Two more stories from the last couple of days, both on the redoubtable Lancaster ISD. First:

AUSTIN – The dispute over Lancaster ISD’s proposed four-day school week reached Austin on Thursday as supporters and critics aired their views to the state education commissioner.

Meanwhile, the Texas Education Agency is considering whether to send a team of auditors to the school district to check on worrisome financial data.

“It does appear that there is a significant, or has been a significant budget discrepancy,” acting Commissioner Robert Scott said after Thursday’s meeting, which was closed to the news media.

And second:

When Superintendent Larry Lewis faces opposition to his financial management of Lancaster ISD, his response is to point to the academic progress in his district.

“I can give you data to show that where we were in ‘03 and where we are today – that we’ve had tremendous academic improvement,” Dr. Lewis said Friday. “When you look at what we’ve done with students of poverty, of ethnic minority, we’ve seen tremendous growth since we’ve been here.”

But while Lancaster’s TAKS scores have improved, the increases have been smaller than those of almost every other area district.

Friday was my last day at The News before I leave for Boston. I’m busy packing up my belongings and deciding which boxes are fated for storage and which will squeeze into my Mazda for the long drive up the coast.

29 July 2007

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