Levelland ISD School Board District Three Candidate, Jeremiah Gavina continues to push forward with his candidacy.
Gavina hopes to bring fresh eyes and possibly new ideas to the board if elected.
Born in Hereford, Gavina’s upbringing would be in Levelland as his father would relocate his family to the area when he was only six months old.
Growing up in Levelland, he would eventually move to Austin for a handful of years while his wife attended the University of Austin. Following his wife’s graduation, the couple would return to Levelland and set their roots in the community.
“Levelland is all that I have known,” said Gavina. “My wife and I began dating each other when we attended high school here together and we graduated from LHS in 2000. We have been married 20 years, and it will be 21 years in July.”
Gavina would eventually take over his father’s business in home remodeling. Additionally, a business partner and himself coown a real estate brokerage, Resolute Realty Company and is also involved in the roofing business.
Between managing multiple businesses and his wife being an educator for LISD, the duo also manages to find the time to be active parents with their four children who are encouraged to be involved in sports and academics.
“As a kid I remember how much it meant to a lot of us to have that Lobo pride and I still feel that way,” said Gavina. My wife has worked at LISD for 12 or 13 years now and she a Lobo through and through. Our families have that pride.”
Not only does being involved with LISD mean a great deal to the Gavina household, but being involved with the Levelland community is important as well.
Gavina has made sure to give back to the community by being involved with the church his family attends and being part of the children’s ministry aspect.
He also enjoys community sports as he has coached in Little Dribbler’s and in the flag football league for several years. There was a period time where Gavina was part of the LISD Booster Club and even served as the booster president at one time.
Currently, he is sitting on the City’s Housing Standard and Commission, the Zoning and Planning Commission and is part of the Lions Club.
“It is normal for me to serve and give back,” said Gavina.
He acknowledged that there has been plenty of discussion and concerns shared about the current state of the district.
“Something needs to change and that could just be a set of fresh eyes and a different perspective,” explained Gavina. “To me nobody was stepping up and I feel like I can help serve in this capacity as well.”
Coming off of a town hall meeting where Gavina had the opportunity to share his story and field questions and concerns, he highlighted the current situation at LMS (Levelland Middle School).
Gavina explained that he has heard concerns centered around overcrowding at the campus, test scores being affected and a wide group of grade levels being together which has brought about issues of younger students being mixed with older ones.
“We were told this would be a temporary situation and it's feeling like more of a permanent deal,” said Gavina. “I have also heard of teachers and staff not feeling supported or receiving the help that they need.”
Gavina added that some situations may be the way they are due to circumstances that cannot be changed.
“There is a feeling that trust and transparency is not there between the district and community members,” explained Gavina. “I know there are things that cannot be put out in the open, but my goal is to bring more transparency when it comes to all aspects of the district and earn back the trust that the district has lost.”