Volume V, Issue 3 (January 31, 2020)

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” ― Michael Phelps

Vol. V January 31, 2020

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

DIVING IN Lobo swim team qualifies for Regionals

T

he Lobo swim team saw huge success at their district meet on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Rockwall Aquatic Center.

“When we started the season, we wanted to finish out with faster

swim times. I think this year we’re going to do that,” said Coach Daniel Gonzalez. “The girls, some are at the level where times are the best

ROTC color guard leads MLK parade

Swim|Continued to page 7

The Longview Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps’ color guard, the rest of the battalion along with Judson and Foster cadets represented Longview Independent School District and their country as they led the Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Saturday, Jan. 18. Two days later they also led the MLK Jr. march that started at the Broughton Recreation Center on Monday, Jan. 20.

“Taking part in events (like this) allows the cadets to learn things about their community and be aware of what others are going through,” said JROTC teacher SGT First Class Jennifer JackJACKSON son. “It allows them to give back to the community.”

The Longview High School JROTC program was established on Sept. 7, 1978. From that time, the program has grown and is now frequently seen at Longview ISD events as well as loJROTC|Continued to page 7

Board approves talks with potential charter partners Longview Independent School District trustees approved beginning talks with four non-profit organizations, during a special-called meeting Wednesday, Jan. 29th.

Board members unanimously authorized Superintendent

THE

V

ongview oice

Dr. James Wilcox to begin negotiations and possibly sign performance contracts with Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS), Lions Pride (Texas A&M-Commerce), Longview LEAP (City of Longview), and the Interna-

Opinion Coming Events

2 3

tional Center for Academics & Technology (iCAT).

If approved by district trustees at a future date, Longview ISD will apply for benefits through Senate Bill 1882 that Charter|Continued to page 17

zSpace LOBOTS

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Sports Longview Listens

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

OPINION

Cheating spoils the results in baseball, politics

By Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune What if cheating in politics got as much attention as stealing catchers’ signs on the way to a World Series?

The Houston Astros — and maybe a team or two to be named later — got caught using technology to steal the signs catchers were making to pitchers. Stealing signs is a legal and time-honored form of baseball trickery, but using technology like cameras and smart watches, as the Astros did, is specifically against the rules.

It wrecked the Astros’ reputation. It put a big fat asterisk on their 2017 World Series championship. Every move they make for the next few years will be shaded by the scandal. And if you watch the sports universe, you’ll also find lots of fanatics shouting variations on “Everybody does it.”

Is there a better moment to compare and contrast sports and politics?

Those who really want to tamper, tamper with the rules. Political factions draw cleverly unfair maps of political districts. It’s the reason people already in office are so reluctant to make it easier for new voters to take part in

the elections that might see whether he brought threaten incumbents. It’s his Astros witchcraft why Texas won’t let you with him. And Carlos register to vote online, or Beltran, a former Astros on Election Day. player mentioned in the People in politics, like report for his part in people in sports, conthe scheme, is leaving stantly tinker to bend the New York Mets as a rules to their advantage. result — a rookie MLB Maybe they fiddle with manager out of a job RAMSEY the amount of air in a before managing a single football, as Tom Brady game. and the New England Patriots Their scheme was a combinawere accused of doing a few tion of high tech and low tech — years ago. Or they take the fine a camera in center field, trained art of stealing signs out of the on the batter and catcher, sendhands of the cleverest players ing video to a monitor in the hall and turn things over to the teby the dugout, where an Astros chies, like Houston did. employee signaled batters about Once the Astros were busted, what was coming by banging on the fallout was quick: Jeff Luha trash can. now and A.J. Hinch, the Astros’ And what happened to the Asgeneral and field managers, tros in the 2017 season when all can’t set foot in any professionof this was going on? They won al baseball stadium — major the World Series. Boston, with league or minor — until after Cora in charge, won it in 2018. the next World Series, and they They might well have won were fired immediately after without any tricks. Don’t want to the league suspended them. The get caught here saying anything team loses some draft picks and nice about the Red Sox, but the has to pay $5 million, too.

Astros team of the last few years The Boston Red Sox parted would have been phenomenal with their manager, Alex Cora, without the hijinks. after Major League Baseball’s It’s the same with politics. official report came out; he was Elections are sloppy things.

Houston’s bench coach when the Just look at the latest school cheating took place. The Red Sox bond election in Midland, which are now under investigation to passed by 18 votes in the Elec-

tion Day count, failed by 25 votes when mail-in ballots were taken into account, flipped again on a recount that put it up by 11 votes, and then failed — finally, and by 26 votes — when a missing election box was counted.

Nothing that we know of was illicit, just sloppy. It’s a great illustration of the maxim, “Every vote counts.”

Texas history is full of instances where ballot boxes went missing, or when enough votes were found after an initial count to flip the result. Or when technology got in the way, like last year’s dust-up between the Texas secretary of state and election officials in Harris County.

History has its share of cheaters, too, with consequences bigger than the outcome of a baseball game. The courts caught Texas cheating over and over during the last decade by changing election laws to benefit one side over the other. The judges often sent the Legislature back to make revisions. But they didn’t raise the kinds of questions about the election results that sports fans are raising about the Astros’ championship.

In baseball, cheating has consequences.

— Ross Ramsey is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune.

A community can feel the impact of education

By John Faulkner Great Falls Tribune Like many Great Falls residents, I believe voting is an important right and responsibility. As we look toward 2020, I’d like to offer thoughts based on personal experience with communities that support schools. I am representing only my personal views as a parent and local resident.

As a native of Central Ohio, I witnessed the contrast between communities that reinvested in education and those that didn’t. The region’s massive industrial core began to slow in the 80s and cities could no longer rely on huge factories for property taxes and economic development.

With the downturn, many localities reduced school funding. Forty years later, some communities are growing and

thriving while others, to another district 10 only a few miles away, miles away and I imexperience school clomediately found mysures, lower property self a full year behind values, population dein math – after being clines and significantly in the top five of my higher crime rates. The class in my old district. difference in prospects I worked hard at my for these cities’ chilnew school but was dren is stark.

