Latest news with #LongviewISD
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Shofner bill requiring average class grade on transcripts passes Texas House
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) — Students' transcripts could soon include a class average next to their grade after House Bill 4234 passed the Texas House on Tuesday, giving graduate schools or employers an insight into their performance relative to their peers. Bishop Greg Kelly discusses Pope Leo XIV, significance of being first American Pontiff HB 4234 was introduced by East Texas State Rep. Joanne Shofner and was passed by a vote of 85 yeas to 50 nays in the Texas House. The bill would implement that class average grades are shown next to the student's individual grade on their transcripts. This passage mostly has an effect on students that need a transcript when apply to undergraduate or graduate programs. When asked what purpose the bill served, Shofner said including the class average grade could benefit students who score a high grade in a class that also has a high average grade, showing the person did well in a competitive class. On the other hand, if a student earns an 85 and the average class grade is a 65, schools or employers can see the student did very well in the class. Rep. Chris Turner asked Shofner if there was any concern that including the average grade could inadvertently diminish the work of a student who earned a high grade in a class with a high grade average. Longview ISD board votes to create district police department Shofner answered by saying it is the student's responsibility to explain the correlation between the grades to whatever educational or occupational program is asking. According to section 39, article III of the Texas Constitution, if the bill passes the senate and is signed into law by Gov. Gregg Abbott it will become effective immediately if it receives at least a two-thirds vote. If a two-thirds vote is not accomplished, the bill will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Longview ISD board votes to create district police department
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) — The Longview ISD Board of Trustees passed a motion with majority vote on Monday to create a district police department following the state's 2023 HB 3 Mandate. TRAFFIC ALERT: Danville Drive intersection to close in Kilgore The HB 3 mandate requires Texas public school districts to have an armed security officer on each campus. Trustees passed the measure with six approvals and one abstention, officially starting the process of creating a police department. The district must now gain authorization from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to establish the police department. Some of the requirements for authorization include district developed policies, evidence storage facilities and dispatch services. Longview ISD is opting for a hybrid model police force, which is a mixture of marshals and Longview police officers. 78-year-old woman, animals found dead after Cherokee County house fire According to a timeline established by the district, on Tuesday they began advertising a chief of police and 11 school marshal jobs. During June 24-30, the marshals will attend training and continue alternate training in August. Marshal training will cover several topics including use of force, active shooter response, weapon proficiency and law enforcement strategies. The startup cost for this project is estimated at $456,125 for essentials such as police uniforms, guns, vehicles and cameras. Longview ISD said annual cost will come out to $54,310 for vehicle maintenance, training, uniforms and ammunition. Abbott seeks stricter bail laws after East Texas murder suspect escapes while under house arrest The district plans to have a fully staffed police department and school marshal program by July 1, 2026. Longview ISD projects that every elementary and high school will have one marshal by July or September of 2025. Middle schools will have one police officer and Longview High School will have one police officer, two school marshals and an optional guard shack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Longview High School honors seniors at first-ever Lobo decision day
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)– Longview High School honored seniors a their first-ever Lobo decision day on Thursday, celebrating them for their post-graduation plans. Longview ISD said the halls of the high school were filled with drums, cheers and celebration as the Class of 2025 took stage at the first-ever Lobo decision day in tribute of them committing to college, careers, military service and the skilled trades. Longview ISD students get scholarships to University of Texas at Austin The morning started with seniors paraded through the hallways while staff, teachers and underclassmen cheered them on. The school said for many educators this day was especially emotional since it was a chance to witness the growth of the students they have supported throughout their high school career. 'This is more than a ceremony, it's a statement,' Longview High School Principal Shameika Allen said. 'Whether our students are headed to a university, a certificate program, the military or a career, they all deserve to be celebrated with the same excitement we give athletic signings. This is the start of a lasting tradition.' Photos courtesy of Longview ISD After the walk, seniors and their families gathered in the Mickey Melton Performing Arts Center for a signing ceremony with balloons, DJ music and custom slides projected on a large screen while seniors took stage based on their plans after high school. Each student had the opportunity to sign a decision day letter of intent while proudly sharing where they are heading to after graduation. Longview ISD offers $10K stipend for 'highly effective' elementary teachers To add to the celebratory moment, Longview ISD said that Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard spun a golden raffle drum to draw names for college supply crated filled with dorm essentials, made possible through student-led fundraising and community donations. 'Longview Lobo decision day is about celebrating our students' hard work and the bright futures aheadvof them,' Sheppard said. 