The Longview ISD Board of Trustees tackled numerous critical issues during a packed agenda that included opposition to education vouchers, trustee resignation, bond redemption, and a new desegregation plan, during their regular meeting Monday, April 10th.
Resolution Opposing Vouchers
LISD trustees unanimously approved a resolution opposing vouchers, education savings accounts, taxpayer savings grants, and other mechanisms that reduce public education funding.
The resolution cites Article 7 Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, which requires the Texas Legislature to provide support for an efficient system of public free schools. It also notes that Texas public school districts accept every student and adhere to state-mandated academic and financial accountability standards.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox explained that the resolution argues that education savings accounts and other voucher schemes "give private schools, rather than parents, the right to choose, and that private schools are not required to meet the same academic standards as public schools or report performance measures to the public."
"School choice already exists in Texas through public school districts, charter schools, transfers, home schools, virtual schools, and private schools," he said. "These so-called 'education savings accounts' and voucher schemes eliminate public accountability of schools and tax dollars, and would reduce the amount of state funds available for all schools, harming many rural Texas communities where families have few, if any, private school options."
In addition, Wilcox said, parents who accept a voucher "would lose important parental rights outlined in state and federal education code, especially protections for students receiving special education services."
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Shan Bauer steps down from board
Longview ISD Place 5 board member Mrs. Shandreka "Shan" Bauer has submitted her resignation as the Place 5 representative, effective June 1.
In her resignation letter to the district administration and fellow board members, Bauer cited a new professional opportunity that will require her family to relocate.
"My home and love will always be vested in Longview," she said. "I will forever bleed green and be a proud Lobo."
Click here to read the full article.
Trustees OK early debt payment
Board members also unanimously approved a resolution calling for the early redemption of the Series 2010 Qualified School Construction Bonds.
Dr. Wayne Guidry, LISD Assistant Superintendent of Finance, said the current balance in the Interest and Sinking (I&S) fund will allow the school district to redeem these bonds early.
"This action will decrease the debt obligation of Longview ISD and result in a net interest savings of $718,290," he said. "The district will use funds set aside for this purpose, which will not impact current programs."
With the approval of the resolution, the district will redeem these bonds on May 15th with a maximum principal amount of $8,875,000.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
New buses for students, activities
Later, trustees unanimously approved the purchase of two route buses and two travel buses at a total cost of $610,622.
Dr. Guidry said LISD Transportation needs to replace two of its current route buses for daily route operations.
"In addition to this, the administration wants to purchase two more travel buses, which would be used for extracurricular and UIL events," he said. "The district is looking to regularly purchase new buses annually to keep its aging fleet updated."
The Buy Board vendor has quoted $271,160 for the route buses and $339,462 for the travel buses. That's a total purchase of $610,622.
Dr. Guidry recommended the proposal, adding that the designated travel fund balances will be used for these purchases.
The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative created the Buy Board, which is a customized online purchasing system that aims to simplify the purchasing process for government entities like Longview ISD while increasing their purchasing power and better-utilizing taxpayer funds.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
District to enhance campus protection
The board also unanimously approved expenditures of up to $250,000 for purchasing materials and installing glass reinforcement film on all LISD instructional campuses and facilities.
Mr. Scott Fisher, LISD Director of Safety and Magnet Grants, explained that the purchase is in line with the School Safety Standards, which were last updated on Nov. 3, 2022.
"Our district Safety and Security team has recommended the purchase of materials and installation to reinforce all required glazing on facilities within the district, to ensure LISD's compliance with the state's outlined requirements," he said.
Fisher said the administration recommends the expenditure of up to $250,000, which would be drawn from the School Safety Standards Formula grant and local funds.
The approval was necessary as per LISD Board Policy which requires board approval for purchases above $50,000.
Dallas-based National Glazing Solutions submitted a bid for the project that would cost a minimum of $167,734.91 for all LISD campuses and relevant facilities.
"The approved budget will facilitate the reinforcement of all required glazing on LISD instructional campuses and facilities, promoting safety and security for all students and staff in the district," added Mr. Fisher.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
$84k for 'high dosage' tutoring program
Later, the board unanimously approved the expenditure of $84,000 for "high dosage online tutoring services" for fourth- and fifth-grade math students at Longview ISD.
These services will be provided by Focus Care, Inc. (FEV Tutor, Inc.). This expenditure will be funded through a grant from Bellwether in partnership with The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and The Miles Foundation. According to Board Policy, any purchases exceeding $50,000 must be approved by the Board.
Dr. Craig Coleman, LISD Chief Innovation Officer, said the services provided by FEV Tutor will accelerate learning outcomes, bringing positive change in education.
"The program will be designed to help the district reach its goals and drive key learning initiatives," he said. "The services offered include live instruction, professional development, progress monitoring, targeted content for instruction, and 24/7 support."
Dr. Coleman recommended the approval of the expenditure, adding that the total cost for these services will not exceed $84,000, and funding for this program is coming from Bellwether in partnership with The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and The Miles Foundation.
