Latexo ISD Receives Update on Fall Fest

Election Results Briefly Addressed

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

LATEXO – During a meeting of the Latexo Independent School District Board of Trustees held on Thursday, Nov.1, LISD Superintendent Dr. Stacy Easterly provided a recap of the recently held Fall Fest celebration and the results of the Nov. 7 election.

As the meeting got underway, the first item addressed concerned Fall Fest.

“The total for the Fall Festival booths was $4,113. The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) made $1,138.50. The classes made $2,974.50. On the Fall Festival auction, the total for that was $1,888.  The PTO’s percentage of that was $544.75 and the classes in total made $1343.25,” the superintendent said.

“The booths did well,” Easterly continued. “The auction – we feel it might need to go back to a live auction next year to generate more money. However, this format does create an opportunity where everyone can afford to put tickets in and win something. Otherwise, it was a success and the kids had a great time.”

Before the meeting continued, Easterly added, “We just want to thank our PTO for creating another successful Fall Fest for us.”

Following the approval of several agenda items, Athletic Director Ray Stanfield addressed the board about the district’s athletic drug screening program.

He informed the trustees several changes had been made to the policy and further indicated the consequences of a positive urinalysis had been revised.

“A first offense will be for 20 school days, a second offense will be for 30 school days and a third offense will be for a calendar year. Those were the main changes that were made,” he said.

Once the AD concluded, board member Kelly Nicol questioned the possibility of testing UIL academic participants.

A brief discussion of the matter was held but no action was taken.

As the meeting continued, the results of the Nov. 7 election were addressed by the LISD superintendent.

“The TRE (tax ratification election) did not pass,” Easterly said. “I have stated our community is focused. Latexo ISD will carry on and we will do for our students as we normally always do which is to do the very best we can and provide the very best education in Houston County. I think we do and I think we have the very best teachers in Houston County. We will pick up and carry on and move forward.”

Board member Chris Morris asked the superintendent if the district would pursue a recount.

“We can’t talk about that,” Easterly said.

The TRE was defeated by a count of 151 votes in favor of the proposition and 168 votes against the proposition.

After the meeting, Easterly was asked why the matter could not be discussed. She explained the matter was not on the agenda and a board discussion was not allowed under state statute.

In other matters brought before the board:

• Campus Improvement Plans for the high school and elementary were approved.
• The District Improvement Plan was approved by the board.
• The date of the Jan. 2018 board meeting was changed to Jan. 18 while the Feb. 2018 board meeting date was changed to Feb. 15.
• A resolution with Grapeland State Bank was postponed for future consideration.
• The transfer and application process for students was approved.
• A review of FM (local) policy was ratified by a vote of 4-1.
• Consent Agenda items were approved.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].