Latexo ISD School Board Meets, Sets Elections for Members
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
LATEXO – The Latexo Independent School District (LISD) board of trustees met for a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Jan. 12 in the Latexo Elementary School Library. The group celebrated “School Board Appreciation Month” with a dinner before the meeting. The Elementary School was chosen as the location to see the progress of the renovations done to the gym and recently completed.
Several letters from teachers were received thanking the board for their holiday bonuses and for the attention paid to the students and administrators in the district with one teacher writing how blessed she felt to be able to work for the district.
The board members were offered gifts of gratitude from LISD for their service, including Latexo Tiger tumblers and homemade cake pops. The board set their elections for positions one and two on the board for May 6, 2023. Potential candidates may declare their candidacy for the positions between January 18-February 17.
In other business, LISD Elementary School Principal Kathryn Jenkines updated the board on a surprise door audit from the state – these are now mandatory to make sure schools comply with Texas laws to keep schools safe. Jenkines said the school passed with no problems and received good feedback from the inspectors.
She also informed the board the school is working with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension to promote healthy choices amongst the children with a six-week course during their physical education classes.
Like too many parts of Houston County, Jenkines told the board of a small pipe burst in the Elementary during the Christmas break. She thanked her staff for the quick response, saying every teacher had come out and worked to minimize damage and get things ready for the return of the kids. LISD Superintendent Michael Woodard told the board the response to stop the leak came within an hour – but water can do so much damage so quickly. Luckily no sheetrock or infrastructure was damages, with some rugs and other minor furniture needing to be replaced.
Jenkines finished by noting the implementation of testing for kindergartners through second-graders to detect early reading problems while they can still be helped. She also promoted the Father-Daughter Dance set for February 9 at Bear Hall in Crockett.
LISD High School Principal Mack Dugat updated the board on the new gym at the high school, saying they had received positive feedback from both local and visiting teams and families. Dugat and the board discussed the fact that both ticket and concession sales were up, with people enjoying the new fare at the gym. Woodard also commented about the advertising in the gymnasium available to local businesses.
Dugat told the board about the upcoming homecoming celebrations with a pep rally set for January 19 at 3 p.m., homecoming game against Groveton January 20 at 5 p.m., homecoming parade January 21 at 9 a.m. with coronation set that evening at 5 p.m. in the old gym.
LISD Superintendent Woodard finished the meeting by reporting the district attendance – 495 students and announcing TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) will come for a review of district policies and procedures February 15, with a board meeting that night to discuss their recommendations.
Woodard called attention to Texas State Bill 354, a proposed law set to change how districts can restrict legal concealed gun owners on and near school premises. Presently, all Texas schools are officially “gun-free” zones where only certain law enforcement or authorized staff may carry a weapon.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
