Calendar

Thursday, May 23

Farmers Market at Georgetown Church of Christ parking lot, 1525 W. University Ave. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 24

Courthouse tours at Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave. 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Open House at Heritage Charter Academy, Georgetown. 6-7 p.m.

Fiction Open Mic Night at Cianfrani Coffee Company. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

Garden class at Monument Market. 10:30 a.m.

“Tea Time with Zhi: Meet the Maker” at Monument Market. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“How to Beat Your Sugar Cravings” at Monument Market. Noon.

Courthouse tours at Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave. 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Monday, May 27

Memorial Day Ceremony at Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza. 9:30 a.m.

Thursday update

GISD gives teachers 3 percent raise: On Monday the Georgetown ISD board of trustees unanimously approved raising all non-administrative salaries by 3 percent and all administrators' salaries by 1 percent for the 2013-2014 school year, the first cost-of-living increase for employees since 2009-2010. At the same meeting, Chief Financial Officer Steve West presented a budget for the upcoming school year with a projected deficit of about $608,000. That budget estimate is based on conservative revenue projections that Mr. West expects to change as state lawmakers debate how much to fund public education for the next biennium and bills currently being discussed by both chambers of the Texas legislature could increase state aid enough to wipe out Georgetown's deficit. If not, the district would have to tap its $12.2 million in cash reserves to cover the gap.

Georgetown high schoolers raise test scores: Eleventh-graders at all three Georgetown ISD high schools taking the standardized Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests for the last time increased their scores in 2013, encouraging administrators as the state phases in a new and more rigorous accountability system. District-wide, 96 percent of the high schoolers passed English/language arts, 93 percent passed math, 97 percent passed science and almost 100 percent passed social studies — the fifth-straight year of improved results in Georgetown. Results on the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness have been lower than expected in the district and across the state.

GHS coach inducted into hall of fame: Georgetown girls basketball coach Rhonda Farney was one of six people inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday in San Antonio. After making the state playoffs in 35 of her 39 seasons as a head coach, compiling a career record of  971-265 and finally winning a state championship this year, Farney said over the weekend that the ultimate reward in her job was teaching young women to become positive role models.

GHS track & field: Georgetown's three state meet qualifiers — seniors J.W. Barnes and Jessica Purtell and sophomore Darren Medrano — took home the top awards at the annual Eagle track and field banquet Monday night at Christ Lutheran Church. Barnes, who placed third at state in the Class 4A discus, and Medrano, who was sixth in the 800-meter run, shared the Most Outstanding Athlete Award for boys, while Purtell, fifth in the girls 800 at state, was the most outstanding female athlete.

Southwestern commercializes logo: Responding to requests from local business owners, who say they want to sell Pirate apparel, Southwestern University is commercializing its brand.
The school hired Licensing Resource Group, a nationwide trademark management firm, to prepare the school's trademarks for commercial sale. Retailers will now be able to use the SU logo to sell sundry products, promotions, sponsorships and in advertisements.

Donations open for Bar-bid-cue Auction: Donations are being accepted for the 32nd annual Bar-bid-cue Auction. Sponsored by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the event is held July 26 at the Sun City Ballroom. It features dinner and a silent auction. For more information, call 512-930-3535.

Insurance agent retirement reception: The Georgetown community is invited to a retirement reception for longtime State Farm Agent Bill Edmiston. Mr. Edmiston is leaving his office after 43 years working on the Courthouse Square. The reception will be held 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Thursday at the State Farm office on 8th Street. There will be cake, punch and coffee.