Seguin ISD Initiates Talks on Initiating a Bond Election

The Seguin Independent School District (SISD) is strongly considering a bond election in May, though the Board of Trustees recently decided to delay ordering it. The bond, estimated to be around $5 million or more, is closely tied to the recent acquisition of the Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center (SOLC). Interim Superintendent Veronica Vijil explained that the district is awaiting an assessment from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to determine the exact amount needed to develop the SOLC to meet the district's requirements.

Vijil emphasized that the funds, if approved, would primarily be allocated to preparing the SOLC for student use, ensuring the safety and functionality of facilities such as the rope course and communication systems. The district aims to secure necessary resources for student readiness and create a secure environment. While the SOLC constitutes a significant portion of the bond request, additional funds are expected to address various district-wide needs.

Dr. Vijil highlighted the importance of listening to stakeholders and gathering community feedback before moving forward with the bond. She mentioned positive communication regarding the SOLC acquisition and emphasized the need to utilize the facility effectively. The upcoming TASB report is expected to provide detailed insights, supporting the district's explanation of the bond's purpose and costs. The Board of Trustees plans to reconvene soon to discuss and potentially take action on ordering the bond election, with a proposed date of Saturday, May 4, if approved.

The consultancy firm Houwen has officially pledged its support to sc Heerenveen

The consulting firm and family business, Houwen, has recently become a member of the business club of the local team, sc Heerenveen. The football club, known for playing in the Abe Lenstra Stadium since 1994, holds sentimental value for René Houwen, the founder of Houwen consultancy, who used to be a loyal supporter in the earlier Sportpark Noord days. René, who started as an independent consultant in 2022 and has since transformed his business into a family affair with the involvement of his children, Robin and Nina, expressed his pride in connecting his company with his favorite football club. He's excited about attending matches at the Abe Lenstra Stadium and engaging with fellow entrepreneurs there. Interestingly, Houwen's office is conveniently located within the Abe Lenstra Stadium, making it easy for them to be actively involved in the local football scene. The family business, specializing in the intersection of healthcare and ICT, also provides creative solutions for ...

How to Teach a Creative AI Model

As a business owner, you might have considered incorporating a generative AI model into your operations. This advanced technology allows you to generate articles, social media posts, music, images, and video content without the need for expensive marketing teams. It can lead to significant cost savings and increased productivity for your business. However, using generative AI can be more challenging than it seems. These models require training to avoid issues related to bias and data interpretation. In this article, we'll walk through six essential steps for training generative AI models and highlight potential challenges along the way. 6 Key Steps to Train Generative AI To make the most of a generative AI model, it's crucial to tailor its training to your specific needs. Here are the steps: Define Goals: Clearly outline your company's objectives to effectively instruct the model. Decide the type of content you want the AI to produce and provide guidance on language and ...

Researchers Take on the Growing Risk of Fake Audio

Romit Barua, Gautham Koorma, and Sarah Barrington, all from the MIMS ’23 program, initially presented their research on voice cloning as their final project for the Master of Information Management and Systems degree. Barrington has since become a Ph.D. student at the I School. Teaming up with Professor Hany Farid, they delved into techniques to distinguish between a real and a cloned voice designed to mimic a specific person . Professor Farid initially underestimated the capabilities of AI-powered voice cloning but acknowledged the rapid evolution of the technology. The team's research focused on analyzing perceptual features in audio samples, particularly looking at patterns in audio waves. Real human voices, they observed, tend to have more pauses and variations in volume due to filler words and movement during recording. Identifying pauses and amplitude (voice consistency and variation) became key indicators of authenticity . Taking a more detailed approach, the team employed ...