Lewisville ISD trustees approve personnel moves, settle two special-education matters and cancel high-school stadium lighting awards; all votes unanimous

The Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees, meeting April 21, unanimously approved a series of personnel, legal and operational actions, including the appointment of a new chief of elementary schools and authorization for administration to finalize two special-education settlements discussed in closed session.

After convening in closed session under Texas Government Code provisions, the board returned to open session and moved through consent and action items. President Jenny Proznick called for votes on items discussed during executive session; all recorded board votes were 7'0yes, 0'no.

Appointments and settlements Stephanie Lawson was approved as chief of elementary schools after a motion by Miss Akhiteb; the chair announced the vote as unanimous. The board then authorized the superintendent to finalize resolutions and sign agreements for two pending special-education matters after motions by Catherine Sells (Special Education Matter No. 1) and Doctor Stacy Barker (Special Education Matter No. 2). Both votes were recorded as unanimous, 7'0'0''.

Contracts and construction The board approved administration's recommendation to cancel the previously awarded competitive sealed proposal (CSP) for a high school stadium lighting replacement and to re-issue the procurement; Ms. Sales moved the cancellation and the motion passed 7'0'''. The board also cancelled the 2024 bond first-sale architect selection for the same project after a motion by Miss Taylor; that motion passed unanimously.

Employee transition and personnel policy Trustees adopted a pay resolution to compensate affected retiring campus personnel and certain receiving campus personnel two additional days to support transitions. Doctor Stacy Barker moved the pay resolution; Doctor Buddy Bonner seconded and the motion passed 7'0'''. Later the board approved a summer-hours schedule for district offices (Mondays'Thursdays, 8 a.m.'5 p.m., closed Fridays in June and July) on a motion by Doctor Buddy Bonner and second by Miss Taylor (7'0''').

Safety and grievance The board authorized the hiring of safety and security personnel positions and authorized those positions to carry a weapon after a motion by Miss LeSom and a second by Ms. LaSalle; the vote was 7'0'''. Following a closed-session hearing of a parent grievance appeal, the board voted to "take no action on the level 2 parent grievance and instead instruct administration to review the level 2 decision and grant any requests for relief available in accordance with law"; Doctor Stacy Barker moved that action and Miss Catherine Sells seconded. The motion carried, 7'0'''.

Procurement and finance highlights During the meeting the board also heard the monthly financial report. Finance staff reported general fund revenues collected through February total about 87% of the year's revenue with expenditures tracking at roughly 48% of budget. The child nutrition fund showed a current surplus of about $2,300,000; the district made debt service payments of about $43,000,000 in February. On bond projects, most 2017 bond projects are complete with roughly 3% of that budget remaining, and 25% of the 2023 bond budget had been spent or encumbered at the time of the report. The district reported an average investment yield of 4.5% for February.

Technology and recognitions The board received a technology report with district teacher device age now averaging 2 years and 11 months after a device refresh project. Staff noted about 94% of bandwidth usage was for educational purposes in February. The meeting opened with student spotlights and recognitions: Highland Village Elementary fifth-graders led pledges; Lewisville ISD recognized three state'ranked UIL wrestlers and numerous elementary and secondary schools that received CREST counseling awards.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes) - Approve Stephanie Lawson as chief of elementary schools; mover: Miss Akhiteb; second: not specified; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Authorize superintendent to finalize resolution for Special Education Matter No. 1; mover: Catherine Sells; second: Doctor Stacy Barker; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Authorize superintendent to finalize resolution for Special Education Matter No. 2; mover: Doctor Stacy Barker; second: Miss LaSalle; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Cancel previously awarded CSP for high school stadium lighting replacement and reissue RFP; mover: Ms. Sales; second: Miss Taylor; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Cancel previously awarded architect selection for high school stadium lighting replacement; mover: Miss Taylor; second: Doctor Stacy Barker; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Adopt pay resolution to compensate affected retiring campus personnel two additional days; mover: Doctor Stacy Barker; second: Doctor Buddy Bonner; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Approve and adopt district summer hours (week of May 26 start; June'July schedule); mover: Doctor Buddy Bonner; second: Miss Taylor; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Approve hiring of safety and security personnel positions and authorize positions to carry a weapon; mover: Miss LeSom; second: Ms. LaSalle; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''. - Parent grievance appeal (Level 2): board took no immediate action and directed administration to review the Level 2 decision and grant any relief permitted by law; mover: Doctor Stacy Barker; second: Catherine Sells; outcome: approved, vote 7'0'''.

The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.