COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY TEACHER DIES IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

Just days before the start of the school year, the Columbus community is mourning the loss of one of its elementary instructors. A Columbus Elementary teacher died in a tragic auto wreck between Fayette and Colorado counties on Saturday, Aug. 10.

According to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, at approximately 5:51 p.m. that evening, Texas DPS troopers responded to a fatal crash in Fayette County, taking the life of 58-year-old Lisa Kana Klekar.

The initial report suggests that Klekar’s vehicle, a 2001 Jeep Wrangler, was traveling too fast northbound near the 4800 block of Farm to Market 155 when it lost control off the roadway in a curve and rolled over several times.

The driver, identified as Klekar, was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Klekar was a former employee at La-Grange ISD and had begun working as a first-grade teacher for Columbus Elementary school back in January 2022.

Columbus ISD Superintendent Jim Connor broke the devastating news to employees across the district the following day in a letter addressing the elementary school’s sudden loss before the start of the year.

“CISD lost a member of the family on Saturday afternoon,” said Connor in the letter. “Lisa Klekar, a staff member for three years at Columbus Elementary School, was tragically killed in a vehicle accident. Lisa had been involved in education for 20 years, the first 16 as a paraprofessional in La Grange and the last 4 years as a teacher in La Grange and Columbus. She will be missed as a vital part of the CES family. She was married to her husband Eugene, and they were parents to three children and two grandchi ldren. Please keep them in your prayers as this loss will be very hard for all of them.”

Klekar’s principal at Columbus Elementary, Shana Neisner, shared Connor’s sentiment, emphasizing how hard the elementary school staff were taking the news.

“Lisa was a great friend to all,” said Neisner. “She was always smiling and was continually positive through tough times. She greeted everyone daily with a heartfelt good morning. She was very passionate about teaching and was a champion and advocate for all her students. Please keep Lisa and her family in your thoughts.”

Neisner says the school was able to find an adequate replacement for the time being to ensure Klekar’s students did not miss out on school days, given that Klekar unfortunately passed just four days before the start of the school year.

“We do have a certified teacher that is currently employed with CISD that will be taking her position.”