02-11-26

Top Image by omar sahel from Pixabay

Commentary by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

  On Friday, February 13th, the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 106 Annual Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Awards Banquet at the Uvalde County Fairplex. Event Center.

  In an emailed invitation to Uvalde Hesperian, (a Uvalde Chamber of Commerce member) the message read, “This special evening is our opportunity to come together as a business community to celebrate achievements, recognize outstanding leaders, and reflect on another successful year in Uvalde.”  And each year, the Chamber selects a theme for the gala.  This year’s theme was announced as “A Night at the Disco”

When I read that, I said, “Wait, What?”

 As an early member of Generation-X being born in the mid 1960’s, my childhood and early teen years were spent in the 1970’s and I remember Disco with its bell-bottom slacks, polyester leisure suits with wide collars and ladies platform shoes. Tons of people wanted to learn “The Hustle.” Saturday Night Fever was big back in 1977 with John Travolta strutting to the Bee Gee’s hit, “Staying Alive” and dancing under a spotlight hitting a mirror ball hanging above the center of the dance floor.

  My working parents struggled along with everyone else with high gasoline prices. I remember my mom proverbially clutching her imaginary pearls when gasoline jumped to $59.9. In the late 70’s, gasoline shortages causing long lines at the pump and stagflation paired two economic killjoy buddies together: inflation and unemployment. 

  In 1979 a Revolution in Iran resulted in the capture of Americans who were held hostage for 444 days. The 70’s as a decade were gritty and dirty. It makes sense that Stayin’ Alive was a hit. Most were trying to do that! The 1970’s bright spots included amazing Major League Baseball with teams like the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankee, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that rallied around a sister Sledge hit, “We are Family” and made it their World Series anthem.

The Swedish pop group Abba was amazing! So Was Olivia Newtown-John. Roller rinks were a blast when I wasn’t falling down.

  A Disco “groan” hit in the 1970’s was “YMCA” by the Village People.
  Then something amazing happened! Enough people came to their senses and realized, “Hey, Disco sucks.”

  On July 12th, 1979, Major League Baseball held a Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in Chicago which ended in a riot. According to Wikipedia it reads, “At the climax of the event, a crate filled with disco records was blown up on the field between games of the two-night doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. “

 Then Bob Seger released his hit single in 1979, “Ole-Time Rock and Roll” with some choice lyrics against Disco.

  As a Gen-X’er, Disco wasn’t my music. The Big 80’s were my era where MTV and some seriously good music played.  Now in my late 50’s, I have a few grey hairs, and many consider me old.

  If I had to guess, the theme, A Night at the Disco was probably picked to appeal to the last of the Baby Boomer hold outs. I don’t know. 

 What I can say is I’m giving a hard pass to this year’s Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. I do hope those that go have a great time and it turns out to be a success. But as for the Uvalde Hesperian, it will be designated as a “Disco Free Zone.”

February 11th, 2026

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

  Texas Hill Country River Region Executive Director Kristi Gerdes presented the organization’s quarterly report Monday, February 9th and stated that 19-Mile Crossing located on Highway 55 continues to accumulate lots of trash. Gerdes stated the garbage includes old furniture and other household trash.

See Link to Video Here.

  Gerdes stated the organization and the county are looking into placing additional dumpsters to address the trash situation. 

  The THCRR is a Uvalde County Hotel Occupancy Tax collector and the organization uses the tax monies it collects to promote the Texas Hill Country and also funds River Cleanup efforts for the Frio River and the Nueces River.

  In a previous news report on 19-Mile Crossing, it was learned from THCRR officials that studies have indicated local county residents are the ones most likely to visit 19-Mile Crossing rather than out of town visitors.

THCRR reports 4X amount of money spent on cleaning up 19-Mile Crossing than the Frio River

02-08-26

Press Release from Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees: Received from Uvalde CISD Trustee Jesse Rizo

Dear Uvalde CISD Parents and Staff,

We understand that the news of Superintendent Ashley Chohlis’s sudden resignation may raise questions and concerns among our community. Please rest assured that the Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees remains united and focused on maintaining stability across our district during this transition.

Our unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of Uvalde CISD remains unchanged. We are dedicated to doing everything necessary to ensure that our schools continue to operate smoothly and that our community remains supported. The Board will be meeting with our counsel to explore options and establish a clear pathway forward.

We acknowledge that this may feel like another jolt of instability, but we are determined to ensure that UCISD continues to rise above these challenges. Our commitment to you is to ensure a leadership transition rooted in transparency, mutual respect, and a renewed focus on the classroom. Our priority is to cultivate a culture of collaboration where parents, teachers, and taxpayers feel heard and valued.

Uvalde CISD is strong because of the dedicated individuals who serve it every day, and we will move forward together with transparency, care, and purpose. We are committed to keeping you informed and engaged throughout this process. Updates will be posted regularly on our website and social media to maintain open communication with all stakeholders.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support.

Respectfully,

UCISD Board of Trustees

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

02-06-26

An internal email from Uvalde CISD Chief of Communications and Human Capital Officer Anne Marie Espinoza which was sent to the District’s teachers and staff regarding the news of Superintendent Ashley Chohlis’ planned departure was leaked appearing on various Facebook pages earlier today.

In the email sent to the District’s Teachers and Staff,  Chohlis says, “I am writing to formally announce my resignation as Superintendent of Uvalde CISD effective April 7, 2026.

