Longview Independent School District joins over 1,000 school districts throughout Texas celebrating January 2022 as School Board Recognition Month, during the Board of Trustees regular meeting Wednesday, Jan. 26th.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry presented award plaques, gift baskets, and student artwork to LISD board members, explaining that the theme this year is Rising Above.
'Year after year, our board goes above and beyond to bring the most innovative initiatives to our various campuses, allowing our students and staff to elevate to greater heights than they ever believed to be possible,' he said. 'The 2022 School Board Recognition theme is 'Rising Above,' which is especially apt right now, given that many board members are facing unprecedented challenges in trying to navigate complicated and often controversial topics in K-12 education.'
Serving as a link between the community and classroom, school board members are elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for public schools. LISD trustees are responsible for an annual budget of more than $78 million, over 8,000 students, and nearly 3,000 staffers.
The current Board of Trustees for Longview ISD is Mr. Michael Tubb (Place 1), Mr. Brett Miller (Place 2), Dr. Samir Germanwala (Place 3), Mrs. Ginia Northcutt (Place 4), Mrs. Shan Bauer (Place 5), Mr. Ted Beard (Place 6), and Dr. Troy Simmons (Place 7).
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised the tireless work of the board, citing their passion for their community and their love for the students, staff, and families of Longview ISD.
'Our school board members are volunteers who shoulder critical responsibilities and often make difficult choices for our district, all without pay,' he said. 'Their goal is always focused on the future success of the children in our district.'
To honor the more than 7,200 locally elected trustees in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared January as School Board Recognition Month, and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) is encouraging all Texas communities to join the celebration by showing appreciation to these men and women.
'While school districts will always face new challenges as they serve the needs of students, Texans can count on their school board members, along with other dedicated school officials, to weather these trials, create opportunities to discuss important issues, develop innovative solutions, and empower educators while remaining focused on their students’ futures,' said Gov. Abbott in his proclamation.
Although showing appreciation should be a year-round process, Dr. Wilcox said taking advantage of the designated month 'ensures that these important people receive some of the thanks they deserve.'
'We are so appreciative of them every month, so celebrating School Board Recognition Month is just one small way to say thanks for all that they do,' he said.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
Trustees talk possible bond election
Board members later continued discussions about calling a possible bond election to improve and update several district facilities.
As this was only an information item, the board did not vote to call a bond. However, the item will be up for consideration at the trustees' next regular meeting on Feb. 14th.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox reiterated the administration's stance that the district would not be considering a bond issue where Longview ISD taxes are increased.
'What we are looking at is a type of bond called a General Obligation Bond Issue,' he said. 'This is a debt of the school district that is payable from taxes against property within the school district.'
Dr. Wilcox explained that the proceeds the district would receive from the sale of the general obligation bonds would be used to pay the costs of the projects. Principal and Interest payments would come from an annual debt service property tax levy that is levied against all property within the boundaries of the district.'
But what would this mean for Longview ISD taxpayers?
'It means no tax rate increase,' said Dr. Wilcox. 'These improvements and projects could be fully funded with zero increase to the current tax rate. If approved by the board and voted by the public, it would be a win-win for our students, staff, and local stakeholders.'
Back in December the administration finalized a facility needs assessment, and Dr. Wilcox said LISD is unique in that the majority of the district was built during a three-year period.
'This requires the district to monitor facilities and make updates periodically to maintain instructional capacity,' he said during last month's board meeting.
One example Dr. Wilcox cited is the Longview High School campus, which is 47 years old and in need of updates.
'Without attention to facilities, within the next ten years all of our facilities will require extensive repair at the same time,' he said. 'The district also needs a new facility to meet the demands of our early childhood programs.'
During the months of November and December, the district contracted with Dr. Don W. Hooper, from the Granbury-based Center for Quality Leadership, to complete a facilities assessment and help develop a master plan for potential improvements, repairs, and upgrades needed at Longview ISD.
Some of the key findings from the Center for Quality Leadership include:
- An Early Childhood Center is needed for LISD, and site acquisition should be considered to keep the high school from being landlocked as well as to accommodate the facility. This could be named the Mary C. Womack Early Childhood Center as a tribute to the former Longview teacher in whose honor the former Black high school was named prior to desegregation.
- The LHS Career Technology Education facilities and Early College High School programs are severely hindered by facility utilization availability.
- Surveillance needs with security cameras and additional lighting for school safety and security at the Longview High campus.
- Longview High School classrooms and learning environments need attention.
- There are drainage issues throughout the district at all facilities.
- Aging HVAC systems and aging roofs at all buildings.
Dr. Hooper and his staff presented several recommendations to the district, including building an indoor all-weather multipurpose center to accommodate academics, fine arts, and CTE programs, as well as athletics.
