madison Millsap, Jordan Owens, Lesha Woodard

Coordinators Comments:

I am so proud of the way our competitors and coaches have represented Sulphur Springs this year. We had 24 students qualify and compete at the state level in UIL Academics throughout the year. SSHS had 5 state champion individuals and 2 state champion teams. In all our students earned 17 individual medals. Each of our competitors and coaches invested quality time and effort in a very competitive setting. We salute all our 2023 state qualifiers, and we say congratulations to all of our state medalists. We are proud of you all.

Thanks again to all the administration and staff of SSHS and SSISD for your support of our team. You set the atmosphere that allows students to succeed.

GO WILDCATS!

STATE UIL ACADEMIC CHAMPIONS 2023

- Gerald Grafton

SSISD UIL Academic Campus Coordinator

SSHS FFA held the annual FFA Banquet and Awards Ceremony.  To say this year has been productive is an understatement!  Please review the banquet overview for the 2022-2023 school year given by John Holland, SSHS Ag teacher, below:

ANNOUNCEMENT: LONE FINALIST FOR SSISD SUPERINTENDENT

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees selects Dr. Deana Steeber as the lone finalist to be the next superintendent.

The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees would like to announce that Dr. Deana Steeber has been selected as the lone finalist for the district’s next superintendent. Former superintendent, Mike Lamb, ended his time at SSISD on April 30, 2023.

Dr. Deana Steeber is coming from Argyle ISD, where she serves as the Assistant Superintendent. She has 27 years of experience in education. She has served as an Assistant Superintendent since 2017. Prior to joining Argyle ISD, she served as a principal for 11 years at the high school, middle school, and elementary campus levels. Dr. Steeber grew up in Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Soon after, she completed a Master of Education. Dr. Steeber completed a Doctorate in School Administration at Texas A&M University – Commerce.

Dr. Steeber has been involved in the master planning process for a fast growth school district, resulting in the passage of bonds and expanding learning opportunities for students. She is committed to effective team building, curriculum and program development through transparency and open, honest communication. She believes in being pro-active and reaching out to the community, involving them in the learning process, which contributes to the long-term success of the district. Encouraging students to be problem solvers and analytical thinkers who are adaptable gives them the ability to excel and compete at their greatest capacity.

Dr. Steeber has been married to her husband, Dr. Robert Steeber for twenty-six years. Dr. Robert Steeber is a retired superintendent in the state of Texas. They have two children, Hanna and Joseph. Hanna currently serves as a teacher and is a graduate of Texas Tech University. Joseph is in his senior year at the University of Texas at Arlington where he is a pitcher for the baseball team. He is pursuing a degree in Business Finance.

The school board was very pleased with the number of applicants that applied for the position, which totaled 48. The board studied each resume folder and narrowed candidates down to seven for the interview portion of their search. Sulphur Springs ISD Board President Craig Roberts said that all seven candidates were outstanding, but after the interviews were complete, they all agreed that Dr. Deana Steeber was the right fit for the district. Roberts continued, “The trustees are excited to welcome Dr. Steeber to our district. As an educational leader, she will guide our district's vision to be a home for excellence in public education. Her proven track record brings experience and excitement which will lead to opportunities for our staff, students, and community. It is truly a Great Day to be a Wildcat! Let's be the first to welcome Dr. Steeber.”

Pictured: Holden Moss, Mika Boren, Lynn Smith (BPA Advisor), Kenzie Posey, Ashland Hooten

The Sulphur Springs High School Business Professionals of America (BPA) members competed at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim California on April 26th - April 30th.  Pictured below is Kenzie Posey, who placed 1st in Admin Support Research Project!  Congratulations to these students who competed at the national level!

Pictured: Geronimo Lindley with plaque

Pictured left to right: Kobe Walker and Jimmy Graham

These 3 students competed at State Skills USA.  Kobe Walker and Jimmy Graham competed in Robotics and Automation Technology.  Geronimo Lindley got Second Place at STATE for Job Interview! 

Congratulations to these 3 outstanding students and their teacher, Matt Wilder, for the time devoted in order to achieve these honors!

The SSHS UIL Academic Team competed at the UIL Region 2-4A Academic on Saturday, April 22 and finished 1^st place overall with 329.5 points. Lindale followed in 2^nd Place with 195 points, and Dallas Science and Engineering Magnet finished 3^rd with 156 points. Twenty one SSHS students earned 37 medals in 13 events. Twenty one SSHS students will represent SSHS at the State UIL Academic meet on May 16 - May 18!  

Congratulations to all SSHS regional competitors and coaches for exceptional efforts. Please see below for individual and team results and STATE qualifiers!

Overall Results:

1^st Place – Sulphur Springs (329.5),

2^nd Place – Lindale (195)

3^rd Place – Dallas Science & Engineering (156)

Regional Medalists for SSHS

* State Qualifier

Teams Advancing to State:

Current Events – 1^st Place

Spelling & Vocabulary – 1^st Place

Social Studies – 2^nd Place (Advances to State Meet as Wildcard Team)

Literary Criticism – 2^nd Place (Advances to State Meet as Wildcard Team)

State Qualifiers 2023

TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF HOPKINS COUNTY, TEXAS

Notice is hereby given that the following polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 6, 2023 for voting in a general election to elect:

        Two (2) Trustees to the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees

On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where registered to vote unless the countywide polling place program is being used in the election.

Location of Election Day Polling Place:        SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD ADMINISTATION BUILDING                                                                                                     631 CONNALLY STREET

                                                                            SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS 75482

During early voting, a voter may vote at the location listed below:

Location of Early Voting Polling Place:      SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

                                                                         631 CONNALLY STREET

                                                                         SULLPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS

Day and hour of Operation:  Weekdays beginning April 24, 2023 ending May 2, 2023

                                                Between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm                                     

Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to Early Voting Clerk:

SANDRA GIBBY

SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD TAX OFFICE

631 CONNALLY STREET

SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS  75482

903-885-0967   email:   sgibby@ssisd.net

Early voting clerk website:  www.ssisd.net

Applications for Ballots by Mail (ABBMs) must be received no later than the close of business on April 25, 2023.

Issued this 13^th day of February 2023

New student registration roundup for grades K - 3rd will be held on April 3rd-5th, May 3rd-5th, and June 1st & 2nd.  

This registration is for new students entering Kinder - 3rd grade who did NOT end the 2022-2023 school year in Sulphur Springs ISD.  Current Pre-K and Head Start students will complete Returning Student Verification with their Skyward Family Access account.  New to district Pre-K and Head Start students must contact Douglass ECLC for registration information (903) 885-4516.

For more information please click here.

Congratulationsto all UIL students and sponsors who participated in the District 15 4A Spring Academic competitions. Also, thanks to all teachers, coaches, and administrators of SSHS who have helped create an atmosphere of success in our Academic UIL Program. 

After UIL One Act Play and 3 days of UIL academic competitions, the Wildcat UIL Academic Team is District Champion. 

The official standings at the District Meet are Sulphur Springs 1^st with 821 points, Pleasant Grove 2^nd with 331 points, and Paris 3^rd with 222 points. The SSHS UIL team also garnered District Journalism and Speech Championships. We have 31 academic regional qualifiers in 17 events. We also have 8 alternates to region. I am attaching some results for your inspection. 

Here are the individual academics results.