001All right, good evening. It is 7 p.m. The board of trustees of the Lefort Independent School District is now convened. I wish to extend a warm welcome to everyone present. Every student success is our number one priority. As Lefort Board of Trustees, we are here to set goals, adopt policy, approve budgets, contracts, personnel appointments, and communicate the district's vision and success to the community. It is not the role of the board to make day-to-day operational decisions. The management and day-to-day operations of the district are the responsibility of our superintendent. This is a public meeting of the board of trustees, not a meeting of the public. Schoolboard meetings are open to all who wish to attend and hear the matters discussed. Audience participation is limited to the patron presentation portion of the meeting. Board members may
002not respond to the public comment section. That these proceedings may be recorded and I respectfully ask that you please refrain from talking while others are speaking. Thank you again for your uh taking time this evening to join us and for your interest in the Lefort Independent School District. At this time, will you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> Joining us tonight on Texas Rifle Cadet Private Xavier Agri, Texas Flag Cadet First Lieutenant Lucy Thornberg, American Rifle Cadet Staff Sergeant Katie Dory, and American Flag Cadet Captain Kaye Bailey. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Now our Texas flag. Honor the
003flag. I aliance to thee Texas. One state under God. One and indivisible. Go bow your heads. Ready. See arms. Order center face. March time. March forward. March. >> Thank you again to our members of the JOTC. If you'll please remain standing, our invocation tonight led by Trustee Karen Wheeler Hall. >> Dear Lord, as we begin this new year in this new semester, we ask you for your blessings and guidance. We would like to say how grateful we are for the wonderful students, their families, our teachers, administrators, and staff. and and on this evening in particular, our superintendent, Dr. Walter Jackson. Lord, may this semester be a great one. May we be successful and have a wonderful year in your name. You may be seated. We'll go now to item uh five, recognition uh board appreciation.
004Ladies and gentlemen, uh first up in our recognitions, we want to welcome uh Beayshore Elementary's first grade under the direction of Miss Sarah Vargo. And as the students are making their way in, I just want to ask you guys when their performance has completed, uh, if you would please exit this door over here to prevent a bottleneck, uh, here. And, uh, greatly appreciate it. Spargo Brandon in the background. Good evening. I'm Sarah Vargo. This is Beij Elementary First grade and we're going to sing a song called Thank You. Uh we we have um rewritten some of the words to it, but you might recognize the melody. is for the time you get to. H is for your hands that help us through. A means always able and available. And is for the nuest things you
005do. A is for the kindness that you show us. You are always taking part. Put them all together. They say thank you. words that mean you give your heart. Okay. And just to conclude, I'm Miss Horak. I'm one of the first grade teachers at Beayshore. And just to conclude and to and to show our appreciation to our one and to say thank you for the ones that show their heart to for our school district and our community and we could not do our job without them. We have a little thing to show our appreciation to them. But let me go to Miss Vargo. Oh, if we could have the school board kind of come close. You >> did a great job. Good job. Wonderful. >> Awesome job. >> Here, give it to Mr. That's beautiful.
006>> A fingerprint. >> Yeah. >> Here we go. >> So cute. Such a good job. >> And with these pictures, every student at Beayshore has a hand in the painting. They have touched it in some way or another. Whether it be the tree trunk, >> whether it be the painting of the tree trunk, all the kids fingerprints are the leaves. Oh, they're so cute. >> Adorable. Thank you very much. >> Okay, y'all. Look at your mas and daddies. Get those pictures. >> Look at him right there. Ready? 1 this way. Let's go this way. Heat. Heat. I love you. I love you. She did what she said. I recognize you still Great. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, uh moving on in our recognitions. As you know by now, January is school board recognition month. And
007first I want to introduce you to Miss Gretchen Nolles who is representing Precinct 2 Commissioner Garcia's office. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. It's a pleasure to be here on behalf of Commissioner Garcia and it's always a good day when I see this wonderful set of people in in Leaport. You I I have no words sometimes because you're so stellar and every time I hear Dr. Jackson talk about uh the school and and and the success. It has to do with this group work working with everyone. And so I am it's an honor to be here on behalf of my boss and myself. So So with that being said, I've got some certificates for each one of you and I would like to I'm going to read the first one and this applies to everyone.
008So, it's a certificate of appreciation presented on the 13th day of January, 2026 to Leaport Independent School Board Trustees in recognition of your outstanding performance, dedicated commitment, and excellence to in service to the school board. Your hard work and leadership serves as an inspiration to others and reflect the highest standards of success and public service. Commissioner Adrien Garcia and residents of precinct 2 congratulate you for your accomplishments and thank you for your continued dedication to your community. >> Absolutely. >> Say that a lot. There he is. Thank you. This is sir the kid again. >> Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Gretchen. >> And trustees, >> if you would uh find a seat out in the audience, we have a little something for you. But uh just want to let everybody know that
009uh the theme for this year's schoolboard recognition month is our future is public. And that demonstrates how our local trustees continue to volunteer their time and expertise to guide the direction of Leaport ISD. And in doing so, they invest in the future workforce, our community, and our economy. Go ahead. >> Just want to say thank you Good job. >> Just want to say thank you to the board of trustees here in Port. We appreciate all the support that you give all of us. You truly are because kids and we truly thank you for everything you do every day for the students, the staff and the community. Happy board appreciation month. We appreciate you. Go Bulldogs. >> We appreciate you board so much. Because of your support and your backing, we have fantastic facilities in this
010district and we just want to thank you. >> Thank you board for all that you do for the district and ISD athletics. >> Hi there. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate our school board and our trustees. Everybody that is there for us for the district. We know that you have our best interest at heart and I really really appreciate you. >> Thank you so much board trustees for all that you do for Leaport ISD. We appreciate you. >> Hello school board. Thank you very much. We couldn't do what we do today if it weren't for your support and helping us get to the state marching man contest. Thank you. >> Thank you board for everything that you've done. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have all these beautiful new buses. John,
011school board president and board of trustees. Thank you for all the support that you do for our students, our parents and our community. We love you guys. Happy board appreciation month. We really do appreciate all that you do. Volunteer stuff really helps out this school. It helps out this district and it really helps out this community. And we just like to celebrate this month. So, you know, just appreciate all that you do for us in this district. Thank you very much, >> board. Thank you for all that you do. Happy board appreciation month. Enjoy. >> Hey, we want to send a shout out and thank you to our LPISD school board trustees. We appreciate all you do for our school, our community, our kids, and our athletic programs and especially our football program. Thank you
012for all you do. >> I just want to take a moment to wish the board a happy appreciation month on behalf of our students and our staff and our community. We couldn't do this without you. So, thanks for all you do. >> Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you do. Uh January is board recognition month and we are so grateful for your dedication and your support for our students and our staff. >> The port ISD school board on behalf of all the SRO's, thank you for your support and helping us keep our students and staff safe every single day. Happy board appreciation month. >> Thank you board for all that you do in support of us and our students here in Leaport ISD. We appreciate you. >> Hey LPISD school board. I just
013want to thank you for all you do for our schools and our community. The port is a great place to teach, lead, and learn, and that's because of you and all you do. So, thank you, board of trustees. You're worthy of being celebrated each and every day and every month, but especially for the month of January. We want to say thank you for your willingness to serve and to serve us daily and to serve us wholeheartedly. On behalf of everyone for ISD, we say thank you and God bless. Y'all come on back up here. We have some more recognitions. The Leaport Bulldogs water polo teams have come a long way over the past few years since the sport has become a UIL sanctioned activity. Going from zero wins just three seasons ago to sporting a
014district 106A runnerup and by area champions. The girls team this season grabbed 10 wins. That's the most in program history. and featured six all district members including two district superlatives. Another district superlative is coach Joey Stewart. For the success of his water polo teams, coach Stewart was named the 106A coach of the year. Nice. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> You're the star of the show. Congratulations. >> The Leaport Bulldogs football team in 2025 captured its third consecutive district championship and second straight undefeated season. 27 Bulldogs were named to the 115A all district team while 22 student athletes were named academic all district. We had quite a few academic all state as well. Leading the way was head coach Kevin Bernathy who was not only named as a touchdown club
015of Houston finalist for the 2025 coach of the year award but was named the 115A district coach of the year for the second straight time. Congratulations coach. >> Congratulations. Thank you. You know the drill. >> You should have this down. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Good evening. I'm Terry Kesner. I'm the part of education coordinator and we are very pleased to have two community partner recognitions tonight. We're going to start out with our friends at Brasam uh which is our business of the month. Uh Brasam is a partner in education high school where they have provided opportunities such as field trips for and technical education students to go out to the plant and learn about career opportunities from their employees. They've also hosted a lunch and learn session at the high school where they brought their team
016of employees in to talk to students and schools about careers. We're very grateful to this for all they do and the support that they give our school as a whole. An example is that most recently donation of $5,000 to support the career and technical education. >> Wow. AWESOME. And we have with us tonight Jeremy Holton who's manager at Grass Town and Louise Kale with >> Thank you so much. You're good. Our next recognition is our community partner, the Rotary Club of Lort. The Rotary Club of Leort is a longtime supporter of all things Leport ISD, as well as education in our community as a whole. Among the club's contributions are scholarships for Lord ISD graduating seniors this year which are total $20,000. Wow. Sponsorship of the Rotary District teacher awards which is $8,000 to each
