Superintendent Dan Troxell first introduced the legislative priorities to trustees at an Oct. 20 meeting. Trustees have not yet voted to approve the list.
Trustee Trish Bode said other districts, such as Austin ISD, have similar lists but with supporting information and supplemental documents to better inform parents and empower PTAs.
“Should we add a little more information as far as what the priorities mean?” she asked.
Troxell said larger districts, including AISD and Dallas and Northside ISDs, have a full-time staffer who spends all day at the Capitol during legislative session. LISD is only able to go to the Capitol when a bill that would affect the district is up for discussion or vote. The list of priorities is only to give the public an idea of what LISD will focus on from January-May.
“I think it will evolve during the session,” Troxell said.
Board President Will Streit said trustees should send feedback to Troxell. The board could vote to approve the priorities at its next regular board meeting.
Here are the areas on which the district intends to focus:
Accountability
LISD supports streamlining the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, which is a set of skills that each student must learn that differs by grade. The district aims to assess essential standards to allow teachers to focus on facilitating greater depth of student learning and understanding. LISD is also in favor of reducing the reliance on state-mandated high-stakes testing.
Finance
The district would like to see an increase in funding without attached mandates on how the new funds can be used. Specifically, it would support legislation that allows school districts to make long-term financial decisions, a bill that would increase funding for technology-based instruction, and a transition plan that would prepare affected districts, including LISD, for the impending elimination of Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, or ASATR funding, in 2017-18.
Transparency
LISD supports ballot language that provides accurate information that is consistent with ballot language required of other local subdivisions and the state.
Student services
The district said it is in favor of legislation that adds funding to and improves statewide mental health services, programs and treatments, especially for students, young adults and their families, and youth-related support agencies.
