Welcome to Lovejoy ISD where Kids Come First.

Each day we are focused on doing our Best Today. Better Tomorrow.

We are One Heart. One Lovejoy.

Dear Lovejoy Community:

The district’s communication plan includes updates regarding Board meetings. Following each meeting of the Board of Trustees, we share a recap of the evening’s events.

 

For those interested in an outline of the Board Meeting, you may find the full agenda here.

 

Following is the March 15, 2021 Board Brief. 

The Board meeting was called to order at 4:01 PM with the Board retiring into Executive Session. Executive Session is a time where limited items such as personnel matters may be discussed. No votes are taken in Executive Session. The Board remained in Executive Session until 7:05 PM, at which time they recessed. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:11 PM.

The Pledges were led by Lovejoy Elementary School 4th grader, Shelby Steiner. 

At roll call the following Board Members were present at Lovejoy Elementary School:

Chad Collins, President

Amy Smith, Vice-President

Anne Smith, Secretary

Al Litchenburg, Trustee

Barrett Owens, Trustee

Jeff Wood, Trustee

Marvin Bobo, Trustee

Cabinet members attend all Board meetings. Cabinet members are as follows:

Dr. Dennis Womack, Interim Superintendent

Shay Adams, Chief Financial Officer

Sancy Fuller, Executive Director of Special Education and Academic Support

Dennis Muizers, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Laurie Vondersaar, Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Communication

Willow Springs Middle School Principal Kevin Parker introduced Misty Wright, WSMS English Language Arts Teacher.

Each Board Meeting contains a dedicated time for public comments. Last night there were 19 public comments:

·        Homa Lewis spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Tamara Sakuda spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Gavin Blankenship read comments from Kathy Gonzales in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Brandon Montgomery spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Kimberly Allie spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements. 

·        Savannah Fahous spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Amanda Blankenship spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements. 

·        Lindsay Pederson spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Amy Rattleff spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Michael Rattleff read comments from Ben Brown in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Max Rattleff read comments from George McClure in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements. 

·        Kelly George spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Kendall Carll spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Mercedes David spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Mathias Alling requested to ask questions of the Board following the meeting.

·        Barbara Isaacs spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Gary Isaacs read comments from a community member in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Beth Purcell spoke in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements and read comments from a community member in favor of changing the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        Dinah Thadikunda spoke in favor of maintaining the current TEA face masks requirements.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda which included:

 - Approval of the minutes of the February 22, 2021 Regular Board Meeting and Budget Update, February 26, 2021 Special Meeting and Budget Workshop, and March 2, 2021 Special Meeting and Budget Workshop.

The Board of Trustees considered possible changes to the face mask policy after hearing from the following:

·        Mari McGowan, Attorney for Lovejoy ISD with Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, PC who presented legal information regarding Executive Order GA-34 and Schools. The presentation may be found here.

·        Dr. Laurie Vondersaar, Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, presented the teacher and staff survey regarding face masks. The presentation may be found here.

·        Dr. Christopher Newton, a member of Lovejoy ISD’s medical advisory team presented current medical information.

·        Dr. Dennis Womack, Interim Superintendent, presented the current status of Lovejoy ISD following the TEA face masks requirements.

A Board discussion followed the presentations, with Board President Chad Collins summarizing the discussion:

·        The Board will not take any action to make a change to the TEA face masks requirements.

·        There have been no changes to contact tracing and quarantine protocols.

·        The district will continue to focus on educational continuity with minimal disruption.

·        The district will continue to focus on ensuring all teachers and staff who choose to do so are vaccinated.

·        There has been an overwhelming response from students to continue with the current TEA face masks requirements.

·        The Board and District’s goal is to return to normalcy in the Fall of 2021.

Board President Chad Collins shared the following timeline for the Superintendent Search:

·        March 17 – 24: Lovejoy Online Community Survey (Opens on March 17)

·        March 25: LISD Board of Trustees review survey results and build final Superintendent Profile

·        March 30 – April 27: Application portal open for candidates. All applications must be completed by April 27, 2021 by 10:00 PM

·        April 28 – May 4: JG Consulting vetting process

·        May 5: JG Consulting candidate review with Board of Trustees

·        May 13 – 14: Round 1 Candidate Interviews

·        May 20 – 21: Round 2 Candidate Interviews

·        May 24: LISD Board of Trustees names Lone Finalist. This is a confidential search. Only the Lone Finalist will be named

·        June 14: LISD Board of Trustees formally hires LISD Superintendent

The Board of Trustees approved the timeline for the Superintendent Search.

At 9:06 PM the Board recessed and retired into Closed Session at 9:14 PM. The Board returned to the Open Session and recessed at 10:34 PM. The Board returned to the Open Session at 10:38 AM and tabled the following items:

·        Budget Workshop

·        Consider modification to the current Lovejoy Scholars Program

The Board approved March 25, 2021 as a Special Meeting and Budget Workshop. The Closed Session will begin at 5:00 PM follows by the Public portion of the meeting beginning at 7:00 PM.

The Interim Superintendent’s Report may be found here and included updates from:

·        The Board of Trustees

·        Office of the Interim Superintendent

·        Business Services

·        Communications

·        Curriculum and Instruction

·        Operations

·        Student Services

Interim Superintendent Dr. Dennis Womack shared special thanks to the Allen Fire Department and Fairview Dermatology for their assistance with vaccinations for teachers and staff members.

Board President Chad Collins thanked the community for their outpouring of communications regarding face masks and encouraged the community to support our students and coaches in spring athletics.

With there being no further business, the Board of Trustees adjourned at 10:43 PM.