017of our district and the purchase of student projects at Livestock auction. Um, in addition, the club featured student welding and agricultural mechanics projects at first draw auction donating the proceeds to program. club also serves as a partner in education with the James Her sixth grade camp and sponsors the early act club ISD campus campuses as well as the interact club members devote countless hours to helping with these programs for the 2025 school year the Rotary Club of has aotted more than $54,000 to activities benefit Lort and deeply app. >> Oh, also I'm sorry also gift card to Gateway Office of >> Yeshate. >> We have several Rotarians are here. Rick Helton is Thompson is the vice president is a membership engagement director and yellow is one of our most active MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEER. I'M TRYING
018TO help sweats, too. >> I don't even know y'all. >> Get in the middle. Well, that's so kind of you to imagine contributions. That's awesome, man. >> Thank you very much. That's mine. Sorry. I'll forget you. as uh we're getting situated. I'm going to go out of place a little bit here. I just want to say on behalf of the whole board, guys, every year this is one of those those meetings where it's humbling because we're so honored that you guys take so much time, energy, and effort to put things together. You have students draw. It's just amazing the the love that you guys show us. But the whole time we just feel like, man, it's it's it's it should be reversed, right? So, um, on behalf of our board, I'm sure they're going to
019say it again in a minute, too. But, but thank you guys for taking the time. It it just doesn't feel right that you guys are thanking us when you guys are the ones the boots on the ground every single day, the hands and feet of our district every single day. And so, if we don't say it enough, we are so very honored and appreciative that we get to serve with you guys. U, but we know you have uh you're doing the God's work in this district. So, we thank you for what you're doing every single day. We thank you for choosing uh that you became educators. We thank you that in this day and age that you continue to be educators and for choosing Leaport ISD. So again uh Dr. Jackson, we thank you for
020your leadership and for your we'll turn to uh item six, public comments. The board will now hear those who wish to make comments and who have completed and returned the public comment participation request. This section will be conducted in accordance with the Texas Open Meeting Act and board policy. Complaints and concerns for which other resolution channels are provided shall be directed through those channels. Mr. Vice President, do we have any speakers this evening? >> I believe the only one, just for the record, Gretchen uh Nolles with Commissioner Garcia's office did sign up, but she did her um presentation earlier. That's all I saw in the >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh no other speakers. We will turn to item seven and M report. Dr. Jackson, your superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Good evening,
021board members. We are about a week into the spring 26 uh semester and students and staff are already working hard toward success in all academic and focus areas. Musical season has arrived and our talented young thespians along with dedicated crew members, musicians, parents, and volunteers have spent countless hours bringing Fiddler on the Roof to life. Opening night is January 29th. Ticket information and the full performance schedule can be found in the homepage slideshow at lpisd.org. Congratulations to percussionist Isaiah Masias, a Leaport High School junior who was named to the TMEA Allstate Band this past weekend. Let's give that young man a hand. That's a really big deal to earn uh entrance into the All State band. He began his all-state journey months ago along with thousands and thousands of other young musicians from across the
022state. Also, congratulations are in order as well to Chad's captain Sienna Nan representing Leaport High School on the TDA allstate dance team this past weekend. Let's give her a hand as well. This is the time of year when many sports sports converge. We are in the midst of basketball season. Our girls and boys teams are making us very proud and they're playing right now. Both are playing Iowa Colony right now, including 14 straight wins by the Lady Dogs uh going on tonight. Congratulations to Coach Alicia Thompson with her 14 straight wins. Let's give it up for Coach Thompson. But our soccer programs are also lighting up the scoreboards and baseball and softball and swimming and track season and Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Oh my. Everything is happening in Leaport ISD at this time and we're
023very very excited about it and we strongly encourage everyone and and even our listening public to go out and come out and support these youngsters as they are working to per to perform and to represent Leaport ISD in many great ways. We celebrated the opening of Lommax Junior High's new competition gym on Monday with a brief ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony. It is a beautiful facility and I want to take this opportunity to once again publicly thank the board of trustees and the entire community for their vote of confidence and for the opportunity to bring forth this vision for our community for many many years to come. So, thank you and congratulations to Lommax Junior High on that new facility. Finally, January is board recognition month and on behalf of everyone in Leaport ISD, thank
024you for your steadfast commitment to our school district board. Because of you, we can honestly lay claim to being one of the best school districts in Texas, not only in the greater Houston area, but in the entire state. And I would even venture to go far enough to say even in the country, in the entire nation. So, thank you. Strong communities have strong school boards and we are certainly grateful for your leadership and for your stewardship. Thank you. And that shall conclude my comments for this evening. Thank you, Mr. P. >> Thank you, Dr. Jackson. We'll turn to our budget and finance update. Mrs. McDonald Okay, good evening Dr. Jackson, President Martin, board of trustees. So, tonight I will provide you with a business and finance update for the month of January. The topics that
025we're going to cover is how to build or our our calendar to build the fiscal year 2027 budget. We're in the middle of fiscal year 2026, but we um it takes about 6 months for us to begin the uh and build the the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. So, um we'll be walking through that. So, again, the budget that we are going to be building is based on assumptions and estimates um that will likely change when we asked the board to adopt the budget in June. we will um which is why we bring budget amendments to you throughout the year to to kind of bring us up to what the actuals are happening. Um and then also I wanted to give you uh kind of a a shout out to these two slash3 um
026departments and kind of give you the by the numbers and some brags. So for our child nutrition department and our accounts payable and purchasing department that are are we're kind of behind the scenes. I mean, the child nutrition is much more in front with, you know, day-to-day interactions with the kids. Um, but a lot of what they do is behind the scenes, and I just want to kind of provide that information for you. So, as we move forward here, so, um, here we are in January of 2026. And so, this whole month is all about me. and is creating um and calculating out what our campus and department allocations are going to be based on what our current year data is where we are so far and then also what are the needs that we
027know are going to be happening in the next uh next fiscal year and once we have those calculated and and I sit down and uh discuss it with Dr. Jackson. Then I send that out to all the departments um with their calculation and and uh with the instructions on how to then create their budget and enter it into our fiscal uh into our uh finance einance um software. And February is the month that I am available and willing and and and want to go out. So just all principles please you I'm ready. I'm let's let's go out. Let's go sit with everybody. If they need me, I'm happy to. When I first came here, that was something that I did. I went and met with each uh campus and and with those principles and we
028walk through um what their budgets, what everything means. Um and they do a great job. And so, but I'm always willing and able we'll schedule a meeting and we'll sit down and talk about it again because things change. And then it's once they feel comfortable with it, they'll go through and and allocate out their budget based on what their campus goals are, what their department goals are and needs. And then they'll actually enter it into our e finance system. In March, uh HR admin and then my department will start discussing enrollment trends and staffing needs. Actually, we're and what you're seeing on for these three months, some of these things are kind of happening at the same time. Um so we don't really wait till March to start doing about staffing needs. We're actually having
029a meeting this Friday about staffing needs for the upcoming year to um to get a head start and we look at enrollment daily. Um so that trend it's it's just something that we we always are looking at. Um then also for me I go through and kind of calculate out what revenue we think what possibly we might be getting. Again everything is up in the air. Um and then expenditures and fund balance projections. And also during the month of March is when the budget managers would have their budgets finalized and then they give it to their supervisors to review and approve and then it comes to me and then we know okay it is what it is. Then we move on to April. So in April is when I actually get we will receive every
030district receives their um certified uh estimates. Again, it's an estimate of the tax property value from the chief appraisers's office. We get that at the end of April. And uh we have scheduled April 28th. This is of course tenative for us to for the HR department and for myself to come and meet with y'all and kind of go over through our compensation book and and what our present out everything that we've done in the past and have a conversation with the board to see uh this is what we're thinking to go forward in the next fiscal year. In May, we will also have uh I have on May 26 is a tenative board workshop. Uh so we can go through the budget line by line and and answer any questions that y'all might have. These
031are a little later than we have had in the past. Um and inside we're going to ask that you adopt the the calendar um later on in in the meeting. But is if when you look at the calendar, you're going to see that our we're when we're asking you to adopt the budget in June, it's a little bit later in in in the month also. So, it kind of gives us a little bit more time. Um, but again, these are tentative dates and if these days don't work for the board, we're we're happy to we will be ready. Whatever date y'all need to meet with us by May 29th, I need to uh send it's it's a law that we we send a notice of of budget adoption and into a local newspaper. So that
032will happen in May and in June 23rd is when we actually have the the public hearing for the proposed budget and ask the board to adopt the fiscal year 27 budget. June 30th is our last day of the fiscal year and then July 1st we start that new 2027. It's that I can't believe we're in the like it's 2027 almost. It just turned 2026 and we're already talking about 2027. Um, before we move forward, is there any questions that I can answer on the budget calendar? Okay. So, as we move on, I just wanted to again, like I said, give a shout out to our child nutrition and give you, you know, fall semester's over. So, look at these numbers, guys. Um, this is just fall semester serving. So, thank you, Ralph, for providing all
033of this information. So 404,000 lunches were served, 184,000 breakfast and 6,000 afternoon snack after school snacks, all free to our students. 2,900 indist catered meals that our child nutrition department is amazing and uh with the leadership they that is provided for them. So what this equals out to is 2200 breakfast and 5,000 daily lunches that are going to our students free of charge. nuts. Those are babies that we're feeding. So, um I just I just think that's amazing. I'm just going to clap your hand because I I am a huge Mr. Wilkins fan. Um Right. So, I also wanted to add in here to a couple of things, highlight a few things that y'all um might not know. Our health, they did a health uh Harris County health inspection. So 13 kitchens that they went