'Not only could the student center accommodate the needed programs for Longview High School, but it can also be a common gathering place for the community during certain functions,' said Dr. Hooper, adding that a potential site for such a facility could be the approximately 180-yard practice field area near the stadium.
Dr. Hooper said this facility could 'provide an all-weather marching field which can be shared with other sports including soccer, baseball, football, in this same facility.'
'Additionally, CTE courses such as culinary arts can be relocated to this center,' said Dr. Hooper. 'The current Culinary Arts area is cramped and needs to be enlarged, but no space is available. This same new Culinary Arts area can accommodate community gatherings and banquets as well as school programs. Other CTE course offerings can be in this same facility.'
Other recommendations from Dr. Hooper and his team include an expansion of the LHS cafeteria, a five-acre indoor/outdoor golf practice facility for student-athletes on the property across from the current athletic practice field, new dressing rooms at the baseball and soccer fields, and renovations to the Lobo Aquatics Center such as non-slip walking surfaces and an overall remodeling of the facility.
The safety, security, and health of the LISD was another important point brought forward, and Dr. Hooper suggested new camera systems, card readers, and lighting improvements for the LHS parking lot.
Similar upgrades were recommended for inside the campus, with improved directional signage for the high school hallways, extensive updates to the library, and renovations to the Little Theatre and Mickey Melton Center.
Click here to download the resolution and related documentation.
State report shows academic gains
Longview Independent School District saw gains across multiple categories in its latest Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).
Mrs. Latitia Wilson, LISD Director of Research, Planning, and Accountability, said preliminary accountability ratings were discussed in late summer 2021, but the TAPR report represents the finalized version of these findings.
“The annual TAPR report includes several pieces of information from the 2020-2021 school year, including academic performance, college, career and military readiness information and school and district profiles,” Wilson said. 'The TAPR report gives an overview based on several criteria including student performance on the annual STAAR test.'
LISD showed considerable progress in a host of measures, according to the Texas Education Agency's report. Wilson also cited a number of programs currently underway at various LISD campuses as ways the district has improved its standing in prevention and intervention curricula.
'These include, but are not limited to Forever Friends, Young Gentlemen, Thrive360, Communities in Schools, Girl Power, Circle Up, CrimeStoppers, Partners in Prevention, Eagle Leadership, Capturing Kids’ Hearts, Girls with Pearls, and of course the Just Keep Livin' program at Longview High created in partnership with alumnus Matthew McConaughey.'
But despite the numerous gains and achievements, Wilson maintained 'there is always room for improvement.'
“Our teachers and campus leaders continue to set very high goals for themselves, their campuses, and their students, and they continue to work hard to meet those goals,” she said. 'The LISD department of Curriculum and Instruction will also continue to provide every support and assistance we can in order to help our students be the best they can be.'
Additional information regarding the annual TAPR report for Longview ISD can be found on the district’s website, and Mrs. Latitia Wilson's presentation can be downloaded here.
Update on district ESSER funds plan
Dr. Wayne Guidry, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, told trustees that the Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services (RIPICS) plan was revised in December 2021 and the Use of Funds Plan remains as it was previously presented. It should be noted that the district’s total ESSER III total allocation was $19,666,123.
The purpose of the American Rescue Plan: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER III) funding is for school districts to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools.
Dr. Guidry explained to the board that the American Rescue Plan (ARP) statute requires that local education agencies develop and make publicly available their plans for the use of funds after having engaged in meaningful consultation with stakeholders. This plan must be reviewed and revised every six months.
'The district conducted a needs assessment at the campus, in-district charter partners, and district level with input from students, parents, staff, and the community through direct communication, surveys, board meetings, and prior needs assessments to determine how its portion of ESSER III funds should be used,' he said. 'Per that assessment, Longview ISD has written a plan and it is posted to our website. Should revisions to the plan become necessary, the plan will be updated and a revised version posted as well.'
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 updates from Dr. Craig Coleman, LISD Chief Innovation Officer, on the district's Office of Innovation and charter partners. Trustees were also presented the Partner Monitoring Document and monthly evaluation from Mr. John Wink, Coordinator of Policy and New Schools;
- RECEIVED an update on COVID-19 cases, the district Safety Report, and Facilities Update from Mr. Dennis Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative & Pupil Services;
- RECEIVED the Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Overview from Mrs. Latitia Wilson, LISD Director of Research, Planning, and Accountability;
- APPROVED Minutes and Time Use Tracker for the Dec. 13, 2021 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing;
- RECEIVED the updated Financial Reports for Nov. and Dec. 2021;
- APPROVED the 2021-22 1st Quarter Investment Report;
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. Feb. 14, 2022.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.