The Longview ISD Board of Trustees received updates on the district’s newly established police department, projected property values, ongoing bond construction, solar energy projects, and campus safety initiatives, while also approving a districtwide phone system upgrade and several additional action items during its regular meeting on May 18, 2026.
District PD to increase safety
Longview ISD officially established its police department following approval from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Chief Brandon Kemper told trustees Monday night.
Kemper said the district also received a criminal justice ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) number from the Texas Department of Public Safety, allowing the department to officially operate as a law enforcement agency.
“All of these approvals were necessary for Longview ISD to begin hiring our staff, which will be underway shortly,” Kemper said.
The district currently has eight school marshals assigned to campuses, with three more in the hiring process. Police officer positions have also been posted, and district leaders aim to fill all positions before the 2026-27 school year begins.
Kemper emphasized that school marshals and police officers serve different roles.
“The marshals have nothing to do with the police department,” Kemper said. “They will fall under my command, but are completely separate and different from police officers.”
Police officers will complete School-Based Law Enforcement training and ongoing continuing education requirements, while marshals must recertify every two years. Both groups will receive regular training in areas such as de-escalation, use of force, and firearms safety.
The district is also expanding safety-related training districtwide. Kemper said all employees who regularly interact with students are now completing youth mental health training, and the district expects all staff members to complete it before the start of the next school year.
Additionally, Longview ISD is currently undergoing its required three-year safety and security audit. Kemper said auditors are reviewing campuses, lighting, security systems, emergency procedures, and training practices as part of the process.
“My goal is to hire the best qualified and trained people to protect the District,” Kemper said. “Whether hiring a school marshal or police officer, my expectations are that the candidate have a desire to serve, a desire to protect, and a desire to help our young people become the best versions of themselves.”
Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard also praised Kemper and district staff for helping establish the department.
“Now we actually are an accredited police department, and he is Police Chief Kemper at this time,” Sheppard said. “We are so proud, and we thank you for all the hard work that you did over the course of the last few months.”
Property Values Expected to Decline
District officials presented updated property value projections for the 2026-27 school year, reporting that taxable values are expected to decrease.
Administrators said the decline is largely tied to changes in business personal property exemptions approved by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 9, as well as lower mineral values tied to decreases in oil and gas production.
Chief Financial Officer Dr. Wayne Guidry said many homeowners will continue to benefit from expanded homestead exemptions approved by the state.
According to the district, 78% of senior citizens in Longview ISD no longer pay school property taxes, while 52% of all district residents also pay no school property taxes due to exemptions.
District leaders said lower property values generally increase the state’s share of school funding, making districts more dependent on state aid.
Enrollment projections for next school year remain steady at slightly more than 8,000 students. Officials also reported improved attendance rates this year after campuses and charter partners increased focus on student attendance.
Guidry also noted that Longview ISD continues to see growth in career and technical education funding because of increased student participation in CTE programs.
Bond Projects Continue Across District
Trustees also received updates on several bond-funded construction projects underway throughout the district.
At Longview High School, work continues on dining hall expansion and restroom renovation projects. Construction is expected to begin immediately after the school year ends in order to maximize the district’s limited summer construction window.
The cafeteria renovation will eliminate the current breezeway design and expand dining space for students. District leaders described the current cafeteria as outdated and in need of modernization.
Contractors also reported that work on the softball complex is substantially complete, with remaining punch-list items being finalized. Additional work continues on concession stands, restrooms, and batting cage facilities.
District officials also shared updates on the new north parking lot expansion at Longview High School, which is expected to add more than 300 parking spaces to the campus.
Construction continues on the district’s Career and Technical Education center, multipurpose facility, natatorium, and early childhood projects. Officials said multiple projects are progressing quickly, with structural steel installation already underway on several sites.
Dr. Sheppard also acknowledged the district’s continued collaboration with city leaders as projects move forward.
District Receives Solar Project Update
Longview ISD administrators also updated trustees on the district’s ongoing solar energy initiative connected to long-term facility improvements and bond planning.
Officials reviewed installation progress across multiple campuses and discussed coordination efforts with SWEPCO as projects move toward activation. According to district administrators, solar systems at some facilities are expected to begin coming online immediately.
District representatives said the solar initiative is part of the district’s broader effort to modernize facilities, improve long-term operational efficiency, and reduce utility costs over time.
Administrators also explained some of the engineering behind the project, including the use of specially designed concrete ballast systems that secure ground-mounted solar arrays without requiring traditional deep foundation installation. District officials noted that the systems are engineered to meet strict wind and structural requirements.
Construction and installation timelines continue to depend on coordination with utility providers and interconnection approvals, which district officials described as a detailed, multi-phase process.
Trustees Approve District Phone System Upgrade
The Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved a districtwide phone system replacement and upgrade designed to modernize communications across campuses and facilities.
Chief Technology Officer Benjamin Wood said the district’s current phone system is nearing the end of its operational life after nearly 30 years of service. Vendor support for the system ended in 2019, forcing the district to rely on aging equipment and used replacement phones.
Officials said the new Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, system will improve emergency communications through enhanced E911 support and districtwide alert capabilities. Additional features include voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, and improved remote connectivity.
Wood said the system will also help protect employee privacy by allowing staff to place calls from district numbers via a companion app rather than using personal cell phone numbers.
District leaders said the project is fully funded through safety and security bond funds and will not impact the district’s general operating budget.
The board approved Eastex Telephone as the recommended vendor for the project. Officials estimate the upgrade will reduce annual operating costs from approximately $67,000 to about $15,000 per year.
In other Business
During the course of the meeting, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees also:
APPROVED the Minutes and Board Time Use Tracker from the April 20, 2026, Regular Meeting;
APPROVED the installation of digital signage at MSAP campuses and feeder schools to support communication, recruitment, and district messaging efforts;
APPROVED the installation of vape detectors at middle school and high school campuses as part of the district’s student safety initiative;
APPROVED renewal of Communities In Schools partnership contracts for the 2026-27 school year;
APPROVED J&S Glass Werx for the Longview High School glass door replacement project;
APPROVED the purchase of four new district school buses from Pliler International Twin-State Trucks; and
APPROVED revisions to the Longview Incentives for Teachers (LIFT) distinction-based pay structure for the 2026-27 school year.
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the Longview ISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street). The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. June 8, 2026.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees, please click here.