The Longview ISD Board of Trustees voted to continue the voluntary desegregation plan from 2018, during a special meeting Wednesday, April 28th.
Longview ISD adopted the voluntary desegregation order three years ago to comply with rules set by the Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program.
Dr. Craig Coleman, LISD Chief Innovation Officer, said the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights 'requires districts that are operating under a voluntary desegregation plan to provide a signed letter each year that the district is implementing the voluntary desegregation plan.'
The principal strategy used by Longview ISD to prevent, eliminate, and/or reduce the isolation of minority students is through the establishment of and continuation of existing magnet and public charter schools.
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 Longview ISD 'seeks to prevent minority group isolation and any loss of the gains it achieved while under the desegregation order.'
'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.
LISD Board President Mrs. Shan Bauer wrote a letter to Kenneth Marcus, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, confirming that the district will continue to implement the voluntary desegregation plan and all LISD magnet programs 'will operate as described in the application.'
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Martin Consulting Group
The board also approved an agreement with Martin Consulting Group to provide educational services for 2020-21 school year.
Dr. Wayne Guidry, Assistant Superintendent of Finance explained that payment for these services will not exceed $200,000 and 'will be funded through Public Charter School Program (PCSP) and School Transformation federal grant funds.'
Longview ISD will utilize the services of Martin Consulting Group to consult district staff regarding implementation of innovative management organization governance structure, identify any state and federal grant opportunities and draft a grant application subject to board approval, provide guidance for operating partners to maximize flexibility and innovation, advise LISD staff on state and federal grants on an as-needed basis via phone or email.
Please click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
In other business...
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also:
- RECEIVED a report from Director of Special Education Dr. Maureen Lewis about the district's Dyslexia Program and changes made to the Longview ISD Dyslexia Handbook for 2020-21;
- RECEIVED an update from Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry about surcharge costs for the Teacher Retirement System and potential plans for the future;
- APPROVED allocating $25,000 in TItle II federal funds to Ms. Barbara Cox for GT and sixth grade pre-AP math services, not to exceed $45,000; and
- APPROVED official Minutes and Time Use Tracker for the April 12th Regular Meeting.
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 10th, 2021.
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.
