Lancaster 3rd and 5th graders show improvement on TAKS

by Jeff Melcher

The Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees heard, Monday night, the results of February's "First Administration" of TAKS reading tests for the district's 3rd and 5th graders. According to Superintendent Lewis, this year's results show unprecedented improvement over all previous years.

Commended Scores -- a higher level of accomplishment -- also jumped dramatically; nearly doubling. Among 3rd graders last year, 11% earned commended status; while the statistics presented last night indicate 20% earned commendation. For 5th graders, the figures changed from 6% last year to 10%. now.

In the main meeting, a lengthy discussion of new bond referendum ensued. Six separate propositions -- all that were presented -- were ultimately approved by the board in a 6-1 vote. Carolyn Morris was the lone dissenting vote. The package of bonds sent to the public totaled over $140 million, of which only $73 million can be borrowed in the coming year at current valuations. The balance is hoped to become available if interest rates remain at historically low levels, if state assistance continues to be made available, and if property tax valuations continue to grow at the rate of the past several years.

The Board also enjoyed roughly an hour of entertainment at the start of the 4-and-one-half hour long meeting provided by performers from the various elementary schools' "Black History Month" presentations. Lakeesha Hearns's 1st graders led the audience in a rousing chorus of "Lift Every Voice and Sing", 3 girls from Mercedes Watson's class performed a carefully choreographed number to "Why do Fools Fall in Love" and Angela Carter conducted 4 boys in a drumming demonstration.

Citizen comments included Debbie Wade asking about the late "annual financial reports" that LISD was to have filed, and has not, by January 31st with the Texas Education Agency -- and a request from Jeff Melcher to make the district's check register publicly available on the district's website.