Monday’s regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Livingston Independent School District opened with a vocal performance by Cameron Ivory, an LHS freshman who recently qualified for the Texas All-State Choir, only the second freshman in LISD history to achieve the prestigious honor. Ivory’s moving performance was met with rousing applause, leaving several in the room speechless.
“So just as a reminder, that is why we are here,” LISD Interim Superintendent Janan Moore said.
With January being School Board Appreciation Month, board members were feted with handmade gifts and cards from students and faculty at every campus.
Moore also expressed her appreciation to the board. “No one knows what’s happening until you sit in these chairs. It’s not an easy job, but we appreciate you very much.”
A resolution giving clarity regarding the designation of nonbusiness days for the Texas Public Information Act was approved, as was an email address whereby the public may submit public information requests. In addition to Saturdays, Sundays, national and state holidays, and the Friday before or Monday following a national or state holiday on Saturday or Sunday observed on the Friday or Monday, other designated nonbusiness days are Feb. 10, March 31, April 1, July 1, July 2, Oct. 14, Oct. 15, Nov. 28, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. “We are adding to what’s currently in place,” Moore said.
Updates on several items were presented during her administrative report.
Regarding the Schneider Electric Energy Services contract, she said the district is working with First National Bank which is working with First State Bank on the previously approved loan and that the loan documents and paperwork should be completed in three weeks. Through this project, the district will update the building automation system at the high school and Creekside Elementary campuses. Also included in the project is the replacement of approximately 9,000 LED fixtures at Creekside, Cedar Grove, LHS, Timber Creek, LJH, Pine Ridge, DAEP, the administration building, the distribution warehouse, and the baseball/softball complex. The project comes at a price of $4,003,321.
“There’s lots of stuff in the media about immigration. We have protocols for when law enforcement comes to campus and we will stick with our protocols that are already in place,” Moore said.
Mentioning the need for “Team of Eight” training for the board and herself, she said she will get with the representatives of the Region VI Education Service Center and Texas Association of School Boards to schedule.
Moore reported that Workforce Solutions came and visited with Personnel Director Ben Wilroy last week and that they offer a lot of services that the district has not previously utilized, but will try to in the future, specifically when it comes to paraprofessionals and bus drivers.
Regarding transportation, Moore said the district is presently five drives short, but that three have completed training and are in the process of getting their licenses.
Moore reported that there were already enough minutes built into the schedule that the students will not be required to make up the two snow days that were missed Jan. 21-22.
She said it is time to begin development of the 2025-2026 school calendar but that it will work through the district advisory committee first. Additionally, she reported the February board meeting will be moved from the 17th to the 24th.
As for Texas Association of School Boards Update 124, Moore said, “We will work on this with Student Services Director Lana Smith.”
Although the board entered into an executive session in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, no action was taken upon return to open session.
The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes from previous board meetings, the financial statement and payment of bills, overnight trips and purchases over $50,000, as well as consideration of cooperative memberships and participation fees.
The Creekside Elementary School Student Council Leadership Team lead the pledges at the beginning of the meeting.
