LONGVIEW, Texas — The Longview Independent School District Board of Trustees approved bond projects, a lower property tax rate, and a balanced district budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year during their regular meeting Monday, Aug. 26.
Dr. Wayne Guidry, LISD Assistant Superintendent of Finance, said the district is projecting a balanced General Operating budget of $99,082,160, a Debt Service of $38,930,800, and a Food Service Budget of $7,046429. This total brings the official budget to $145,059,389.
"The budget includes 4 percent staff raises, including for contracted custodial staff, and increases starting pay to $53,820 for teachers, nurses, and librarians," he said.
Dr. Guidry noted that the Debt Service fund shows a planned use of $5,585,000 from its fund balance.
"This is not a reactive measure, but a deliberate strategy to ensure the district's long-term financial health," he explained. "By proactively paying down debt, we're reducing future interest obligations, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars over the long term."
Longview ISD's 2024-25 budget includes payments on 2024 Bonds as well as existing debt. While many districts are forced to use their fund balances to cover unexpected shortfalls, Dr. Guidry clarified that Longview ISD is not in this position.
"We are strategically deploying the fund balance to maximize our resources for educational outcomes rather than having them siphoned off by debt service in the future," he added.
The new total tax rate of $1.1399 per $100 valuation represents a decrease of $0.0023 from the 2023-24 rate of $1.1422. This continues a trend of tax rate reductions since 2019, when the rate was $1.4430. The maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate is set at $0.6569, while the interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate is $0.4830.
Dr. Guidry reminded trustees that while the district has consistently reduced the property tax rate in recent years, the amount of property taxes collected may increase due to rising property values, which are determined by the county appraisal district.
"Regardless of the lower tax rate, the district projects increased property tax revenue due to a 3.8 percent rise in taxable property values," he said. "The average taxable homestead value increased 16.8 percent to $136,955 from $117,213 last year.
Dr. Guidry said the district has been cutting the tax rate in recent years, after keeping the same rate stable for nearly a decade.
"The board maintained the same tax rate of $1.5130 from 2010 until 2019 — when the district reduced the rate to $1.4430 — and we've continued to reduce it each year since," he said.
Later, the board approved the selection of architectural firms for two crucial bond projects.
After an extensive process that included interviewing nine firms, the district selected The DLR Group for the natatorium project and the GFF Design Group for the early childhood center and new transportation facility.
Dr. Guidry said the selection committee, comprising four members with over 100 years of combined experience in school business and maintenance, evaluated the firms and recommended these choices.
Trustees then approved the project delivery method for the 2024 bond program.
Dr. Guidry said Longview ISD will use various procurement methods as outlined in Texas Government Code Chapter 2269.
"These methods include construction manager-at-risk, job order contracting, competitive sealed proposals, and design-build," he said. "This multi-method approach was chosen to ensure the best value and efficiency for the district, given the complexity of the projects involved."
Board members also approved the location of the new natatorium to be on the Longview High School campus. The vote was split 4-to-2, with one abstention.
Dr. Guidry said finalizing the location marks a significant step forward in the development of this facility, which will be a key component of the district's broader infrastructure improvements.
"Now having these items approved is crucial as we move forward with our plans to enhance educational facilities and services for our students and staff," he said.
Trustees later approved an amendment to the existing agreement with East Texas Advanced Academies (ETAA to sublease a portion of Ware Elementary School to the Longview Child Development Center (LCDC), a state-regulated non-profit organization providing early childhood care to the local community.
Dr. Brian Ziemer, CEO of East Texas Advanced Academies, explained that after LCDC lost its long-standing lease arrangement, it urgently needed a new location.
"We were tasked with finding a suitable space, and after thorough consideration, the unused hall at Ware Elementary emerged as a viable option," he said.
Dr. Ziemer said that under the terms of the agreement, LCDC will operate independently within the designated space, with its staff subject to LISD/ETAA regulations.
"We've ensured that the sublease includes provisions for safety, security, and compliance with LISD's Threat Annex protocols," he said. "Our goal is to maintain a safe environment while providing essential early childhood services to the community."
The sublease is set at a below-market value rate, a decision justified by the non-commercial nature of the space and the public service provided by LCDC.
"We believe this arrangement serves a public purpose and offers a return benefit to the school district, as outlined under Texas Constitution Article III, section 52(a)," said Dr. Ziemer.
The board also decided to move forward with the Clean Bus Grant Projects under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program.
Mrs. Loretta Thompson-Martin, Director of Grant Writing, explained to trustees that the plan is a significant step in the district's ongoing efforts to upgrade fleet services to provide substantial long-term benefits.
"This program is not just about reducing emissions; it's about safeguarding our students' health and improving their academic experience by providing a quieter, cleaner mode of transportation," she said.
Longview ISD has been awarded $7.4 million to procure 20 electric buses, with additional tax credits potentially adding up to $350,000.
Mrs. Thompson-Martin said this funding, which covers both the buses and necessary infrastructure, was secured through competitive applications in the EPA's program.
"These grants allow us to invest in our fleet without straining our budget, leading to long-term savings that can be redirected towards essential areas like student instruction and teacher salaries," she said.
Mrs. Thompson-Martin said the total cost of ownership for these buses is expected to save the district approximately $2.4 million over the next decade, thanks to lower fuel and maintenance costs.
"We are positioning ourselves not only as a leader in sustainability but also as prudent stewards of our community's financial resources," she said. "We will be working closely with vendors who specialize in electrification to ensure a smooth implementation, from site design to ongoing operations."
During the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Marla Sheppard provided an update on the bond program manager contract process. Following the delegation of authority by the Board on July 15, Dr. Sheppard was tasked with negotiating contract terms to secure fair and reasonable pricing for services related to the district's bond program.
In her report, Dr. Sheppard announced the selection of Procedeo as the project managers for the new structures funded by the bond program, as well as E4 as managers for the renovations to Longview High School and its athletic facilities. She emphasized that the decision was driven by the firm's proven track record and ability to deliver on key project milestones efficiently.
Dr. Sheppard further elaborated on the creation of new positions aimed at managing the bond projects, noting that these roles are essential for enhancing the efficiency, communication, and logistical coordination of the ongoing and upcoming projects. Specific attention was given to the plans to install security fencing around Longview High School, which she described as a top priority for ensuring student safety.
Transitioning to her 100-day plan, Dr. Sheppard reflected on the extensive outreach efforts she has undertaken since assuming her role. This included her visiting every single LISD campus, riding a bus with students on the first day of school, participating in a recent city council meeting, and the two "Listening & Learning" public meetings she hosted at district campuses.
"It's all part of my desire to 'embrace the all' in Longview ISD by putting myself out there with and for our community," she added.
Dr. Sheppard then invited Mrs. Latitia Wilson and Mrs. Tracey Fernandez, LISD Coordinators of Data-Driven Leadership, to present a detailed report on the 2024 State Accountability data.
They began by addressing the temporary restraining order issued by a Travis County district judge on Aug. 12, which halted the Texas Education Agency (TEA) from releasing the 2024 A-F Accountability Ratings.
Despite this, Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Fernandez highlighted the fact that component scores and student listings were still made available, albeit without scaled scores or letter grades.
The presentation focused on the spring 2024 STAAR assessment results and the projected accountability data, with a particular emphasis on the three domains: student achievement, school progress (academic growth and relative performance), and closing the gaps.
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Fernandez explained that this data-driven approach would continue to guide the district's efforts in enhancing educational outcomes.
