Board Notes

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

 

Board Recognizes Student and Staff

The Board of Trustees recognized the artwork of JamieThreadgill.  It has been selected as this year’s cover of the District’s holiday greeting card. Jamie is a 7th grader at Hubbard Middle School.

 

Congratulations to Orr Elementary School. The Texas Department of Transportation has presented Orr Elementary with a plaque for serving as a Litter Force Charter School. Orr provided support of the campaign, “Don’t Mess with Texas,” by educating children about the importance of not littering and through research, helped TX DOT track awareness and retention of the message.  Ms. Dolores Villanueva, Intervention Teacher at Orr, has worked to bring this program to Orr Elementary first graders for the past three years.

 

Congratulations to the Financial Services Department, especially Ruth York, Nakeia Burrell, along with Director Tosha Bjork, and Tyler ISD Webmaster Jessica Poe, for being recognized by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. Comptroller Combs recognized Tyler ISD with a gold Leadership Circle designation. The Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments, including independent school districts, across Texas for setting the standard for financial transparency online.

 

Campus Spotlight Presented to Board

Birdwell Principal, Donna Bundy, and her staff and students gave a presentation to the Board of Trustees about her campus, their dual language program, and the school activities that enrich curriculum.

 

Assessment Department Presents AEIS Annual Report in Public Hearing

Director of Assessment and Accountability, Dr. Karen Raney, provided the Board of Trustees an annual report on the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS).  AEIS is a comprehensive reporting system defined by a State statute.  It is developed to provide a snapshot for parents and community regarding District/Campus Performance and District/Campus Profiles.

 

She shared with the group how the school district is working on improving district and campus performances.  Tyler ISD has a program to provide real time data to improve instruction as well as scheduled planning meetings between curriculum coordinators and teachers.  Based on data, targeted campuses & grade levels can be identified.  The District organizes school improvement coaches and outside consultants to assist these targeted campuses.  Campus Technology Specialists also works with a targeted group in technology integration for better engagement.

Dr. Raney shared District trends with the Board of Trustees.  She said student attendance remains above 95%; Central Administration as percent of total staff is lower than state; higher percentage teachers in Tyler ISD with advanced degrees than state percentage; and the average years of experience for teachers higher than state average.  She also shared how the District is closing the achievement gap for students.  The gap decreased for:

•       Math –  Hispanic, Economically Disadvantaged

•       Writing – Hispanic, African American, Economically Disadvantaged

•       Science – Hispanic, African American, Economically Disadvantaged

•       Social Studies – African American, Economically Disadvantaged

 

There is also an increase in commended performance.  Tyler ISD has seen commended rates increased for:

•       Reading – White, Hispanic, Economically Disadvantaged

•       Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies – All Groups

 

Dr. Raney also shared that this increase exceeds state’s commended increase for Reading and Writing

 

Board Approves Architectural and Engineering Contracts for Birdwell and Owens Elementary Schools

The Board of Trustees approved contracts with Eubanks-Harris-Roberts-Craig, Architects for Birdwell and Owens elementary schools.  Architectural services include mechanical/electrical, landscape, food service equipment and structural engineering. Architectural fees for each respective campus are six (6%) percent of construction costs plus reimbursables on Birdwell and Owens Elementary Schools. John Hardy, Tyler ISD’s counsel, has reviewed and approved the contracts.

 

Board Approves MOU for Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Certificate Courses

The Board of Trustees approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) Certificate Courses for Dual Credit between Tyler ISD and Tyler Junior College (TJC).  Tyler ISD contracts with TJC for instruction in several areas of applied technology. The quality of instruction is monitored by the TISD administration. The quality of instruction meets the needs of students and meets the curricular requirements for graduation.  The MOU for EMT-B is an agreement where TISD students may take TJC’s EMT-B courses for EMT-B certification, TJC credit, and TISD credit.  Tyler ISD’s Career and Technical Education program funds the tuition, fees, supplies, and books for each student accessing these TJC courses. Students will be able to access the existing Tyler ISD bus transportation to TJC’s West Campus provided by CTE. A minimum of 14 students is required for the course; maximum class enrollment is 20.  Facilities are not impacted by the expenditure of these funds. TJC houses all of these program offerings.

 

Board Approves Services at John Tyler High School

The Board of Trustees approved a contract in the amount of $43,750 to Five Star Education Solutions from John Tyler’s school improvement funds.  The funds are for the purchase will

entail 36 days for two consultants and one-half day for a campus overview by Five Star Education Solutions.  This program provides alternative teaching methods and strategies that instill not only knowledge, but also the love of learning which will provide students an opportunity to grow academically and function in an ever changing society.

 

Board Discuss District Calendar

The Board of Trustees discussed DRAFT Calendar for the 2010-2011 School Year. The posting of the DRAFT calendar on the Tyler ISD website would assist families and community members to begin planning for the following year and TEA an additional month to determine if changes will be made to the TAKS assessment calendar. This would also allow the administration to gather input from community before making the final approval in January.  The 2010-2011calendar is consistent with holidays and utilizes the state waiver option to use additional instructional days for staff development.  The two staff development days on Saturdays in September and October would allow teachers who missed the required summer training an opportunity to make up the time.

 

Facilities Department Provides Update on School Construction Projects

Construction Project Manager, Monte Robinette, provided the Board of Trustees an update on the progress of the school construction projects. 

 

Clarkston Elementary School

Masonry work is nearing completion in all areas and windows are being installed

Cabinet installation on 1st & 2nd floor of two areas is complete along with marker boards and tack boards.  The kitchen equipment is being installed.  Concrete work and irrigation has started in the Courtyard.

Progress for the next month will be the continuation of interior finishes in all areas and completion of exterior brickwork.

 

Griffin Elementary School

Mass excavation is underway. Installation of concrete and masonry foundations have started.

Excavation and grading for the extension of  28th Street to Broadway has also started.

Next month’s progress will be the completion of mass excavation work and continuation of utilities and foundation work.

 

Orr Elementary School

Standing seam metal roofing is being installed.  Exterior brickwork is nearing completion at five classroom areas with sheetrock work in progress.  The storm drainage installation in Courtyard is complete.

The next month’s progress will be the continuation of sheetrock and finishes.

 

Woods Elementary School

Structural steel erection is complete and all roof areas are dried in.  The drywall work in two areas and single story classroom area is nearing completion and ceramic tile work has started.

Exterior Brickwork is nearing completion at all classroom areas and has started on gym and cafeteria.  Painting and finishes have also started.

The next month’s progress will be the starting of installation of the standing seam metal roof and continuation of sheetrock work and finishes in all areas.

 

Jones/Boshears Campus

Permanent power and gas are installed and heat is on in two areas.  The installation of drywall is complete in two areas and cabinet installation and painting is underway.  Brick work is nearing completion on the entire project.  All roof areas have been dried-in.

The next month’s progress will be completion of framing for sheetrock and the completion of concrete drives and parking areas.  

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