The Littlefield Independent School District Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, Nov. 15 th , in the Board Room of the Jerry Blakely Administration Building to discuss the business of the school district.
The Invocation was given by Adrian Solis and the meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Board President Broadhurst.
During Public Forum Gary Ozbirn addressed the board about the Guardian Program.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by general consent.
Primary Principal Staci Sumners started off the administrative report with an update for her campus, stating that they have a total enrollment of 309 students, which includes 57 Pre-K students, 96 kindergarten students, 79 first graders and 74 second graders. We also have three three-year olds.
“In October, we conducted a huge family night, not only for our kids, but for our community, and it was a huge success. We packed the Ag Barn,” Sumners said. “Second graders performed at the Veteran’s program at the high school on Nov. 11 th and did a great job singing and representing Primary. Mrs. Meredith was phenomenal in getting that together and teaching our kids the songs.”
She added, “We decided we would outdo October, so we’re going to host a Family Christmas Night on Mon. Dec. 13 th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. We will have some fun stations around the campus, including a Mr. and Mrs. Clause that families can take pictures with, among other things. All grade levels had a positive trend in the skill growth for both reading and math. We are very pleased with where we are heading with that.”
Elementary Principal Tom Whistler was absent from the meeting, but sent some notes to Superintendent Mike Read, stating that their enrollment at elementary was 280 total students.
UIL placed third overall at Friona last week. The third grade Christmas program is coming up with the date TBA.
Junior High Assistant Principal Monica Acevedo gave an update on the junior high stating that they have 103 sixth graders, 89 seventh graders and 101 eighth graders.
“Nov. 4 th some nurses from UMC came in and did the vape program. They gave us a great presentation on vaping and the effects that it has on individuals. The kids were very, very interested in it and were polite and they had lots of questions afterward. Nov. 8 th Jeremy Bates, a motivational speaker, put on a presentation for us, which included interactive music, and he talked about different challenges the kids see such as with vaping, bullying, and just trying to get them to focus on the positive things in life.”
She added, “Our third six weeks started on Nov. 8 th . Our students and staff have done a great job through the first two six weeks and we are continuing to work hard. We are done with football and volleyball and have started basketball. Congratulations to Mrs. M and Mrs. Cook and their honors band students on being selected to the Region 16 Middle School Honors All-Region Band. Students competed last week at Hale Center and did extremely well. Sophie Garcia was first chair clarinet, Matthew Rios was first chair tuba and Jordan Randal was first chair percussion. One-Act Play performed on the 9 th in Denver City and got second place. Ty Carr got best performer, while two members earned honorable mention, two got All-Star cast and one got outstanding crew.”
She also said that UIL will be in Muleshoe on Dec. 1 st .
High School Principal Amber Hays was also unable to make it to the school board meeting, but sent some notes to Supt. Read, stating that they have a total of 350 students at the high school, which includes 95 freshmen, 95 sophomores, 78 juniors and 82 seniors.
Supt. Read said for snapshot day the high school turned in 355. “High school students put together a great Veteran’s Day program and fed over 50 veterans and their spouses. The theater department recently performed their play Chemical Imbalance and did a great job. FFA competed in 10 leadership contests at district. Several contests placed third just missing advancing by one spot. The Band Christmas Concert is coming up on Dec. 9 th at 6 p.m. at Wildcat Gym.”
He added, “We will begin benchmark assessments and semester tests the week of Dec. 13 th through the 16 th . The Special Education department will start running the basketball concession stand in Dec. and the students are very excited about this.”
Supt. Read gave an update on athletics for Coach Thomas who is out sick.
Brett Southard gave an update on the special education department, saying, “For snapshot we had 141 students in special education and 271 students around the Coop in special education.”
The Board approved the Legal Services Agreement with the Underwood Law Firm for redistricting of the District’s single member districts after the 2020 federal census. The motion was made by Solis and seconded by Will Williams to approve the Legal Services Agreement with the Underwood Law Firm for redistricting of the District’s single member districts after the 2020 Federal Census. The motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was to consult with legal counsel to receive advice concerning compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding redistricting of single member districts. The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:26 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:12 p.m. The Board reviewed the 2020 Redistricting Report provided by Underwood Law Firm.
The motion was made by Solis and seconded by Pat Demel to approve the 2020 Redistricting Report as provided by Underwood Law Firm. The motion carried.
Next, the Board discussed appointing members of the District’s Redistricting Advisory Committee. The motion was made by Williams and seconded by Solis to approve the appointment of members of the District’s Redistricting Advisory Committee. The motion carried.
The Board then talked about Resolution Adopting Principles for use in the 2021 Redistricting Process. The motion was made by Johnny Castillo and seconded by Gary Birkelbach to approve the Resolution Adopting Principles for Use in the 2021 Redistricting Process. The motion carried.
The motion was made by Solis and seconded by Birkelbach to approve the Resolution Stating Guidelines for Persons Submitting Redistricting Plans and Comments. The motion carried.
Parkhill gave a presentation and the Board had a follow up discussion regarding the District Facility Master Plan options and possible costs. No action was necessary for this item.
The Board then discussed the Guardian Defender Program and the motion was made by Solis and seconded by Castillo to approve the Guardian Defender Program to be implemented in the 2022-2023 school year. The motion carried.
The motion was made by Birkelbach and seconded by Williams to approve the sale of Trust Properties as recommended by Supt. Read. The motion carried.
The Board went over the Title III Annual Evaluation and the motion was made by Solis and seconded by Demel to approve the Title III Annual Evaluation as presented by Supt. Read. The motion carried.
The motion was made by Castillo and seconded by Williams to approve the Lamb County Shared Services Arrangement Agreement as recommended by Supt. Read. The motion carried.
The Board went over the West Texas Food Service Cooperative Agreement and the motion to approve continued membership and participation in the West Texas Food Service Cooperation as recommended by Supt. Read was made by Solis and seconded by Williams. The motion carried.
The Board went over TASB