Board hears accountability, facility report

June 22, 2023

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By Brian Besch
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Will Clayton Claycomb AssociatesThe LISD Board of Trustees heard the accountability report and an update on the Cochran Complex at the regular meeting Monday in the Livingston High School Library.

LISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brent Hawkins gave a report on the A-F Accountability Refresh Summer report. The Texas Education Agency will release accountability scores in August.

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath explained in a video to Texas School Boards that last year’s test scores will be compared to new criteria. He shared that TEA provides A-F ratings that are to be used to gauge whether schools are getting better or worse from year to year.

Morath said TEA would tweak accountability scores every year in the past, but the results were confusing when he served as a school board member of Dallas ISD. “It would be a way for the community to compare from year to year,” he said.

Hawkins reminded board members that the test changed this year, so when the new test is compared to last year’s scores using new criteria, it is not an apples-to-apples comparison.

“Last year’s scores were used to compare the 2021-2022 school year to the previous year, but some schools did not return to campus in the spring of 2021 after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hawkins said. “The result of that was some districts showed large increases in their accountability ratings based on student progress”

Will Clayton with Claycomb Associates Architects presented a phased completion overview for the Corky Cochran Athletic Complex. The report focused on scope and phasing, and the first phase would include a capacity of 4,175 seats in the home grandstand. It would also include a 1,400-square-foot pressbox with a lift, and a new restroom concession stand positioned below the grandstands, and a new detention pond.

Phase 2 would expand the visitor grandstands from an 800-person capacity to 1,370. Phase 3 would include a new visitor’s concession stand and plaza, and Phase 4 would add 1,475 parking spaces.

The estimated construction cost per square foot in 2023 would be in the range of $310-$365 based on recent cost trends for high school facilities. If Phase 1 and 2 would bid at the beginning of 2024, Phase 1 is estimated at $9.3 million - $14.5 million, with Phase 2 ranging from $280,000 to $520,000.

Under Action Items, the board approved:

• LISD 2023-2024 Salary and Stipend Instrument, which gives a 3% raise from the midpoint to all LISD faculty and staff

• Depository Contract with First State Bank

• Additional Full-Time School Based Officer with the City of Livingston