Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved the proposed 2020-21 property tax rate during their special meeting Wednesday, July 29th.
The proposal would see the tax rate decrease from $1.443 per $100 valuation for 2019-20 to $1.4394 per $100 valuation for the 2020-21 school year.
LISD Chief Financial Officer Mr. Joey Jones said since the implementation of House Bill 3 the district has cut property taxes from $1.513 per $100 valuation (during the 2018-19 fiscal year) to the 2020-21 proposed rate of $1.4394 per $100 valuation.
A special meeting is set for 12 p.m. Aug. 26th, during which time the public will get to voice their thoughts. The meeting will see the administration recommend that the board formally adopt the proposed 2020-21 tax rate as well as approve the budget for the coming fiscal year. The board will make its final decision following the last public hearing.
Click here to download the resolution and/or documentation.
Synchronous/Asynchronous Instruction
Board members also approved remote synchronous instructional attestations for the 2020-21 school year.
LISD Director of Elementary Curriculum Mr. John York explained that, in order for the district to receive attendance funding for Synchronous Remote Instruction, the board and superintendent must affirm commitments outlined in the attestation document.
'Synchronous instruction is very similar to 'on campus,' in that it is two-way, real-time, and live instruction between teachers and students through the computer or other electronic devices,' he said. 'That said, a minimum number of daily minutes are required to earn full-day funding.'
York said that for grades 3rd through 5th, 180 instructional minutes are required. For grades 6th through 12th, 240 instructional minutes are required. However, pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade is not eligible to earn funding through the synchronous model.
'School systems can support these grades via the asynchronous model,' he said, adding that schools can offer a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous remote instruction.
'All students at all grade levels need direct instruction and synchronous support from teachers,' York said. 'The attendance funding methods are set-up to provide flexibility, so that schools can provide the right mix of synchronous and asynchronous remote instruction for students.'
Click here to download the resolution and/or documentation.
Proposal Accepted
Trustees also approved a contracted educational services proposal from the International Academy of Science for $38,489.
The proposal calls for the International Academy of Science to provide the Acellus Leaming System STEM Lab and relevant licensing, as well as technical training for JL Everhart Elementary staff.
Mrs. Sheri Broadwater, LISD Director of Federal Programs, said earlier this year the district issued an open request for proposal.
'Funding source for the program is Title I funds budgeted by the district,' she said.
Click here to download the resolution and/or documentation.
Child Nutrition honored
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox presented LISD Director for Child Nutrition Mrs. Phyllis Dozier with a Certificate of Recognition from the Texas Department of Agriculture for the district's achievement in the 2020 Farm Fresh Challenge.
In a statement from the office Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, the district was honored for utilizing locally-grown food.
“Thank you for the outstanding dedication shown by you and your staff during the 2020 Farm Fresh Challenge,' said Texas Food and Nutrition Assistant Commissioner Angela Olige. 'Your students have learned lifelong lessons about healthy Texas products and the farmers and ranchers who grow them. You are one of the greatest resources we have for ensuring we keep the Lone Star State on the path to a healthier future.”
Click here to download the resolution and/or documentation.
In other business...
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also approved a request from the City of Longview for an easement on district property along Nelson Street, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a new municipal water line; and approved Jackson Oil Company of Mount Pleasant for unleaded/diesel fuel during the 2020-21 fiscal year.
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 10th.
Due to public health protocols currently in place, the public will not be admitted into the trustees' boardroom. The meeting will be streamed online at LISD.org/BoardroomLive.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.
