Fitzpatrick Departs, Harbers Joins LGISD School Board
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La Grange superintendent Andy McHazlett, left, presents outgoing school board member Dr. Marc Fitzpatrick, right, with his name plate that marked his seat in the board room. Monday was Fitzpatrick’s last meeting. Photo by Jeff Wick -
La Grange superintendent secretary Tina Huenefeld, right, administers the oath of office to new board member Curt Harbers, left, and returning board president Gary Drab, center, Monday. Photos by Jeff Wick -
The school’s new Maintenance Supervisor Karl Keilbach was also introduced to the board Monday.
Monday’s monthly meeting of the La Grange school board had a changing-of-theguard vibe to it.
Longtime school board member Dr. Marc Fitzpatrick gave his farewell speech in his last meeting on the board after a decade of service.
New board member Curt Harbers (who ran unopposed for Fitzpatrick’s spot) was sworn in, along with returning board president Gary Drab.
The school’s new Maintenance Supervisor Karl Keilbach was also introduced to the board. He comes to the district after 13 years in maintenance at the University of Houston campus and replaces Mike Newton, who left for another job. Keilbach and his wife are moving to southern Fayette County, onto land that has been in the family for generations.
Other highlights of the meeting included:
• Fitzpatrick gave a touching farewell speech before departing the meeting.
“My fondests memories are working on the facility review committees. Looking at what are our needs, and being part of the success of building the elementary school,” Fitzpatrick said. “Leopard spirit prevails in my heart whether or not I’m serving on the board. I’m going to continue to hang my La Grange Leopard flag in my backyard. Purple and gold blood prevails in my heart. I loved every second of being a trustee. What an honor to serve in your hometown. What I learned the last 10 years of serving on the board, is to listen. People want to be heard. Curt, as you start your time here on the board, listening really matters. They have real concerns. And the other thing I’ve learned is to have a team mindset. We don’t get paid, we’re here to serve the kiddos.”
• Drab was re-nominated as board president. Dr. Karen Roberts was selected as the board vice president and Mary Gunn as the board secretary.
• Graduation has been set at LGISD for May 25 at 8 p.m. at Leopard Stadium (weather permitting)
• Assistant Superintendent Stacy Eilers informed the board that the school’s new Head Start preschool program was completely full this year, and was expected to be so again next year.
• Superintendent Andy McHazlett informed the board that three different times this year LGISD campuses were subjected to intruder safety audits by the state, and all three times the school successfully “defended” the campus against the intrusion.
• The board approved decreasing the number of work days non-teaching staff members have to work each year by four days as a form of recruitment for employees. A similar decrease of four work days for teachers was passed by the board earlier this year. Those extra vacation days would primarily be accessed during the summer.
• The firm of Heinfeld Meech from San Antonio was hired to conduct audit services for the district for the 2023 fiscal year at an expense of $26,500.
• Several personnel changes were announced:
New Hires/Role Changes Tenille Adamcik (Elementary Gifted/Talented) Angela Griffin (5th grade reading)
Trent Collier (Basketball Coach/High School History) Marlene Ramirez (1st Grade Language Arts)) Chance Willard (Coach/ High School Ed) Sheridan Willard (High School Special Ed)
Resignations
Kristina Buro (4th Grade Math) Caleb Carlile (High School Science) Jaimie Gilbreath (Elementary Special Ed) Dawn Givan (Elementary Asst. Principal) Stephanie Kates (Elementary Gifted/Talented) Kara Koether (6th Grade Language Arts) Tyler Macha (High School Science) Jaclyn Meng (6th Grade Math) Jason Meng (High School Coach/History) Scottson White (High School Math) Laurie Kensicki (Middle School Aide)