The Longview ISD Board of Trustees received updates on district bond projects, athletics programs, student safety initiatives, and the proposed 2026-27 budget during its regular meeting on June 8. Trustees also reviewed results from the district's first Culture and Climate Survey and heard updates on upcoming University Interscholastic League requirements affecting outdoor student activities.
Bond Projects Continue Moving Forward Across District
Longview ISD trustees received a detailed update on 2024 bond projects, with district leaders reporting that construction remains on schedule across multiple major facilities while renovation work accelerates at Longview High School.
Executive Director of Facilities and Bond Programs John Erickson said crews will touch more than 70,000 square feet of campus space this summer through dining hall, restroom and interior renovation projects.
“We will touch a little over 70,000 square feet at the high school campus this year,” Mr. Erickson told trustees. “That's a lot more than last year.”
Erickson said demolition is largely complete in the dining hall expansion area and construction crews are already moving into the rebuilding phase.
At the softball complex, both batting cages and storage buildings have been completed, while concession, restroom, and locker room facilities continue moving forward.
The district also reported progress on the Career and Technical Education Center, natatorium, multipurpose facility, and transportation center.
Bond Program Manager Paul Miller from Procedeo described the CTE project as one of the district’s strongest construction successes.
“This project has gone incredibly well,” Mr. Miller said. “They are making phenomenal progress here. I'm very pleased with the general contractor.”
Wood noted that construction teams have completed foundation work on both the CTE Center and multipurpose facility. Trustees also learned that architects are preparing updated renderings for potential visitor-side improvements at Lobo Stadium that could be presented later this summer.
Crista Black Sworn in for New Term on Longview ISD Board of Trustees
Longview ISD Trustee Crista Black officially began a new term representing Place 4 following the administration of the oath of office during Monday night's board meeting.
Black was sworn in after the recent trustee election. The oath formally begins her new term on the Longview ISD Board of Trustees, where she will continue helping guide district policy, finances, and strategic planning efforts. She has served on the board since 2023.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, trustees conducted their annual board reorganization. The board selected Michael Tubb to remain as President, Ms. Black will remain Vice President, Lateefah Pruitt will remain the Board Secretary, and Ted Beard remains the Assistant Board Secretary for the coming year. Ms. Black will continue serving on the seven-member governing body that oversees Longview ISD.
The Longview ISD Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing district policy, adopting budgets, and providing oversight for educational programs and district operations.
As the district continues implementing major bond projects and strategic initiatives, Black will continue representing Place 4 and helping guide decisions that impact students, staff, and families across Longview ISD.
Athletics Program Focuses on Student Development Beyond Competition
Athletic Director John King told trustees that Longview ISD athletics remains focused on developing well-rounded students while maintaining one of the state's most recognizable athletic brands.
“I want everybody to understand the importance of what Longview athletics means to this community,” Coach King said. “We're unique in Texas, and we're really unique in Longview, being community-based teams.”
King emphasized that athletic success extends far beyond wins and losses.
“The benefits we get from our athletic teams extend beyond the scoreboard,” he said. “Our student-athletes are students first.”
According to Coach King's report, more than 1,000 students participated in high school athletics during the 2025-26 school year, while middle school programs served more than 800 student-athletes. More than half of Longview High School's athletes competed in multiple sports.
The district reported that 51 seniors earned Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State honors, up from 38 the previous year, while 22 student-athletes signed scholarships to continue competing at the collegiate level.
“We're looking for kids to go to school for zero debt,” King said. “That's what we're looking for.”
UIL Heat Safety Changes Expected for Outdoor Activities
Longview ISD is preparing for a significant UIL safety change that will likely affect athletics, marching band, and other outdoor student activities.
Coach King told trustees that the UIL Legislative Council is expected to formally require Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitoring for outdoor activities.
The system measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation to determine safe activity levels during extreme heat conditions.
“I talked to Ray Zepeda, the athletic director of the UIL. The UIL Legislative Council vote is going to pass because it's a safety rule,” Coach King said.
Longview ISD has already been following the recommended guidelines and tracking weather data in preparation for the anticipated rule change.
“We have not had any issues with heat-related illnesses with our kids,” Coach King said.
He noted that the new standards could affect football, cross country, tennis, marching band, and other outdoor programs during periods of extreme heat.g
Budget Proposal Balances New Funding, Staffing Investments, Future Growth
Chief Financial Officer Dr. Wayne Guidry presented the district's first major budget update for 2026-27, outlining how Longview ISD plans to use new state funding while preparing for future operational costs.
Dr. Guidry reported that House Bill 2 will provide approximately $6.4 million in new revenue to the district.
“The majority of those funds were allocated by the legislative session, which gave districts very little flexibility on how we adjusted our budgets,” Dr. Guidry said.
District officials intentionally used conservative enrollment projections because of uncertainty surrounding Texas' new school voucher program.
“We know that 295 students from the Longview area have been approved for vouchers,” Dr. Guidry told trustees.
He said departments across the Education Support Center reduced budgets and staffing allocations by approximately $2.4 million.
“If you want to give raises, you better find a way to give the raises through cuts,” he said.
District leaders are also preparing for the operational impact of multiple new bond-funded facilities expected to open during the 2027-28 school year.
“Before we start reducing services, let's try to find a way to increase revenue,” Dr. Guidry said.
Culture and Climate Survey Establishes Baseline for 2030
Trustees reviewed results from the district's first Culture and Climate Survey, which generated more than 1,300 responses from employees, parents, students, alumni, and community members.
Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer Matthew Prosser said the survey was designed to establish baseline measurements for the district's Elevate 2030 strategic plan.
“This gives us meaningful data and a solid baseline for public as well as internal sentiment,” Mr. Prosser said.
Survey results showed strong support for the district's mission and priorities, with more than 80% of staff respondents reporting they understand the district's goals and objectives.
“I think this is something a lot of companies and organizations would envy,” Mr. Prosser said. “They're on board. We just have to figure out what supports they need.”
Mr. Prosser said one of the survey's most encouraging findings was the level of community pride in Longview ISD.
“People are proud to be part of Longview. People are proud to be Lobos,” he said.
The survey established an initial customer service and satisfaction score of 58.4%, which will serve as a benchmark moving forward.
“Our goal for this time next year is 70%,” Mr. Prosser stated.
In other Business
During the course of the meeting, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees also:
ADMINISTERED the oath of office to trustees Brett Miller and Crista Black following their recent election victories;
APPROVED the addition of two bad weather days to the 2026-27 academic calendar;
APPROVED a new Magnet Schools Assistance Program support pay rate of $35 per hour for approved grant-related activities performed outside normal work hours;
APPROVED the Longview High School band trip to London, England;
APPROVED renewal of charter partnership agreements with Texas Council for International Studies and Longview Educates and Prospers; and
APPROVED the district's 2026-27 compensation plan, including one-time retention payments for eligible employees.
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the Longview ISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street). The next special meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. June 22, 2026.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees, please click here.