During its regular meeting Monday, the Board of Trustees of the Livingston Independent School District appointed Scott Paske to fill the trustee position left vacant by the July 21 resignation of Mandi Murphy Pipes. As Pipes also served as board vice president, the board approved Kevin Grimm to fill that role.
The board approved a resolution nominating Dan Ellis and Mike Nettles as candidates for the Polk Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
Also approved was a contract amendment for Direct Solutions. The original contract stipulated that any raise approved for LISD employees also be given to Direct Solution employees, with the cost being passed on to the district. As a 6% raise was previously approved for the district’s custodians, that same raise will be given to the employees of Direct Solutions. It amounts to $92,988.32 and was already allocated in the district’s budget.
“It’s been a great start. We had an awesome August and we’re having a strong September,” Superintendent Dr. Jeff Pack said, adding that he and the board just returned from the annual Texas Association of School Boards Convention. “We’re doing great things and we’re going to keep on doing great things.”
Pack also shared a new initiative in which he and individual board members visit a different campus each month, touring classes and interacting with students and faculty in the classroom environment. He emphasized, however, that no more than three board members participate at a time so that a quorum is not created.
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Marley Morris said he walks a campus every month and he gave a big shoutout to the assistant principals, principals and teachers. “What’s happening in the classroom is what matters,” he said.
Morris mentioned that improvement is happening and he is seeing changes. He touched on team meetings and professional developments. “You know things are happening when campuses are requesting professional development,” he said.
Assistant Athletic Director/Head Softball Coach Heather Mosser commented on what a “fast and furious” September it has been. She reported that tennis is 2 and 0 in district, volleyball is 2 and 0 in district and “seems to be peaking at the right time.” She added that cross country is competing really well. Commenting that she is in her fifth year with the district, she said, “There’s something to be excited about. Our students are being impacted and you can see it every day.”
Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Tucker Carter agreed. “That stadium was electric. One of the kids said he’d never seen anything like that except Homecoming,” he said, referring to Friday’s first home game this season at Lion Stadium. “As for football, the freshmen are 2 and 1, the JV are 2 and 1 and varsity is 2 and 1.
“You can see the energy, the changes. The kids are embracing it. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support. We’re up for a long, hard stretch of district, but we’re aiming to win district,” Carter said.
In his retention report, Director of Personnel Brian Kroeger shared the 2024-2025 data which reflects the following retention rates: Pine Ridge Primary, 85%; Cedar Grove Elementary, 80%; Creekside Elementary, 85%; Timber Creek Elementary, 93%; Livingston Junior High, 83%; and Livingston High School, 79%. Districtwide, he reported that LISD had a retention rate of 79% for the 2023-2024 school year and a rate of 84% for the 2024-2025 school year, surpassing the state average of 80%.
Dawn Parnell, lead strategist with Foundation Innovation, a full-service consulting firm dedicated to guiding education foundations and school districts to success, made a presentation to the board.
“What is an educational foundation? It’s a 501(c)3 nonprofit, governed independently by a volunteer board that solicits funds from individuals, corporations and foundations for distribution to the district, and acts as a third party operating between the community and the school district,” Parnell said.
She reported on the impact of an education foundation through philanthropy, capacity building, innovation and partnership. She also said the key components for success include infrastructure, board development, image, programs and development.
“Foundation Innovation specializes in working specifically with education foundations. We have proudly worked with over 475 education foundations in Texas and across the country. Our consultants are experienced professionals with hands-on experience with education foundations and the nonprofit sector,” Parnell said, adding, “In the past three years, our clients have raised more than $35 million in funds that went directly back to districts.”
The board entered into an executive session, but no action was taken upon return to open session.
This month’s student and staff spotlight was on the Livingston High School campus. LHS Principal Justin Turbeville introduced two groups to the board – the football team and the welding team.
The board approved the consent agenda which included minutes from previous board meetings and personal property donations.