FAULKNER never able to reach the I attended grade same academic standschool in a district that lacks ing. In my new district, exfunding support. The district pectations were much higher was unable to pass operating and the learning environment levies for years and the state dramatically better. ultimately threatened to take Over the years, my “new” over operation of the district. hometown prospered. The city The community trails the is home to a major laboratory state average in attainment and well-occupied industriof higher education. The city al park; its small downtown remains economically stagis thriving with restaurants nant after 40 years with no and shops; and it has become new major employers, and it a community of choice. This lacks opportunity and many reinforces the many pieces of amenities. research that find a synerWhen I was a high school gistic relationship between freshman, my family moved investment in local schools

and community prosperity – in measures like property values, community growth and job growth. Families find ways to move to districts that offer their children strong opportunities. Young families in turn contribute extensively to local economies as they build their household.

There is a natural temptation to say our schools simply need be more efficient with funds they have. I agree that financial efficiency is an important goal, but these concerns are often based on generalizations without factual context. I personally have no doubt that district management and the school board strive to make Great Falls schools both excellent and efficient, and a concerned citizenry can help them succeed.

— John Faulkner is the Great Falls International Airport Director.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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Coming Events

LHS graduate has returned to assist her community For Judson Assistant Principal Faith Newhouse, embarking on her 21st year in education in her hometown of Longview — excited is an understatement.

She is a 1995 graduate of Longview High School. Her undergraduate degrees are from Kilgore College and Stephen F. Austin State University. She began her teaching career in Rockwall ISD in 1999 and taught 6th grade Science, Social Studies and ELA. Upon completing her master’s degree from Texas A&M-Commerce, she obtained her princi-

pal certification and began her administrator’s journey in Plano ISD as a Dean of Students at a middle school.

She ended her stay in PlaNEWHOUSE no with seven years as a high school assistant principal.

Newhouse loves teaching and public education. When provided the opportunity to return home and encourage members of her community, there was no hesita-

2020 STEAM Fair t-shirt design winner chosen Congratulations to LHS’ Lily Purdum for winning the 2020 STEAM Fair t-shirt design contest! Students all over the district will soon be wearing her t-shirt!

tion — “I LOVE Longview!”

Newhouse’s favorite quote is “Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” — Rita Pierson, author/ educator.

She aims to be that champion for each and every student that she comes in contact with at Judson STEAM Academy!

Judson has a huge legacy within the community and they will strive to keep the vision positive and supportive!

January 31 8 a.m. LHS Swim Region 3 Swim Championships (Mansfield ISD Natatorium) 8 a.m. LHS Varsity Tennis (Rockwall) 5 p.m. LHS Boys Basketball vs Rockwall Heath (LHS) 5 p.m. LHS Girls Basketball vs Rockwall Heath (Rockwall Heath) 5:30 p.m. LHS Boys Soccer vs Midlothian (LHS) February 1 11 a.m. Varsity Softball vs Hughes Springs (LHS) February 4 5 p.m. LHS Girls Basketball vs North Mesquite (LHS) 5 p.m. LHS Boys Basketball vs North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 5:30 p.m. LHS Boys Soccer vs Mesquite Horn (LHS) 5:30 p.m. LHS Girls Soccer vs Mesquite Horn (Mesquite Horn) February 5 8 a.m. LHS Boys Golf at Pine Tree JV Invitational (Wood Hollow Golf Course) February 6 5 p.m. Judson Boys Basketball vs Nac McMichael (Judson) 5 p.m. Forest Park Boys Basketball vs Lufkin Purple (Forest Park) 5 p.m. Foster Girls Basketball vs Nac. Moses (Foster) 5 p.m. Judson Girls Basketball vs Nac. McMichael (Nac.) February 7 5 p.m. LHS Boys Basketball vs Tyler Lee (LHS) February 8 8 a.m. Senior Celebration

Candidates file for May election A general election for City of Longview City Council Districts 3 and 4 will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot for District 3 and 4 by February 14.

Candidates may file during normal office hours at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St. As of January 15, 2020, the following candidates have filed to run in the May 2 Election.

FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 3

Name: Wray M. Wade Age: 51 Occupation: Business Owner Mailing Address: 1012 S. Green St. Telephone: (cell) 917-557-7834

FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

Name: Kristen Ishihara Age: 38 Occupation: Attorney Mailing Address: 1214 Hillcrest Drive Telephone: (cell) 903-399-1178 For more information about the City of Longview General Election, please visit LongviewTexas.gov or contact the City Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1081.

WADE

ISHIHARA

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Ms. Gregg’s class tops fundraiser goal Congratulations to Cecilia Gregg’s class for being the top selling classroom with JL Everhart’s Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser! They were treated to ice cream sundaes and dance lessons from Andy the Armadillo on Friday, Jan. 17.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

zSpace brings ‘virtual reality’ to LISD Continuing the efforts of preparing campus readiness for zSpace, many principals and zSpace trained teachers were at the ESC on Wednesday, Jan. 22. zSpace was present to help schools to focus on how they would like to implement the new computers on their campuses.

“We focused on a general idea of the direction that they plan to take with zSpace on their campus. Some are going to be focused on science, some will focus on the needs of special needs students, some on career and technology,” said zSpace Senior Director of Sales Kevin Dougherty. “Then some of the logistics, like how will they house the devices, how will they be checked out and how will they monitor the level of usage and be able to then determine the level of impact that zSpace had on student learning.” zSpace combines elements of AR and VR to create lifelike experiences that are immersive and interactive. Using glasses that are about the size and weight of

regular sunglasses, five sensors on them work in conjunction to bring objects on the screen to life.

“The experience itself (is unique). It doesn’t require large equipment that the students have to wear,” said zSpace Senior Director of Sales Kevin Dougherty.

“Students can lift the human heart off the screen, beating, in perfect proportion and manipulate it right there in front of them.”

In August, the district board approved spending $500,000 to purchase computers for some LISD campuses: LHS, South Ward, Ned E. Williams, Hudson PEP, Judson and Foster.

By purchasing these computers, students will be able to get a more hands on experience than would normally be possible. Something that might be cost prohibitive, such as taking apart a vehicles engine, to the downright impossible, seeing the moon up close and being able to break it down into its various layers, can all be done with zSpace’s computers.

“I’ve been working with school district in a support capacity for 20 years and this is probably one of, if not the highest level of positive response that I’ve witnessed.” Dougherty said.

Over 1,000 districts in the nation have rolled out zSpace to some extent with nearly 100 in Texas. No district in the nation though has seen as big of a rollout as LISD is seeing, according to Dougherty.

