By Charles McClure
news@ltview.com
It was a night for a “changing of the guard,” as the Lake Travis Independent School Board bid farewell to two trustees — Jim Cummings and Kim Nixon — during its regular session May 21.
Taking their seats are Lisa Johnson and Guy Clayton. Clayton is the first LTISD graduate to ever serve as a trustee.

 “If my math is right, Jim and Kim have 18 years of combined service to LTISD,” observed Superintendent Dr. Rocky Kirk, who estimated Cummings and Nixon had attended approximately 432 meetings, representing 265 eight hour work days during their combined tenures. “They have done this, asking for nothing back — it was just service. At a time when people often run for public office, unfortunately for what it can do for them with political agendas that don’t always serve the best interests of everybody, it is especially poignant that these two represent the very best of what collective service can and should be, regardless of roll it is in state or federal government.
“Jim and Kim have served with distinction, they have served with honor, and I cannot recall a single conversation that I have ever had with either of these individuals where they acted out of their own self-interests,” he continued That is so rare today.”
Kirk thanked their families for their support of the two trustees as they served LTISD.
Other trustees unanimously echoed Kirk’s sentiments.
Nixon said she was deeply honored to have served on the board.
“From the first moment we came here, we felt Lake Travis was just a magical place,” Nixon said. “And I feel LTISD is the heart and soul of our community because there are so many different cities within our district. The district seems like the thing they all have in common. It isn’t just a coincidence that LTISD shines like it does. Dr. Kirk and the administrative team are stellar educators, but even more importantly, they are stellar human beings. They are just positive people.
“I have heard it said that ‘what a teacher is [their personal integrity] can be more important than what they teach,’” Nixon continued. “That is truly exhibited by the administrative team. Thanks for the experience. It has been great serving with you [fellow trustees]. I want to particularly want to thank all the teachers here and I look forward to hearing great things from you. Carry on — I will not be too far away — and just call if I can ever be of any help.”
Cummings said he felt he was leaving the district in very capable hands.
“I can’t think of better leadership to be leaving the district with right now,” Cummings said. “Rocky has been key in taking Lake Travis to another level. Where we are right now is a result of Rocky’s leadership and I can’t think of a better person to leave the leadership with. I want to thank him for being a man of integrity.
“I can’t help but say, ‘yes, there were a lot of hours, and there were some sacrifices made on the part of our families,’” Cummings continued, fighting back emotions. “So I want to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to my kids and my wife for allowing me the privilege to serve and giving me support to serve.”
Johnson and Clayton were subsequently administered the oath of office.
With new trustees comes the election of officers. Susan Tolles returns as president of the board. Jason Buddin was named vice president and Alan Williams will serve as secretary. Interestingly, Tolles and Buddin are both natives of Center, a small East Texas town located in the Big Thicket.
Tolles said she is ready to roll up her sleeves to help LTISD in any way she can.
“It is an honor to serve LTISD as board president again,” Tolles said. “We have an exceptional group of Trustees who are focused on providing world-class education for our students, and the stage is set for another year of excellence. When I look at other districts around the state, it is clear that we are a leader in so many ways, from academic programs to technology, and our teachers are second to none. It is exciting to look to the future as we set our expectations even higher for ourselves, and develop the plans to reach those goals.”
Tolles noted she would miss the outgoing trustees, but expressed confidence in Clayton and Johnson.
“I will miss Jim and Kim, but having two new board members who are so passionate about our schools is very exciting,” Tolles said. “Lisa has been so involved volunteering in the schools and serving as past president of the Lake Travis Education Foundation, and she has so much energy and enthusiasm. Guy will also be a great addition to the group, bringing a fresh perspective as a parent of young children, as an astute businessman, and as the first Lake Travis High School graduate to serve on the board. Both are ‘graduates’ of Leadership Lake Travis and already know so much about the foundation of the district, and it will be such a pleasure to have them with us as we move forward.”
In other business, the district officially paid tribute to both its campus teachers of the year, as well as its district elementary and secondary teachers of the year.
Campus honors were awarded to Josie Phan, Bee Cave Elementary; Sharon Smith, Lake Pointe Elementary; Judy Stewart, Lake Travis Elementary; Aaron Wedemeyer, Lake Travis High School; Sabrina Long, Lakeway Elementary; and Sharon McMichael of Hudson Bend Middle. Austrian and Mitchell will now be considered for the regional/state Texas Teacher of the Year program.
LTISD also heard a presentation of some of the education bills that are currently being bandied about the Texas Legislature; however, according to the district’s attorney Susan Bohn, as well as LTISD Assistant Superintendent Bob Hart, it is difficult to anticipate exactly what potential legislation will mean until lawmakers reach a consensus.
There are bills in both the Texas House of Representatives as well as in the State Senate that could have an impact on LTISD. Bohn said the Senate version, written by Texas Sen, Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, would have a more favorable impact on LTISD; however, the House bill appeared to be gaining momentum. The session ends June 1.