"It is our view that these tutoring modules will be highly effective in helping students achieve their academic goals," he said.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Funding for summer program
Trustees also unanimously approved expenditures of up to $55,000 for Texas COVID Learning Acceleration Supports.
Dr. Coleman said the Forum for Youth Investment (David Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality) will receive the funds and provide technical assistance for designing and implementing the program, academic enrichment, and budget and operations management for redesigning a robust summer program.
"The Forum for Youth Investment is a trusted provider approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for passing grant funds that are received from the Communities Foundation of Texas," he said.
The entire support program is not to exceed $55,000.
Longview ISD received the funds from TEA, which acted as a pass-through entity for the resources granted by the Communities Foundation of Texas through the Wallace Foundation for technical assistance.
Dr. Coleman said funding sources for the program are grant funds received from the Communities Foundation of Texas and TCLAS.
"These funds come to Longview ISD from TEA, which serves as the pass-through entity for these resources from the Communities Foundation of Texas," he said.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Board approves Truck purchase
Later, board members unanimously approved the $53,214.31 purchase of a pickup truck for the LISD Maintenance Department.
Dr. Guidry said the administration received four quotes for the purchase from three dealerships:
- Peters Autoplex, new 2023 Chevrolet 2500 HD, for $53,214.31
- Pegues Hurst Ford, new 2022 Ford F-250SD XL, for $63,264.00
- HM Dodd Motor Co., used 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, for $54,950.00
- HM Dodd Motor Co., used 2018 Ford F250D, for $38,950.00
"The administration has recommended that the vehicle be purchased from Peters Autoplex at the quoted price," Dr. Guirdry added, saying that the vehicle will be used by the LISD Maintenance Department.
"[With this purchase] our hard-working Maintenance department will have a new and significantly improved vehicle that does not require as much regular repair as some of our older and well-used fleet vehicles," he said.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
New desegregation plan ratified
Board members also approved a new voluntary desegregation plan for 2023, in accordance with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program.
After the lifting of a decades-long federal desegregation order in 2018, Longview ISD developed a plan to ensure equitable access to education opportunities. Under the federal desegregation order, the district was required to submit reports and documentation to the Justice Department, and any changes to school attendance zones or campuses required court approval.
Trustees voted to continue the initial voluntary desegregation plan in April 2021, as well as to develop and adjust new plans for each subsequent year.
Dr. Coleman said the principal strategy used by Longview ISD is to prevent, eliminate, and/or reduce the isolation of minority students through the establishment of and continuation of existing magnet and public charter schools.
"Longview ISD seeks to attract students to our district by decreasing minority group isolation and better reflect the make-up of our community," he added.
According to state demographic data, Longview ISD is by far the most diverse district in the city, with 40 percent of students Hispanic, 35 percent Black, 19 percent White, and 2.1 percent being other races. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, the city of Longview is 52 percent non-Hispanic White, 23 percent Black, 21 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent two or more races.
Dr. Coleman said that by bringing together students of different racial, socioeconomic, and family educational backgrounds — as well as making challenging, yet attractive curricular programming available to traditionally under-represented students — the district "seeks to prevent minority group isolation and any loss of the gains it achieved while under the desegregation order."
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Superintendent's Report
During the Superintendent's Report portion of the meeting, Dr. Wilcox recognized the Middle School Champion Scholars (formerly known as Duke Scholars) and the Middle School UIL Academics and STEAM Fair Top Ten Projects team for their impressive performance in recent competitions. The team's success was attributed to their dedication, hard work, and the support of their coaches, teachers, families, and volunteers.
Additionally, the LISD Foundation presented Plaza Brick awards to the Longview ISD 2022-23 Teachers of the Year: Coach Steve Hambrick (Elementary) and Ms. Kristina Stewart (Secondary). Foundation Director Mrs. Kay Ray also presented information on the 2023 Grants Program.
The report also included the latest Campus Data Monitoring report, RAPTOR (Rapid Algorithmic Prototyping Tool for Ordered Reasoning) data from the Office of Innovation, and the monthly Community Relations report. Dr. Wilcox also received presentations from public school charter partner, the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS).
Dr. Wilcox also presented a program to redesign and repurpose Lead Teachers' roles and responsibilities, as well as information from the Gregg County Appraisal District.
In other business...
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also:
- APPROVED multi-year contracts with Dr. David K. Lerch Educational Consulting, pending annual grant award from the Department of Education for a Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant;
- APPROVED Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Certification for 2023-24;
- APPROVED an out-of-state field trip for Hudson PEP Elementary students to Sci-Port in Shreveport, La.;
- APPROVED Minutes and Board Time Use Tracker for March 6 Regular Meeting/Public Hearing;
- APPROVED Financial Statements as of February 2023 and March 2023;
- APPROVED the 2022-23 2nd Quarter Investment Report; and
- APPROVED Budget Amendment No. 6
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street), but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. May 8, 2023.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.