London ISD touts growth, academic success during first State of the District event

London ISD is growing, supporters of the district heard Tuesday at its first State of the District fundraiser.

In 1909, the district opened with just 13 students. But as Corpus Christi's Southside has grown, so too has the London community, particularly over the past few years. Today, the district has about 1,600 students.

The district invited community businesses and organizations to the event at Maddaloni's Venue & Events, which opened this fall in a new collection of businesses that has sprung up across the street from the district's administrative offices.

"Fifteen years ago, London was a little secret," London ISD board of trustees President Russell Manning said. "It's not a secret anymore. We are now what is called a destination school district. People are moving here. We're hoping that businesses will follow."

Most of the district's 98 square miles are farmland, but for the past three years the community has grown between 9% and 11% each year, Superintendent Judi Whitis said. Business growth in the area can benefit the district by increasing tax revenues, Whitis said.

"We're expecting increased numbers to keep pace with available housing in our area," Whitis said.

An education foundation was also recently formed as a nonprofit to serve London ISD students and teachers.

In the district's most recent state accountability ratings, London ISD was one of few Coastal Bend school districts to earn an "A" rating, though the district has a much smaller percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged compared to neighboring districts. The ratings take into account how ready students are to progress to the next grade level each year and how prepared they are for success after graduation.

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Whitis credited teachers and staff with the district's success, noting that between 2021-22 and 2022-23, the district had a staff retention rate of 92%.

"Our teachers were a huge factor in overcoming the COVID loss," Whitis said.

In May, voters approved more than $96 million in bond projects across the district.

Work has already begun on parking lot updates to improve traffic flow, and students can expect classroom additions and a new cafeteria at the middle and high school; a new sports complex with a turf field, a track, bleachers, concessions and restrooms; elementary classroom additions and a play gym and playground; and, eventually, a new early childhood center that will house kindergarten and pre-K programs.

Whitis also said the district has invested in safety and security and passed two third-party intrusion audits without any deficits noted.

"London is no longer the small school that merely goes to eighth grade on the outskirts of town," Whitis said. "London is the district where everyone wants to be."

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: London ISD touts growth, academic success during State of the District