As we wrote in a story last November, Lewisville ISD is going to get a brand makeover, which includes a new logo. Your editor served on the Strategic Design Subcommittee that directed the development of it.

Now that the committee has selected two possible logos from the various options we reviewed, LISD is asking the community to VOTE on which one the district should use.

Here are the two options:


The new tagline, "Real Innovation, Limitless Opportunity" is more than just a platitude; it's a bold promise that the committee and the district intends to be lasting and relevant.

Here is a little video that LISD produced showing part of the process we went through, looking at how the district should be perceived by the various stakeholders:


Read more about this on LISD's website, including some explanation of the design elements and rationale behind each logo, then please go vote on your favorite logo.

We would be interested to see your choice and your comments, so leave a comment below and tell us which one you chose, and why. Also, since the district would like wide community input on this, please consider sharing this link via the social media buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Texas New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) recently awarded a grant to the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation, an important nonprofit partner that plays a key role in improving educational opportunities for Lewisville students.

The foundation was awarded $5,000 to help fund grants, scholarships and more in support of Lewisville teachers and students, a mission it's been carrying out since 1990.

"We're very excited to have received this grant," said Connie Pelphrey, the foundation's executive director. "We are putting it to good use, helping to fund initiatives that enable our students and teachers to excel in the classroom." Pelphrey says it will support the "Changing Children's Lives" fund.

As reported yesterday, a state judge ruled in favor of school districts including Lewisville ISD who sued the State of Texas over inadequate and unfair school funding.

Here are some reactions from local officials:

Kathy Duke, LISD Trustee:
"This is just a first step. The system needs to be fixed. I believe we all know that. Now, Let's see what our Legislature says about this. This is about the kids, their education. They are the future leaders of Texas.

The judge was clear: Unconstitutional on all points. We are 49th in 50 states on funding. That is nothing to be proud of. If we want higher standards and Austin is going to ask for higher standards than they need to fund them."

Dr. Steve Waddell, LISD Superintendent:
"We are grateful and pleased at Judge Dietz' ruling. We won on all counts. It is important that the judge found a de facto state property tax and that the system is inequitable. Most important, he found that the funding was not adequate. Simply restoring the $5.4-billion is not sufficient. That would only replace the money that district's already had two years ago. The judge observed that if the state wants higher standard, they should pay for them. He was right in declining to rule on the interventions by TREE and charter schools. Those are matters for the legislature. It will, of course, go to the Supreme Court, but this is, nonetheless, an important victory."

Julie Foughty, LISD Trustee:
"I'm pleased with the ruling but caution parents to not let their guard down. This will be appealed and our state will spend a great deal of money going into a special session to address a new funding system. Parents who want strong public schools need to be watchful and alert on this issue and let those who represent them in Austin know that they want this problem fixed and our children's future in public schools secure and supported with their vote. "

Carol Kyer, LISD Board President:
"We are pleased with Judge Dietz's ruling. He states that Texas does have a de facto state tax with how schools are currently funded. Most importantly, we applaud the ruling highlighting that the current finance system is inequitable and inadequate. We also agree with his comments regarding the state implementing higher standards, such as STAAR and EOC testing, in that the state should provide funds to school districts to support this new system.

While we recognize this ruling will be appealed, this ruling is truly a victory for LISD and all school districts across Texas."

Flower Mound Resident Kris Vaughn filed today to run for Place 4 on the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees during the upcoming May 11th election. Place 4 is the seat currently held by Julie Foughty, who has announced she will not run again.

Vaughn’s says that her commitment to LISD is evidenced by 10 years as a parent volunteer and leader in the district through PTA, Communities in Schools of North Texas, and district committees.
“I want to support LISD as the strategic design implementation continues, and we focus on our vision for each student to enjoy a thriving, productive life in a future they create,” says Vaughn. She serves on the 26 member Strategic Design Team that was formed in October 2011 and helped create a new vision and mission for LISD.

Vaughn says that community involvement is a key aspect of the strategic design, and she has a consistent record promoting support and collaboration for grassroots efforts. “As a parent of two LISD students, I have a vested interest in the district building strong relationships with community members, and I am eager to help make this happen.”

Most recently, she helped co-found the advocacy group Speak Up for Texas Public Schools, which was organized to raise awareness about the challenges and threats facing public schools, most notably the over-reliance on standardized testing.

Vaughn and her husband Trent have lived within LISD for 13 years. She has a son and daughter at Flower Mound High School. Vaughn is a graduate of Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she received a degree in Business Management.