034through with a fine tooth comb and we received a score of 99% with nine of our kitchens scoring a perfect score of 100. And this is also this includes the stadium concessions. So this first year of our stadium and that that was looked at, right? And so that's an amazing thing. Yes. Um >> they really took the ball. >> They did. And I'm telling you right now that our concessions would not have been successful without child nutrition and their team. So um that thank you again for that. Also this this something um that the child nutrition leadership team created I believe last year and they've you know of course enhanced it. So they provide a manager training to uh any employee that is it. You don't have to be a man cafeteria manager. It's any
035employee that is in the cafeteria um in the child nutrition department that it's a it's a monthly manager academy. We have 13 uh employees that signed up to go after work. They're they're it's not during their work hours. They're giving up their time to come and be a part of this academy where they learn leadership and technology and communications and kitchen management and quality control and just how to uh the culture and how important the culture is. Um and so they're truly building our future leaders and um I just again another reason why I am a Mr. Wilkins fan. So and his team his team is amazing. In fact for a living >> Stacey can I get that this is one of the the greatest programs I love that the kids get free lunch and
036breakfast every day. I kind of just just because curious or anything, but like Rob, do you know like that why there's a it's half the amount of breakfast as compared to lunch? Cuz I know like my kids at the elementary like we send home, they eat eat breakfast every day, but is it mainly like is it safe to say like the elementary kids are eat breakfast and maybe not as much in the junior high school >> they you know high school lunch starts at or 7:00 every day? It's tough. It's just early. >> A lot of parents it's easier to pack a breakfast meal than it is a lunch. So it's just I I pack my kids lunch even though they get free meals in a chest. It's not uncommon um with the buses and
037everything and just the timing in the morning. This is standard for the industry. >> I say industry for school districts. >> Yeah. >> I know a lot of hard work if you don't know that that went into getting the the paperwork, everything filled out so we can get this program in place. So, we thank you guys for that. >> Thank you. >> My pleasure, sir. >> And and while uh Ralph is up here, I just want you to do you see the Texas made all the food. This was his creation. It's a whole of course down there. So, I know a >> color blind guy, right? >> Yes. They did a great job. >> Great job. Yes. >> And and you got the recognition from the Department of Agriculture. I saw on social media for
038for the work of using locally sourced foods. >> They are excellent partners. We're a state leader in Texas foods. Um we serve on panels, all sorts of stuff. So they're they're keen to uh uh showcase our efforts. >> That's awesome. We should share this graphic on social >> I don't know, Ralph. We didn't get any pies this year, so we can keep praising you. >> Wow. >> I was I was busy. last year was amazing. >> He was making this photo. >> It's January. Nobody wants to eat our sweets in January. So, you know, I'll wait till February and everybody's off off the the healthy train. >> You'll get double pies in February. >> Just what we need. >> Thank you. Thanks for >> All right. >> Okay. So, moving on to our accounts payable
039department. So, um I want to let you know that our accounts payable department it received a accuracy rate of 99.99%. So this we um work with this company called dispersement review LLC. It's outside of our uh auditors. It's a completely separate company and they we give them our data of this is who we paid for this past fiscal year. They go and reach out to all these vendors and say okay give me your statements. Give me your did was there anything late d and they looked 99.99%. I mean, we were almost perfect, especially when you look, this is two two wonderful women in the department um paying. So, for this fisc year 2024, they paid $85.6 million out on 7,300 checks. So, two women did that >> all with all of that. And >> are
040they here? >> They are not here tonight, but um I told I showed them this this and told them I was going to be talking to about it. Um and I told them to listen. they can they can come in and you know listen on online but um they do a great job. So I also wanted to give you the numbers for fisc year 25 since we just ended. So I mean I'm sure you can understand why the amount 100 from 85 million to 180 million that's all construction we've been paying out. Um but also almost a thousand more checks written too. So, um that yeah, I'm really proud of of this team and so I just wanted to take the take the moment to let y'all know um that you know they make sure
041that everything is paid timely and accurate. And then we move on to our purchasing department. So, purchasing and accounts payable work hand in hand. Our purchasing department was awarded um the TASBO uh award merit of per award of merit for purchasing operations for 2026. This is our fifth consecutive year. um eighth time to receive the award and we received 177 of 188 points and the only thing we were marked off really on was we don't have a P card which I think you should get you should get yeah but we didn't get to score in that part so you know that's kind of why um a p a procurement card we don't do those yeah those are scary scary >> but yeah so Um, in our purchasing department, it's one and a half people. It's
042not in two cuz my secretary is a half of a purchasing clerk and then she's half of my secretary. Um, but those one and a half people are amazing. Um, and so last year almost 5,300 purchase orders created, 185 contracts signed and and sealed and delivered. We went through six bids and we have over 6,000 vendors. Um, so these are again, like I said, kind of the behind thescene groups, but I did want to share with you the wonderful things that are happening behind the scene because our goal is to be behind the scenes and let the teachers have what they need, have the campuses and departments have what they need so they can go and do what they need to do with our students to be as successful as possible. So, um, anyway, thank
043you very much. Is there anything that any questions that I can answer for you? No. Okay, thank you for recognizing your team. >> We absolutely do. >> We will now go to item C, portrait of a graduate. >> Good evening. Happy schoolboard appreciation month. We so appreciate you all. Good evening, President Martin, board, Dr. Jackson. Like Angie said, happy school board appreciation month. We um greatly appreciate your service and what you do each and every day. We are excited to bring to you the portrait of a graduate. This is the most updated version that we have. And we will begin with the purpose. So the purpose of creating the portrait of the graduate is to communicate a shared vision of skills, competencies, and character traits that our students need to succeed in college, in career,
044and life beyond their graduation. It's a guiding framework for strategic planning, teaching and learning, and student services. Most importantly, it's our commitment to our community that students are prepared for a future beyond graduation. It was originally created in 2012 and this was created with a Leaport ISD stakeholder group. It was a way to align the vision of the Leaport ISD community and it expressed the attributes of the district's high expectations and commitment to provide students with the pride, loyalty, academic and social accomplishment, citizenship, curiosity, and a lifelong desire to contribute back to the greater community. Okay. And I I want to share that in the spirit of when we considered updating the portrait of a graduate, we certainly wanted to continue the legacy of this document because a lot of thought and a lot of
045heart went into this in 2012. Lots of stakeholders were involved. Um and so we we want to make sure you know that as we think about 2012 and that that does maybe in my mind it doesn't seem like that long ago, but it was over 14 years ago. So we think about how the world has changed um since that time. So we wanted to honor that with our students and looking at what is what is required, what is needed for a skill set and for students to be prepared. And so I want to make sure you know that the spirit of that document is still exists in this. We just wanted to make sure we we gave it some updates and refreshes refresh refreshers. Okay. So, just thinking about these updates, things in in college
046and career, military readiness, academics have changed and evolved drastically. We know um AI did not exist. Many of the things that we have in our phones now, they weren't the same um things that students have in their pocket and are able to access um through devices. We know that colleges and employers have different expectations. And one of the first things is adaptability. We always hear about how students won't keep the same job. they're not going to have the pensions that you know a lot of of of our our generation and previously had digital fluency I thought to myself do I really know that what that is so th that is something that's going to be required critical thinking obviously still um collaboration with many people um inerson and virtual environments we know that didn't exist
047before um there's lots of things now we hear about this a lot there's automated things are the jobs that didn't exist but now do um just the global community that our children have to be a part of. Thinking about the interconnectedness now. I mean, before you know it, you can get online and and be with someone in on the other side of the world. So, we have to prioritize data literacy, digital citizenship, just being culturally competent, um that civil discourse that's required um to work with others, evaluating the credibility of information, and also just a global awareness. and we thought that we needed to capture those things when we thought about updating. Just a few more things about what we considered when we thought about the the updating of this portrait for our students. Um
048the educational focus has been but even more now is on personalized learning and thinking about like can we work with others in a project based setting. Um and it may not be people even in this this classroom with us. It could be people in different places and emphasizing that communication and collaboration. dual credit um AP that's become such a big um thing that we are able to give our students and so there's this way of being able to communicate throughout those those channels um the graduates really we have to be self-directed learners um and that they can adapt to this just ever changing work environment um demands that are put upon them in colleges and so we want to we wanted to make sure this reflected future ready skills we we certainly did that in
0492012 but we think about now what the future could hold um adaptive thinking, complex challenges that we may not even know about yet, uh the ability to lead through changes. We we say even when we have our leadership definition, it applies to our students too. So we want them to think about being leaders through change and any conflict that may arise through with empathy. And then finally, just ensuring that this alignment considers the future. Even now we think about we we think we know, but people say even 5 years from now is so hard to predict. Um, so thinking about those attributes and skills and priorities that are needed for future opportunities. So, so that being said, we wanted to just provide you with kind of a timeline and process and and this is thoughtful
050consideration of updating this. We started in May of 2025. Our cabinet began discussing this. Certainly looking in your packet, you have the previous 2012. Um, we we really looked at that and wanted to keep the spirit of that um together. Um, and so we reviewed and just provided feedback to one another. Um and then in the summer we had several groups get together principal and assistant principal PLC's discussed provided input looked at the same documents we're looking at um cabinet then after that looked at what the feedback was provided additional input additional revisions and then this fall once we came back um to school our superintendent staff me and cabinet which those are administrators um and our cabinet members and then our our campus administrators came together and just did additional uh feedback and revision
