The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.
High School: Lewisville High School College: NCTC 1993 to 1997 Associates of Science Blinn College 1997 to 1998 University of Texas Austin 1999 to 2001 University of North Texas 2013 Business Other: Real Estate Broker
The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.
High School: Longview ISD, Longview TX College: Kilgore College 95-98 general studies TWU 98-00 studied interdisciplinary studies. Other: I was planning on teaching middle school math, however, after student teaching and substitute teaching, I realized I would not be able to keep my opinions, my paycheck and my children tied so close together. It would not be good for my family. Having worked in the optical industry all through college, I took a management position where I can do the work I love and have flexibility to volunteer in my children’s schools.
The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.
Senior Project Manager (VP) supporting Strategic Business Projects for Citi Group.
Education:
High School: Lewisville High School College: I have attended North Central Texas College and Northlake College completing courses in Business Computer Information Systems. Other: I have completed more than the manditory hours of continuing education, required by the State of Texas, for School Board Members each of the three years I have served. I do not have a list of all the names of courses I have completed through Texas Association of School Board Members (TASB) or The Center for Reform of School Systems (CRSS).
The Lewisville Texan Journal just received this statement from Lewisville ISD regarding a threat to Hebron High School that was resolved early this morning:
Hello, this is Scot Finch, principal of Hebron High School. I’m calling to inform you that campus administrators were notified late yesterday evening about a threat to the school. Administrators acted quickly, notifying Carrollton Police Department and school resource officers. An investigation quickly revealed a lone suspect, who was apprehended early this morning. We worked closely with Carrollton Police on the investigation and immediately implemented emergency plans to assure your child’s safety.
There will be increased police presence at Hebron High School and Hebron 9th Grade Center throughout the day. As always, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding the situation.
Again, your child’s safety and security is top priority at Hebron High School and Hebron 9th Grade Center. Should you have any questions, please contact me directly.
Thank you.
LISD Central Zone Communications Coordinator Sarah Marcus said that a Hebron High School main campus student had threatened via Instagram to show up this morning at the school at 8:10 with a gun, and shoot up the school. Marcus said that both Hebron campuses would have increased police presence today.
Update - 3/7 - 10:00 a.m.: We just received a screen shot of the image that had been uploaded:
We are told that Mr. Buckles is an Assistant Principal at Hebron. The image was from apparently just before 7 p.m. last night. The text says:
for everyone who wants to know who i am i will be in the main hallway at 8:10 sharp upstairs with a 9 milimeter sharpshooter gun! Its about time hebron got shot up! R.I.P Hebron! Mr Buckles is first!
Jared R. Brueckner, 33, of The Colony filed today to run for Place 4 on the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees. A native of Utah, Brueckner has lived in the district for nearly three years. Before that, he lived in Boston, Massachusetts.
Brueckner works as a Vice President of Development for the Texas based non-profit, the National Math + Science Initiative. NMSI works to promote and transform math and science education in America. Brueckner cites his experience with the organization as an asset, saying that he has worked extensively with schools and districts in 43 states, and at every level, K-12. Brueckner says he has worked with teachers and policy makers on bringing about change.
“My goal is to make LISD the best school district in the state”, says Brueckner, “I work closely with some of the very best school districts in the country. Bringing that experience and knowledge to the table to help Dr. Waddell and the district is why I’m asking the community to support me. When we get things right the kids win, and that is always the goal.” Brueckner says he is passionate about education and passionate about giving kids the best education possible.
Bruecker has worked for NMSI for two years; prior to that he worked for Pearson Education, the company that develops and scores the standardized tests for the State of Texas.
Brueckner and his family live in The Colony, where his son attends Morningside Elementary School. Brueckner has a Bachelor of Arts in Sales and Service Technology from Weber State University, in Utah.
LISD Spokesperson Sarah Marcus said that 132 of the answer forms for the 6th grade reading test administered in April of 2012 had gone missing. That number represented approximately 47% of the students enrolled in 6th grade last year at Durham.
Although Texas Education Agency (TEA) had not assigned blame, LISD's internal investigation pointed to a loss by Pearson, the company that holds the monopoly contract on high-stakes testing in Texas. LISD sends completed tests directly to Pearson for grading. Results were not returned to students in a timely manner, because the TEA only finally set the performance standard this January.
LISD's Director of Assessment, Dr. Sarah Fitzhugh said that although the students affected will not receive scores, they will not have to retake any 6th grade tests. Rather, the students will participate in the appropriate assessments based on their grade level and courses for 2013.
You might remember that last year, the Lewisville Texan Journal reported on the district and various campuses in the district missing its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In that story, using preliminary TEA data, we reported that Durham had missed AYP based on a lack of participation in reading tests. LISD successfully appealed that ruling, and TEA has now updated its AYP report to indicate that the campus meets AYP.
Campuses that miss AYP two years in a row face certain costly consequences, most notably the requirement to transport students to another campus within the district if they choose. See our previous article for a detailed explanation.
The Lewisville High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is organizing a family baseball outing for May 3rd as a fundraiser for the organization. Participants will see the Frisco Rough Riders take on the San Antonio Missions. Tickets are $20 and include admission, a limited-edition Rough Riders hat, all-you-can-eat hot dogs, brats, nachos, and Dr. Pepper products.
Dr. Mark Welding, 46, a Highland Village Optometrist, has filed today to run for Place 3 on the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees. A native of Iowa, Welding has lived in the district for three years, and resided in Texas for the last 19. He has operated a local vision care practice for the last 15 years.
Place 3 is the seat left vacant after Trustee Jeff Knapp moved out of the district and resigned last year. Welding will face Paige Shoven, who is also seeking the seat.
Welding's community service includes the LISD Bond Oversight committee and LISD Student Health Advisory Council, which he chairs.
Welding uses his is the founder of the Christian Community Action Eye Clinic and provides free services through this program. He is also the founder of the 20/20 Caring Program for LISD students, a district-wide program providing free eye exams and glasses to students in need. He also contributes his talents to the children’s vision screening programs of area Lions Clubs.
Welding is a current member and past board member of Flower Mound Rotary Club, a past board member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and a board member of New Horizon Foster Ranch;.
One of Welding’s goals, he says, is to address the continued rapid growth in certain areas of the district, while maintaining the district's reputation in older areas where growth has slowed.
“Every community in the district needs the board’s attention, not just certain pockets,” said Welding, “and I am committed to serving all areas in a fair and equal manner.”
Public school finance is something that Welding would like to focus on. “LISD needs to remain vigilant,” he said, “in order to continue to fund our schools now and into the future, we must be fiscally responsible. At the same time we need to educate our students with the best teachers, technology and facilities.”
Welding graduated from Iowa State University and the University of Houston School of Optometry. He lives in Highland Village with his wife Andrea, a fifth grade teacher in LISD, and his stepson Zack.
Welding says his commitment to the students of LISD and to the community is evidenced by his dedication and service for more than a decade.
“I look forward to serving with this great group of board members,” states Welding. “I’m excited to run for this position and ask for the community’s support as we work to keep this district one of the best in Texas.”
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:
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.
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