LVISD Announces New High School Assistant PrincipalAugust 13, 2024

Lago Vista ISD is pleased to announce that Mrs. Dusty Kinslow has been hired as the new assistant principal of Lago Vista High School.

Kinslow brings extensive instructional and administrative experience to the Lago Vista High School administrative team. She taught high school English and coached basketball and softball in Jim Ned CISD and at Pflugerville-Connally High School. She also served as the head of the Upper School at Austin Classical School in Austin, TX. Most recently, Kinslow joined the Viking Nation as our AP English teacher, and then transitioned into student support services as a school counselor. She has been an incredible asset to Lago Vista High School and has forged meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders to help students succeed.

Mrs. Kinslow is very excited to serve as an assistant principal at Lago Vista High School. "I have fallen in love with the Viking Nation and I am honored to join the Lago Vista High School leadership team", Kinslow said. "I look forward to serving the families and students at Lago Vista High School in this new role. WE ALL ROW!"

Kinslow holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX and a Master of Education from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.

"Mrs. Kinslow's dedication, passion for education, and commitment to our students make her the perfect fit for this leadership position," said Superintendent Webb. "I am confident that her vision and experience will continue to inspire our school community to reach new heights."

New LVHS PrincipalJuly 15, 2024

Lago Vista ISD is pleased to announce that Mrs. Janda Castillo has been hired as the new principal of Lago Vista High School.

With 20 years of experience serving as a campus leader, Castillo brings a proven track record of success in educational leadership, having served as a principal and assistant principal at both middle and high school levels in multiple districts. Most recently, she served as an Assistant Principal at Round Rock High School, where she excelled in supporting various departments, leading professional development, and implementing innovative programs. Her efforts contributed to district-leading EOC scores in Algebra I, impressive growth in Advanced Placement student achievement, and a 100% graduation rate for ELL students. Prior to this role, she served as an assistant principal at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock ISD, as the secondary principal in Center Point ISD, and as the middle school principal in Junction ISD.

Mrs. Castillo is thrilled to be the next principal of Lago Vista High School. "Every role I’ve ever held in my career has led me and prepared me to serve the students, teachers, and families of Lago Vista High School,” Castillo said. “I am honored and excited to join this vibrant school community and I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, supportive families, and, most importantly, our amazing students.”

Castillo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English and a Master of Education from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas.

"I am thrilled to welcome Mrs. Castillo to the Viking Nation. Her exceptional leadership skills, innovative vision, and unwavering dedication to student success make her the perfect fit for our community," said Superintendent Webb. "I am confident that under her guidance, our school will continue to thrive and reach new heights. This is an exciting time for us all, and I look forward to the incredible impact Mrs. Castillo will have on our students, staff, and families."

New Band Director at LVISD May 30, 2024

Lago Vista ISD is pleased to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Vowles has been hired as the new Head Band Director for the Lago Vista ISD band program. Vowles has 23 years of experience as a band director, and most recently served as the Head Band Director at Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon. She has 18 years of experience as a band director in the State of Texas, previously serving in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and R. L. Turner High School as Head Band Director. In this position, she led the ensembles under her direction to earn Superior ratings at the UIL Concert, Sightreading, and Marching Evaluations and increased the overall enrollment in the band programs by 26%.

Mrs. Vowles is excited to take the helm of the band program for the Viking Nation. "I am very excited to be chosen as the next Head Band Director for Lago Vista ISD,” Vowles said. “I look forward to working with the students, staff, and administration and continuing the work that has been started to make the band program a source of pride for the community."

Vowles holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and completed extensive graduate work in Music Education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

“Mrs. Vowles comes to Lago Vista ISD with an impressive pedigree and with a remarkable record of creating positive experiences for students and growing strong, successful band programs,” Superintendent Darren Webb said. “I believe that her passion and experience are a great fit for our staff and community, and we look forward to having her join the Viking Nation as our new Head Band Director.”

Lago Vista ISD Enhances Safety Measures with Security Officers in Compliance with HB 3
April 5, 2024

On March 25, 2024, the Lago Vista ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a contract with Texas Public Safety and Investigations (TXPSI) to provide armed security officers on Lago Vista ISD campuses in compliance with House Bill 3 (HB 3).

The Texas legislature passed HB 3 during the 88th Regular Legislative Session, which requires Districts to work towards providing a minimum of one armed security officer at each campus. Earlier this year, Lago Vista ISD partnered with the Lago Vista Police Department to provide a District school resource officer. The TXPSI officers will serve in addition to the existing school resource officer and will begin on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Through this agreement, TSPSI will provide highly trained commissioned peace officers equipped with the latest security protocols and training to augment our existing safety measures. Each officer will hold non-commissioned and commissioned security licenses with the Texas Department of Public Safety and will be certified in CPR/AED, first aid, and mental health first aid. All officers will be required to complete additional training through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for traffic direction, crossing guard, school resource officers, school-based law enforcement, and active shooter response.

"We recognize the paramount importance of safeguarding our school community, and our decision to partner with TXPSI underscores our dedication to this mission," remarked Darren Webb, Lago Vista ISD Superintendent. "Their proven track record in delivering effective security solutions tailored to educational settings aligns with our commitment to providing safe and secure environments for teaching and learning."

The partnership between Lago Vista ISD and TXPSI aims to further ensure the safety and security of our students, staff, and premises, reflecting our unwavering commitment to fostering a secure learning environment.

Lago Vista Independent School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Officer Robert Quick as the School Resource Officer (SRO). Officer Quick brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our educational environment.

Officer Quick’s tenure in law enforcement spans over five years, showcasing his commitment and expertise in safeguarding communities. Having previously served with both the Lago Vista and Mustang Ridge Police Departments, his return to the Lago Vista Police Department in April 2022 highlights his connection to our community.

His qualifications include an Advanced Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, attesting to his professional competence and adherence to the highest standards.

Officer Quick holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix, showcasing his commitment to personal and academic growth. This educational foundation complements his practical experience, providing a well-rounded approach to the multifaceted responsibilities of a School Resource Officer.

Recognizing the unique challenges of maintaining a secure educational environment, Officer Quick has invested in his professional development with a focus on School Based Law Enforcement Training. He has accumulated a remarkable 551 hours of continuing education course credit from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, including a dedicated 20 hours specifically tailored to school-based scenarios.

Superintendent Darren Webb expressed enthusiasm about Officer Quick’s appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Officer Quick to our school community. His experience, qualifications, and commitment to ongoing training align perfectly with our district’s priority to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students and staff.”