LGISD Announces Summer School Schedule, Approves Personnel Changes
The La Grange school board talked about a lot more than just the four-day school week at their meeting last week.
Here’s a roundup: Public Comment
Becky Snyder addressed the board about her concerns on Texas Senate Bill 2 which is the bill that will use public funds for private. Some of her concerns are: funding that is needed for public schools is being withheld; that public schools have to follow state guidelines and private schools do not; that the Governor’s wife sits on the board of a private school; and that Elon Musk is opening a private school in Texas. She encouraged the board to contact the representatives and speak out against Texas Senate Bill 2.
Administrative Reports
Superintendent Andy McHazlett told the board that the district enrollment is currently 1,846 with 954 at the elementary campus, 307 at the middle school, and 585 at the high school. The largest class at the high school is 10th grade with 155; the middle school is 8th grade at 159; and the elementary is 4th grade with 141. The smallest class in the district is kindergarten with 106. The average daily attendance (ADA) for the district is 1,746 which 94.98% of the students.
There were only three people sign up to run for school board and all three are current board members. Elections will be canceled at the next board meeting.
Assistant superintendent Stacy Eilers reported on UIL updates. Elementary/Middle School UIL results show that La Grange got 1st place over all with 1,040 points. Giddings was right behind La Grange with 929, and Smithville was 3rd place with 590. Middle School One-Act Play got third place and some students won individual awards there. Sarita Kinsey and Maddox Wick were selected for All-Star Cast. Elliott Cone and Carolina Lara received honorable mention cast, and Blair Tousek was named on All-Star Crew.
At the CX Debate contest, the team of Camden Coltrain and Walker Finch received 2nd place and are qualifying for state in March. There will be more results at next month’s meeting.
Director of Operations Sharon Muzny told the board that there was a safety and security meeting recently. The project that is on the top of the list to update the intercom systems throughout the district.
Acquisition of New Library Materials A new list of library materials was presented at the board meeting. The board has until Friday, March 21 to notify the superintendent of concerns about the purchase of a book on this list, otherwise the books on this list will be purchased. Audit Services for Fiscal Year 2024-25 La Grange ISD used Neffendorf & Blocker, PC as the district’s external auditor the fiscal year 2023-24. The administration has been satisfied with the services. The board approved the engagement letter for audit services for the fiscal year 2024-25 by Neffendorf & Blocker, PC.
Resolution to Pay Employees During Emergency Closing The board approved the resolution declaring nonmakeup inclement weather days for all employees for the dates of Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 and Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
School Board Calendar for 2025-26 The board holds regular monthly meetings on the third Monday of each month. There are times when these dates need to be changed. The calendar is based on a proposed five-day school week calendar. Should the board decide to adopt a different school calendar at the March board meeting, there may be a need to revise the meeting schedule. The board approved the LGISD School Board Meeting and Workshop Schedule for 2025-26.
Summer School Program Schedule The board approved the summer school schedule that is listed below:
• General Education (2nd-5th grade) – May 28 – June 19 (Monday-Thursday)
• General Education (6th-8th grade) – May 28 – June 19 (Monday-Thursday)
• Camp Summit (K-2nd grade) – May 28 – June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
• Kinder Camp/1st Enrichment – May 28 – June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
• Bilingual/ESL (PreK) – May 28 – June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
• Special Education – TBD
• Credit Recovery (9th-12th grade) – May 27 – June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
• Camp Invention – June 9-13 Personnel
New hires for the district were: Shelley Stark - high school teacher, Marvin “Trey” Kelley – grounds maintenance worker, Kirstin Street – after school care counselor, Andrew Steinbach – maintenance helper.
Resignations include: Valorie Longshore – elementary teacher (kindergarten), Martin Smith – elementary school teacher (5th grade science), Karen Bellue – human resources clerk, Garit “Austin” Carrico – HS/MS food service worker, Aurora Trevino – bus operator (retire), Jason Vasut – HS/MS food service manager in training.