The Lingleville ISD School Board reviewed the intruder detection audit and voted to continue with its prayer policy during the regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 19.
Lingleville ISD superintendent DeeCee McDougal reported the auditor visited in January and told the district they were scouring hard to find an issue since the school had none in previous reports.
Lingleville Interim school principal Alexa Garrison* praised the school staff as they had seen the auditor trying to enter in a door other than the main entrance. The auditor was promptly confronted and directed to the front entrance.
The school received one violation for a loose flap on the paneling around the exterior fence. The auditor reportedly came upon Rowdy Whitefield reinstalling the paneling attached to the fence as strong winds had knocked it down within the previous day and included its absence in the report.
The board members present voted to reject a resolution instituting a daily prayer period, opting instead to continue allowing religious expression in activities like student led prayer and See You at the Pole. McDougal reported almost all school districts in the state were rejecting the resolution because making a staff-led period led to concerns of determining how prayer would be handled for all and which denominations would be ascribed to.
Board member Jerod James voiced his support of the decision saying the idea of a prayer period seemed good on the surface until he realized all of the determinations that came with it. The board all felt the school’s current allowance of prayer was a better fit for students.
The Board also accepted the instructional material certification for 2026-27. The annual vote commits the school to teaching TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards so the district can receive state funding in textbook materials.
*On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Superintendent McDougal sent out a letter saying that Principal Brian Sanders had been reassigned to serve as assistant principal and Garrison will serve as interim principal for the remainder of the school year.
“I want to assure you that this transition is an internal leadership decision made in the best interest of our students and the continued growth of the district. There have been no incidents involving student safety or misconduct that prompted this change,” wrote McDougal. “Our focus remains steadfast: ensuring a positive, stable, and highperforming learning environment for every child.”
“Change in leadership can naturally bring questions, but please know that our district leadership team has thoughtfully planned this transition to ensure continuity of instruction, support for staff, and minimal disruption to students,” she added. “Our priority in every decision is the academic success, wellbeing, and overall development of the children we serve.”