Board Notes

A Summary of the September 17, 2009, Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

 

Board Recognizes Student and Staff

The Board of Trustees recognized Jessica Emery for being recognized as an exceptional violinist and the recipient of the 2009 Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin. The memorial is in memory of Daniel Pearl the violinist, fiddler and Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Miss Emery attended the Mark O’Conner Strings Conference this summer in New York, and was awarded the Memorial Violin. In addition to having full use of the handcrafted instrument for a year,

Miss Emery will participate in the 8th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days and other performances throughout the year. Miss Emery is a student at Robert E. Lee High School.

 

Congratulations to Jenny Montalvo, for being recognized as the Region VII Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Education Service Center. Jenny is a teacher at the St. Louis School and was named the Tyler ISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2009.

As a nominee for the 2010 TEA Teacher of the Year program, Jenny was among thirty eight other Regional Teachers of the year competing for the State Teacher of the Year position.

Jenny was recently honored by the Region VII with a reception in honor of the district and regional teachers of the year. The Texas Education Agency’s Texas Teacher of the Year

Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching.

 

Campus Spotlight Presented to Board

Jack Elementary School Principal, Shauna Hittle, gave a presentation to the Board of Trustees about her campus and the great things that are taking place.  Students and staff members highlighted the many activities and celebrated the accomplishments at the school.  They shared their belief in collaboration, professional growth, and how instructional focus is a priority.

 

Board Authorizes and Accepts Donations

The Board of Trustees authorized and approved the acceptance of the following donations totaling $42,844.87:

 

Equipment Valued at $18,394.00 from Samsung for Robert E. Lee High School.

$24,450.87 through the Tyler ISD Foundation for teacher grants presented throughout the District.

 

Board Approves Agreement with the City of Tyler

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agreement with the City of Tyler for the use of Softball Fields at Faulkner Park.  TISD has agreed to contractual terms with the City of Tyler to pay lease for the prioritized use of Faulkner Park for ten years. 

.Board Approves Change Order to L&L Asphalt Corp. Contract

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the L&L Asphalt deductive change order in the amount of $213,399.50.  At the July 30th regular Tyler ISD Board meeting the Board of Trustees approved the bid for L&L Asphalt Corp. in the amount of $671,755.55.  This total amount includes projects at Dogan Middle School for $213,399.50 and the Boys and Girls Club property for $458,356.05.  This Board approved deductive change order in the amount of

$458,356.05 leaves the contract amount for Dogan Middle School play field at $213,399.50. The change order is necessary to proceed at the Dogan Middle School project.

 

Board Approves Adoption of Memorandums of Understanding between TISD and TJC

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Tyler Junior College (TJC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Technical Continuing Education Courses and Technical Dual Credit Courses.  Tyler ISD contracts with TJC for instruction in applied technology. The quality of instruction is monitored by the Tyler ISD administration. The quality of instruction meets the needs of students and meets the curricular requirements for graduation.

The MOU’s provide an agreement where Tyler ISD students may take TJC college courses that allow them to receive credit in Tyler ISD and TJC. Tyler ISD students may also take TJC Continuing Education (CE) courses for high school credit.  Tyler ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department funds the tuition, books, materials, and bus transportation for each student accessing these courses at TJC. The CTE allocation funds are budgeted at $125,000 for school year 2009-10.  The MOU’s are for the following courses offered at the TJC West Campus for Tyler ISD students:

 

Automotive Technology - Continuing Education Course: Introduction to Transportation

 

Automotive Technology – Dual Credit Courses:

AUMT 1257 – Theory of Automotive Brake Systems

AUMT 1310 – Automotive Brake Systems Lab

AUMT 2215 – Theory of Automotive Engine Performance Analysis I

AUMT 2317 – Automotive Engine Performance Analysis I Lab

AUMT 1253 – Theory of Automotive Electrical Systems

AUMT 1307 – Automotive Electrical Systems Lab

AUMT 2231 – Theory of Automotive Engine Performance Analysis II

AUMT 2334 – Automotive Engine Performance Analysis II Lab

 

Welding Technology – Dual Credit Courses:

WLDG 1428 – Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

WLDG 1457 – Intermediate Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

 

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology– Dual Credit Courses:

HART 1310 – HVAC Shop Practices and Tools

HART 1407 – Refrigeration Principles

 

Facilities Department Provides Update on School Construction Projects

Director of Facilities, Tim Loper, provided the Board of Trustees an update on the progress of the school construction projects. 

 

Clarkston Elementary School

Roofing insulation and dry sheet are being installed.  Masonry work is continuing in all areas.

Sheetrock installation is underway.  Framing for interior and exterior walls in two areas is complete.  Structural steel erection is complete except for minor detail work.  All air conditioned units have been installed on the roof of the classroom area.

Progress for the next month will be the continuation of wall framing & roofing at the Cafeteria and Gym, masonry along with mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology rough-in, and continuation of sheetrock work in two areas.

 

Griffin Elementary School

Construction documents are complete and plans are out for subcontractor bids. Bids are due on September 24, 2009. A GMP for the new Griffin Elementary will be presented to the Board for approval at the Oct 5th workshop.

 

Orr Elementary School

Rough-in for above ceiling utilities is underway in two areas of the first floor.  Structural steel erection continues; framing for interior partitions has started; roof joists and deck are being installed; and masonry work has also started.

The next month’s progress will be the completion of steel erection and roof deck; continue framing and drywall at exterior and interior walls; continuation of masonry work. Permanent electric power will be installed to the building.

 

Woods Elementary School

Structural steel erection is continuing and 2nd floor decking is being installed.  Second floor slabs are complete.  Interior wall framing is complete in single story classroom area and another area.  Masonry work in one area is nearing completion.  Roof insulation and snow and ice shield is complete at an area.  Above ceiling rough-ins are underway in single story and another area.

The next month’s progress will be the completion of steel erection, installation of roof joists and deck. Progress will also continue in framing interior walls, installation of fire sprinklers, ductwork, cable trays, electrical, and plumbing rough-in for the interior of the building.

 

Jones/Boshears Campus

All building slabs are complete.  Framing for drywall is complete on 1st floor of two areas. Steel erection has started on the last two areas to be erected.  Masonry walls are complete at the adaptive PE area and brick work has started.  Roof deck is complete at one area and roofing is complete on two areas.  Exterior walls at the Arena are complete and roof panels are being installed.

The next month’s progress will be the completion of the Arena and steel erection in two areas; start interior wall framing at 2nd floor of two areas; continue concrete placement on the loop road; and continue the above ceiling rough-in for two areas on the 2nd floor.

 

Graduation Ceremony Requirements Discussed by the Board of Trustees

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Randy Reid, presented a discussion item about graduation ceremony requirements to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Reid felt it was a good time to present the topic for discussion since it is early in the school year and not near graduation when this can be an emotional issue.  The Board engaged in a discussion about whether or not to allow students who pass their classes but fail the TAKS test to go through the District graduation ceremonies.  If these students were allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies they could receive a certificate of completion, not a diploma. The current Tyler ISD policy is that students who fail one or more portions of TAKS do not participate in the graduation ceremonies or receive a certificate of completion.  The Board of Trustees discussed the pros and cons to both sides.

 

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