051isions. It was a collaborative piece and then DEIC um was able to provide input and revisions and then finally we're here in January just showing you this this these copies um to look at. So from there, um, we've worked with our communications department and we know that these lovely things and just looking here at these attributes that are represented here for this this piece of the portrait of a graduate, including a prepared scholar, an effective communicator, those that are respectful and responsible, lifelong learners, um, being resilient and being self-directed, and then being, of course, we had to make sure we had that bulldog proud part, this disconnected citizen that continues to be connected to Leaport ISD. And then you have in your packet uh the uh this is this is called just the flyer. This
052is the top portion. It doesn't include all of the attributes, but it certainly is like a summary of this. But in just a moment, I'll just kind of get to the next steps and then be able to show you our website where we have some more information. It's not public yet. It's not public facing, but we want to make sure we get this to stakeholders soon. We're working so hard alto together to brand our district and make sure people know all the wonderful things that are going on here in our and so we want to make sure that we know what we're doing for our graduates and and what I always want to remember is this portrait of a graduate 2012 and now it it is involving all of our students because that's our that
053we know that they're all they'll all be bulldogs and graduates. So we want to think about even this and how it impacts our instruction even in early literacy. It's certainly a northstar for our district. It guides and influences all that we do, campus and district priorities, goals and initiatives. Next steps after this next year and of course probably the summer will start just extending the look for so that we have grade band specific things that apply um to all those just being responsive to all our students. >> Yes sir. >> One more to kind of frame in addition to all the wonderful things that you're sharing board. If you'll recall in fall of 2024, we went through a strategic planning process. Uh the team of eight and throughout that process, we went through this and
054carefully decided this was one of those things that you would in turn turn over to me and my team and then we would share this with you to kind of bookend it. So this is kind of where we are. And so your input will come, >> right? It ties in with all of our strategic planning. And so as you're listening and as you're they're taking you through all of the things that we've done in the last year or so, over a year now, >> you will have an opportunity to say, I really think we should be focused even some on this, right? But here's what our stakeholders up until this point has done. And so we're bringing it to you for a bookendin. You know, what are your what are your thoughts on this as
055you hear us? Okay. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Yes, sir. And just wanted to share with you again, this is in draft. um the website which it will look like so all of our stakeholders can go and see how proud we are and representing our portrait of a graduate again it's in draft um Devon Doer and Adam they've done a wonderful job just supporting yes our the academics team and all of our administration um so when you come down here there's the two when you open this up this is the flyer that you have in your folder it's in English and in Spanish and um it shows the different attributes And then when we go back here, it further defines a portrait of a graduate and what it means to us and the vision that we
056have for this. Um, and then as you go down here, it it goes on to talk about, and it's in your folder too, that staple part, just every specific attribute underneath there, um, that we thought were appropriate to define these pieces. Do you all have any questions for us? I think it was really really good. It's crazy to think in that short period of time how much it has evolved. Yes. >> And the needs of the students have changed. >> You know, even the demands as they leave. Yes, sir. >> Our our district and get out in the real world. Uh it is just so much more complicated >> and uh you know technology is such a big part of that. I mean like you said to your point you can be communicating with someone
057on the other side of the world >> and you still have to be able to collaborate like you're sitting right here every certain skill set. So good job for everybody who's involved in that. >> Good. Thank you. >> Yeah. We appreciate the hard work. I do want to I think what makes this so relevant and so important to every stakeholder, but every parent in this district as well is you have kind of a a map, if you will, of the things that you want to talk about with your kids and to go through and and share in that responsibility of with the district of this is what when you graduate, these are the things that I want to see from you, too. And so, I I think it's very well thought out, very clear, and
058um I I'm excited to see us roll it out. >> Good. Wonderful. >> I will just say having uh worked on it in 2012, >> we all thought then and I remember having at least three big meetings about it >> um we thought then we're trying to prepare children >> students for a world that we don't know what that is. >> That's right. >> That has only multiplied into right now >> as to what we're trying to prepare our students for. Um I think the update is nice. I like that you kept in mind the spirit in which it was written in 2012. Absolutely. And I will tell you in 2012 we were one of the first districts um in our region to have the portrait of a graduate. And I don't remember who brought
059the idea. I'd love to give them credit but I don't know. But um I like that we are always forward thinking and we have >> you know some alignment with our strategic plan and this like we we need that align >> and previous strategic plans too. >> Absolutely. >> Exactly. >> You're exactly right. Well, thank you. >> Thank you for y'all's work on that. >> Yes, sir. Thank you all very much. >> Great job. Our bond safety and security update. Mhm. Danny. Danny. That's not it. All right. So, good evening, uh, President Martin, uh, Dr. Jackson, board of trustees. Again, I just want to echo everyone's, uh, sentiments on how much we appreciate you all for your service and value your service and happy school board appreciation month. Uh, just have a few quick updates.
060Wanted to share with you guys. I'm going to start with uh, first um, you know, many of you all were in attendance yesterday at our dedication ceremony. Uh, it was a great event. We appreciate um you know your leadership and vision and support uh for that beautiful new facility over there. We're excited to get that certificate of substantial completion over the break. Um so I know I kind of hurried in and made sure we got our signatures, got that over to Stacy so that we were good on that end and and um you know, but I do want to remind everyone that that is still an active construction site over there. We we've got our um gym complete, but we still have some work happening for that band and orchestra area. Um, and right now
061for the gym, we've we've turned it over. We've accomplished a lot of the training. There's a lot of owner training after you get a building turned over to you. So, um, coaches, uh, knowing how to work the the scoreboards and, uh, you know, just all the little nuances within that facility. Uh, we've got a lot of that happening right now. We've got some upcoming training for lighting controls, um, you know, next week. Um, so that'll be ongoing and and those folks will be back as needed to assist us. And then for the fixtures, furniture and equipment, we did order an additional uh a brand new scores table uh for that space, a a beautiful new uh table that will be in there. Um and it's it's it's looks great uh with some chairs. And so
062we're anticipating those arriving soon. And so, you know, that's going to be completely updated space out there for those students and staff. And so we're excited about that. Um, as I mentioned, the band orchestra room, we're we're still hoping uh projecting April, midappril of of 2026. U our demo in that area is 95% complete. We've got some walls uh framing um in that old girls locker room happening and rough plumbing. Uh you know, all the rough end plumbing is is nearly complete over there. So, everything's moving right along. You know, full attention on that now with the uh gym being complete. Uh but uh you know we we should uh certainly be tracking for um a completion date uh in April and so everything looks looks great again there. So with our high school additions
063in um you know areas A and F that really has no meaning to us. I think I've mentioned that before. That's the construction definitions of those areas. Uh but that's that's near that courtyard you know uh that front entrance. Um so we've got I think last time I was before y'all the steel was on site. Uh we actually have some detailing and um you know some construction happening with that steel, some form uh shaping and so it's it's coming to life over there. Uh we're moving along smoothly as well. Um you see a couple other things, electrical ceiling rough in just all the um you know kind of the the pre-work uh before we get that walled in and and you know again happening uh very smoothly. One of the things that I just want
064to give our partners a shout out um they they really work with us on schedule coordination. So as as you know um you know we're running a high school right uh but is an active construction site and so uh we have state testing coming up. I know Dr. Griffin we were in a meeting recently where made certain that they have our dates. Um they know what our absolute hey we can't have any interruptions on these dates. Y'all need to be quiet. y'all need to make sure we don't have any issues. Um, and so we were adamant that they know what dates where that doesn't happen, but they're able to flip. So, um, by that time, spring sports are finished. Um, and so we're able to go in some of that area where the uh the
065PC the gym is and we can get some work done there so that noise level over there would not interfere with testing happening. And so, uh, it's really a partnership, a collaborative effort to make sure, you know, we stick to our timelines, but that we, you know, deliver a product that we promise, uh, to the community, uh, on time and under budget, right? And so, u, that's a commitment for us and and we're, uh, really thankful for their, you know, again, their partnership and collaboration with that. Um, you know, just I I try to update you guys on some things that might have been unfinished uh prior to um, you know, during during. I know I shared a picture with you all the the ceiling was exposed at the Sonia Angelo Theater. We've got those
066tiles are almost complete. I've got a few around some sprinklers. We got to cut and get those in. But that that space is really coming to life. And if you haven't been there, I know we're going to have an opportunity to be in that space on the 29th when the musical starts. But it really is coming together. We've got furniture in. We've got the tiles, the LED lighting is completed. Uh we're going to look at some options for those recess cans to try to match the LED, but it's such a bright space. It's kind of allowed us to rethink um some other um options that that we were considering for that space. Uh because it just really has taken on um you know, a a great look in that space. Um but it it's nearly
067complete in the foyer. Um, we're going to have some other enhancements happening in the house. Um, and we had a very important meeting. I think I referenced this last time, but to really discuss what our plans were for the rigging and the lines uh technology. Um, we had a a great meeting uh through that, you know, and it's a balance. We want to have the uh superior product. We want to have great technology, but we also want to have our students um it's important that they know the manual feel of of some of that stuff, right? So if you take some of that away, then the students miss that. And that's important. That's important for kids if they want to continue theater at the next level um or even consider a career that they're going
