Dear Wonderful Lovejoy Community:

Our communication plan includes a monthly update regarding Board meetings. Last night the Board of Trustees met for a Special Board meeting. Below you will find the August 13, 2020 Board Brief.

With the governance authorization concerning suspension of certain open meeting law requirements for the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) emergency, the Board of Trustees met last night via Zoom video and audio conference. The Lovejoy ISD School Board Members in attendance last night were:

Chad Collins, President

Amy Smith, Vice-President

Anne Smith, Secretary

Matt Gournay

Al Litchenburg

Barrett Owens

Together with the Board, we are the Team of Seven as Position 3 is currently vacant.

Cabinet is comprised of myself and:

Shay Adams, Chief Financial Officer

Sancy Fuller, Executive Director of Special Education and Academic Support

Dennis Muizers, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Laurie Vondersaar, Executive Director of Communications

Dr. Dennis Womack, Assistant Superintendent of Operations

Stacey Dillon, Assistant to the Superintendent

The Board meeting began at 6:00 PM with Board President Chad Collins calling the meeting to order and making a videoconference announcement which may be found here.  

Following Roll Call the Board of Trustees moved into Executive Session which is a time where limited items such as personnel actions may be discussed. No votes are taken in Executive Session.

The Formal Board meeting began at 7:10 PM.

Each Board Meeting contains a dedicated time for public comments. There were no public comments.

*If you would like to provide public comments at a future meeting conducted by videoconference or telephone call, please follow the instructions listed on Board Meeting notices or visit the Public Meetings page which may be found here.

The Board of Trustees approved the following new hires:

Kathryn Modine, PES 2nd Grade Teacher

Amanda Conner, SCIS Health and Physical Education Teacher

Janis Longfellow, SCIS Life Skills Teacher

Michelle Countryman, SCIS School Nurse

Lindsey Goeders, WSMS Science Teacher

Jennifer Still, WSMS Math Teacher

Wendy Cligrow, LHS Life Skills Teacher

Sloan Creek Intermediate School Principal Ray Winkler introduced Amanda Conner, Michelle Countryman, and Janis Longfellow.

Willow Springs Middle School Principal Kevin Parker introduced Lindsey Goeders and Jennifer Still.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Goddard recognized Amanda Conner (LHS Class of 2015) as a recipient of the Silver Star Award. The Silver Star Award is presented to Lovejoy High School Alumni who return to Lovejoy ISD to teach, fulfilling the Graduate Profile.

The Board of Trustees approved the Consent Agenda which included:

Details regarding all Consent Agenda items may be found here.

Chief Financial Officer Shay Adams presented the 2020-2021 Tax Rate. The Board of Trustees approved the adoption of the total tax rate of $1.5547. The rate is comprised of the maintenance and operations tax rate of $1.0547 and an interest and sinking rate of $.50 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This adopted tax rate reflects a reduction in tax rate of $.01365. You may find detailed information regarding the adoption of the 2020-2021 tax rate here.   

Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services Sancy Fuller presented the 2020-2021 Student Code of Conduct. As 2020 was not a legislative year, there were no changes to the Student Code of Conduct. The Board of Trustees approved the Student Code of Conduct which may be found here.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dennis Muizers presented changes to the 2020-2021 school calendar. Important changes to note include:

The Board of Trustees approved the changes to the 2020-2021 calendar which may be found here. 

Board President Chad Collins presented consideration of dates for special board meetings to conduct interviews and discuss applicants for the Position 3 board vacancy. There are seven applications for the position. The Board approved the following special board meeting dates:

The special board meeting will be held virtually in a closed session to conduct the applicant interviews.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Goddard presented the Superintendent’s Report on the 2020-2021 School Year – School Start Update.

Dr. Goddard began the presentation by introducing Mari McGowan with Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, P.C. Mrs. McGowan presented legal consideration related to COVID-19 Back to School. You may find her presentation here.

Dr. Goddard presented the fall planning timeline.

The Lovejoy ISD Planning Guide for the 2020-2021 school year may be found here.

*Please note: the 2020-2021 Planning Guide may be updated as new direction becomes available and due to the content of new information received from Federal, State, or other appropriate local governments. It is possible that the guidance, strategies, and plan outlined herein may change rapidly as our understanding of the unique challenges related to COVID-19 evolves.

The 2020-2021 school year will begin virtually for all students on Monday, August 17, 2020.

Dr. Goddard shared special thanks to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools for funding over $300K in grants to support the needs of our teachers and students. The funds granted will help provide resources and materials for teachers and students both in virtual and on-campus settings. 

With there being no further announcements, the Board of Trustees adjourned at 8:27 PM.

All board documents may be found here.

Proud Lovejoy Leopard,