Longview ISD is awarding more than $2.4 million in incentive pay for achieving teachers, with a few of the very highest-performing teachers receiving nearly $20,000 in their December paychecks.
During their regular meeting on Dec. 16th the LISD Board of Trustees approved a $2 million-plus budget amendment as part of Longview Incentive for Teachers (LIFT) pay for performance, around eight times more than the $350,000 total amount paid out to staffers in 2014-15, the first year of the program.
Allotments by campus distinction
• Longview High School: 5 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $2,500 per person (225 staff = $562,500)
• Early Grad High School: 5 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $2,500 per person (18 staff = $45,000)
• Forest Park Middle: 5 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $2,500 per person (65 staff = $162,500)
• Foster Middle: 7 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $3,500 per person (80 staff = $280,000)
• Judson Middle: 3 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $1,500 per person (70 staff = $105,000)
• Bramlette Elementary: 6 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $3,000 per person (55 staff = $165,000)
• Hudson PEP Elementary: 6 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $3,000 per person (45 staff = $135,000)
• Ned E. Williams Elementary: 5 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $2,500 per person (50 staff = $125,000)
• JL Everhart Elementary: 1 Academic Distinction Designations at $500 per distinction would yield $500 per person (65 staff = $32,500)
Included in the allotment is $3,000 per teacher at East Texas Montessori Prep Academy (120 staff = $360,000); $4,000 for Instructional Support staff; and $2,000 for non-campus support staff.
'We're thrilled with the excellent progress all our teachers and staff are making with students across the entire district,' said board president Ginia Northcutt. 'It's also wonderful to be able to reward those campuses that achieve state distinctions in helping students meet and exceed goals.'
Longtime LISD board member Dr. Chris Mack agreed.
'Our students perform better, our teachers make more money,' he said. 'It's as simple as that.'
Dr. Jody Clements, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources/Community Relations, said the funds are scheduled to go out in December's pay period.
'This program is 100 percent funded through local funds from the fund balance, as approved by the LISD Board of Trustees,' he added.
The Longview Incentive for Teachers Pay for Performance Award Model, the LIFT Campus Academic Distinction Designation Pay for Performance Payout and the EOC High Stakes Re-Testers Model Payout has seen a steady increase in teacher success since the program began.
'But that's exactly what the board's intention was for this program, to have more staff meeting the requirements,' said Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. 'The criteria is still the same; we've just had significantly more teachers qualify.'
LISD has been using the Education Value Added Assessment System to measures student progress based on statistical data submitted each year.
If a student shows an expected amount of progress, the teacher is not rewarded. But if the student shows greater than expected progress, the teacher is given an incentive based on the exceptional progress amount.
Based on a 'value-added' system and 'achievement,' core subject area teachers with economically-disadvantaged students showing exceptional or more than expected progress in core subject areas could receive about a $140 incentive or $200 incentive per student, depending on the level of progress.
The campus distinction designation awards will give $500 per campus distinction to each full-time staff member at the school.
Qualifying staff must be full-time and have an attendance rate of 97 percent.
Trustee Elections
The board later approved filing dates for the 2020 school board election. Filing begins Jan. 15, 2020 and ends Feb. 14, 2020.
Candidates may apply via mail or in person at the Longview Independent School District Education Support Center located at 1301 East Young Street, Longview TX 75601. Office hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., but on the final day of filing (Feb. 14th 2020) the office will remain open until 5 p.m.
Place 2 Trustee Ava Welge and Place 4 Trustee Ginia Northcutt are up for re-election. Northcutt is also LISD board president.
Public Hearings
Trustees also held a public hearing over the district's recent financial integrity rating as well as a separate hearing on the LISD Results-Driven Accountability overview.
No residents spoke up in favor or opposition to either item.
Longview ISD recently received an 'A' on its financial rating with a score of 96, among the highest in the East Texas region.
The Results-Driven Accountability overview focused on dual-language and ESL (English as a Second Language) progress.
Bus for Special Education
The board also approved the $95,675 purchase of a Special Education bus from Houston-based Longhorn Bus Sales.
LISD Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones told board members the district 'currently needs to replace a bus for normal route operations.'
'Funding for this purchase will be through the Special Education Budget,' Jones added.
LISD Garden Project
Trustees also approved allocating $33,580 in surplus Child Nutrition funds for the expansion of the district garden located at the rear of the LISD administration building.
A grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture helps fund the project, as well as local funds. The state has provided $16,000 for fencing and almost $10,000 for irrigation of the facility.
The state agriculture department’s 'Farm Fresh' initiative engages students with farmers to add local flavor to school menus, as well as teaching students about Texas agriculture when they enjoy Texas products in school meals.
Improvement Plans
The board also approved the 2019-2020 District Improvement Plan as well as Campus Improvement Plans for all LISD schools.
Each school year the principal of each campus — with the assistance of a committee — must develop, review, and revise the campus improvement plan. The plans include setting performance objectives, determining the resources needed to implement the plan and setting timelines for reaching goals.
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 E. Young St. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 12 p.m. Jan. 9th 2020.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.