068to be expected to have some knowledge of how to work uh those lines. So it's important for us to balance the the new technology that's out there with some uh practical application and future use. You know, talk about future ready and portrait of a graduate. We're preparing kids for whatever their careers uh there might be. and and that certainly relates to fine arts as well. Um so, you know, again, lots of great things. We're we're certainly looking or we're looking forward to musical and getting back into that space to complete that work this summer. >> Um just >> correct. Yeah, sound systems updated. Sounds beautiful. lighting is what's going to take place um after. You know, we did the foyer lighting, but the the the house lighting, you know, that's that's a a substantial project
069which will take place in the spring. And again, with the lighting, you'll you'll see some some updates to possibly the the sound panels and um you know, the house itself with painting and just refreshing the stage. And so, um you know, it it'll it's about 40% of where it's going to be. Um, but it it it's looking great and and I think you know the folks that are in that space daily are are extremely happy uh with that space and uh Trusty Crutcher I wanted to confirm because we had talked about the safety film um on the glass and so we do have up to 8 foot of that safety film and so which is great you know that's a student space we have kids in there daily and on the weekends and you know
070all over Christmas break uh practicing for the musical uh but we do have this safety film And so, um, if you're ever out at an at a place and you want to determine, so there's usually about a 1 in or about a/2 in trim, um, and so it's easy for for you to tell if there's that film, um, because you'll see the difference between a normal window and and the the window with the film. And so, but did confirm that we have that in that space, which is reassuring. Um, bulldog bunker. And so, again, left this one. Um, you know, we're we're almost there. I went and snuck a picture today that you don't have in your packet. Uh, but we got the hitting mats in. And so that's you see that on on this
071screen here. So we're we are almost there. We we just have PCs. I know been in contact with our technology folks by the end of the week. I'm hoping to have those softwares loaded. So we should be able to have some u students uh taking advantage of that space very soon. And so there's just a few other minor things that we need to do to get that space ready. But as you can see, u the the technology that the students are going to have, the staff are going to have access to u it's unlike anything in this area for high school students. Um so we're really excited uh for them uh for for the community for years to come because they'll certainly benefit from this. So uh very excited about that. Uh also want to
072just highlight a campus um just because we had some substantial work happened to that campus um over the break. So, um, you guys had approved a chiller replacement previously for Rudo Elementary. We were anticipating spring break. We're actually able to get that done over, uh, the Christmas break. So, uh, the campus has, uh, three brand new chillers, uh, which is, you know, fantastic. We won't have to worry about that, uh, for years to come. Uh, but then the interior hallways were also painted. And so, you know, if I heard it explained today that that we took some some years off of of that wall, right? because um it it's it's it's it looks beautiful in that space. So, and again, next time you're there, uh that was completed on uh January 5th and um you
073know, it's not easy to come in and repaint tile um but we did and we found a company that we like. We piloted at Jenny Reid and they were able to do that for us here as well. And uh it it just really um you know, beautified that space and so we're we're very happy with that. >> Yeah. There we go. Yeah, it it looks great. It really transformed that space and so um excited. Um and again, last time when we left, we had talked about Harris County Department of Ed. They were supposed to come in and to do their audit. They hadn't been here yet. They did come that last week. You know, again, they always come the the last week before the breaks and you know, but uh we had them here and
074this is that comprehensive audit that we're required to have every 3 years. And so um that they performed um these were some of the areas that they were um you know visiting they they did finish uh visit most of them um that because they couldn't get into our stadium they they didn't have to audit that because they couldn't access the facility and so that was actually a a positive. Uh but we we will attend a meeting Dr. Jackson myself Mr. Wickliffe or at region 4 to to receive our update and then from that we'll be able to you know make any needed um you know they're going to give some recommendations some some areas that we potentially need to address and so we'll certainly do those things um and share that information with you guys
075as well. And then TEA are um intruder detection audits ongoing. Um we had one I think yesterday rudo and we passed. And so we're um you know the goal is that tea we have an IDA for uh each campus uh for you know throughout the school year. And so these are our campuses um thus far. Certainly they can come out to to another campus again, right? But um you know the goal is that they would visit at least um every campus um throughout the school year. So and then the DVA was that vulnerability assessment. It's a more comprehensive audit. We haven't had one yet, but again those could be at any time. So um we know um you know safety security is is of utmost importance and um you know it's something that we remain
076committed to and we appreciate all of your support uh to make sure that our students and staff are kept safe every day. Thank you all. If you have any questions, >> board, I just would like to add uh Bobby uh was sharing go back to the uh golf simulator. Um uh I just I just want to make make the record clear to the board. Uh Bobby had this vision. This is not Walter Jackson's vision. He came up with this on his own and I'm very proud of him for doing it because I think it's going to make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. And so I just want to publicly commend you for coming up with a we had an issue and you found you found a solution to uh when when
077it's raining our kids don't have to worry about that any longer. So I just place >> and they have a place to store. >> Yeah, there's a lot of storage bag storage area. Um, you know, so so again, we're excited the technology that they get, but also just the opportunity to, you know, grow a program and we we feel like um, you know, that there's a lot of interest in in this. And so we we feel like kids are going to be excited and hopefully want to continue a a golf career. >> Well, I just think that's going to be something else that Dr. Griffin can market with his school. you know, you not only do you have a planetarium, but you have an indoor, you know, whole, you know, >> well, I think it's
078also a testament that administration and the board listens to the the parents cuz, you know, we had a parent come and speak was never on anybody's rad. I mean, you didn't you did the ball and ran with it, but everybody, >> you know, >> listened and worked and realized that there was a problem and a solution and parents that have or community members that have a a grievance per se, you know, talk to everybody. >> Yeah. Everybody here is willing to make it work. >> Sure. And and this is all our team, right? And that's what's exciting about it is like our technology folks are doing their projectors and TVs. Our construction uh group, you know, maintenance group built the bays and are hanging TVs and and you know, so this isn't anything that like
079we had to go out and find folks to come in and do. These are our folks finding ways utilizing spaces that were already existing on our campuses. Um and so just everyone coming to get uh together to support our students. So again, just a just a pretty neat opportunity and I'm I'm certainly thankful uh to be a part of that. So thank you all. >> All right, board turn to item eight. Receive 20242 district annual reports including the Texas academic performance report. Good evening and happy board appreciation month. Um, President Martin, board of trustees, and Dr. Jackson. Okay. I will be providing the um public hearing on the 2425 district annual report. Um this report um is um contains eight sections that we will work through tonight. Um the sections include the taper report, the
080Texas academic performance report that provides detailed information from our about our district and each campus. Um the PE's financial standard report um the 2023 24 financial actual report. Um again a report that gives you information from the district and for each campus. Section three, we'll talk about our district accreditation status. Section four, the campus performance objectives. Section five, a report on violent or criminal incidents on campuses. Section six, student performance in post-secondary institutions. Section seven, progress of the district and each campus toward meeting HB uh board adopted HB3 goals um in early childhood literacy and math and CCMR. And then finally, section 8, the 2425 taper glossery. Um, not required, but it is suggested and I think it's also very helpful because there's a lot of um a lot of verbiage within the taper report
081that is helpful to reference. So, section one of this report um is presenting to you the 2425 Texas academic performance report or the taper. It is a robust report um provided by the state each year. Um I it takes the star assessment and provides it back to you in about 45 pages. So um the the taper report um it includes um information um for every district and campus using um TSDS pe data as well as student assessment data. As I mentioned um it's provided in teal and on the TEA's website um includes a wide range of information but most prominently is the academic performance based on STAR. Um it's shown it's showing that information in a lot of different ways disagregated by student groups including ethnicity and socioeconomic status and provides extensive information on school
082and district staff programs and student demographics. The c the cover page of the taper report includes the district campus um the district or campus name and number. Um typically the cover page includes both the accountability rating special education termination status um for the district only. um ASVAB test information for our district. We provide the ASVAB, so that information is not included. Um and then any distinctions that a campus or district may have earned um through that assessment season. Okay. Um on the taper report, you'll notice that the LPISD accountability rating is prominently placed on the cover page. Leort ISD earned a B in the 2425 school year and the special education determination status is meets requirements. We earned a B. So everything that we talk about tonight um everything that's on reflected on the taper
083is the data that is used to calculate that accountability rating. Additionally in section one the tape report includes other information such as star performance as I mentioned attendance and graduation and dropout rates. It includes graduation profile information CCMR college military career readiness student information and staff information. So when we look at the star performance on the taper report um you'll notice that performance is reported for two years. It reports for 2024 and for 2025. It perfor it it reports all three performance rates showing how students performed at both the approaches meets and master's level of performance. It compares across two years and performance is reported for each assessment. It's reported for SAT and ACT all subjects. It's important for all grades in all subjects and all grades by subject. So, a lot of different ways