District seeks applicants for $1,000 ‘Voice’ scholarship Applications for the 2020 Voice Scholarship are now available from the LISD Community Relations Department.

The Longview Voice is a district-wide newspaper that covers student, staff, and local community news. The paper is produced by the LISD Community Relations department in partnership with the Thrifty Nickel, as well as campus staff and volunteers.

Each year the Community Relations de-

partment selects a Longview High School senior student who contributes work to The Longview Voice for a scholarship to the school of their choice.

To qualify a student must submit a news article, op-ed column, or photo to be published in any edition of The Longview Voice newspaper, and fill out an application to be considered.

PAST WINNERS

2016 — Estrella Gonzales, Keyarro Hol-

lins, Uwa Ihionkhan, Yosef Ibitayo 2017 — Gaylon Wiley 2018 — German Zelaya, Jose Velazquez, Michael Vera 2019 — Alyssa Shobert, Brady Miller, Payton Schaap 2020 — It could be YOU! For more information please contact the Community Relations department via email at ask@lisd.org or call (903) 3812200.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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Longview FFA sees big wins at Henderson show Longview FFA had a great day at the Henderson Lions Club jackpot show on Saturday, Jan. 18. They had two lambs, one goat, a heifer and a pig all compete.

Cooper Mayes and Cobra did it again and won grand champion lamb and senior showmanship! Cooper also won grand champion goat!

Daja Boyd and her heifer

Cherokee placed third in a large age break class and worked all the kinks out and were ready for Fort Worth the following weekend.

Kacee Wilkins-Clark and her pig Trey placed seventh in a very tough cross class.

To all of the parents that were there to help, we thank you.

JROTC |Continued from page 1 cal civic events, as shown with the recent MLK Jr. events. Over 100 students now participate in the LHS JROTC program.

JROTC program teaches the cadets discipline, leadership and how to treat others through drills but it also becomes a second family to many of them according to Jackson. It also allows them to connect with veterans throughout the area such as those at nursing homes through their “Red, White and You.” Another community event that they do aid the homeless of

East Texas doing Operation Standdown.

Every November, JROTC takes part in the “Honor America Night” at LHS. They present the colors at the event which has a flag of each military branch presented.

Veterans are honored for their service to our country during “Honor America Night.”

“It’s really about recognizing the veterans and the first responders,” Jackson said.

Their next big event is the Waco Drill

Meet on Saturday, Feb. 1, where they will take part with 7 different teams: Female Color Guard, Male Color Guard, Armed Drill Team, Unarmed Drill Team, Male Physical Fitness, Female Physical Fitness and Raider Challenge. The Raider Challenge is a three-mile obstacle course with tire flipping, low crawling under hurdles and a log walk to challenge the competitors while being timed.

They will be competing against thirty schools.

SWIM |Continued from page 1 in years. So every time they’re breaking something or getting personal records in individual events or relays, they’re making some of the faster times since I’ve been here.”

The Lobo girls advanced to Regionals 6A in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, 50 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay and 400 Yard Freestyle Relay.

The boys advance to Regionals 6A in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay and 400 Yard Freestyle Relay.

Freshman Gracie Ponder tied for first place in the 50 Yard Freestyle.

Along with Gracie Ponder, the Regionals meet will include: Freshmen Jenna Shireman and Elle Woods; Sophomores Zane Bunn, Joseph Egbe and Kaitlyn Stewart; Juniors Braden Nickel, Rachel Smith, Caroline Taylor and Richard Windom; Lilly Purdum will be there as an alternate.

Ponder has been swimming as a sport for four years now and plans on continuing it throughout her high school career and then at UT. “I would love to swim in college, I want to do it competitively as long as I can.

UT is known for their swim team,” Ponder said. “It’s a really fun sport and is something that is so set, not having to worry about judges judging me. It’s based on

times and I can only improve my times.”

The Lobo swim team will compete in the Regional meet on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Mansfield Natatorium.

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• LISD schools earned 40 total distinctions on state accountability ratings, an increase from 34 earned last year, and the highest in the region.

• Each year HUNDREDS of out-of-district students transfer INTO into Longview Independent School District, citing “education opportunities” as their reason.

• International Baccalaureate project partners with “We Help Two” and sells “funky socks” to help supply legs and feet to amputees all over the world.

• Brand new partnership for innovation with East Texas Advanced Academies which will bring new funding and ideas to public education.

• Three campuses with national STEM certifications (Judson STEAM Academy, Bramlette STEAM Academy, and Ned E. Williams).

• Largest FREE public Montessori school (for 3-to-5 year-olds) in the Nation. Provided free of charge to Longview area children.

• Partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce to help foster community partnerships and mentors for Ware students.

• Went totally ‘green’ on all building projects resulting in a $200,000 award from SWEPCO for energy conservation • Graduates matriculating to EMT, Cosmetology, welding, Culinary Arts, Meat and Butchering programs nationally.

• Eight-week Montessori training for other districts in Texas hosted by East Texas Montessori Prep Academy • Award-winning Theater Arts program with a director who has been with the district for more than 50 years.

• Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting class in partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce.

• Horticulture Program harvests own bee hives to sell honey, wax, and wax products at FFA shows.

• LIFT program annually paying out close to $1 million in staff bonuses for improved testing scores.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

• Hosted Adjunct Fair for SFA to help employ Adjunct staff in Longview and through Longview ISD. • Purchased multiple pieces of strategic real estate, without increased debt, for future expansion.

• Every year of Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox tenure the LISD budget has been “in the black.”

• Local corporate partnerships with Eastman and Komatsu and Longview Manufacturing Academy.

• Hosted “Axe”epted East Texas meet and greet for area students attending SFA in Fall 2019.

• Lobo Band continuing their string of 69 consecutive first-level honors at State Sweepstakes.

• Bramlette STEAM Academy as National Capturing Kids’ Hearts national recognition/award.

• Partnerships in education with UT, SMU, Texas Tech, SFA, KC, Letourneau, and UT-Tyler.

• “Playing for Keeps” childcare program for students with children, as well as LISD staffers.

• May 2019 hosted first LHS CTE Signing Day for students going to college or workforce.

• More than 100 teachers earned Project Based Learning certifications in Spring 2019.

