Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved district-wide International Baccalaureate (IB) training for all district teaching staff during their regular meeting Monday, October 9th.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said this training is part of the district's larger goal 'to provide the best educational offerings to the students in our care.'
'One of the strategic action steps for the district is to provide all district staff with training in the IB philosophy,' he said.
The cost for providing this training to all staff will be approximately $760,000. Federal and state grant funds will be utilized to pay for these trainings and coaching, as well as some local funds.
Recognized worldwide, the IB program is a demanding college preparatory curriculum in the classical liberal arts. LISD is one of the only districts in the country that offers an IB program from elementary through high school.
Wilcox said that, unlike most IB programs across the country, Longview ISD's program is offered completely free of charge to students.
Longview High School graduated its first IB seniors in 2011 and IB Dean of Instruction Linda Buie said the program continues to grow each year.
'If you look at the names of these IB graduates, and look at the things they're doing now, it's really quite remarkable,' she said. 'These young people are going to change the world.'
Out-Of-District Transfers
Board members also approved accepting 56 more non-resident students seeking transfer into the district. This is in addition to the 504 out-of-district students accepted at the start of the school year.
Of the 56 new students accepted, 46 (or 82 percent) cited 'educational opportunities' at Longview ISD as their primary reason for transferring into the district.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox reiterated that the transfers come from 'in and around the Longview area.'
'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.'
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.
In other business...
The board later approved nominating candidates Julie Woods and Vance Freeman to the Board of Directors for the Gregg County Appraisal District.
'Both of these individuals are excellent representatives of the interests of our community, and they have our full support,' said Dr. Wilcox.
In each odd numbered year, the Gregg Appraisal District elects a new Board of Directors. The directors are nominated by the various taxing jurisdictions throughout Gregg County and are elected by those jurisdictions.
Each taxing unit that is entitled to vote may nominate by resolution adopted by its governing body, one candidate for each position to be filled on the Board of Directors.
Current directors are Woods, Jim Cerrato, A. P. Merritt, Keith Honey, Kirk Shields, and Mark Pruitt, who is not returning to the board.
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 6 p.m. November 11, 2019.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.