Longview Independent School District trustees passed several measures in response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, during their regular meeting Monday, March 23rd.
The board unanimously approved an extension of leave and wage payments for employees while public schools are closed, and postponed board election to Nov. 3rd, following a proclamation Gov. Greg Abbott issued on March 18.
'Obviously we're trying to adjust to a 'new normal' here,' said Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. 'At the same time, we've got to do whatever we can to provide as much continuity for our students and staff as possible.'
According to both resolutions approved by trustees, LISD will provide additional paid leave to all regular employees (contractual and non-contractual, salaried and non-salaried) who are instructed not to report to work due to pandemic fears.
The measures are effective as of Monday, March 16, the first day of public school closings due to concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus, and is effective until campuses return to regular class schedule 'at the discretion of district officials.'
'We remain in dialogue with state officials on how all this is going shake out from a fiscal standpoint,' said Joey Jones, Chief Financial Officer for LISD. 'But in the meantime, we want to ensure that our staff does not suffer financially for forces well beyond anyone's control.'
Elections Set For Nov. 3
“I strongly encourage local election officials to take advantage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November,” Gov. Abbott said last week. “Right now, the state’s focus is responding to COVID-19 — including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort.”
A memo from Texas Secretary of State Director of Elections Keith Ingram notes that, for entities deciding to postpone their election, candidate filings and ballot order actions will be preserved as-is.
Terms for Place 2 trustee Ava Welge and Place 4 trustee Ginia Northcutt are expiring, with both members planning to run for re-election.
Mrs. Northcutt drew no opponent, but local attorney Brett Miller has filed to run against Mrs. Welge in Place 2.
Trustees are elected to serve three-year terms.
LEDCO Land Swap
Trustees also approved a land exchange with the Longview Economic Development Corp. (LEDCO) for property at 400 N. Second St.
Back in January the LEDCO board approved giving LISD four lots in the Longview North Business Park — next to the Judson campus — in exchange for the Second Street property. LEDCO plans to build a new office at the site of the former Longview High School and T.G. Field Auditorium.
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. April 13th.
Due to public health protocols currently in place, the public will not be admitted into the trustees' boardroom. The meeting will also be streamed online at the district’s Facebook page Facebook.com/LongviewISD.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.
