LISD eyes possible redistricting

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

As 2010 draws to a close, the LISD Board of Trustees begins to eye their next challenge -determining what action should be taken if the 2010 Census requires redistricting.

Every 10 years, new dividing lines are drawn to ensure equal representation among elected officials. That process trickles from the Federal, down to the local level,

and has the Board seeking advice from attorneys on the best course of action to take.

Earlier this calendar year, the Board authorized a committee of staff members to request, research and compile information from law firms statewide who specialize in redistricting. With that work complete, the committee stood ready on Monday evening to make a recommendation to the Board.

However, discussion about the responsibility of elected officials in the redistricting process ensued, prompting the trustees to vote to review the information collected individually, and as a board, before agreeing to contract with any firm to assist with redistricting, should it become necessary.

In other business:
A majority of the Trustees voted to seek legislative assistance from Rep. Patrick Rose and Sen. Glenn Hegar in obtaining an official Attorney General’s Opinion regarding the application of the State’s nepotism statutes.

They heard presentations from the principals of Navarro and Plum Creek Elementary Schools regarding those campus’s “Improvement Plans,” which are designed as a tracking device and road map toward student success. The plans are available at each campus for parents interested in reviewing the information.

The Trustees adopted a change of policy that sets a timeframe for application for the District’s tuition reimbursement program. The program, which is used by nearly a dozen district employees each year, allows for reimbursement up to $100 per semester hour for certain collegiate courses.

They approved the appointment of the Textbook Selection Committee for the 2011-2012 school year.

They briefly discussed rumors that one of the trustees has, or plans to, move out of the district. However, the discussion was cut short by Board President Susan Brooks, in part because the member in question was not present at the meeting to participate in the discussion.

The LISD Board of Trustees routinely meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center at Lockhart High School. Meetings are also rebroadcast on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. on Time Warner Digital Cable Channel 10.