“I’m pleased to report the school received a superior achievement and the district scored 100,” Livingston ISD Chief Financial Officer Darla Dear reported during a public hearing on the Financial Integrity Rating of Texas (FIRST) Report during the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Livingston Independent School District Monday.
“Livingston has received a superior rating every year since its inception (of the Financial Integrity Rating of Texas), which is about two decades,” Dear added.
Administrative updates were provided by the superintendent and the athletic director.
“We’re coming to the close of a successful fall semester,” Superintendent Dr. Jeff Pack said.
Reviewing some of the goals he set upon arrival to the district – improving academics and growth; college, career and military-readiness; safety and security; transparent communication and community engagement; and financial stewardship – he said, “We’re on our way to be the best district in Texas.”
“The fall semester has flown by and a lot of good things are happening,” Athletic Director Tucker Carter said, adding that there were three post-season appearances, 16 academic awards, 25 district awards and one regional qualifier.
Carter said there were a total of 95 awards presented at the fall sports awards night. These included seven team awards and seven academic awards in team tennis; 11 team awards in cross country; 16 team awards, five academic awards and 12 district awards in volleyball; and 20 team awards, four academic awards and 13 district awards in football.
“Right now, we’re getting into the thick of basketball and soccer is kicking off right now,” Carter said.
Livingston High School was spotlighted during the student and staff recognition portion of the meeting. Principal Justin Turbeville recognized Student Council Sponsor Aaron Kerss and five student council students who conducted an exercise to get everyone energized and then reported on their various activities throughout the school year, including fish camp, Homecoming, hosting a leadership conference called small schools conference, state conference and leadership experience.
Turbeville then introduced Chef Cayla Young who teaches third and fourth year culinary students, and Chef William Schmidt who teaches intro to culinary 1 and food science. They introduced three of their culinary students who reported that the culinary arts department completed 36 caterings since August; provided pre- and post-game meals for the football team; is now providing meals for boys soccer; has 98% of the culinary students certified as food handlers; and hosted a fall leadership workshop.
The board approved a resolution regarding the designation of non-school business days in regard to open records requests, which must be fulfilled within 10 business days.
The addition of the CTE innovative course Sports and Entertainment Marketing II was approved. The district already offers Sport and Entertainment Marketing I and this is the next course in the series.
The board approved the updated vendor list and also approved a three-year contract with Skyward, a school administration software company.
Following an executive session, the board approved two professional contracts for teachers.
The consent agenda, which included minutes of the previous board meetings, the financial statement report, personal property donations, FDA (Local) and overnight trips, was also approved.
