The Levelland Independent School District board of directors met on Wednesday to consider resolutions, purchases and hear reports.
The board approved adoption of the Delay of Teacher Certification Plan for LISD. The purpose of the plan is to establish a structured and data-driven approach for reducing the number of uncertified teachers in the district in compliance with requirements of HB 2 of the 89th Texas Legislature before the start of the 20292030 school year. The new law requires that a teacher may not be employed who does not hold an appropriate certificate or permit unless the district has submitted an approved plan and the commissioner grants a delay. LISD has established a partnership with an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to support uncertified teachers in earning standard certification, with Texas Tech University the designated EPP. The district will submit the plan to the Commissioner of Education for final authorization.
After careful consideration, the board voted to adopt a resolution clarifying the board’s decision to not provide a specific period of prayer and reading the Bible or other religious text at all campuses as provided by SB 11 of the 89th Texas Legislature and the Texas Education Code. Dr. Donald Heseman, LISD superintendent, noted that students already have legally protected rights to pray or read religious texts during non-instructional time without needing formal, state-sanctioned policies.
Additionally, SB 11 bill requires schools to manage opt-in systems, designate specific spaces, and manage the logistics of these periods, which distracts from the primary educational mission.
Regarding a missed schools day waiver, the board approved a resolution to apply for the waiver. Following the recent winter storm which caused school closures and delays, Gov.
Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation for numerous counties, including Hockley County. The waiver to TEA will forgive those days the school did not open.
In other business, the board approved the purchase of student Chromebooks for the ninth grade; second grade; and staff replacement devices for ABD and SPED. Quotes from Dell Technologies were presented for $191,573 and $91,775.
In other action, the board approved the financial report was presented by LISD Chief Financial Officer Teresa Montemayor for the period ending Jan. 31.
Montemayor also presented the budget parameters for the 20262027 school year that enable the district to provide a financially solvent budget that meets all short-term and long-term obligations that align with the vision, mission and goals alignment with the LISD balanced scorecard, which is under continuous analysis during the budget development process.
In other business, the board approved the 20262027 school calendar, with the fall semester commencing on Aug. 19 and graduation on May 20 or May 21.
In his report to the board, Dr. Heseman said that the LMS cheer team will be selling cookies beginning March 13 through March 27, with proceeds going towards the cost of uniforms, and ABC has been approved for a Zoo field trip to New Mexico. He also noted recent activities at school campuses. Assistant superintendent Rodney Caddell presented information on personnel, including resignations, retirements and auxiliary news hires. Resignations included Chloe Obenhaus (PreK TA ABC), Elias Agruirre (PE TAABC), Gage Gado (LHS TA/Boys Coach), Gloria Gonzales and Dalila Diaz (custodian), Regina Tealer and Kristie Carter (bus aide), Ian Peterson (bus driver), and Jesus Adame (mechanic).
New hires included Shannon Mayhan, office aide at LABC and Julissa Villarreal, LMS custodial, and one retirement, Delores Lopez, teacher. Additionally, there were two hires approved by the superintendent, including Brooke Rubie, LMS 6th grade ELAR, and Bethany Bishop, South Elementary, life skills teacher.
The board approved professional probationary contracts, term and noncertified contracts for Matthew Birdwell, Craig Black, Rodney Caddell, James Daniel, Lacey Doster, Shana Fleming, Sid Gerber, Ashley Howard, Laurie Jones, Amanda Leach, Lyle Leong, Brian Luna, Teresa Montemayor, Amy Pebsworth, Katie Pena, Donna Pugh, Joanna Runkles and Terri White.
A district data overview was presented, with current enrollment at the five LISD campuses at 2,575, and a daily attendance of 2,311.
The 4-year graduation rate (2024) is 95.2%. Students in the economically disadvantaged make up 70% of the student population, with 22.7% special education and emergent bilingual at 9.5%. The number of free/ reduced lunches served was 197,024. The primary student ethnicity shows 74.5% Hispanic, 21.7% white, 3.0% African American. Total staff for the school is 422.4. Total operating revenue is $39,220164, funded by local revenue ($10,905,457), state ($16,614, 243), federal ($7,087,119), and other local revenue ($4,613,345). Local tax revenue from Interest & Sinking is $3,943,848.