The Longview Independent School District Board of Trustees approved accepting more than 500 non-resident students seeking transfer into the district, during their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 14th.
Of the 502 students accepted into Longview ISD, 395 (or 78 percent) cited the educational opportunities at Longview ISD as their primary reason for transferring.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said the transfers come from 'in and around the Longview area,' as well as from other East Texas communities like Tyler, Pittsburg, Henderson, and even as far away as Nacogdoches.
'It's a testament to the quality education being provided by our excellent staff, our exceptional academic offerings, and the reputation of our students' achievements, that these families are choosing to enroll their students in Longview ISD,' he said. 'These aren't move-ins — though we certainly get quite a few of those each year — but these are residents of other communities, who are willing to drive to Longview for their children to attend our schools. That's a big deal.'
Mr. Ron Kent, LISD Supervisor for Administrative and Pupil Services, said attendance and discipline records 'have been checked for all students.'
'Principals have been given the information and the opportunity to make a recommendation on each student,' he said.
Top Teacher Bonus Pay
Board members also approved amending employment contracts for LISD teachers to receive the Teacher Incentive Allotment bonus pay.
High-achieving educators will earn up to $32,000 more per year under the new state program.
Fifty-four Longview ISD teachers received designations, spanning eleven campuses, and earning allotments totaling over $650,000.
Designees will receive the first round of bonus payments in their December paycheck.
Mr. John York, LISD director of elementary education, said 'the goal is to provide a realistic pathway for outstanding teachers to earn six-figure salaries.'
'As such, assuring a designee’s allotment compensation meets Teacher Retirement System (TRS) eligibility requirements dramatically improves our ability to recruit and retain the most highly effective teachers and keep them in the classroom at our most challenging campuses,' he said. 'This program will also improve the quality of life for our designees in their retirement years.'
Dr. Wilcox thanked Mr. York for his tireless efforts coordinating this initiative, adding that Longview ISD expects to pay between 12-16 teachers 'over $100,000 in TRS-eligible salary this year!'
'We have educators who are going above and beyond to help our students overcome incredible challenges, so it only makes sense for us to find a way to help reward their elite achievements,' he said. 'We want our teachers to know that the board and administration is always going to do everything we can to show how much they are valued at Longview ISD.'
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Elections Agreement
Board members also approved a resolution to hold a Joint Election with Gregg County for the LISD Board of Trustees to Districts 2 and 4 on Nov. 3rd.
The regular date of May 2nd was postponed following the proclamation issued from Gov. Greg Abbott on March 18th.
Early voting by personal appearance will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13-30 at the Longview Community Center, Greggton Community Center, Elderville Community Center, Stamper Park Resource Center, and Broughton Recreation Center.
Terms for Place 2 trustee Mrs. Ava Welge and Place 4 trustee Mrs. 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.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
In other business...
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also approved: donation of $22,379 in Wireless Access Points from Hewlett Packard Enterprise/Aruba Networks to expand wireless access across Longview ISD; donation of $11,900 from the Lobo Football Booster Club for student-athlete meals and lodging; Change Order No. 2 for Above-Ground Fuel Storage Tank Installation Project; contract with Vector Fleet Management for Mechanical Goods and Services; official minutes of the Aug. 26th Special-Called Meeting; Board Time Use Tracker for Aug. 10th Regular Meeting; Budget Amendment No. 1; and received an update on COVID-19 protocols from Mr. Dennis Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Pupil Services.
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. Oct. 12th.
Due to public health protocols currently in place, anyone wishing to attend the meeting in person must abide by COVID-19 guidelines, as only limited seating capacity is available. The meeting will be streamed online at LISD.org/BoardroomLive.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.