'Every senior who signed a letter today represents perseverance, growth and the hope of what's possible. Today is a reminder that the path after high school is full of purpose, and every one of these students deserves this spotlight.' The decision day also included live scholarship presentations from donors with the total amount of scholarships being $5,360,136, including $4.49 million awarded to InternationalBaccalaureate students and over $150,000 in local scholarships coordinated through the school's College and Career Center. Longview ISD partners with Hispanic church to beautify school 'Being able to support Lobo Decision Day is a meaningful way to celebrate the hard work of these students and help set them up for success,' Director of the Longview ISD Foundation andScholarship Coordinator Kay Ray said. 'Watching students be recognized not only for where they're going, but for how far they've come, is a privilege.' The day ended with music, celebration and more photo opportunities as seniors finished with their letters of intent and 'enthusiastic support of their school community behind them.' The Lobo decision day is now set to be an annual tradition at Longview High school so each student feels celebrated for their successes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tyler children raising money to support community soccer field 1 lemon at a time
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A group of boys is spending their day off from school at a lemonade stand in Tyler, raising money to support their local park. Longview ISD hosts special education track & field day The Idlewildle Soccer Field, on Richmond Road, provides Tyler residents with a space to enjoy the outdoors and gather together as a community. Both of the soccer goals are currently broken, which inspired Jack, Hudson, Tristian and Benjamin to spend their day off from school running a lemonade stand to raise money to buy new goals for the field. The young entrepreneurs have already made a significant profit since opening up their stand at 11 a.m. this morning. The boys spoke about what motivated them to raise money to support their local park. 'At first, it was just a normal lemonade stand, like every kid would do to raise money. We later decided to help raise money for the soccer goals,' Benjamin said. Headliner, events revealed for 2025 Great Texas Balloon Race Ann Marie Hoover, one of the boys' mothers, provided more details about the fundraising efforts. 'The Idlewildle soccer fields and goals are used daily by residents of the neighborhood, a nearby apartment complex and local soccer teams,' Hoover said. 'Our current goals are broken, and the replacement cost is $2,000. The neighborhood kids are stepping up by donating parts of their profits to help make that happen.' The boys managed to raise more than $100 in profit through the first hour. Those who want to contribute can donate to @annmhoover on Venmo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
IN FOCUS: How FFA is shaping the future of East Texas students
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – In this edition of '', KETK's Nolan Hoffman spoke with Longview ISD's FFA Chapter about the impact that the organization is having for East Texas students. Longview becomes largest FFA chapter in Texas, nation Longview's FFA chapter made history in March when they were recognized as the largest FFA chapter in Texas and across the United States. Originally standing for Future Farmers of America, the FFA has expanded to offer students all kinds of opportunities beyond farming and raising animals. 'We offer an animal science pathway, a food science pathway, a horticulture pathway. We are adding an ag-business pathway,' Longview FFA advisor and ag teacher, Gail Coulter said. 'So anything from basic leadership skills to beekeeping, is what we look at. We have vet science, we have a meat processing facility. We have greenhouses and floral design. We cover all the bases in agriculture as much as possible.' According to Longview ISD, their FFA chapter has grown to include 1,319 members. Coulter told Nolan about how excited she is that more and more students are getting access to all the opportunities that the FFA makes available. 'I feel like the kids have so many opportunities that it's amazing for these kids to have this. It's it's amazing to me,' Coulter said. I've been in the program teaching agriculture for many years, and it just makes my heart explode with excitement for these kids and the opportunities that it avails for them.' Longview ISD FFA Chapter Vice President Brynn Woods explained that FFA has something for everyone no matter what career interests them. Longview ISD FFA students, instructors discuss becoming largest chapter in U.S. 'There's speaking development events, leadership development events, career development events. There is something for everyone, as well as showing animals,' Woods said. 'I personally don't show any animals and I give speeches and I'm an area officer and a chapter officer, and that's typically where I spend most of my time in FFA. But I know many people who do show animals and they love it and that's great. I think that FFA is such a great organization because it is so inclusive of everyone.' Woods and Longview FFA chapter reporter Trisha Dhana both talked about how the FFA helped bring them out of their shells by helping them learn social speaking skills. 'Whenever I first joined FFA back in eighth grade, I could not talk in front of people. I could not start a conversation, I could not I couldn't go up to someone and be like, hi, my name's Brynn, what's your name?,' Woods explained. 'But FFA has taught me through the years that I've been involved that I can talk to people. I can now give speeches in front of people. I can now openly have a discussion with people, and I've really just come out of my shell.' Former Henderson FFA student makes school history Dhana agreed by explaining how reciting the FFA Creed in class helped her become more social. 'Because of me doing Creed and talking in front of my peers, I had to say it in front of class to practice,' Dhana said. 'That really got me out of my shell and I was able to talk to more people, be more social and have open conversations where I'm not being shy about it.' To learn more about all of their programs, visit the FFA Association online. To see the full episode of East Texas In Focus covering the FFA, watch the video at the top of this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
