AUSTIN — For their outstanding commitment to students and to the community, the Longview Independent School District Board of Trustees is one of sixteen school districts in Texas to be named Region VII nominee for Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) 2017 Outstanding School Board Award.
The award covers board accomplishments and decisions over the last school year. Board members named in the honor are Place 1 trustee Dr. Mark Camp, former Place 2 trustee Jud Murray (who stepped down last month), Place 3 trustee Dr. Chris Mack, Place 4 trustee Ginia Northcutt, Place 5 trustee Shan Bauer, Place 6 trustee Ted Beard, and Place 7 trustee Dr. Troy Simmons.
'I think I can speak for all the board members in saying that we are humbled by this recognition,' said board president Dr. Mark Camp. 'Personally it is very pleasing to work with a group of individuals who continually strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of students. Even though our Board of Trustees is very diverse, it is very obvious that members respect the experiences and ideas of each other'
Camp added that those on the board who are 'relatively new to the process' are fortunate to have the leadership of those with many years of experience.
'I would be remiss not to point out that this award represents the year that was led by Dr. Chris Mack, and during my tenure the board has been lucky to have the leadership of Dr. Troy Simmons and Mr. Ted Beard,' he said. 'I am proud to serve with these previous leaders and the other three members who have proven to place the goal of student education ahead of personal ideology.'
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said that board members are often the first to be called out when things go bad, 'but seldom get the same recognition when things are going well.'
'Our board has worked dilligently with district staff, principals and teachers in striving to make Longview ISD an exemplary school district,' he said. 'Our trustees strive to make decisions with the vision and intention of impacting ALL students that we serve. And for that, I believe that the recognition is well-deserved.'
Criteria considered for selection was based on the school board’s support for educational performance, support for educational improvement projects, commitment to a code of ethics and maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members.
TASA’s School Board Awards Committee will meet in late July to select up to five of the nominated boards to be recognized as Honor Boards. Those finalists will be interviewed at the TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas October 6-8, and one will be named Outstanding School Board of the Year during that event.
The School Board Awards Program was established in 1971 to recognize the dedication and service of school boards that make a positive impact on the school children of Texas.