LISD Trustee Brenda Latham announced today that she will be seeking re-election to her place 5 position in the May 11, 2013 elections. Latham was first elected in 2010, a year when three challengers swept out incumbents on the LISD board. In the 2010 election, she beat Fred Placke in a three-way race with Patrick Kelly. Of those three, only Latham is seeking re-election. Jeff Knapp left his place 4 seat after moving out of the district, and Trustee Julie Foughty announced that she would not seek re-election. Latham has been a very vocal advocate for schools within Lewisville, fighting against the perception and labeling by others that somehow schools in the city are of lower quality than those in the more affluent areas.

Pointing to the progress made in her first term regarding fiscal issues, as well as policy matters of importance to the parents, teachers and students of LISD, Latham expressed confidence in her decision.

“This Board has proven we can work together to bring resolution to the critical issues which impact our teachers’ ability to do their job, and our students’ ability to perform at their maximum, while also respecting the costs apportioned to the community. With the ever increasing taxes from federal, state and local entities I understand the importance of appreciating what taxpayers of LISD have provided, and I am committed to maximizing the benefit received from each dollar.” said Latham.

Paige Shoven, a 13 year resident of Lewisville, announced today that she will file to run for place 3 on the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees, the seat left vacant after Trustee Jeff Knapp moved out of the district and resigned last year. This is Shoven's second run for the school board, having run in 2012 for place 1, against Kathy Duke and two others. Kathy Duke won that race, but Shoven pulled in 24% of the vote for 2nd place.

Shoven and her husband of 12 years, Rick, have two daughters, Elizabeth 11 and Kara 8, in the LISD school system.

"I learned so much while campaigning last year, it was a great experience." Shoven said of unsuccessful run for office last year. "My love for the children of LISD did not stop when the election votes came in." Over the past year, Shoven says she has attended every school board meeting, participated in the INSIDE LISD program, served on the Facilities Committee for the district, volunteered with the LISD Council of PTAs, both local chapters of PTA and stays active in her church.

In past years Shoven served as PTA president at her local elementary and was honored with the lifetime PTA award. She has served the last five years on the Council of PTAs in a number of roles including First Vice President. In 2011 she was named outstanding manager of the year for US Vision where she is currently employed as an optical manager.

On January 23rd, 2013, representatives from three groups held a series of public meetings in Lewisville to inform the public about pressing educational issues that need to be resolved by the Texas Legislature. The meeting, hosted by local parent group Speak Up for Texas Public Schools, hosted two other statewide educational advocacy groups:

Texas Kids Can't Wait representatives, former Waco Mayor Linda Etheridge and Dr. Bonnie Lesley discussed the problems with vouchers and privatization, and how they negatively impact public education.

Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment (TAMSA) representatives Dineen Majcher and Susan Kellner explained the problems with excessive, burdensome, and ineffective high-stakes testing regimes imposed on school districts by the State of Texas.

Speak Up founder Stacey Amick spoke about how the testing is impacting her kids. All of the representatives took questions from the audience and urged parents to contact their state legislators.

Texans can find their state representative and senator by using this link.

UNITED WAY AWARDS GRANTS TO INNOVATIVE SIXTH- AND-SEVENTH- GRADE MATH TEACHERS IN DALLAS, MESQUITE, LEWISVILLE

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas today announced the first recipients of I Rock Math grants, designed to help public school teachers use innovative teaching practices to develop pre-algebra skills in sixth- and-seventh grade students. Teachers at three North Texas schools, including Hedrick Middle School in Lewisville, will receive a combined total of $45,000 for equipment they will use to enhance their students’ overall learning experience - as well as expert coaching from Laying the Foundation, a division of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). The I Rock Math initiative and grants are sponsored by the Texas Instruments Foundation.

I Rock Math is one of the few grant programs in North Texas targeted to middle school math teachers. United Way focuses the initiative on these teachers because their students are entering a critical phase of development for high-level math skills. Building a solid foundation in pre-algebra in middle school prepares students to succeed in algebra, and thereby increases the chance that they will pursue and succeed in more advanced math and science courses in high school.

The inaugural recipients of I Rock Math grants include the following:

Lewisville ISD Trustee Julie Foughty announced tonight at the regular school board meeting and via an email to her friends and supporters that she will not be seeking re-election to the school board. First elected in 2010, in an election that swept out three incumbents, Foughty is finishing her first three-year term on the board. Filing will begin at the end of this month for the May, 2013 school board election.

The other seats up for re-election include the seat vacated by Jeff Knapp, who resigned before the end of his term, and the seat currently held by Brenda Latham of Lewisville, who is seeking re-election

Here is Foughty's letter:

On Wednesday, January 23, Speak Up for Texas Public Schools will host three community forums to provide area residents with important information on high stakes testing and vouchers, along with the impact pending legislation will have on our local communities, students, teachers, and public schools.

Forums will include speakers from Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment (TAMSA) and Texas Kids Can’t Wait, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of speakers. Residents from across North Texas are invited to attend.

All forums will be identical and repeated throughout the day on January 23 at various times and locations to allow as many people as possible to attend.