Enrollment Drop at LGISD Could Lead to ‘Staff Adjustments’ If Trend Continues
Here are highlights from Monday’s monthly La Grange School Board Meeting: Enrollment & Attendance Report Superintendent Andy McHazlett gave a year-end report to the board. Here are some key points from that report: • District ended year with an average attendance rate of 94.96%.
• Elementary had the highest average attendance at 95.25%; high school at 94.65%.
• Enrollment finished at 1,837, down from 1,904 last year.
• Declining enrollment may lead to staff adjustments if this trend continues.
Personnel
Two teachers were added to the staff at Monday night’s meeting. Ashley Bishop - high school teacher (lead FFA); and Kristy Finley - elementary school teacher.
Six teachers have resigned. Jennifer Berger - elementary school teacher (2nd grade); Kelsey Bohuslav - high school teacher (ag); Brooke Bradley high school teacher (business/ coach); Amber Dooley - elementary school teacher (1st grade); Brittany Oruonyehu - high school teacher/coach; and Robert Young - high school coach.
Paraprofessional hires include: Keith Cripps - middle school educational aide and Shannon Cruz - SPED office educational aide.
Paraprofessional transfers include: Christina Boyd - transfer from bus operator to year round bus operator; Reyna Morin - transfer from high school educational aide to elementary school educational aide; and XC Proch - transfer from elementary school educational aide to high school educational aide (18+).
Paraprofessional resignations include Megan Repka elementary school educational aide and James Ybarra - middle school educational aide.
Mentor Program Update Assistant Superintendent Stacy Eilers report on the Green Door Mentor program. Some highlight of that presentation were: • The program grew from 10 mentors last year to 14 this year.
• The mentors meet students for at least 30 minutes weekly.
• The challenges include communication, matching interests, and scheduling around student activities.
Eilers said, “We are excited because the students are excited. Some students are asking to continue to meet with their mentors over the summer. Some students are requesting the same mentor again. They are building relationships.” School Safety and Transportation Report
Director of Operations Sharon Muzny happily reported that the new bus has been delivered. She also told the board that the exterior door hardware had all been replaced at the high school building.
Athletics & Extracurriculars
Athletic Director Kyle Cooper gave an update on all sports from tennis to summer camps and special events.
He noted the many successes including regional qualifications in various sports.
He told the board of the large numbers of students participation in summer athletic and enrichment programs.
He also mentioned the Night of Champions event scheduled for Sept. 12, celebrating the State Championship Football Teams (1975 and 2000).
Financial and Operational Decisions Below is a list of the multiple business items that the board discussed and approved at Monday night’s meeting.
•Approved budget amendments: shifting funds between instructional and professional development functions.
• Set public hearing for FY26 budget and tax rate on August 18.
• Decreased adult meal prices to $3.10 (breakfast) and $4.75 (lunch) for 2025-26 to encourage staff participation.
• Approved alternative attendance procedures for 18+ special education students for scheduling flexibility.
• Renewed agreement with the city for two school resource officers.
• Opted to decline non-enrolled (including homeschool) student participation in UIL extracurriculars for 2025-26.
• Approved use of maintenance tax note funds (up to $32,202) for urgent fire sprinkler repairs at elementary and middle schools.