After more than a decade of working to improve Longview ISD students' education, Mrs. Virginia "Ginia" Northcutt will step down from the Board of Trustees when her current term expires in May.
"For me, education is the cornerstone and building block for life. After a love for God, the second most important thing to me is education. I wanted to be a part of making sure that every single child whom we have an influence over has access to excellent education," said Ginia, who moved to Longview from Memphis, Tenn., in 1998. Her children, husband, father-in-law, and his father all attended and graduated from Longview.
Before representing Place 4 on the board since 2014, Ginia served as the president of the Foster and LHS Parent-Teacher Organization groups. During her tenure, she viewed one of her most significant accomplishments as the district testing all kindergartners for the Gifted and Talented Program.
"We decided that would extend to every child and not just those identified by their teachers or parents," she said. "I think this has had a significant impact on providing opportunity to all children."
Dr. James Wilcox, LISD Superintendent, said, "Ginia has been an invaluable asset to our school district, and her contributions to the students, staff, and community are immeasurable. Her unwavering dedication to education and passion for ensuring that every student receives a quality education will be greatly missed."
Ginia said that education is essential to her, and she has worked tirelessly within the district to give students the best possible opportunities.
"I wanted to be in a position to make sure that Longview students have the opportunity to have the best education that they could have. By bringing in the Montessori and the International Baccalaureate Programme and all the programs that we have brought in, it has given our students so many opportunities," Ginia said. "Our high school graduates can graduate with an associate's degree, certifications for plumbing or cosmetology or welding, and more. We offer our students so many opportunities."
As the executive director for Refuge International and with two grandchildren due later this year, Ginia believes it is time for her to step down and let someone else have their chance at helping to shape the district.
"I am also transitioning into a new phase of life. Both of my children are married, and they all live in Virginia. I am expecting my first and second grandchildren in June and September of this year. I already spend a lot of time traveling with my job to Guatemala, but knowing that I will have grandchildren soon in Virginia, I want to have the time to be with them," she said. "There's a season for everything, and I think that my season as a school board member has come to an end, and a new season for my life is here.
"I think that serving as a school board member is one of the most rewarding experiences that anyone can ever have, and that it is something that you cannot understand the experience until you have been a school board member."
When her term ends, Mrs. Crista Black will take over Mrs. Northcutt's position. Black is the president of the Longview ISD Education Foundation. She previously served as the president of the Junior League of Longview and also worked with the East Texas Literacy Council, Heartisans Marketplace, Hudson PEP Elementary School PTO, and Foster Middle School PTO.
Crista Black has been working in the education field since 2001, serving in Frisco and Pine Tree ISDs. While at Pine Tree, she received the Pine Tree Middle School Teacher of the Year and District Elementary Teacher of the Year awards. She later became an instructional specialist at Pine Tree High School and the English language arts curriculum coordinator for the district.
She and her husband, Michael, have two children who attended Hudson PEP Elementary and now attend Foster Middle School.
Ginia praised her successor, whom she had worked with on various community and school-related initiatives. Offering some advice and support, GInia said: "Just be yourself. [Crista] is a fabulous educator, a fabulous parent, a fabulous community member, and I think she will do well. She'll be great."