The Levelland Independent School District board of directors met on Wednesday to consider contracts, agreements and reports.
The board approved a contract with Hockley County Credit Union (HCCU) which will affect the name of Lobo Stadium. Under the contract, the new name will become Hockley County Credit Union Stadium for a period of 10 years in exchange for HCCU paying for turf replacement ($500,000).
LISD is in the process of a field turf project and has determined that the corporate offer from HCCU will directly benefit the school. The HCCU logo will appear on the football field in four locations with a main entrance archway to be build northwest side of the facility, a designation on the outer elevator shaft on the home side and scoreboard signage located on the black strip at the bottom of the scoreboard. Commencement date is effective on April 1.
LISD CFO Teresa Montemeyer presented the monthly financial report for the period ending Feb. 28 which was approved by the board.
Montemeyer also presented the quarterly reports for tax collections, cafeteria, investments and worker’s comp.
In other action, the board approved starting a 3year-old program at LABC as a recruiting tool for the school, a service to the community and a jumpstart for educating children, with eligible students being those of LISD employees. The proposed launch date would be the beginning of the 20262027 school year.
The program will be tuition based with no state funding and spearheaded by Ashley Howard and will operate as a school-based early childhood instructional classroom, aligned with the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and structured within the traditional LABC day. The classroom will focus on early literacy, oral language, social-emotional development, and foundational math readiness through play-based, developmentally appropriate instruction.
The board approved the Head Start Agreement to continue a Community Action Partnership that establishes an agreement between South Plains Community Action Association and Brownfield ISD to provide Head Start services to age and income eligible Pre-K children per guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services and Texas Education Agency which provides funding through Feb. 28, 2027 under a DHHS grant. Fund availability is based on Notice of Award from the Office of Head Start and is anticipated to up to $330,000.
In other business, board members approved an Order of Cancellation for the trustee election that was scheduled for the single-member District 5 position and the two trustees At Large positions. The deadlines for filing an application for a place on the ballot and for a write-in declaration have passed. Carrie Ellis and Gary Bridges applied for a place on the ballot to represent At Large, and Matt Buxkemper applied for a place on the ballot to represent District 5. All candidates were running unopposed and will be sworn in at the May 2026 board meeting.
The board approved numerous contracts at all LISD campuses for probationary, professional employee term and noncertified teaching contracts, as well as a few administrative and multicampus contracts. The 4thyear probationary contracts were tabled until the next meeting.
Rodney Caddell, assistant superintendent, reported on resignations, auxiliary new hires and retirements. Resigning at LMS are Martin Torrez, 7th grade history; Kristina Neighbors, life skills; Madalynn Colwell, teachers assistant, and Daniela Reyes, teacher/coach. Auxiliary new hires include Galilea Perez, LABC PE teacher assistant; Natalia Bautista, PreK teacher assistant; Angelica Flores, LHS athletics secretary; and Sarah Hill, bus aide. Retirements include, Donna Pugh, director of curriculum & special programs at Central Office; Marry Torrez, LMS history teacher; Laura Northern, LHS math teacher; and Deborah McVay, LHS English teacher.
Dr. Don Huseman, LISD superintendent, reported on student fundraising activities that have been approved. The LMS Choir students will be selling “World’s Finest Chocolate” bars through April 2 with funds going towards the Choir Activity Fund. LMS National History Day students will be selling Bundt Cakes through the end of March with proceeds going towards activity fund.
The LHS boys track team will be selling popcorn and soft baked cookies via a mobile app (www.Raise 365.com), with proceeds going to the activity fund. LHS English Class III will be accepting monetary donations from the community for a Great Gatsby Event at the Wallace Theater for catering, decorations and movie rights.
The LHS baseball team will be selling hats, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other items through Mar. 20 to raise funds for their activity account, and LHS Unified Track is set to have donation-based car wash at the high school on Mar. 28.