School Attendance Slashed by Sickness
150 Out Monday at La Grange Elementary
The La Grange school board held their monthly meeting Monday.
Superintendent Andy McHazlett told the board that seasonal sicknesses are taking their toll on the student body. There were 150 students absent from La Grange Elementary on Monday, Nov. 13. He said the custodial crew will do a deep cleaning of the school buildings while the students are out for Thanksgiving break next week. The current average daily attendance is 1,800.
He reported that the current enrollment is 1,926. Broken down that is 1,004 students at the elementary campus, 310 at the middle school campus, and 612 at the high school campus. He also Assistant superintendent Stacy Eilers told the board that there have been numerous positive comments about the Veterans’ Day program. Some said they were in tears after it was over.
Director of Operations Sharon Muzny reported that the district has received a safety and facilities enhancement grant in the amount of $740,868. Muzny said, “We are very pleased and pleasantly surprised by the amount of this award.” She continued by telling the board that they have not been told what they can spend the grant on yet but are asking for clarification. What is known is that the money is allotted for instructional facilities only.
Instructional Materials Committee La Grange ISD will be adopting K-12 Science materials and designated CTE courses in the spring for the 2024-25 school year. The adoption for each subject occurs approximately every eight years. The board approved the committee members at Monday night’s meeting. The voting members of the committee are: Amanda Arlund (high school science chair), Amy Fritz (middle school science chair), Martin Smith (elementary science 4-6) Maddison Stafford (elementary science K-3) Tara Bennett (instructional technology), Katey Crowley (instructional coach), Karissa Kleiber (instructional coach), Angie Eichler (Instructional coach PreK-6), and Kamdyn Dandignac (CTE teacher). The administrators (nonvoting) members of the committee are Stacy Eilers, Tracy Head, Nicole Ramirez, Nathan Truex, Dr. John Pineda, Dr. Sarah Otto, and Dr. Regina Walker.
Fayette County Appraisal District Board of Directors The appraisal district board of directors serve twoyear terms. La Grange ISD has three representatives as the taxing entity with the largest taxable value in the county. LGISD representatives currently serving on the board are Dudley Piland, Evelyn Grant, and Glen Altwein. Dudley Piland’s term is up for consideration for the next two-year term which runs from January 1, 2024-December 31, 2025. La Grange ISD is going to exercise the option of taking letters of interest from local citizens for appointment to this board. If someone is interested in serving on this board, he/she should contact the administration office before the next school board meeting which will take place on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the administration office.
New Food Equipment
La Grange ISD currently has out of date equipment at the high school cafeteria. LGISD was the recipient of the 2022 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant. The child nutrition department will be able to purchase an open display merchandise, a rational combi oven, a convection oven, a Hobart food processor, a milk cooler, and a hot water dispenser with the grant funds.
Personnel
Hannah Gerecke is now the middle school leadership/ coach teacher. Reagan Grabarkewitz has been hired as a middle school educational aide. Elizabeth Torres has been hired as an afterschool care counselor.
The following resignations were received: James “Kevin” Cash – general maintenance worker, Lorena Noriega – K6 cafeteria worker, Sarah Oviedo – elementary educational aide, and Kathryn Stephens – afterschool care counselor.