• Multiple graduates with offers to Ivy League and other prestigious universities.

• Lobo University to help prepare students and parents for life after high school.

• 36 students graduate with Associates Degrees (50 projected in class of 2020).

• Longview ISD middle school students earn “Duke Scholar” honors every year • LISD farm-to-table program, partnering with local farmers for cafeteria produce.

• Award-winning elementary, middle school, and high school choir programs • Perfect scores on PSAT as middle schoolers from Foster Middle School.

• Only free public K-12 International Baccalaureate program in the world.

• Fall 2018 LHS donated more than 400 coats to KLTV’s Coats for Kids.

• Summer backpack program to make sure kids get fed year-round.

• Signing Santa to help deaf ed students communicate with “Santa.”

• Culinary Arts CTE student-led catering program began Fall 2018.

• Only International Baccalaureate program east of Interstate 45.

• More than 500 LHS students were taking dual-credit last year.

• 116 incoming Freshman applying for dual credit courses.

• State and National Technical Student Association winners.

• Orchestra offered at elementary, middle and high school.

• Named 2018 School Board of the Year from Region VIII. • More than 30 teachers with national STEM certifications.

• Wall of Honor honors Veteran alumni and their families.

• LHS music students annually perform at Carnegie Hall.

• Privatized custodial services to save taxpayer dollars.

• Gold Standard Award yearly for financial transparency.

• Less than 2 percent dropout rate at Longview High.

• Class of 2019 earned $8.5 million in scholarships.

• 236 unduplicated seniors with dual credit hours.

• Over 6500 hours of college by 2019 graduates.

• 6,531 semester credit hours for dual credit.

• Award-winning high school art program.

• 2018 UIL Academic District Champions.

• Class 6A State Football Champion.

• 2,601 Workforce hours earned.

• National Welding Champions.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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LHS LOBOTS team welcomes donations, help The LHS robotics team, LOBOTS, are working on their latest machine which will be competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition in February.

FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. A team of 10 or more students must hone their teamwork skills, design, build and program a robot during six weeks to perform tasks against a the competition.

This year, the LHS team will be taking with them a pit to be used in the competition. For any who

may wish to donate funds or parts, the contribution would be greatly appreciated as the pit alone will cost approximately $510.90 in parts. The pit requires eight side outlet elbow ($19.28/piece), six single socket tee ($10.58/piece), two side outlet tee ($14.29/piece), nine 21’ of 1” pipe ($29.40/piece).

Along with donations for the pit, the team needs at least $10,000 in donations. They need to purchase electrical parts, pneumatic parts, hardware and machinery.

For more information email jbrandon@lisd.org .

Safety audits performed Students plot the path ahead Longview Fire Department worked with administrative staff and community partners during District Safety Meeting to conduct their school safety audits on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Give thanks to those who help with car duty on campus We want to thank all of our teachers and aides that get to campuses early and stay late for car duty! Everyday these teachers and aides face winter cold, summer heat, or rain to make sure our students start and end their day on a good note.

So thank you for all you do for our children!

We have some very excited 4th graders in Mrs. Konvalin’s class making a path or road, engineering a snow plow for their Ozobot and block coding directions.

The following week it “snowed” and the challenge for her students was to remove 90% of the snow in 2 minutes.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN

WARE EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI ACADEMY

JUDSON

601 W Garfield Ave.

259

EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI PREP ACADEMY

LONGVIEW HS

400 N Eastman Rd.

J.L. EVERHART

281

JOHNSTONMCQUEEN ELEMENTARY

BRAMLETTE FOREST PARK

80

EARLY GRADUATION

BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY

ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD

WARE

422 FM 2751

FOSTER

111 Tupelo Dr.

HUDSON PEP

31 20

NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy.

J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY

149

2919 Tryon Rd. NED E. WILLIAMS

HUDSON PEP ELEMENTARY 1311 Lilly St.

SOUTH WARD ELEMENTARY

1011 S Mobberly Ave. JUDSON STEAM ACADEMY 5745 Judson Rd.

FOREST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

1644 N Eastman Rd. FOSTER MIDDLE

1504 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

201 E Tomlinson Pkwy.

EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.

Registration Begins Soon Now, it’s your turn to learn more:

Visit ChooseLISD.org or call 903-381-2200.

Paid for by the MSAP funds.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

SPORTS LOBO UP!

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Boys basketball eyes Class 6A playoff run

T

he regular season is winding down, but Longview Lobo basketball is just getting started.

Currently second in District 11-6A, the Lobos are 4-1 through the first loop of league action, with an eye on shaking things up.

“We were playing Rockwall and we were both 4-1, with us losing in overtime,” said Coach Donald Newton. “We’ve got some work to do if we’re to pursue our hopes of a district championship. All three teams are in second place in district. JV and freshmen are both 5-1 in district play.”

Lobo JV and freshman also lost to Rockwall who has been the defending champs Lobos|Continued to page 16

JV Lobo soccer team wins Tyler tournament The boys JV Lobo soccer team fought hard at the Tyler Lee tournament on Saturday, Jan. 18, and it paid off! They ended up taking home first place! Great job, everyone!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Longview Listens welcome back guest speaker The City of Longview, Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee will host “Longview Listens” from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, at LeTourneau University in the Allen Family Student Center, 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. Longview Listens seeks to promote unity and diversity in Longview by creating a safe environment through which we include, inform, and celebrate all individuals through community dialogue.

Terry Reese, former McDonald’s executive, held multiple positions throughout his career with the organization, including Vice President/Managing Director in South Africa and Vice President Training and Learning Development Global covering 119 countries. Reese will lead small group discussions related to Identifying Entitlement Mes-

sages, How Entitlement Can Create Tension between Cultures, and Steps to Improve Our Entitlement Challenges.

This Longview REESE Listens will be the second in a three-part series with the subsequent Longview Listens planned May 11, 2020. If participants were unable to attend session one of this series in November, they should still plan to attend on Feb. 10.

Partners in Prevention Manager Holly Fuller states, “The Unity and Diversity Committee is fortunate to have Terry Reese lead the next Longview Listens session. Twenty-five of the 59 participants from the November Longview Listens completed an

online evaluation. The Committee was very pleased with the responses, which showed that 100% of the participants stated that they had learned something new. 89% of the participants felt comfortable contributing to the conversation. 100% stated they plan to attend Longview Listens on Feb. 10 and that they plan to tell others about the event. The results of the evaluation speak

for themselves that attendees were highly satisfied and felt the event was beneficial to them personally. Reese is an excellent communicator and has a skill for engaging people in open dialogue to strengthen positive race relations and to better understand entitlement.”