084that they're taking the same test data and just showing you how it looks in in a variety of of fashions. Additionally, performance is reported by enrolled grade. So, by each grade level and again at meets level or above. So, when we look at it by the grade levels, you're only looking at the meat's performance which which is considered on grade level. Um, we look again at two years of performance in all of the subjects. They combine them. Um, they look at reading and math. They look at reading and math including EOC, reading math including EOC etc etc. Um and we also look at how we compare how the data reports as well for the state and the region including and as well as the district and for campuses on the campus reports. So just a
085highle view of the data that we've already discussed in in another board meeting and what's reflected on the tape report in terms of overall academic performance for our students. Um this reflects the all grades, all subjects for 2025 assessment results compared to the state, the region, and the district. Um you'll notice that we are aligned with how the state and the region performs. And this is all the tests, all the contents, all the grade levels all put together and divided by total number to get these numbers. Additionally, for all grades, all subjects or all grades, I'm sorry, all grades um for ELA and reading um you can see that there is a comparison between 24 and 25. Um again looking at state, region and district and we are aligned with how our state and region
086um is performing and slightly outperforming them in some areas. Same is true for math. Our our performance comparisons across the district for all grades in math um is comparable to our region and our state slightly outperforming at the approaches level. Same is true for science. social studies lags slightly behind um as we've discussed but I want to note that with social studies we're talking about only two assessments we're talking about eighth grade social studies and US history whereas with English and math we have multiple more more tests the star results are also reported um in terms of approaches meets and masters this is just a little bit deeper dive in terms of what that looks like across the content area so this is at the approaches level and how we compare across the state the
087region the district you can see that we perform at the approaches level across the board almost entirely across the board with at the meets level. The mast's level is the area where we are growing and and have area of focus for us but we are closely aligned with where we should be in terms of SAT and ACT for all subjects. Again, it reports for two years. It shows the percentage of students who are meeting approaches meets and masters cut points established by the state. So the scores that the state the scores that SAT puts out there are cut points that determine these these levels and that comparison and you will see this is how um it looks for approaches meets and masters. We recognize that SAT and SAT improvement is an area of focus for
088us and it is reflected in our campus and district improvement plans um as a as a huge focus of our work. The other thing that the taper report provides for you besides academic achievement is progress and annual growth. And again, the same data points, but now looking at the rate at which students are growing from one year's scores to the next. Um, we know that this translates to domain two of our accountability. And so this particular report shows annual growth in all subjects grades four through EOC in EL and math. And you can see compared to the state, the region, the district, we are well aligned with how our peers are performing. Growth is also reported for our accelerated testers. These are students who were not successful on the assessment in the prior year and
089looking to see what their rate of growth is in the in the coming year. And you can see that we are aligned with how our state region um comparison peers are doing with these groups of students as well. The other thing that it spends a lot of time reporting is the progress of students who are served in our bilingual or ESL programs. Um this is a an extrapolation again of those particular student groups um who are served in those programs and then all grades and all subjects combined together. And so you'll see that uh comparison across the approaches meets and master's level of performance. and our students are um doing well um in in line with their state in terms of their level of uh performance and approaches but we lag slightly behind in the
090meets and the mast's performance um over for these this group of students for all subjects. This is the same kind of information but this is growth for that group of students. So again the students who are served in bilingual and ESL programming how do they how do they compare with their peers and their rates of growth? Um and we are very carefully aligned if you look across state, region and district comparisons and then and in how our bilingual um and ESL students are performing. This is those groups of accelerated testers. So any student who has served in the bilingual ESL program and then a student who was not successful on the prior year assessment, how are they um performing with their peers in terms of their performance towards passing? Um and you'll see that we
091surpass our district and state peers with the way that our students are performing. Section one of the taper report uh the taper report also includes information about our district and campus attendance, graduation and dropout rates as reported for 23 24 and for 2223. So this information lags one year and so we do not have the information for 2425 on this report. Um it was not available in time for this report. So, it's always one year behind. And the same is true for our CCMR calculations. We're always talking about the class of 2024 for this year's accountability. The No, I'm sorry. Class of 2025 for this year's accountability. Class of 2024 for the tape report. Also included in this section um information on chronic absenteeism, longitudinal graduation rates um and then graduation profiles by students programs
092and by totals. So for attendance you can see the data for 22 23 and 23 24 the attendance rate you will see that our attendance rate increased slightly um in that 2-year comparison. Chronic absenteeism um decreased slightly which is great news. We we categorize chronic absenteeism as um students who are enrolled for at least 10 days and are absent 10% or more of the days um of the school year. So that that can be a a number of days. Annual dropout rate is decreasing. Annual dropout rate grades 9 through 12 is also decreasing which is great news. Graduation rates for longitudinal four-year graduation rates have increased over from class of 23 to class of 24. um similar uh rate of graduation for those 5-year longitudinal rates, six-year longitudinal rates, we have we've seen a little
093bit of a decrease. The way you compare that is is what we're talking about is in the 24 at the end of August of 2024, the students in the cohort of 2022, did they graduate? What rate? So you'll see in the class of in the 5-year extended rate in the first column here, I don't know if you can this right here is the class of 22 22 their rate was 93.8 last year. And if you go down here, this is where they are for this year. That does that make sense? So that's the same group of students. And so you'll see that we've gained some more students by the end of 2024 who were in the 2022 cohort. So, we're just seeing more students perhaps get their GED, perhaps finish graduation in an alternate way,
094etc. So, that's how you look at that. >> How was it? I mean, >> it's it's very hard. It's almost impossible quite honestly. Um, many of these data points come from places we can't control. >> State has some >> That's right. >> that that state attaches to the child. And so if that child were to enroll in a new state institution that >> That's right. >> Yes. >> The problem is when they leave the state or they go to some program that is not following any of these systems, they fall off the >> It is. And then how do you >> really I don't know >> it it really is a I'm sorry I didn't interrupt you. >> What it really is a challenge all the more reason why it's super important that we we
095do everything we can to graduate the students when we have them so that when we graduate and we look at this four-year rate that we've got as close to 100% as we possibly can. Um, another thing reported on the taper report is the types of graduation plans and graduates and what that looks like for our children. Um, foundation high school plan and distinguished levels of grad distinguish distinguished levels of achievement graduates. Um, we are at 73.8% of our graduates from the class of 24 graduating on that foundation plan which is a bit lower than the state and a little higher than the region. um the graduation plan, the the more the more challenging, not more challenging, but the more rigorous graduation plans, um the distinguished achievement, the foundation high school plan with endorsements, distinguished level
096achievement, etc. Um 79.8% of our students are graduating um from the class of 2024, which is up from the prior year, which is good. We want students graduating on these plans with endorsements and distinguished levels of achievement. We want fewer students on just the the foundation plan graduating from our schools. Additionally, in the taper report, um, we spend some time talking about college, career, and military readiness. Um, again, this data lags. So, we're talking about the information from 2022, 23, and 23 to 24. Um, we're looking at the CCMR annual graduates, college ready versus career ready graduates. And then we look at the indicators that make up these results. So, TSI, college prep courses, AP, SAT, and then other post-secary in indicators, dual credit courses, graduates enrolled in um Texas Institutions of Higher Education, and
097graduates completing one year without enrollment in developmental education course. Those are those college prep courses, courses that are considered remedial for our students. Um, in the 23 24 school year, we had 76% of our students graduate college and career ready. Um this is a decrease from 2223. What I would like to note about that is we had a very significant change in the way CCMR was calculated between those two years. Um and we also had some pretty popular IVC's that sunset. So um there were there was a significant change to um children could no longer just take an IBC. They had to have a sequence of courses along with the IBC. And so that is part of that adjustment that you'll and there were some popular IBC's that were sunseted. Yes. Um you'll also see
098college ready graduates. We are seeing an increase which is good. We want to continue to see that increase um over the years. Um and then for our college or or career or military ready students um we saw a decrease and this aligns with the decrease in the IBC's that we um noted in the in the first column there >> and part of that is also only they're going >> correct the now I think that there are some reportings that happen from the department of defense to tea that help but to your point again like once they leave our halls it's hard for us to know if they fully enlist if they they say they're going to but do they actually send the paperwork and so forth. Um and then again the changes in CTE and
099IBC's and CTE pathways which is is is the largest part of our career readiness component changed during that the course of those years as well. Um, >> yes, of course. No, no, >> you're good. >> So, the last submissions for our graduates for the class of 2025 were in the summer submission for PE. So that would be I don't know July I think is the deadline. I I couldn't give you the exact date. >> So if a student but they weren't going into October as long as we had that or does it not count until October? >> That is a great question. Let me find out specifically when the military enlistment date cut off is. I'm not I'm not certain off the top of my head. I I can tell you though that >> recognize
100we do. Are we making sure >> it it it I will I will get you a specific answer. >> Students that go to college out of state, you can't you don't have data on them unless I guess they tell you we have a number of kid that >> South Carolina or Georgia doesn't have to really report to us. >> Right. That's what I was trying. Is there any way we can get that? >> So the the Texas Higher Education Board does a good job of connecting with out of state out ofstate schools. We'll talk about that in just a minute. And they do receive data in some kind of way. How specifically, I'm not sure, but um there is a way that outofstate schools are reported um and provided to um Texas and TEA. Yeah.
