The Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved an architecture firm for two bond projects, calling a public hearing to discuss next year's budget, and an enrollment waiver from the Texas Education Agency, among other business during their regular meeting Monday, July 15.
CTE building, Multipurpose facility
Board members unanimously approved an architectural services contract with Dallas-based firm The DLR Group for the new Career-Technical Education campus and Multipurpose Extracurricular facility.
The contracted amount is expected to be approximately 5.5 percent of total project services rendered.
Dr. Wayne Guidry, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, explained that the contract outlines the initial project information, services under the order, timeline, compensation, as well as other related requirements.
"The initial project information includes estimated construction cost, approximate square footage, construction method, and architect's consultants for civil engineering, in addition to some ancillary aspects like landscape architecture, telecommunications, and other important factors."
Dr. Guidry said the district publicly advertised a request for qualifications from architectural firms last December.
"The district received submissions from six firms and evaluated the qualifications on Jan. 4, ultimately recommending DLR Group," he said. Board members unanimously approved the contract with DLR Group during their Jan. 9 meeting.
On May 4 district voters passed five bond propositions by a 20-point margin to address aging facilities and infrastructure districtwide.
The DLR Group has over five decades of architecture experience and currently has 41 licensed architects in Texas on staff. The firm has worked on more than 900 renovation projects, 200 school additions, 1,400 addition and renovation combinations, and over 1,100 new school construction projects.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Construction Management chosen
Related to the selection of an architecture firm, trustees delegated authority to Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard to negotiate contract terms with construction program management. This allows Dr. Sheppard to ensure fair and reasonable pricing for services related to the district's bond program and to negotiate and enter into contracts with program managers.
The final contract will be brought back to the board at a future meeting as an information item.
Board members then approved the recommendation to select Fort Worth-based Procedeo as the construction program management company for five new structures funded by the Longview ISD bond program.
Following a thorough evaluation process involving a committee of experienced members, Procedeo was chosen based on criteria such as experience, project availability, and cost savings.
Trustees also approved Gilmer-based E4 Contracting as the construction program management company for high school and athletics facility renovations. A locally-owned firm, E4 Contracting was selected after a similar evaluation process.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Sale of Bonds
The board also approved the issuance of unlimited tax school building bonds and appointed a pricing officer with authority to approve the bond sale and establish approval parameters. The board levied an annual ad valorem tax for bond payment and enacted related provisions.
Mr. Doug Whitt, Managing Director for Plano-based SAMCO Capital Markets, presented the finance plan for the May 2024 bond election.
The plan calls for issuing $456.2 million in three installments. The first $200 million will be issued as a publicly offered open market transaction in July 2024, with a 10-year optional redemption date. The remaining $256.2 million will be issued in two future installments as publicly offered open-market transactions.
The May 2024 bond election approved five propositions: $237.7 million for Proposition A, $76.5 million for Proposition B, $79.1 million for Proposition C, $21 million for Proposition D, and $41.9 million for Proposition E. The estimated impact on the I&S tax rate is a 1-cent increase, from 47.30 cents to 48.30 cents.
The plan assumes 5 percent taxable value growth per year for three years beginning in 2024-25.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
2024-25 Budget, Tax Rate
Later, the board approved setting a meeting and public hearing for 6 p.m. Aug. 26 to discuss, consider, and possibly approve a proposed 2024-25 budget and tax rate.
In accordance with state law, the tax rate ultimately adopted by the district may not exceed the proposed rate, unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons, in addition to holding another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.
Local residents are invited to attend and share comments on the proposed budget and tax rate for the coming fiscal year.
For questions about the budget and proposed tax rate please contact the district at ask@lisd.org or call 903-381-2200.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
TEA waiver request
Board members also authorized Dr. Sheppard to submit a waiver request to the Texas Education Agency permitting the district to exceed the 15 percent cap on public school charter enrollment, set by the Texas Education Code.
The 2021-24 waiver will reach its end this summer and, if approved by the TEA, this waiver will apply for the next three school years.
Longview ISD currently partners with three local non-profit organizations in the management of various district campuses.
Passed in 2017 by the 85th Texas Legislature, under the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, Senate Bill 1882 creates new incentives for traditional public schools to partner with outside entities such as charter networks, non-profits, and universities to improve student outcomes.
The public school charter program provides extra funding to traditional public school districts that contract to run their schools as an in-district charter.
In accordance with TEA policy, LISD maintains the authority to set the ground rules the partners have to follow.
For more information about the Longview ISD public school charter program please visit LISD.org/charters, call the LISD Department of Innovation at 903-381-2268, or visit the TEA website: TxPartnerships.org.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Officers, Crossing Guards
Trustees also unanimously approved renewing the annual School Resource Officers (SROs) and Crossing Guard contracts with Longview Police Department for 2024-25.
Longview ISD splits these costs with the Longview Police Department, coming at a total cost of $22,800 for campus SROs and $8,455.91 for crossing guards at six campuses.
The board considers this contract for renewal annually.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Superintendent's Report
During the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Sheppard welcomed Longview High School Choir Booster Club President, Mr. Joseph Allen and Lobo Choir Director Mrs. Melody McMullen. He spoke on the recent Choir trip abroad, and some of what they experienced from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Last month the Lobo Choir traveled to France after being invited to perform at the 80th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
Twenty-eight students and seven chaperones, led by Lobo Choir Director Mrs. Melody McMullen, left Longview High School by charter bus. They flew to France, where they represented Texas in commemorations and performances marking the Allied landings of June 6, 1944, along the Normandy coast that led to Europe's liberation in World War II.
Dr. Sheppard then invited Dr. Guidry to update trustees on the latest plans for the 2024 bond projects. Dr. Guidry provided a brief overview of the current status and upcoming steps.
Following this, LISD Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Mike Gipson presented a district facilities update to the board. His report focused on ongoing repairs and maintenance projects across the district's properties.
Later, Dr. Guidry returned to offer an overview and update on the 2024-25 budget process. He outlined key aspects of the budget and discussed the timeline for its development and approval.
Included was a report of the 2024 Certified Estimated Taxable Value of $692,152,354, provided by Mr. Mark Cormier, Chief Appraiser with the Gregg County Appraisal District. This includes approximately $598,538,093 of frozen value, generating $32,699,927 in frozen taxes.
However, these numbers are preliminary and subject to change during the Appraisal Review process.
In other business...
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also:
- APPROVED to begin discussions and possibly partner with a vendor to research the most financially feasible route to implement the Clean Bus Electrification Project and to possibly begin the RFQ solicitation process. Longview ISD applied for Round 2 of the EPA Clean School Bus Grant program with Highland Fleet. Additionally, the district applied independently for Round 3 of the EPA Clean Bus Rebate program. Both applications were approved for a total of $7,250,000;
- RENEWED the activation of video surveillance in certain Special Education classrooms for the 2024-25 school year, (according to Texas Education Code 29.022). This is considered for approval by the board annually;
- APPROVED naming Ted Beard as the board's TASB Delegate and Lateefah Pruitt as Alternate to this year's State Convention;
- APPROVED the Minutes and Time Use Tracker for the June 4 Special Meeting, the June 10 Regular Meeting, and the June 25 Special Meeting;
- APPROVED the Construction Program Management Service RFQ-2024-13 and RFQ-2024-14;
- APPROVED an Attendance Waiver due to inclement weather on Jan. 16-17, 2024;
- APPROVED the 2024-25 3rd Quarter Investment Report; and
- ACCEPTED the financial statements as of June 2024;
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. Aug. 26, 2024.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.
