Levelland ISD school board met for a regular meeting on Wednesday to hear reports and act on numerous agenda items.
The board approved Dr. Matthew Birdwell, LISD director of secondary curriculum, to serve as an adjunct professor with a higher education institution for 20262027. The adjunct teaching responsibilities will be performed outside of the employee’s assigned duties and work schedule with Levelland ISD.
Levelland ISD is required to have members of the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) approved by the board of trustees. Approved to serve on the SHAC for the 20262027 school year were parents Samantha Davila, Alexis Diaz, Monica Grado, Enoch Ramirez, Jaime McCabe, Tana Lockett, D’Lyn Pompa, along with Pat Smith, PE teacher, Machelle Wells, nurse, Aralyn Gipson, student, Cheyenne Portwood, athletic trainer, Robyn Parkinson, counselor, and Rodney Caddell, assistant superintendent.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, each school system must annually submit a board-approved certification of compliance to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) no later than Sept. 30 of each school year. Passed during the 89th Legislative Session, SB 12 addressed parental rights in public education and requires certification of compliance with provisions of the Education Code regarding instruction on controversial issues and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) duties. The board approved the annual certification of compliance form.
The board approved the Student Resource Officer (SRO) interlocal agreement between the city of Levelland and LISD to support the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors throughout Levelland ISD. The interlocal agreement establishes the terms and responsibilities for the Levelland Police Department and outlines the scope of services, responsibilities of each party, and the financial arrangements as- associated with providing these services.
Trustees tabled two agenda items to be considered later including a change in schedule for regular board meetings for further consideration, and the capital expenditure for the softball and tennis facility due to lack of complete documents. Teresa Montemayor several reports including the financial report for the period ending Aug. 1, the financial report and annual investment report which the board approved.
Montemayor also presented the quarterly financial, investments and district facility and maintenance report. Principals from LABC, Capitol and South campuses gave the board updates on attendance and activities.
Dr. Donald Heseman, superintendent, gave his report on approved fund raising projects for campuses and organizations. LABC students will be selling chocolate bars from Oct. 8 to Oct. 30 with proceeds going to staff and student activities. The LMS band students will be selling Lobo band merchandise on Sept. 16-Sept. 30 through the Adrenaline Fundraisers Company with funds going towards various trips and band activities. The Nation History Day students will be participating in a “Donate the Date” where a monetary donation will be giving according to the date chosen on the student’s calendar. This will run through the month of October with funds going towards trips and activities for NHD.
Dr. Heseman reported that enrollment for LISD is down for 2026 at 2,257 students compared to the 2025 enrollment of 2,421 students. There was -34 decrease at LABC; -25 decrease at South and Capitol; -29 decrease at LMS; and a -76 decrease at LHS compared to 2025.
The student/teacher ratio at LISD general studies for elementary for reported to be 18.1 at LABC, Capitol and South, with 1,016 students and 56 teachers. LMS and LHS shows a ratio of 22.6, with 1,154 students and 51 teachers.
Caddell reported that the number of teachers leaving LISD between August 2025 and August 2026, with five citing retirement and 30 resigning.
Levelland ISD’s District of Innovation (DOI) plan allows the superintendent to locally certify non-certified teachers in CTE courses and hard to staff positions if their principal recommends them based on their credentials, training, experience, subject matter knowledge, or any other acceptable criteria. New teachers approved for DOI local certification include (ABC, Capitol, South) Skyla Maddox, Jessica Demel, Emily Atas, Justin Turner, Andrea Lopez, Alexandra Martinez, Katherine Perez, Janice Robles, Ashley Sanders, Blayre Skidmore, Lisa Unger and Carrie Van Horn. At LMS and LHS, teacher locally certified were Trayce Boudreaux, Aliza Garza, Lindsey Brown, Gentry McGaha, Cade Chambers, Andrew Mc-Gee, Stephanie Fletcher, Madisyn Franklin, Maliri Marsh, Zakari Quintanilla, Amos Sauceda, April Setser, Bethaney Shepherd and Caitlyn Stephens.
Levelland ISD’s Safety and Security Committee consists of members of local law enforcement, fire department, office of emergency management, EMS, school resource officers, school and district administrators, school board president and another board member, parents, and teachers. The committee met on July 29.