It's always nice to reflect on campus accomplishments when we close out another school year. Our Board of Trustees had the opportunity to listen as Chief of Schools Travis Motal and principals districtwide shared high points of their school year. We are so proud of all our students, teachers and staff who made this year an amazing one!

Public Hearing

Chief of Schools Travis Motal, Executive Director of Student Support Services Kimberly de la Houssaye, Director of CTE Deah Twine, and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Todd Washburn gave a State and Federal Programs Presentation which included CTE, State Comp Ed, and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

• LHISD receives federal funding through several sources including Title 1-4 Funding, IDEA-B and the Carl D. Perkins Grant to support staff and students. Here are ways that we use these funds:
• Targeting academic interventionists to close achievement gaps.
• Improving overall equity across campuses
• Increase opportunities for bilingual students
• Increase academic enrichment and mental health counseling
• Funds used to support students identified at-risk
• Increase graduation rates
• Interventionists, summer school support

Public Comments

• There were no public comments at this board meeting.

Communication and Information Items

• An update regarding the Teacher Incentive Allotment was provided which included:
• The purpose: to retain, reward and recruit qualified, quality teaching staff
• Performance levels will be recognized, exemplary and master
• Components of the district designation system include teacher observation and student performance.
• Mr. Snell's Updates
• Shared schedule of events for Summer Leadership Institute and made some recommendations for programs they may wish to attend.

The Board approved the consent agenda to include:

• The Finance Summary Report

• Budget Amendments

• Bond, Food Service, Enrollment and Police Reports

• Purchases over $50,000 including:

• Instructional Materials for K-5 Social Studies
• Legacy Ranch Middle School Athletic Equipment
  
• Custodial Equipment Startup for Legacy Ranch Middle School
• CTE Animation Program of Study Computers for Liberty Hill High School
  
• Electrical Utility Services for Liberty Hill ISD Admin Annex Renovation
  
• LHISD 10 designated Public Information Request (PIR) non-business days for 2024-25
• Tax Rate Calculation Officers 2024-25
• TASB Energy Cooperative Interlocal Participation Agreement

Action Items

• The Board approved the schematic design for Liberty Hill High School Renovation as presented by Alex Nelson from VLK. This included:
• scope of work to ensure we're providing equitable learning experiences between campuses
• band hall
• engineering, robotics, new wrestling space, expansion to cafeteria, art space, new home-side concessions and restroom building.
• overview of the schematic design where the different upgrades will be made.
• next steps in the project schedule.
• Food Services Management Company Contract for 2024-2025
• Renewal with the company SFE for food services which will include both Tierra Rosa Elementary and Legacy Ranch High School
• Discussed expenditures, statistics in free and reduced lunches
• 993,000 meals were served in the 2023-24 school year.
• Provided 105 meal options in four-week cycles
• 67% of the recipes are made in house by staff
• Monthly culinary trainings and growth opportunities for staff
• Seeking feedback from students regarding menu items
• Cultural events and how can they have more of a presence at the events the students are already celebrating.
• Educating parents on what they serve and why.
• Providing nutritional educational events and teaching students about different kinds of food.
• The Board approved JJAEP MOU with Williamson County
• The Board approved the purchase of a Tract of Land Containing Approximately 19.98 Acres, described in Williamson County Appraisal District R345514, Located in Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas in late June/early July.

• The Board approved an Interlocal Agreement as amended pending a legal review with the City of Liberty Hill for Wastewater for Legacy Ranch High School and authorized the superintendent to negotiate.
  

• The Board approved temporary Construction Easements, Wastewater Easement, and Special Warranty Deed to the City of Liberty Hill and authorized the superintendent to negotiate the final terms of the agreement.
  

• The Board tabled the consideration and possible action on the Electrical Utility Easement and Land Purchase for Liberty Hill High School No. 01.
  

• The Board approved additional teacher/professional contracts, resignations and employment of personnel.