For more information, please call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019.

Longview ISD campuses holding Magnet Showcases East Texas Montessori Prep Academy hosted a Magnet Showcase Night on Thursday, Jan. 23. The showcase included campus tours with their campus ambassadors, student and teacher presentations, Montessori Q&A, and Montessori demo les-

sons so the community could see what makes Montessori so special.

Thank you to everyone who turned up!

Ned E. Williams Elementary will host their Magnet Showcase night on Thursday, Feb. 20.

We will have more information on this showcase

available soon.

Ware East Texas Montessori Academy will host their Magnet Showcase on Tues-

day, Feb. 25 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Their showcase will include a general assembly, tours of their campus, Liv-

ing History Museum, tech stations, Makerspace stations, robotics, STEAM Lab, and Montessori demo lessons.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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Library launches ‘Longview 150 Stories’ podcast The City of Longview and The Longview Public Library have been hard at work getting the “Longview 150 Stories” Podcast ready, and they are happy to report that it is now live and online!

As part of Longview’s 150 Year Sesquicentennial celebration, the City of Longview, and The Longview Public Library are partnering with their diverse community and recording memories and stories of the city’s rich history.

These podcast memories will be available online to everyone during the yearly celebration, and then saved to the Library’s digital archive and website for future enjoyment.

Please access the current broadcast episodes for free, through Podbean.com .

Mobile/tablet users can also download Podbean’s free app to search for and enjoy the episodes there.

The Longview Public Library is still seeking submissions for the project too!

Podcast|Continued to page 16

National mentoring month recognized January is National Mentoring Month, and this year the City of Longview Partners in Prevention is celebrating the annual campaign with a number of events including a celebration with the City of Longview and hosting a New Mentor Orientation.

Partners in Prevention Mentoring Program has provided professionally supported mentoring for 23 years and is aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults. “Forever Friends” matches women with girls in middle school through high school. “Co-Pilots” are adult male volunteers who are matched with boys in 1st grade through high school. Both programs currently serve students in the Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill, Kilgore and Hallsville school districts, meeting

weekly during the child’s lunch period.

Research shows that mentors matched through a quality mentoring program play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to strive and thrive, to attend and engage in school, and to reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug use and other negative activities. In turn, these young people are: 55% more likely to be enrolled in college; 81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities; 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities; and more than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.

“We have over 200 mentors volunteering in our program annually. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful, pos-

itive effects on young people.

We have many young people in East Texas facing challenges and in need of extra adult support. Mentors are needed!” said program director, Lyndell McAllister.

The mission of the Partners in Prevention Mentoring program is to inspire and encourage young men and women for leadership through positive relationships. This cannot be accomplished without the dedication of caring volunteers.

There will be a New Mentor Orientation held on Jan. 31

from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. with a light lunch provided. Call 903-237-1019 to sign up or to receive more information about the program.

The public is also invited to attend a ‘Celebration of Mentoring’ to be held in the City Council Chambers on Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Here they will highlight the significance of mentoring in our community and acknowledge the contributions of mentoring volunteers and staff of the Partners in Prevention Mentoring Program.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Rollback proposed for school lunch guidelines

By Carole Feldman Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Friday took another step toward dismantling Michelle Obama’s school nutrition guidelines, proposing a new rule that could lead to more pizza and fries and less fruit and a smaller variety of vegetables on school menus.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who announced the rule changes on Obama’s birthday, said they were needed to give schools more flexibility and reduce waste while still providing nutritious and appetizing meals.

But child nutrition advocates saw it differently.

“What a shameless, embarrassing capitulation to lobbyists at the expense of American children and their well-being,” said Sam Kass, who served as executive director of Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to combat child obesity. ”This country — and its kids — deserve so

Associated Press

much better. ” Under the proposal, schools would be allowed to cut the amount of certain types of vegetables served at lunch, and legumes offered as a meat alternative also could be counted as part of the vegetable requirement. Potatoes could be served as a vegetable.

The proposal also would allow schools to reduce the

amount of fruit at on-the-go breakfast served outside the cafeteria.

Gay Anderson, president of the School Nutrition Association, said that while the nutrition standards had been a success overall, some requirements led to reduced participation in the program, higher costs and waste.

“USDA’s school meal flexi-

bilities are helping us manage these challenges and prepare nutritious meals that appeal to diverse student tastes,” Anderson said in a statement.

The school meals program serves about 30 million students, most of them from low-income families.

“The Trump administration’s assault on children’s health continues today under the guise of ‘simplifying’ school meals,” Colin Schwartz, the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s deputy director for legislative affairs, said in a statement.

The proposal would give schools greater flexibility in offering entrees for a la carte purchases, which Schwartz said would “create a huge loophole in school nutrition guidelines, paving the way for children to choose pizza, burgers, French fries, and other foods high in calories, saturated fat or sodium in place of balanced school meals every day.”

Food|Continued to page 15

Teacher retirement system to spend $326K a month on rent?

By Cary Cheshire Texas Scorecard

expected to be one of the most sought-after locations for companies seeking extravagant Texans across the state are up downtown accommodations in in arms after learning the Teach- close proximity to the city’s bar district. er Retirement System of Texas From the developer’s webwill spend at site: least $326,000 “Situated in the epicenter of a month in rent Austin’s CBD, Indeed Tower for office space will deliver a vibrant mixed-use on Austin’s environment with a prominent Sixth Street, 6th Street address through all while conits three main components: a tinuing to raise 683,000-square-foot Class AA ofcosts on current fice tower with ground floor retail, and retired teachers.

