October 2024

LISD Families,

There's no doubt there have been some tough conversations happening across the district in light of the district efficiency information shared over the last couple of weeks. I know you likely have many questions and concerns right now for your children, their teachers and administrators, your neighbors, and your campus communities.

I've shared more information below about the next step in the process, and a link to our FAQs page on the CEC website. Ultimately, our current senior Class of 2025 has 4,015 students but our current Kindergarten class districtwide only has 2,729 students. This big difference coupled with how our enrollment has dropped from 53,000 to 47,000 are circumstances we have to examine and create plans for.

Early voting is underway across the state, and I encourage you to make your voice heard at the polls. The last day of early voting is Nov. 1, and Election Day is Nov. 5.

In this month's newsletter, there are quite a few updates to share. I've included an extensive bond project update. District leaders recently provided several updates for our One Vision Task Force, and I am excited to share a progress update on where we are with projects so far.

Thank you for continuing to be an incredible partner in the education of your child.

Lori Rapp, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Follow along with me:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LISD.net/superintendent

Oct. 27 - World Occupational Therapy Day

Nov. 1 - Last Day of Early Voting

Nov. 4 - National School Psychology Week

Nov. 5 - Election Day (Student Holiday)

Nov. 11 - Regular Board Meeting

Nov. 11 - Veterans Day

To view the 2024-25 LISD Academic Calendar visit LISD.net/cal. For school hours, including early release times, visit LISD.net/hours.

A reminder that all campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for Election Day.

The Board of Trustees met for the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Monday, Oct. 21. Click HERE for the full recap.

Students from Independence Elementary led the pledge of allegiance and Texas pledge.

Dr. Rapp shared additional information related to the effort to increase facility efficiency across LISD at the Oct. 21 board meeting. All staff and families should have received an email with more details. More information is also available on the website, including a list of FAQs.

The next phase of the process will include staff and community feedback sessions for impacted campuses. Impacted staff and families will receive dates for feedback meetings the week of Oct. 28, and will receive proposals for potential retirements and/or boundary adjustments the week of Nov. 4. The listening tour will take place the week of Nov. 11 and Nov. 18.

Stay tuned for additional details, including dates, times and locations for the. listening tour.

This fall, the LISD Council of PTAs hosted a state candidate forum at TECC-W where individuals running for state house and state senate discussed issues public schools are facing. WATCH the forum.

Parent-teacher associations allow families and community members to get involved with their local schools by planning events, supporting teachers and raising funds for campus-related needs. Now is the perfect time to join your school’s PTA by clicking HERE. Looking for more ways to get involved? Visit LISD.net/Volunteer.

Recognize SomeONE is live for the 2024-25 school year! This program gives our staff and community members the opportunity to highlight the exceptional work of our staff here at LISD. Visit LISD.net/Recognize to highlight a fellow staff member today!

Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. READ MORE

The Lewisville ISD Parent Café program is a parent-led peer support group that provides a confidential space for parents to discuss, validate and receive support on the challenges of raising children, along with free childcare (ages 5+ and a meal for the family). For more information and to sign up to attend, visit LISD.net/parentcafe.

The LISD Ask an Expert video series aims to help our community continue crucial conversations with students at home about tough topics we all face. LISD counselors and other experts share their insights, touching on some of the most important issues our children face today. In this video, LISD counselors and SRO Langston talk about the dangers of fentanyl. WATCH THE VIDEO

Watch more episodes in this series HERE. #askLISD

Many projects have been completed, or are in progress, as part of the first sale of bonds from the 2023 bond referendum, which took place in January 2024. Additionally, the district sold all of the bonds from the 2024 bond referendum in June 2024. The district was able to sell the bonds in both scenarios at a lower interest rate than projected, creating more capacity in LISD's debt management portfolio. Keep reading for an overview of project progress.

Music Instrument Replacements

Pianos have been replaced at 22 elementary campuses, and all middle school and high school piano replacements are underway. Secondary band and orchestra instrument purchases are taking place, and additional elementary music classroom purchases are underway.

Box Trucks

The manufacturer and vendor have been selected for the box trucks that will be used for all five high school fine arts programs.

Marquee Replacements

The marquees at Garden Ridge ES, Old Settlers ES, and Lamar MS have entered the design phase of the replacements process.

Griffin STEM Logos

The logos at Griffin MS are being replaced to reflect the campuses transition to a STEM campus. The logo will be placed in the marquee and in the cafeteria area.

Safety & Security

The emergency responder radio system (ERRS) replacement project at 46 campuses is in progress; the district-wide door hardening for classroom doors and secondary campus entrances has entered the design phase; and the weapon detection scanner project for all middle school and high school campuses is in the demo phase.

Technology

Several technology projects are ongoing, including network and infrastructure (ex: campus sound and paging); staff and student device access; enterprise applications (ex: student information system); and safety and security technology projects (ex: exterior camera expansion).

High School Furniture Replacements

Campus leaders recently participated in furniture fairs and surveys to seek feedback from campuses. Vendors are being determined and finish selections will follow. High school furniture installation is expected to take place summer 2025.

Track & Field Lighting, Arbor Creek MS Bleachers

The track & field lighting at all five high schools will soon be replaced, and the interior bleachers at Arbor Creek will be replaced.

Casework & Furniture Replacement

Garden Ridge Elementary

Playgrounds & Shade Structure Replacement

Lakeland Elementary

Flooring & Furniture Replacement

Independence Elementary

Several projects slated for construction during summer 2025 are currently in the design phase. Visit the bond project timeline page to see which projects are up next. See bonds in action at LISD.net/bond.

Thank you voters!