Upon learning the news about Chohlis’ resignation, the Uvalde Hesperian sent an email to Espinoza asking the following question

Shortly before noon today, the Uvalde Hesperian received the following Uvalde CISD press release from Espinoza along with a statement saying that parents had also been notified.

Superintendent Ashley Chohlis Announces Resignation

For Immediate Release

Uvalde, TX – Superintendent Ashley Chohlis has announced her resignation from Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD), effective April 7, 2026. After careful consideration, Superintendent Chohlis has decided to pursue new professional opportunities, marking the end of her tenure with UCISD.

During her time as Superintendent, Ashley Chohlis has been instrumental in leading the district toward significant achievements. Under her leadership, UCISD has seen a remarkable improvement in its financial stability, with the district’s fund balance now healthier. Academically, the district has progressed with the introduction of high-quality instructional materials and robust professional development programs for educators. The focus on data-driven instruction has set the trajectory to ensure that the academic needs of all learners are met effectively.

Superintendent Chohlis has also fostered strong community relations, strengthening partnerships that have expanded resources, including food distributions and a no-cost clinic. These initiatives have strengthened the bond between the district and the families it serves. Furthermore, improvements in data collection, analysis, reporting, and action planning have fostered an environment for student learning and growth.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and community of Uvalde,” said Chohlis. “None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering support and partnership of the brave individuals who bought into the mission for whom I am tremendously thankful. As I prepare to transition from this role, I remain hopeful for the district’s bright future and continued success.”

The district will initiate a search for a new Superintendent to continue the trajectory of excellence established under Ms. Chohlis’ leadership.

Respectfully,

Anne Marie Espinoza

Chief of Communications and Human Capital Officer

“Some think that the Ten Commandments are no longer relevant. However, they still remain as the basis of our society’s moral code,” Peace Ministries founder and president Emma Trimble said.

“Uvaldeans believe in basic family values, love and respect for our neighbors, and these simple principles are covered in the 10 Commandments.”

Benjamin Franklin said, ” If you remove the Bible from schools, it will waste so much money and time in punishing crimes when it would have taken such little pains to prevent those very same crimes.”

“Our hope is that the simple placement of these framed copies will bring a positive difference — promoting stability and inviting more of God’s goodness into our lives,” Trimble said.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

02-04-26

On Monday, February 2nd, Uvalde CISD Superintendent Ashley Chohlis was presented with 300 framed copies of the 10 Commandments by Emma Trimble, the Founder and President of Peace Ministries in the library at Legacy Elementary Schools. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 4: 61-12 in the Bible.

According to Trimble. Peace Ministries along with several donors, paid for the printing and framing of 300 Ten Commandment Posters which were donated to the district.

Uvalde CISD Trustee Erika Ayala Munoz joined Superintendent Chohlis at the presentation along with Uvalde CISD Chief of Communications & Human Capital Anne Marie Espinoza and  Communications Manager Yvette P. Gomez and Legacy Elementary Principal Isidro Escamilla.

Trimble was accompanied by approximately a dozen supporters including Pastor Gilbert Limones of Casa El Shaddai.

According to Trimble, the framed prints are replicas of the red-granite monument on display  at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Boxes containing the framed prints were opened and a large group photograph was taken followed by remarks by Superintendent Chohlis, and by Peace Ministries President Emma Trimble followed by prayers.

According to information learned at the event, the posters will be distributed and placed in all district classrooms by March 2026.

Texas Senate Bill 10 (S.B. 10) was passed by the Texas Legislature on May 28, 2025, along party lines and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 21, 2025.  According to Wikipedia and Senate Bill 10 House Committee Report Version Bill Text. S.B. 10 , the law requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments anywhere clearly visible. It also requires the display to be framed or a poster and include the exact text of the Ten Commandments provided in the law without alternatives. It must also be at least 16 inches (41 cm) wide and 20 inches (51 cm) tall. The law went into effect September 1st, 2025.

According to the Torah.com, it states: ‘The bill does not allow for just any version of the Decalogue but states that the text “must read” according to a particular version, namely the version developed in the early 1950s by the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE),^[1] a not-for-profit group founded in 1898 that remains active today. On their website, they describe their mission as “uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.”

The Composition of the Text

Jenna Weissman Joselit, who has studied this subject most extensively, observes:

In an attempt to reconcile the three variant readings, to arrive at a version that would sit well with Protestants and Catholics, as well as with the Jews, the ancient biblical injunctions had been “rearranged” by a trio of latter-day Americans from the nation’s heartland,” the Torah.com article states.

According to an Associated Press article, Following the Texas Senate Bill 10 being signed into law, a group of families filed a temporary legal injunction that was approved by Texas District Court Judge Fred Biery which blocked the Ten Commandment Posters from being placed within certain districts in located in Houston and Austin.  Uvalde CISD was not included in the injunction.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Picture: Screenshot from Uvalde CISD livestream

02-04-26

At the January 29th, Special School Board meeting, the Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees voted to approve allowing outgoing Uvalde Chief Financial Officer Pam Hunter to contract with Texas School District Region 20 earning an additional compensation.

District Superintendent Ashley Chohlis explained that Hunter would work during her paid time off.

According to Chohlis, “Her time is dwindling with us. I believe we have her for 2 more weeks.”

Chohlis referenced a Texas Law Texas HB3372 which prohibits certain personal services performed by school district administrators to prevent conflicts of interest, imposing a civil penalty of $10,000 for violations.

The School Board voted in favor of allowing Hunter to contract with Region 20 affirming the arrangement does not conflict with Uvalde CISD.