Lancaster school board receives 5-year report

by Bill Conrad of Lancaster TODAY

The board of trustees for the Lancaster Independent School District received a five-year report and announced the upcoming elections of three board members at its meeting Feb. 4.

The report, titled “From Then to Now: A Programmatic Study of Lancaster ISD by Department from 2003-08,” was presented by district Director of Community Relations Teri Wilson and looked at each area of the district in four specific categories: Staffing, resources, programs and opportunities.

The report also included some facts about the district. In 2003, Lancaster had a population of 28,500 compared to 35,050 currently. The enrollment in the school district also rose from 4,751 in 2003 to 6,124 now.

Trustee Russ Johnson was complimentary to the district employees who put together the report, as well as the district for accomplishing what it had in the past five years.

“Take a look at where we were in 2003 compared to where we are today,” Johnson said. “Anybody who knows anything about education has to come to the conclusion that we are much farther along and we are better off. We are moving forward and that is good.”

Three board members are up for reelection in the May 10 general election. The members are Sue Mendoza of District 4, Shelia Stanmore of District 5 and Russ Johnson of District 7.

The night opened with the recognition of coaches and nine students from Lancaster High School who competed in the Academic Decathlon. The team qualified for the state tournament beginning Feb. 28 in San Antonio. The trip to state is the first in the team's history. Margarita Tarver, a Spanish teacher at the high school, was recognized by the district as well.

The board also approved the December financial reports, the E-Rate Vendor Contracts for 2008-09 and renewed the bids for Retail Library Books-Catalog Discount and for Instructional/Curriculum Materials.

The layout of the 2008-09 budget committee was also revealed. The complete makeup of the committee can be found on the Today Newspaper website.

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Anonymous

Mike Orren says:

It needs to be noted in coverage of LISD that the LISD buys 4,500-5,000 bulk subscriptions to Lancaster Today, and that is what brought the paper back into circulation late last year:

http://www.pegasusnews.com/search/?q=...

Here is the budget committee makeup referenced in the story:

http://www.todaynewspapers.net/articl...

Staff

1 year, 9 months ago
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estherspeaks says:

What was not noted in this article is that the board still is less than open with the public about it financial statements. Repeatedly the public has asked that the agenda for the district spell out what the board is voting on as far as general financial reports. So far the board and this administration continue to hide the facts behind a blanket statement of "financial reports." to be voted on in a consent agenda. The public has no idea what is taking place and what is being voted on.

This board was elected to represent their constituents and not to hide behind closed doors. Since this board refuses to act in good faith, it is necessary for the public to act in unison and vote in people who choose to do as the constitution requires, and "act in the best interest of its citizens."

Anonymous

1 year, 9 months ago
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interestedcitizen says:

Someone needs to post on this website for the general public to see the Superintendent's Goals for 2006-2007 to see how many of those goals he met. I understand that, he promised, in August of 2006, that by June 2006, three months earlier, three elementary schools would be at "recognized" status. Were they? Why did he make a promise to make something happen on a date that had already passed?