LISD enrollment up, attendance down
"The most important thing we can do is to get kids in school every day. -- Dr. Brant Myers LISD superintendent"
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

The Board of Trustees of the Lampasas Independent School District sailed through a short agenda last week, with Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers expressing his pleasure at increased enrollment but his displeasure with low attendance figures.

"We're up about 15 students in the last three weeks," Myers said, noting LISD's most current figures show 3,456 students in class -- an increase of 2 to 2 1/2 percent enrollment this year.

Attendance averages 96.32 for the year, a decrease from 98.77 the first week of the term.

"We have dropped below the 95 percent mark several times this year," he said.

Myers plans to meet with principals to see what options there are for increasing attendance. "The most important thing we can do is to get kids in school every day."

In her special education report, director Darla Peter shared statistics and new programming for her department.

Mrs. Peter said 437 students -- or about 12.6 percent -- are being served in special education. That is above the state-recommended average of 8.5 percent, she said, but reflects good numbers for Lampasas.

Individual campus statistics show the high school's special education rate is 14 percent, while middle school's is just under 16 percent.

At Hanna Springs Intermediate, just over 12 percent of students are being served in special education, and about 9 percent of Kline Whitis Elementary students are receiving services.

New this year is a transition coordinator, whose responsibility is to help special education students gain employment and to track their progress for a two-year period after graduation.

A Texas Mini Effectiveness Grant was awarded to the LISD to help with monitoring costs.

Also last week, Jamie Jones, LISD nurse, noted that flu season is here, and the first cases of the illness are being seen at local campuses. Many school personnel have been vaccinated, and Mrs. Jones said a specific number of the vaccines are to be made available to LISD's high-risk students.

The nurse also discussed steps district officials are taking to control the spread of staph infection, including disinfecting all lockers, locker rooms and school buses.

"We've seen fewer cases of staph this year than last year," Mrs. Jones said. "Officials are diligent in their efforts to keep things clean."

In other business, trustees approved a five-day spring break trip to Disney Magic Music Days in Florida for 38 members of the Lampasas High School dance/ drill team. The group will perform at the Florida theme park and spend several days sightseeing.

The girls are raising their own money, and there will be no expense to the district, said dance director Amie Sweatt.

In his monthly report, Maintenance Director J.D. Butts said the biggest problem facing the LISD at the moment is an increase in squirrels chewing up wiring.

In the past few weeks, maintenance personnel have discovered telephone, intercom and control wiring in numerous locations that has been destroyed by the pests.

"We are currently trying to seal off any areas where they can enter buildings, but it is an uphill battle," said Butts. "They are destroying wiring as fast as they can get to it."

He noted that the varmints ate through phone wires in the vocational wing several times in just one week.

Also, trustee Kirk Whitehead, who chairs the Kempner schoolnaming committee, asked that those who have suggestions for the new elementary campus follow the proper channels for submission.

"I have had phone calls and people stopping by to make suggestions," he said, noting that procedures have to be in place for a name to be considered.

Nominations are being accepted until Dec. 10 from the public and must be received at the Lampasas ISD Administration Building, 207 W. Eighth St.

Individuals or groups may make suggestions of a name or geographical site to be considered, but the names must be submitted accompanied by written rationale and a description of their significance.

If the nomination is for an individual, he or she must be widely respected, regardless of any partisan affiliation; a person of character who embodies a wholesome image expected to stand the test of time; and reflect a background of service to the people of LISD, the state of Texas or the U.S.

The board is expected to consider naming the new school at the January meeting.

In final action, trustees moved their first meeting of 2008 to Jan. 14 to allow for adequate time for preparation after the Christmas break.