101But yes, there are lots of robust data points for us to factor into all of these these pieces. Um the tape report finally cont um outlines student information um the children who are enrolled here and who we serve in Leaport ISD. Um looking at their ethnic distribution um the different um instructional pro programs that they that they um participate in. um students who who are within our schools who have disabilities and the types of disabilities, what their mobility, the attrition and general um retention rates of those students. Just some highle data for you to consider from the 23 24 enrollment. Um this is not this is this is lagging data. Um we are 48.4% and economically disadvantaged compared to 60% um from the state. Um 504 students make up 6% of our population. 12% of
102our students are EB or EL or served by those programs. 6 and a half% of our students are served um have dyslexia. 44.9% are at risk. 9% of our students are in GT programming and 18% are in special education. Lastly, the taper report includes information about our staff and programs, um, including total staff, their ethnicity, their gender, their highest degrees held, years of experience, salaries, and so forth, along with student enrollment by program, and teachers by program or population that they serve. Um, there's quite a number of data points here for you to consider. This is 24, 25, and 23, 24 data. Um and you can see that the the enrollment of our teacher the the number of our te the I'm sorry the staff information by program remains consistent um from year to year
103is pretty pretty consistent. And then lastly just staff information here just the average numbers of years of experience. You know we have a very experienced group of leaders. Um a very high rate of pay. Thank you to the board for your oversight and financial provision for our teachers. We are we are well paid across the state compared to the state. Um and we are um yeah that's that information >> ma'am reporters. >> Yes ma'am. So we do not have any specific teachers whose whole job it is to be a GT teacher. Our program provision is pullout program and so those teachers are classroom teachers or interventionists and they are not coded as GT teachers expressly as as determined by PS. Yes, ma'am. >> But it's not their not one not their >> correct. >> But
104do we not have one teacher that like goes around and does any kind of I thought we were going to do something. >> So we have a pullout program at the elementary campuses and and it and it varies by campus, but they the the state requires that the person serving be they're they're credentialed as GT special GT certified or they have the the level of training that they need. um they might be coded for PES as an interventionist for the campus or a teacher. They might have a pull out. They might teach those students in their in their intervention period, but they're a regular classroom teacher or maybe it's the librarian or maybe it's the counselor. And so their job duty is coded by PES in a different way, but they serve the GT students
105on each campus. >> We don't have anybody whose job it is on a campus is only GT. And if we did, they would receive that PES code that would earmark them in that column. Does that make sense? >> April's um you made a comment earlier about you guys are making a point of emphasis on the masters level. So looking through that there's numerous categories in all the categories where we actually trail the state and masters. Everything else we're we're at or above the state, but repetitively it's it's that masters level. Yes. >> And I see that you know we are we actually are above the state. We track higher than the state in the percentage of GT kids. And so I know that you behind the scenes we have conversations about some things that we
106have recently implemented for GT. Uh some things you guys have coming down the and in the pipeline. Is it possible in the near future that we get an update uh to the board? I don't pin you down on anything tonight but just kind of what you know what is like your assessment of why we are tracking or trailing the state when it comes to masters level and then what is uh what do we have in place? What are some things that are coming down? cuz I I'd like to the public even to understand because we get a lot of comments from from parents like man like don't do anything for GT kids and this that and the other I know that's not true. So I'd like if possible to have a update where we kind
107of explore that in a little more depth. >> So and thank you for that. We I I will say that we are in the process of a program evaluation for our GT programs to answer the very questions that you that you're asking here. So, we're doing a deep dive with my team to just really, you know, understand where are we, what are our strengths, what are our weaknesses, and what do we need to move, you know, what are the immediate, you know, goals and and and action items, what are the midterm action items, what are the long-term action items, and really try to come up with a plan for for that. So, this is this is timely. We're working very hard to to to do that right now. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Section two
108of the annual report talks about the PE's financial standard report. This is linked on the last page of the taper report provided by the state of Texas. Um this financial report um includes two different pieces. One is the actual financial data for the district which includes the revenues, expenditures, dispersements, tax rates and fund balance um that Stacy and her team um shepherd. Um the other piece is the actual financial data for the campus which includes expenditures by object, expenditures by function, and program expenditures by program. Um Stacy um and her team do a great job of shephering our finances and we have earned an A rating. Um she has reported to you back in November of 25 the the state of that um that work um and she continues to do great job in the
109times that we are facing with financial challenge. Section three of the district annual report talks about our accreditation status for 22 I mean I'm sorry 2324. Um TEA annually assigns one of four accreditation statuses to each district in the state. We are talking tonight about the 2324 school year. Um there are four designations that is that a district can earn accredited accredited warned accredited with probation not accredited and rev revoked. Um, in assigning these statuses to a district, TEA considers academic accountability ratings, financial accountability ratings, data integrity, and program area deficiencies identified um through RDA. Um, I I have posted a link um to TEA's accreditation website. Um, we do not have the AC we are accredited for the 2324 school year. Um we can expect the 2425 and the 2526 accreditation statuses to be
110issued in the spring. Um these are lagging due to the litigation that was resolving and the lagging accountability reports and so those account those accreditation statuses are to come. Okay. Section four of the annual report discusses the campus performance objectives. Um campus improvement plans or the CIPs are developed by each campus and are implemented um each year. Um these were presented to the board um back in August, I'm sorry, September. Um each CIP includes performance objectives um including data that was reported in the taper. Each campus periodically measures these progress um measures progress towards per these performance objectives. Um and sumitative CIP reports for the 2425 campus improvement plans which show the objectives and the progress are posted on our website along with the current campus improvement plans that govern the work that they are
111doing this year. Section five of the annual report discusses um violent or criminal incidents that took place on our campuses during the 2425 school year. Um we are required to report the number of violent or criminal incidents that occurred at each campus, descriptions of prevention and violence intervention policies and findings from evaluations if any. Um, in the 2425 school year, there were three incidents that were coded as violent or criminal incident codes stemming from two separate disciplinary events. One event at Leaport High School and one event at Leaport Junior. Um, the LPISD catastrophic incident standards and expectations guide contains prevention and response procedures and plans. That's published through Mr. Wikliffe and um, Dr. Martinez's office. Um, and it is also published on the website along with this annual report. Section six of the annual report
112is student performance in post-secondary institutions. This section talks about the performance. To answer your questions about colleges, this report um shows the student performance in post-secary institutions during their freshman year of enrollment after graduation. So I just want everybody to remember back where they're freshman in high school in college. Um the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board compiles this data and posts it on their website. The most current report is for the 22 23 high school graduates. Um this is measured by the GPA earned by the 22 23 graduates who attended public four-year university and two-year institutions of higher ed in the fiscal year 2024. Okay. So what that means is how' our kids do when they were freshman in college? How did they what was their GPA is really what that shows. Now, I don't
113know about y'all, but my GPA is not for public posting from my freshman year. So, you can see here it posts this for both Leaport High School and DeWalt Academy. Shows you the total number of students who were in that graduating class. Um again, this is for the 2023 graduates and then the and their GPA as reported by their university or their two-year college um during their freshman year. Um, please note that the report for the for the current for the 24 graduates is not yet ready. It should be in mid January and it will be posted on the Texas Higher Education Board website and we will post it as part of the annual report. Section seven is progress toward meeting board adopted goals. Um this section requires us to talk about the goals that
114the the board has set for early childhood literacy and mathematics as well as for CCMR. Progress made by the district at each campus is summarized and the review the data is presented at the June board meeting along with our accountability and our academic achievement reports. There are three goals that the board has set for governing um early childhood literacy, mathematics, and CCMR. Um, the first goal is the percent of third grade students that score meets at grade level or above on star reading will increase from 56% to 70% by June of 2029. Our goal was um 59% and the outcome was 56%. And I'm not sure I think those should be reversed. I apologize for that. We were at 59%. It's backwards. Yes, I do apologize. Um, early childhood mathematics goal, the percent of third
115grade students that score meets grade level or above on STAR math will increase from 45% to 60%. I don't know why it says 48%. I do apologize, but we were at 52%. I can promise you that. So, we were at 52% for mathematics and I will provide you with those corrections after this meeting. I do apologize. And CCMR percent of graduates that met the criteria for CCMR will increase from 85% to 95%. Um the goal was 85% the outcome was 78%. As we discussed we had a lot of changes with the CTE and the IBC's that that that showed a decline in the CCMR for for that group of graduates. And lastly the section 8 is the taper glossery. Um each year TEA prepares and publishes a taper glossery provides the definitions describes methodologies and
116lists sources for each data point in the taper. Spanish version is also available on the TEA website. This is a snip of what that first page of the glossery looks like. Um, it is a it is a a resource that is valuable when you're considering the taper and all the things that it talks about. Um, and so I highly recommend this will also be linked on the website as part of the annual report for your for your access. So the um district's taper and a copy of the annual report and all the subsequent reports that go on with each section will be posted on the district website within two weeks after this meeting. Paper copies will also be available at the district central office upon request. Um we have um the communications department um led
117by um Adam Holland and Devon Doer have created an annual performance report on our website. So the current report from last year is there available for you. Each of the sections of the annual report involved are linked with the re relevant reports and so forth. We will update this um in the next two weeks with the current information, all the subsequent links and reports that that go along with each section. And if you have any questions or you need more information about our annual report or any resources available that go into this report, please contact me directly. I'm Julie Abram, deputy superintendent of academics. >> Any questions? >> I should say this, but when I saw that this was 57 slides, I was like, I wanted to cry on the inside. >> You wanted to
118cry on the inside. >> No, like not to minimize anything, we appreciate all the all the massive amount of work. We like we have been like we have been with this report for the last week and I just gone over a million times and so but thank you went through that so quick but you like were very insightful. So thank you for all the work and effort. Uh but I like it was impressive how quick you were able to go through all of that stuff. So thank you for that. >> I'm sorry you sorry I made you cry. >> Do you have any more comments or questions? Um all right hearing none guys I I will open up. We have a we'll turn to a public hearing on the 2024-25 district annual reports including the
119Texas academic performance report. Uh the floor is now open for any staff or citizen that may be willing to make a public comment at 8:44 p.m. Now open. Excuse me. Mr. Vice President don't be scared. It's okay. Do we have anybody wishes to speak that you know of in the box? >> Yeah. Would anybody like to talk? Any staff or community members? >> Nobody. >> All right. Perfect. Uh hearing no public comment, we will close at 8:45. All right. Thank you guys. >> Consent agenda item 10. A determine approve any consent agenda items. get with it. B approved board meeting minutes. One, regular uh board meeting minutes December 9, 2025. Two, called board meeting minutes January 5th, 2026. C received principal reports. One, early childhood center. Two, Ber Elementary. Three, College Park Elementary. Four, Heritage
120Elementary. Five, Jenny Reed Elementary. Six, Leaport Elementary. Seven, Leo A. Resudo Elementary. Eight, Lomax Elementary. Nine, James H. Baker 6th Campus. 10 Leaport Junior High, 11, Lomass Junior High, 12 Leaport High School, and 13 Vio Dewal High School. Uh, Mr. Vice President, please pull 13. I had a just a quick question on that one. Uh, D, receive budget and tax rate calendar for fiscal year 2027. E, receive financial reports for November 2025. F, receive human resources report. G, approve second reading and adoption of TASBY local policy update 126. and H adopt a resolution number 2026-01 calling the May 2nd 2026 general trustee election. Mr. Vice President, will you please read back the consent items as read me for a ringer? I didn't expect you to pull that one. >> Sorry. >> Uh A B C
121D Oh, shoot. A B C 1-2 D E F G H >> board. I seek a motion and a second. Second. >> We have a motion by Trusty Hanks and a second by Trusty Thompson. Uh please vote. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. All right, we'll now turn to item C13. And again, I apologize for for pulling this, but it um I had a kind of a random question. Um not to pin anybody down on this tonight, but I had uh some concerned citizen reach out and ask about a program at DeWalt. And so we love that we have the wall. I love that this Wald is there for those students. And I love even more that they're allowed to go back to the high school for sports and also for uh CTE programs and whatnot.
