The administration recommended the approval of the restructure of the pre-kindergarten through fourth grade program to include Hart Elementary School and Puster Elementary School to serve as K-4 campuses and Lovejoy Elementary School to serve as the district’s early childhood center.
The Board of Trustees deliberated the possible changes to the pre-kindergarten through fourth grade program structure including campus locations and approved the administration’s recommendations. Yesterday, the Board of Trustees shared the following communication with the community regarding this difficult decision. Please see the communication below:
Lovejoy Community,
Last night, the Board of Trustees approved the restructure of elementary programming and campus configurations in LISD. This restructure will lead to the consolidation of an elementary campus and the creation of two K-4 campuses at Hart Elementary and Puster Elementary. Lovejoy Elementary School will become an early childhood center and house district-wide student support services.
While there has been significant discussion in the community surrounding fundraising, tuition revenue, COVID relief, and other legislation, these revenue sources ultimately could not change the reality of operating with inefficiency at the elementary level. In the end, the district’s fund balance constraints, the required timing of issuing contracts for teachers, and the long-term financial impact of operating inefficiently on these campuses had to be addressed. Additionally, the will of the Board to protect the enhanced programming of Lovejoy that impacts all K-12 students plays an essential factor in the budget development of the 2021-2022 school year.
This was a difficult and thoughtful decision that weighed heavily on the hearts of our Trustees. In the development of the 2021-2022 budget, the Board of Trustees studied the recommendations by the Lovejoy ISD Administration, which included the consolidation of elementary schools into two K-4 campuses. Studying this recommendation included a review of demography data relative to past, present, and future estimates on enrollment, along with the capacity study of our campuses. Collectively today, our three elementary schools are operating at 60 percent capacity, with future projections showing a continuous decline over the next decade. As of today, the most significant drivers of this K-4 enrollment reality are the accelerated home prices in Lovejoy ISD and nearing build-out of the district. Currently, the district sits at around 95% build-out. In this scenario, Lovejoy Elementary School has the lowest enrollment and is projected to decline more than Hart and Puster Elementary. In the near term, the Administration will be working with parents on finalizing the attendance zoning changes for these two new consolidated schools and we will share plans for a positive transition.
We understand that this is not an easy decision for our elementary school community because it will require change and adjustment from all three campuses. Our Board is confident in our Central and Campus Administration to build a positive and appropriate plan of helping students, teachers, staff, and parents with these pending transitions. Our commitment to our community is to continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for all Pre-K-12 students and work with our parent community and staff to ensure this continues. There will continue to be bright days ahead for Lovejoy ISD.
Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees
Dr. Dennis Womack, Interim Superintendent, presented the identification of employment areas to be affected by a reduction in force to include:
- Elementary Restructure Positions
- Library Media Specialist Positions
- Library Technology Aide Positions
- Secondary Efficiency Positions Due to Attrition
- Administration Positions to include: Athletic Administrator, Business Office Support Position, Communications Administrator, Curriculum and Instruction Support Position, Human Resources Support Position, Operations Administrator Position, Student Services Support (vacancies) and Technology Support Positions
Dr. Womack recommended tabling consideration of security positions for a possible reduction in force due to overwhelming community support to raise funds to maintain a security officer on each campus. Dr. Womack thanked the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools for their efforts in fundraising for the security positions.
The Board of Trustees approved the reduction in force for the areas listed above, which did not include campus security.
Chad Collins, Board President, announced the following:
- This was not an easy night for the community or Board
- The elementary transition plan should be fine-tuned with an emphasis being placed on making the transition experience second to none
- The Board is looking forward to the plan being communicated and being brought to fruition
Dr. Dennis Womack, Interim Superintendent, announced the following:
- The administration will work with Lovejoy Elementary School parents on the drawing of elementary boundaries
- The administration is already working with the PTO’s to guarantee board positions being available to all who are currently serving in those positions
- The administration will finalize the leadership teams for Hart Elementary School and Puster Elementary School and will communicate that information.
Chad Collins, Board President, thanked Al Litchenburg for his service to the Lovejoy Independent School District as a Trustee for the past 9 years. Mr. Collins expressed the Board’s appreciation for all that Mr. Litchenburg has done.
Mr. Litchenburg shared that tonight was the toughest night of his service on the Board, and that although he will no longer serve as a Trustee he will continue to be very active in ensuring the district remains one of the best educational opportunities in the State of Texas.
With there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 11:35 PM.