CHESHIRE a historic 1914 post office re-positioned into a 25,000-square-foot Established in 1937, TRS provides retirement retail/restaurant destination, and a 20,000-square-foot urban greenand related benefits for more space. than 1.6 million Texas teachers, At 36 stories tall, the office college professors, and other building will stand as the tallest educational employees. It is and largest office tower in downsupported by the State of Textown Austin and offer tenants an as and manages a $150 billion trust fund established to finance unparalleled experience through its extensive office amenities, member benefits. TRS is the largest public retirement system including a fitness center, dedicated conference center and in Texas and is the sixth-largest outdoor terraces. Indeed Tower’s public pension fund in the U.S. floorplates, at an average size of And the bureaucrats who run 33,000 square feet, will be among it are about to get a new expenthe largest in the market, making sive office. the project attractive to the growFirst reported by Austin’s ing tech tenant population while KXAN, a public records request reveals TRS has signed a 10-year maintaining flexibility to appeal to more traditional office users.” lease for three floors of office KXAN says that TRS Executive space at the Indeed Tower, which Director Brian Guthrie told them in is scheduled to be completed in a prepared statement that the massive 2021, on Austin’s Sixth Street. charge is actually a great deal for the Space in Indeed Tower is

agency because they committed early to the Indeed Tower.

“We were able to stabilize the rent and negotiate favorable per-construction rates for the 100,000 square feet,” said Guthrie. “Today, 18 months later, those lease rates are well below current rents for comparable space in Austin’s tight rental market.”

Beginning in 2021, TRS will be charged just over $326,000 monthly for their rent of the space. That charge will increase to over $383,000 towards the end of the contract.

Does this sound like an organization that is putting teachers and taxpayers first?

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Page 15

Johnson, Gossett-Barron Named as the 2020 Unity Honorees Johnnie Johnson and Sally Gossett-Barron have been selected to receive 2020 Unity Honors from the City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee.

The Unity Honors is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes residents who have demonstrated leadership in promoting unity, mutual understanding, and social justice.

The Unity and Diversity Committee, formerly known as the Longview Race Relations Committee, will honor the two women at the annual JOHNSON Unity Honors Luncheon. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center.

Longview Community GOSSETTMinistries BARRON and Newgate Mission will also receive special recognition awards for their outstanding commitment to the community

as they foster diverse relationships and provide services to all residents.

Tickets for the luncheon are $20 and on sale online at LongviewTexas.gov/Unity Honors or at any of three locations — Broughton Recreation Center, 801 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St.; or Partners in Prevention, fourth floor of the Glover-Crim Building, 140 E. Tyler St. No tickets will be available on the day of the luncheon.

JOHNNIE JOHNSON

Johnnie Johnson contributed significantly to the community by starting a civic organization named ONEKOP that furnished part of a hospital and organizing voter registration drives. She also served as the governor’s hostess for Black Political forums. Upon returning to Longview, she co-founded Longview Outreach Mission where she serves as the Executive Director.

Johnnie has empowered hundreds of people in the community as a result of her servant’s heart, mentorship, and counseling that she offers wherever she goes. She is a healing agent for this community. While serving in many leadership roles, experiencing injustice, and inequality, she lives with no apologies or excuses for doing what needs to be done

FOOD |Continued from page 14 Geraldine Henchy, director of nutrition policy at the Food Research & Action Center, said the bottom line should be nutrition, but the revisions to the a la carte rule would result in students getting “a lot more fats, a lot more sodium, a lot more calories.”

Specifically, the proposal would reduce the amount of red and orange vegetables that would have to be offered every day at lunch.

For breakfasts taken to go, fruit servings could be reduced from a cup to half a cup.

Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, said the proposal “threatens the progress we’ve made toward improving nutrition in schools.”

“For many children, the food they eat at school is their only access to healthy, nutritious meals,” he said.

The American Heart Association said the rule would “put children’s health at risk.”

“Healthy school meals help combat childhood obesity and poor cardiovascular health, but they also help establish a foundation for a lifetime of healthy behaviors,” the group said.

As first lady, Obama championed healthier school meals as part of the “Let’s Move” campaign.

“With one in three of our kids on track to have diabetes, it’s unconscionable that the Trump administration would do the bidding of the potato and junk food industries,” Kass said.

The 2010 Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act set nutrition standards for school meals, requiring schools to offer fruits and vegetables and more whole-grain foods and to limit calories, fat and sodium.

The proposed rule is the second move by the Trump administration to scale back the school lunch program’s nutrition standards. Under a 2018 rule, the administration reduced the whole grains that had to be served and allowed low-fat chocolate milk.

Before the rule change, only fat-free flavored milk was permitted.

Perdue announced the proposed changes in San Antonio.

“Schools and school districts continue to tell us that there is still too much food waste and that more common-sense flexibility is needed to provide students nutritious and appetizing meals,” he said.

The agency also proposed changes to the summer meals program, which serves 2.6 million children.

for the sake of human rights.

SALLY GOSSETT-BARRON

Sally Gossett-Barron, a charter member of the Race Relations Committee (now known as the Unity and Diversity Committee), was a key representative in helping organize the Partner in Prevention retreat for Community Mobilization in the early 1990s and addressing Race Relations in Longview.

Sally is intentional for modeling what is best for the community through her servant

leadership. Throughout her early career as an educator at Longview I.S.D. and now as a Licensed Professional Counselor at Eastman, she has worked with diverse populations.

Dedicating her service and being a trailblazer for the prevention of drugs and alcohol among the youth in the community is one of Sally’s passion. She lives by a personal creed that “silence is consent,” meaning she is willing to be the voice for the voiceless and a champion for the underserved.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Thanking those who help our children We are so thankful that we have kind-hearted teachers, administrators, and staff to help our students get through the day.

Judson STEAM Academy Principal Melanie Pondant took a few seconds to help Chinedu Obi with his shoes so he would not trip walking down the hallway. Thank you for all you do and for helping a student. How will you make someone’s day a little brighter?

PODCAST |Continued from page 13 Submissions may be personally recorded and emailed to 150stories@ longviewtexas.gov for consideration.

The Library will also have dates reserved for those who don’t have the proper recording equipment to schedule an appointment where

they can help assist you.

Please find all the details, including a downloadable interview release form that must be included with all submissions, here.

You may also contact Leah Shreves, at (903) 237-1350 for any inquiries.

Officials weigh rules to fast-track charter schools

By Aliyya Swaby The Texas Tribune Amid protests from teachers groups and public school advocates, Texas education officials are rewriting the state’s rules for approving new charter schools in order to speed up the process and allow some charter operators to expand more quickly and with less state oversight.

The Texas Education Agency solicited comments at a hearing Monday in Austin on proposed changes that would create a new scoring system to fast-track expansion of the highest-performing charters while prohibiting the lowest-rated ones from opening new schools.