122So, uh, the the question was if we could get an update in the near future on if the amount of kids that are actually utilizing, uh, the ability to go back and specifically be part of CTE programs. I heard a rumor and I I don't know if there's truth to it or not, but I just if we could please look into it if um the rumor is that they think maybe we're cutting funding on transportation to get kids from DeWalt to the high school. And again, I'm I'm assuming that's true. if we can get an update on that at some point to see how many kids are actually utilizing that those programs from DeWalt to the IC. >> Perfect. So, so again, I apologize that that's I should have asked that beforehand and just got
123triggered. So, that's all I had board. Um, so I need a motion and a second to approve item C13. >> So, move second. >> All right. A motion by Trusty Paris and a second by Trusty Crutcher. All those in favor, please vote. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. All right. Uh we'll turn to item 11 action and our discussion items. A consider approved 202627 instructional calendar. Miss Abram we just invite Mr. Abram back just update on. So we um we we um met last month and presented the instructional calendar to you and we tabled the vote or the acceptance of this calendar and pro and received feedback. Uh we met also in January in a workshop to discuss your feedback and to make considerations. We met with our DEI IC calendar committee. Um the DEIC calendar
124committee has recommended the base calendar option B with um a couple of small changes that I want to walk through. So you'll notice that this is the calendar B. Um the feedback that we received was a concern about the length of time that we were without a break in April and May. And so what we have done is we've altered August. We are starting teachers on the 4th instead of the 3rd. We are also removing the um March 29 day as a holiday that was proposed on the original calendar B and instead we are offering an exchange day for teachers on April 30th to provide a 3-day weekend for our students um in April at the end of STAR testing and prior to um advanced placement assessments um to provide that extra break. Um it
125retains the October week off uh which is unique to Leaport ISD this year and it's unique to several of our it's it's unique to this area. Um and it also provides for our graduation on May 27th um for DeWalt and our graduation for Leaport High School on May 28th. Everything else about the calendar remains consistent with what was presented as option B um when we last convened. board. If there's no questions, first of all, any questions? There are no questions. I take a motion and a second to approve the calendar. Second, >> we have a motion by Trusty Hanks, a second by Trusty Wheeler Hall. All those in favor, please vote. So, it is I can't do math today. 7 6 to 1. A motion carries 6 to1. Thank you. All right. Uh turn to
126B. consider and approve possible amendments to the superintendent's contract. >> All right. Um I move that we amend the superintendent's contract as discussed in closed session and authorize the board president to finalize the terms of the amendment. Second. >> Okay. The board there's a motion and a second. Please vote. I wanted the record to show that Mason said no >> and got pressured into yes. All right. Thank you guys. Motion carries unanially. >> Not on the record. It >> is all on the record. All right. We'll turn to item 12, action on close session items. We do not have any this evening. Uh 13, closing comments of the board of trustees and superintendent. Uh just a reminder, attendance, you can speak on attendance of recent district and community events. announcement of upcoming district and community
127events and outstanding performance by district staff and students. I think we started with you last time, Russell. >> All right, Karen, you're up. >> No, they did. >> Oh, okay. I think uh one of the things as I was going through that taper report is just thinking about how much I appreciate how the principles and other support staff pour through those reports to pull out all the data about their students. It's very tedious and but it's greatly appreciated that you spend that time in and energy because it really does help us to get the data that we need for our kiddos and that's really important. And also just a reminder to um faculty and staff, your um musical ticket order forms have been emailed to you. So, let's make sure we get those turned in.
128And um welcome back for the second semester and I hope you have a great one. Um I I just I just want to say that my no vote on the calendar is not um reflective of anyone's time and energy that they put into the calendar. I'm just a strong believer that when we have the community input on something and 76% of those people say that it's good, we shouldn't change it. So, um I'm looking forward to the musical and um all the spring events that go on and I hope y'all have a great semester. >> Um thank you for all the kind um gifts and we certainly felt >> it's okay. Okay, I'll take care of it. Thank you. >> Oh, we appreciate all the all the gesture u gestures that everybody made. We really
129appreciate that. >> They're awesome. >> Yeah, that's all. >> Awesome, >> Russell. You know what they all said over there. But I hope you had a great uh vacation. >> That taper. >> There's no tired like coming back from Christmas vacation that first week. >> Uh Saturday and Sunday. I was just commenting. So, uh, sad this week so far, but good luck on on a strong second semester and, uh, making fun of me over there. That's not fair. >> Just to reiterate, everybody, appreciate all the gifts, the outpouring of support. It's it's not necessary. We appreciate everything you do. You school, make sure you get out, support these kids. And there's various activities on every campus within our district. Uh plenty of opportunities to get out and support those kids. So I encourage everybody to
130do so. You too. Hope you have a great week. >> Um Stacy, thank you for highlighting your team and the nutrition team. Um there are so many people behind the scenes that um I think that sometimes we just forget there's constantly people working um on our campuses in our offices um and just so if we don't say it enough we appreciate you as well and um your hard work does not go unnoticed um you are truly helping us make a difference in students lives as well um and I am just grateful for um grateful for all the outpouring um of appreciation. It's it is not something that we do um for recognition. It's truly an honor and a privilege for us to be able to uh serve this community and serve our students and don't
131take that lightly. So, thank you. >> Just want to offer the board my sincerest appreciation. Uh your vote of confidence each year around this time means the world. uh we don't get this work done in in silos. Uh all of these people that you heard from tonight are the people with the boots on the ground, including the principles and directors, executive directors and chiefs and potentates and pro pontiffs and all of these different folks. But I want to also say um it this is a reflection of the culture of this community. The work that we are getting done, the gifts of appreciation that our principles and our campuses so graciously brought up for for you all tonight. Uh it's it's a culture and and culture is not something that you do. Culture is something that
132you feel and something culture is something that you see. And so I want to make sure that uh we reiterate that. And so I say thank you to the principles. Thank you to all of the folks that are here, but uh a sincere heartfelt thanks to the board again for your vote of confidence in my leadership and the future of this great school district. Thank you so much. >> Yeah, again I echo all the sentiments and I know we didn't get to kind of the details of a a superintendent contract, but I will say this, you know, he he agreed to give us another 25 years. He signed it in blood. So, uh, Dr. Jackson's going to be here a long time. We appreciate your leadership, sir. And not just you, but the team that
133I've said it before, the team that you've you've brought to us and, um, and the ones that have been here for even a lot longer than that. So, thank you for everyone involved. Again, even though I didn't get a pie, you know, I'm a little bit better, but other than that, guys, we we really do uh again, it's it it's very humbling that you guys choose to to just lavish us on all these gifts and stuff. It's not necessary, as many have mentioned. um I just wish we could do that to you guys for you guys every every week, right? Like um is very very much appreciated. But again, can't say it enough. We we are just in awe of the work you guys do every single day and the fact that in this day
134and age, I could I I live with an educator. I could never be an educator because the stuff you guys have to to deal with on a daily basis. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. And I just I'll say this, I'm very excited. Uh one of my favorite times of year is getting to see the musical. Um so, we really look forward to that. And it was a reminder tonight of, you know, we love football, right? But like basketball and poly other things uh where our district is excelling. So we're excited for all that as well. So hope you guys have a a great January. We look forward to seeing everyone again in February. With that, we are adjourned at 8:57.