Longview ISD -

Our first PSAT Saturday this past weekend was a huge success — students showed up focused, motivated, and ready to grow! 💪📚 See the photos below from our College & Career Readiness team.

To keep the momentum going, we're inviting 7th graders who scored MASTERS on STAAR and ALL 8th grade students to join our next PSAT Prep Sessions:

📅 October 18 & October 25
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Forest Park Middle School

Let’s keep pushing toward excellence, Lobos! 🐺💚

Longview Independent School District recognized three exceptional graduates as the 2025 Distinguished Alumni during the district’s inaugural State of the District event, held Wednesday, Oct. 1. The 2025 honorees were celebrated by the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc on October 1 with their annual brick ceremony.

The honorees—Kenneth C. Raney, Jr., Dr. Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson, and Rhonda Glass Bullard—were celebrated for their achievements in law, education, music, community development, and their longstanding contributions to public service.

Kenneth C. Raney, Jr. – Class of 1970
A 1970 graduate of Longview High School, Raney distinguished himself early in academics, athletics, debate, and civic activities. He earned the Rotary Club Scholarship, the VFW Voice of Democracy Award, the Texas State Civitan Essay Contest, and the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation.
Raney continued his education at Kilgore College, serving as Vice President of the Sophomore Class and the Student Affairs Congress, earning his Associate of Arts degree in 1972. He earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1977.
His legal career spanned over 40 years, including executive roles as Vice President, Secretary, and Associate General Counsel at Central and South West Corporation. He later served as Assistant General Counsel and Chief Legal Counsel for the River Operations Division of American Electric Power.
Raney has remained active in civic leadership. He served multiple terms as president of the Kilgore College Foundation and was honored with the Blue Ribbon Medal of Excellence for Alumni Success in 2022. He is also involved with the Texas Historical Foundation and serves in statewide leadership with the Sons of the Republic of Texas. That same year, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him an Admiral in the Texas Navy.

Dr. Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson – Class of 2007
A 2007 graduate of Longview High School, Dr. Stevie Johnson—known professionally as “Dr. View”—is a DJ, music producer, educator, and cultural organizer. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Creative Practice in Popular Music at The Ohio State University.
Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2019. His dissertation, Curriculum of the Mind, was the first non-traditional project to win the prestigious Bobby Wright Dissertation of the Year Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
He is the founder and executive producer of Fire in Little Africa, a 21-track hip hop album signed to Motown Records. The album, commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the legacy of Black Wall Street, was accompanied by an award-winning documentary, podcast, and educational curriculum.
In 2023, Johnson was named the Nasir Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. He is also the CEO of SOUSE (pronounced “sauce”), a cultural production company and research initiative that amplifies Black music, memory, and joy through innovative DJ culture and community engagement.

Rhonda Glass Bullard – Class of 1975
A proud 1975 graduate of Longview ISD, Rhonda Glass Bullard has spent more than 50 years giving back to her hometown through civic service, leadership, and nonprofit development.
Active in student life during her years at Longview High School, Bullard’s early involvement led to decades of leadership in the Junior League of Longview, local church ministries, city task forces, and significant community events like the Great Texas Balloon Race.
Bullard is a Certified Fundraising Executive with a BA in nonprofit management. She began her fundraising career with local PTA initiatives and alumni projects, later guiding nonprofit boards through strategic planning and helping raise millions of dollars for community causes.
Her proudest achievement is leading the effort to raise over $3 million to establish the Longview World of Wonders Children’s Museum, which has since become a central cultural and educational hub for families throughout East Texas.
A dedicated advocate for Longview’s future, Bullard believes in building a community where families can thrive and businesses can grow. She is also a wife, mother to three Longview ISD graduates, and grandmother to six.

“These three alumni are extraordinary examples of the excellence Longview ISD fosters in our students,” said Longview ISD Superintendent, Dr. Marla Sheppard. “Their personal achievements and service to others reflect the values we strive to instill in every graduate.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Longview ISD graduates who have demonstrated excellence in their careers, civic leadership, and lifelong dedication to public education and community development.

👏 Thank You, BareHandz Foundation! 👏

Foster Middle School is grateful to JaMycal Hasty’s BareHandz Foundation for donating polos and hoodies to Foster Middle School's uniform closet. These items will directly support our students and families, ensuring they have what they need to feel confident and ready for success.

For the past three years, the Barehandz Foundation has been making a difference for families across Longview ISD. This non-profit organization is dedicated to providing essential items, services, and special projects that meet people in their time of need and help improve lives.

We are so thankful for their continued partnership and investment in our community! 💚

👉 To learn more about the BareHandz Foundation, visit: https://barehandzfoundation.com/

We have submitted 100% construction drawings for the new Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility, the first major project funded by the $456.2 million bond voters approved in 2024.

With permitting now in progress, construction is set to begin this October, with groundbreaking anticipated in the first week of November. The new facility will feature:
🏈 120-yard turf field for marching band & sports
⚾ Batting cages
🏌 Golf simulators
🏋 Weight room
🚿 Locker rooms & coaches’ offices

“This is progress you can see,” says Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard. “Every dollar is being used responsibly to give our students the spaces they deserve.”