A coalition of advocacy groups and teachers associations argued at the hearing that the state should instead put up more roadblocks to slow expansion of charter schools, which are managed by nonprofits but funded by the state.

They argued that letting

some charters open new schools almost automatically would eventually burden the state financially and siphon taxpayer money and students from traditional school districts. They also criticized the proposed scoring system, saying it could allow the proliferation of charter schools that lure the most promising students from traditional public schools but fail to serve students with disabilities and language needs. “[TEA officials] don’t have the ability to effectively pro-

cess and take responsibility for all of these expansions, so they’re creating some simple spreadsheet thing that lets them make a decision without thinking about it, when the question of what’s in the interest of all the kids in the community ... really takes a lot of work,” said David Anderson, policy analyst for Raise Your Hand Texas and former general counsel for the TEA. Starlee Coleman, chief executive officer of the Texas Charter Schools Association,

dismissed those criticisms as thinly veiled attacks on the existence of charter schools in Texas. In recent years, education groups that had been occupied fighting other political battles have coalesced to fight the growth of charter schools in nearly every venue they can.

“We are in a place where ... the coalition on the other side wants to fight about everything. They want no more new charters, and I think it would be helpful if they would just say that out loud,” Coleman said.

While the number of new charter operators has slowed over the last few years, existing charters have been rapidly opening new schools, especially in urban and suburban Texas. Texas caps the number of charter operators in the state at 305, as of September, but doesn’t cap the number of schools each operator can open.

As of 2019, 172 charter operators ran more than 700 charter campuses, a number that is likely to keep rising.

career points and 500 career assists looks to compete on the next level as well. Fellow team leader Chase Glasper was all-district selection as both a sophomore and junior and has scored over 650 points in his career.

“All of those kids have been a part of three 20+ win seasons which hasn’t been done in a while.” Newton said. “Those three kids have a lot of accolades and well deserved honors.

They have really done a lot of heavy-lifting as far as the success of the program over the last three years.”

Looking to the next season, Newton has a good opinion of things to come.

“We’ve got a good core group of multi-sport athletes,” he said. “We depend heavily upon from freshmen to the JV

ranks. I feel really good about the young guys and their work habits and the potential that they have for the future.”

Be sure to turn up and cheer on our Lobos as they take on Rockwall Heath at the Lobo Coliseum Friday, Jan. 31!

The Texas Tribune/Marjorie Kamys

Lobos |Continued from page 11 for the last two years on every level.

“The kids have responded well. (Jan. 21) was a tough night,” Newton said. “It was obviously a pretty high intensity game. The game before that, we had a shot at the buzzer to win the game. A lot of the district games have been heavily contested.”

Newton has been the Lobo boys’ basketball coach for three years now and during that time he has had three year starters who have started every game.

Malik Henry has already signed with George Mason University. Ranked the No. 18 prospect in the state of Texas, Henry will play in the Atlantic 10 conference on a full scholarship next year. Phillip Washington, with over 1,000

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Page 17

Edgewood ISD pursues deals with A&M-San Antonio

By Krista Torralva San Antonio Express News The Edgewood Independent School District board agreed Tuesday to seek partnerships that would allow an arm of Texas A&M University San Antonio to run two of its campuses, Gus Garcia Middle School and the Burleson Center.

Trustees voted to authorize Superintendent Eduardo Hernández to negotiate and sign a performance contract with the Institute for School and Community Partnerships, a non-profit organization set up by the university, to operate the schools.

The partnerships would be governed by a 2017 state law called SB 1882 that provides extra dollars to traditional public school districts that contract with outside entities such as charter networks, non-profits and universities to run their schools. The Texas Education Agency must approve the arrangements, including the proposed contracts between the partners.

Edgewood ISD plans to seek TEA approval to turn the Burleson Center into another school to be called the Burleson School of Innovation and

Education. A separate proposed partnership would change the middle school’s name to Gus Garcia University School.

“We’ll be able to provide students (with) tutors and build our student-to-college pipeline,” said Deputy Superintendent Phillip Chavez in a presentation to the board.

The district has been pursuing partnerships to create school choice within the district. Trustees had previously discussed the potential partnership in budget workshops before Tuesday’s vote.

Edgewood ISD is the first to formally pursue such an arrangement with A&M San Antonio since seven school districts in South Bexar Coun-

ty announced a partnership with the university called ASPIRE to design and operate so-called “lab schools” and tackle educational gaps that affect schools with economically disadvantaged populations.

One of ASPIRE’s immediate visions was to create an autism assessment program at the Burleson Center, a special needs center for young adults in the Edgewood district. That task would be part of the partnership trustees voted to pursue Tuesday.

If the TEA signs off on it, the district will be able to receive more state funding than it currently does, said Carl Sheperis, dean of the university’s College of Education and Human Development.

The other districts in the ASPIRE partnership will eventually be able to send their students to the center, Sheperis said. With a greater enrollment there, officials hope to offer more workforce training program options.

“If we combine and partner with the other districts, we can really create a full choice menu for all of the students,” Sheparis said.

At Gus Garcia, district officials hope to improve teacher retention rates and pull up the school’s academics. Gus Garcia earned a D last year in the TEA’s grading system and was deemed “improvement required” the previous year.

Charter |Continued from page 1 provides extra funding to traditional public school districts that contract with outside entities such as charter networks, non-profits, and universities to partner with their schools to help boost student achievement.

LISD Chief Innovation Officer Dr. James Coleman said the Texas Education Agency must first approve the arrangements, including the proposed contracts between the partners, in order for district students and staff to receive extra benefits.

“But even if approved by the TEA, and later by our board, Longview ISD students and staff will notice very little dif-

ference in the way of day-to-day operations as a result of the proposed partnerships,” Coleman said. “Many of the shifts that may occur will involve details behind the scenes, mostly on an administrative level.”

“However, what teachers and students will notice,” Coleman explained, “is that the resources that have been desired in the past will actually be in the hands of teachers and students to improve the engagement of the instruction in the classroom.”

“Campuses will also notice that they have more ability to make decisions that are in the Charter|Continued to page 19

LHS College Fair returns Numerous colleges and universities will be attending the LHS College Fair on Monday, April 6, during all lunches in the hallway and foyer by the LHS downstairs library. LHS students and their parents are welcome to come and see what the future could hold!

