Navigating Difficult Times: David Foote talks planning and leadership at Levelland ISD

Calm in the Storm: David Foote’s Steady Hand as Levelland ISD Faces Financial Headwinds

In the debut episode of West Texas Wire, we take listeners inside a defining moment for Levelland ISD. With a projected $2.5 million deficit for the 2024–25 school year, the district is navigating declining enrollment, shrinking property values, and an uncertain state funding outlook.

Stepping into this season of transition is Interim Superintendent David Foote, bringing what he calls a spirit of steady leadership and community focus.

Breaking Down the Budget

Key financial challenges driving the upcoming shortfall:

• Enrollment decline: A projected drop of 52 students directly impacts funding.

• Attendance rate: Holding at 93%, but each 1% shift equals nearly $190,000 in funding change.

• Property value decrease: Preliminary values show a $47 million drop, translating to roughly $292,000 lost in tax revenue.

• State funds limited: A proposed $55 per student basic allotment increase falls far short of rising costs.

Exploring Possible Solutions

The district is pursuing creative strategies to reduce the deficit:

• Applying for universal free lunch status to minimize meal debt.

• Utilizing disaster-related tax flexibility to shift 10–11 cents from the debt-service rate to operations—potentially generating $1.5 million in 2025–26 without raising overall taxes.

Even with these options, Foote acknowledges that funding pressure will remain:

“Every school I’ve been in has challenges... test scores, morale, communication, community support. I wish I had a magic answer for your question, but...”— David Foote

Leadership Rooted in Relationships

Foote’s approach emphasizes listening, clear communication, and honoring long-term community values. He underscores the importance of recognizing past strengths amid present challenges:

“For every bad thing that we have going on, there’s double-digit good things going on that we can focus on.”— David Foote

His message is clear: while he’s in this role temporarily, his commitment is deeply rooted:

“I approach this job just like I was going to be here 10 or 15 years. Even though I’m not…”— David Foote

Throughout the episode, he returns again and again to the power of local connection:

“This school does not belong to me. It belongs to the community… we’re all here for one reason—and that’s to educate our kids.”— David Foote

What’s at Stake

Levelland ISD is balancing urgent budget realities with long-term vision:

• Even with disaster-related tax reallocation, the district still faces a significant deficit.

• Teacher pay remains uncertain amid legislative funding proposals.

• Capital needs like HVAC, buses, and deferred maintenance are still on the table.

• Yet, Foote’s presence—and his focus on honesty and inclusion—offers hope that leadership and community unity can guide them forward.