Board President Comments

• LHISD Board nominated Trustee Chris Neighbors as the txEDCON23 convention delegate and President Megan Parsons as the alternate. The event will be Sept. 27-29, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.

To listen to an audio recording of the May 20, 2024 Regular School Board Meeting click here.

The next Regular Board Meeting will be on July 15, 2024.

The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees was pleased to announce the hiring of Nicole Hagerty as the new principal of Santa Rita Middle School during the June 17, 2024 board meeting. Nicole brings 25 years of educational experience, beginning her career in 2000 as a science and math teacher at Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock ISD. She later held the positions of middle school assistant principal and principal within the same district.

As an alumna of Texas A&M University, Nicole went on to further her education by earning her Master of Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. Her educational philosophy centers on preparing students for their future academic and social endeavors, ensuring they are equipped to seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and discover new possibilities. "I am incredibly honored and excited to join the LHISD and Santa Rita Middle School family. I can't wait to meet my students, staff, parents, and the community. I look forward to serving, supporting, empowering, and working together to provide opportunities for our Stallions to be Champions!" Nicole shared.

Nicole grew up in Weatherford, Texas, and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. She considers it an honor and a privilege to serve children, schools, and their communities. Nine years ago, she and her husband, Joe, moved their family to Liberty Hill for its small-town feel and strong sense of community. Their daughter, Emma, graduated from Liberty Hill High School this past May and will be attending Tarleton University this fall. Their younger daughter, Sarah, is looking forward to her sophomore year at the high school.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and their standard schnauzer, Zeus, attending her daughters' soccer games, and preparing to be a Tarleton parent.

The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees was excited to announce Luis 'Chico' Portillo as the new LHISD Fine Arts Director during the June 17, 2024 board meeting. Chico brings 15 years of dedicated school district leadership in fine arts from Pflugerville and Bastrop ISDs, where he fostered the development of highly successful fine arts programs across elementary, middle, and high school campuses. His leadership, characterized by proactive and servant leadership principles, emphasizes nurturing strong interpersonal relationships. Chico's desire to join Liberty Hill ISD stems from his commitment to contributing to a team dedicated to building excellence in district-wide fine arts programs.

“Mr. Portillo is the perfect addition to our team. He will be working directly with our fine arts teachers K-12 to ensure we have a comprehensive approach to supporting our students to become fine arts champions,” said Chief of Schools Travis Motal. “Liberty Hill ISD has great students and wonderful teachers and with the addition of Mr. Portillo this will enhance the learning experience for all of our students as they build the best version of themselves in academics, character and community.”

Before his district leadership roles, Chico was a teacher for 21 years, earning state-level recognition for his students in marching, solo and ensemble, concert and sight reading, and the TMEA All-State audition process. Under his direction, the John B. Connally High School marching band achieved significant milestones, including a bronze medal in 2003 and a silver medal 2007 at the Texas UIL state marching band competition. He has always loved school, learning, and helping others. "I am thrilled to be joining the LHISD family of educators! I look forward to serving the fine arts teachers, students, and the Liberty Hill community, and helping them reach new heights," said Portillo.

Chico grew up in El Paso and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he met his wife, Reagan, who was from Austin. They have made Austin their home ever since. Reagan is an elementary school counselor at Mott Elementary School in Pflugerville ISD. His son, Daniel, is a mechanical engineer in San Antonio, and his daughter, Breanna, is an athletic trainer at John B. Connally High School in Pflugerville ISD. He also enjoys being a father-in-law to his daughter-in-law, Julie. Outside of work, Chico's hobbies include hiking, biking, golfing, college football and traveling.

Liberty Hill ISD. Building Champions in Academics, Character, and Community

Email: superintendent@libertyhill.txed.net
Website: libertyhill.txed.net
Location: 301 Forrest Street, Liberty Hill, TX, USA
Phone: 512-260-5580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.snell.585
Twitter: @s_snell