Page 18

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

Longview ISD School Menus Montessori Breakfast 3

4

5

6

Morning Sausage Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty Toast Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

French Toast Sticks Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

Biscuit Sausage Patty Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

4

5

7 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

Montessori Lunch

3 Drumsticks Applesauce Whole Baby Carrots Mashed Potatoes Milk

Beef Tacos, Soft Spanish Rice Charro Beans Milk Cheese

6 Hot Dog Applesauce Baked Beans Colossal Crisp Potatoes Milk

Chicken Rings Honey Wheat Roll Applesauce Green Beans Mashed Potatoes Milk

7 Turkey, Cheese Sandwich Applesauce Whole Baby Carrots Broccoli with Cheese Sauce Milk

Elementary Breakfast 3 Mini Cinnamon Roll Honey Graham Crackers Milk

4 Morning Sausage Kolache Honey Graham Crackers Milk

5 Honey Graham Crackers Toast Milk Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty

6 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk

5

6

7 Honey Graham Crackers Milk

Elementary Lunch 3

4 Italian Spaghetti Garlic Toast Cheese Pizza Carrots Broccoli Florets Tossed Salad Ranch Dressing Milk Fruit Choice

Beef Rotel Dip Chicken Rotel Dip Charro Beans Spanish Rice Salsa Milk Fruit Choice

Sub Sandwich Turkey Hoagie Milk Mayonnaise Fruit Choice

7 Chicken Rings Mashed Potatoes Brown Gravy Green Beans Honey Wheat Roll Milk Fruit Choice

Hot Dog Colossal Crisp Potatoes Baked Beans Milk Mayonnaise Fruit Choice

Middle School Breakfast 3 Mini Cinnamon Roll Honey Graham Crackers Milk

4 Morning Sausage Kolache Honey Graham Crackers Milk

5 Honey Graham Crackers Toast Milk Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty

6 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk

7 Honey Graham Crackers Milk

Middle School Lunch 3

4 Chicken Fried Steak Honey Wheat Roll Broccoli Casserole Carrots Roasted Potatoes Milk

5 Taco Salad Milk

6 Chicken Rings Honey Wheat Roll Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Milk

7 Hot Dog Hot Dog with Chili Baked Beans Season Fries Milk

Beef Rotel Dip Chicken Rotel Dip Spanish Rice Shredded Romaine Lettuce Charro Beans Pico de Gallo Milk

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020 Longview LEAP (City of Longview) A partnership with the City best interest of their students,” of Longview, LEAP’s proposal he said. “One of the goals of hopes to provide a collaborative the non-profit partnerships is program that prepares stuto provide those who deal most directly with the students more dents in workforce readiness for high-demand careers in our autonomy to make decisions region. that are most beneficial for the iCAT students in their care.”

The International Center Passed in 2017 by the 85th for Academics & Technology is Texas Legislature, Senate proposing a partnership with Bill 1882 creates new incenthose LISD campuses that have tives for traditional public a specialized focus on the Monschools to partner with outside tessori Method of learning. entities to improve student “As a result of these partoutcomes. nerships, Longview students Longview ISD received four applications for partners to run and staff stand to gain access to resources, professional depossible charter schools by the velopment, and opportunities Jan. 6th deadline. that have only been a dream in ABOUT THE the past,” said Dr. Coleman. “In PARTNERS addition, the partnerships have Texas Council for the potential to attract business International Studies (TCIS) to the community and provide With a strong emphasis on an economic benefit for the International Baccalaureate Longview community.” education and elite academic Dr. Wilcox added that the inexcellence, TCIS’s proposal ternships and apprenticeships hopes to partner with district available to Longview students campuses to help shape the “will give them a leg up on the future of IB programs through competition when it comes to program development, propursuing careers or furthering fessional training, curriculum their education after graduaplanning, marketing support tion.” and scholarship programs.

Longview ISD will work Lions Pride together in partnership to de(Texas A&M-Commerce) velop and maintain continuity A partnership with the Uniof services for all district camversity of Texas A&M at Compuses, but Senate Bill 1882 will merce, Lions Pride is proposing allow additional innovation and a partnership with those LISD training for educators. campuses that have a STEAM“We will collaborate with the based education, with an aim various executive directors in toward the expansion upon order to continue the mission project-based learning.

CHARTER |Continued from page 17

 Students will compete for awards in STEAM categories as well as special awards at the District STEAM Fair.  Selected student projects will advance to represent Longview ISD at the East Texas Regional Science Fair (ETRSF) in Kilgore, TX.  At the ETRSF they will compete with students from surrounding school districts.  Top projects may be nominated to participate in the Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF), Broadcom MASTERS™ (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), or the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

of providing the best services for the students of the greater Longview area,” said district CFO Joey Jones.

If approved by the TEA, this will be the second time Longview ISD has moved in this direction since the passage of Senate Bill 1882. The first being the partnership with East Texas Advanced Academies prior to the 2019-2020 school year.

LISD schools currently in the ETAA network include the Montessori Prep Academy, Bramlette, Everhart, Johnston-McQueen, Ware, and Forest Park campuses.

Dr. Wilcox said Senate Bill 1882 incentivizes districts “to work collaboratively with new and existing partners to promote innovation and dramatically improve student outcomes.”

“Innovative campuses are more expensive to run,” said Dr. Wilcox. “it requires the normal operating budget plus the additional S.B. 1882 funding benefiting to achieve the desired outcomes of an innovative campus.”

Last month Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath proposed new rules to clarify the management control of outside partners operating under new Senate Bill 1882 partnerships that the TEA approves to start next school year.

School districts must apply for that approval by March 31 and the agency will decide on the applications by May 1.

Page 19 “These partnerships offer districts the opportunity to expand the diversity of school options, bring in targeted expertise for innovation and turnaround support, and empower school leaders and partners with greater autonomy,” added Dr. Wilcox.

Under the proposed rules, contracts between school districts and their operating partners must give the partners authority over campus staffing, including the principal, as well as curriculum decisions, schedules, assessments not required by the state and the campus budget.

The rules also require contracts to describe the funding structure of the partnership, but no longer would need them to include annual targets for student progress measured in the state’s annual campus ratings.

For more information about the program please visit Tx Partnerships.org .

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 31, 2020

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