LHISD September Board Briefs
Building Champions in Academics, Character, and Community
Greetings Panther Nation
We have had an excellent start to the school year. So many great things are happening in our schools it is hard to keep up with. The community support for our students, teachers, and activities has been tremendous. I also want to thank you for your support and patience as we navigate the challenges of this school year.
1) Update on COVID-19 data. The current data shows LHISD might be on the downward slide of the current COVID wave, and although our numbers are improving, we still want to be diligent to keep our schools clean and students and staff as safe as possible. There is a video update on COVID data below. Thank you for your continued diligence in keeping your child home if they have been exposed and are now showing symptoms of any illness.
2) Update on a possible Virtual Option. As you may have heard, the 2nd legislative special session has ended, and a 3rd special session is starting. In the 2nd session, Governor Abbott signed into law SB15, allowing for funding for virtual education. We want you to know that we are in the planning process to explore a virtual option for grades K-5. The main challenge is finding staff to teach in October, and we do not want to pull any current staff and switch classrooms six weeks into the school year. More information on a virtual possibility and possible jobs will be posted soon.
3) We need your help. Panther Nation, there is an area that we need your help. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a substitute, bus monitor, or custodian, please have them go to our Human Resources page and apply today! We also have several other jobs open. More details below.
I hope everyone has settled into the school year. Have a great week and a better weekend.
Take Care,
Steve Snell, Superintendent, Liberty Hill ISD
****PARENT WARNING****
Panther Nation,
With social media, there is always good and bad. LHISD needs to inform you so you can familiarize yourself with this app and its uses. TikTok has many video challenges for users to mimic or create, but recently, the TikTok Challenge, termed "Devious Licks," has targeted schools nationwide. This is a "challenge" issued to students to steal and/or damage teacher or school property on school grounds, video it, and then post it to the app.
We are asking you to discuss this with your students at home, and we will do the same at our campuses. We are seeing examples of these challenges in our schools. It is critical that our students understand, if you participate in this "challenge" in any way, you will be held accountable and face consequences for your actions. Stealing or destroying LHISD property will not be tolerated.
Overall, we have amazing students, staff, and facilities in which we all take great pride. Our Vision is "Building Champions in Academics, Character, and Community." Panther Nation, let's join together and take a stand against these destructive acts. We pride ourselves on great character and a small-town feel, and together we can keep this out of our schools.
My challenge to our community is to create new challenges that encourage positivity and celebrate LHISD staff and students.
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your campus principal.
September Board Meeting 9.20.21
Student Panther Champions of the Month:
- Bill Burden Elementary - Kinsley Pearson
- Liberty Hill Elementary - Madison Melchor
- Louine Noble Elementary - Dean Herzog
- Rancho Sienna Elementary - Presley Jones
- Santa Rita Elementary - Devani Shepard
- Liberty Hill Middle School - Dallas Gurley
- Santa Rita Middle School - Jett Harrison
- Liberty Hill High School - David Wilson
Teacher Champion of the Month:
- Joyce Milam - Bill Burden Elementary
- Amber Buescher - Santa Rita Middle School
Public Comments. This month we have public comments from 3 community members.
- Cyndi Hauser. Topic: Literature and COVID Protocols
- Michael Connaker. Topic: Dress Code
- Antonio Canas. Topic: Fire Safety and Bus Training Requirement
Communication and Information Items
- Monthly Police Reports
- COVID Update presented by Director of Secondary Education and Safety Travis Motal. Video presentation and Slide PDF below.
- Virtual School Possibility Update presented by Assistant Superintendent Todd Washburn
- Construction Update presented by Bond Project Manager Casey Sledge
Consent Agenda
- Enrollment. Current enrollment is 6828.
- Financial Report. This report includes updates on tax collection, investments, expenditures, amendments, bond status, and donations.
- Adjunct Faculty Agreement with AgriLife Extension-Williamson County and Resolutions for Extracurricular Status of 4-H Members.
- Partnership Agreement between Austin Community College and Liberty Hill ISD for Educational Partnerships 9/1/2021-8/31/2022.
- Texas Education Agency Waiver for Foreign Exchange Program.
- Purchase of Supplementary Instructional Materials for PK-8th Reading over $50,000.
- School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) membership for 2021-2022.
Action Items
- Approved the 2021-2022 Liberty Hill ISD Investment Policy, Strategy, and Investment Officers
- Approved the professional services agreement for environmental consulting services for possible land acquisition as part of the 2021 Bond Program.
- Approved the professional services agreement for surveying services for possible land acquisition as part of the 2021 Bond Program.
- Approved the purchase of 1 special needs bus and 3 general education buses using funds from the 2021 Bond Program.
- Approved an order authorizing the issuance of the district's unlimited tax school building bonds in one or more series; levying a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax for the payment of the bonds; delegating the authority to certain district staff to execute certain documents relating to the sale of the bonds; and other matters in connection therewith.
- Approved updates of the high school softball and baseball batting cages.
- The Board of Trustees approved Scott Stansbury as the Executive Director of Technology.
- The Board of Trustees approved Christina Gamez as the Assistant Principal of Bill Burden Elementary.
- The Board of Trustees approved Kendell Luedtke as Principal (removing interim label) of Santa Rita Elementary.
- The Board of Trustees approved Monica Miller as Principal (removing interim label) of Liberty Hill Middle School.
- The Board of Trustees approved two additional police officer positions, one each for the 2021 and 2022 budget years.
- Since the August meeting, five classroom teachers have been hired.
The next Board Meeting is Monday, October 18, 2021.
September Champions of the Month
Liberty Hill Elementary
Louine Noble Elementary
Santa Rita Elementary
Rancho Sienna Elementary
Bill Burden Elementary
Liberty Hill Middle School
Santa Rita Middle School
Liberty Hill High School
Teacher of the Month
LHISD COVID Updates
Come Join our team!
Board of Trustees Approve New Executive Director of Technology
INCUBATOR KICK-OFF Entrepreneurship Volunteer Training
Entrepreneurship Program Volunteers
LHHS is in need of community volunteers to help our students gain foundational business concepts and knowledge through the development of a product or service, as well as the creation of their business model. Business partnerships will provide our LHISD student-entrepreneurs with coaches and mentors that will guide and support them along the way. Please see the program flyer and our website for more information on this program.
Panther Care
Registration for this year is open! Here is the website for reference.
If you have any questions, please contact Kenna Park. kpark@libertyhill.txed.net or at extension 5582.
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK @libertyhill.isd AND TWITTER @lhisdcomms
Steven Snell
Liberty Hill ISD. Building Champions in Academics, Character, and Community
Email: superintendent@libertyhill.txed.net
Website: libertyhill.txed.net
Location: 301 Forest Street, Liberty Hill, TX, USA
Phone: 512-260-5580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.snell.585
Twitter: @s_snell