Board Notes

A Summary of the January 21, 2010, Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

 

Board Recognizes Student and Staff

Tyler ISD is proud to announce that Moore MST Middle School cheerleaders and cheer coach, Lana Cain, made history by winning two National Championship Titles at the National Cheerleader Association (NCA) Championships in Dallas in December. The squad placed first overall in the Large Middle School Performance Division and first overall in the new Middle School Game Time Division. Their winning routines will be featured on ESPN2 when the show airs mid-February.  The Moore cheerleaders were also singled out to be interviewed by the Varsity.com television about their service project, “Cheer for a Cure.” In October, the squad raised money for the local Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation by selling spirit items and hosting a “Pink Day” at their school.

 

John Tyler’s High School Robotics Club is to be congratulated on a job well done at the VexRobotics Contest. In December, teachers Jimmie Bybee, Jimmy Osteen and Joshua Bush took two teams to the largest VexRobotics contest at University of Texas in Richardson. They had one team that made it all the way to and competed in the Quarter Finals. This was the first time John Tyler students have competed in the VexRobotics contest. They came very close to making it to the World Championship. They are hosting their own East Texas VexRobotics Contest on January 30. Thank you to the Tyler ISD Foundation for the grant they gave to make this program successful.

 

Congratulations to St. Louis School teacher, Jenny Montalvo, who has been selected to receive the Texas Exes Award for Outstanding Teachers. This award recognizes and awards ten high school teachers and two elementary school teachers from nominees across the state. Mrs. Montalvo will be honored on February 12, at the Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers Banquet and Awards Ceremony on the UT Campus in Austin. UT President Bill Powers hosts this event.

 

Superintendent Recognizes Trustees

January is School Board Appreciation month and Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid took a moment to recognize the efforts of each board member and acknowledge the tokens of appreciation from various campuses for the board members.

 

Campus Spotlight Presented to Board

Principal, Deborah Thompson, and her staff gave a presentation to the Board of Trustees about Bonner Elementary.  She shared the academic achievements of the campus as well as some of the special programs offered to students.

 

Board Authorizes and Accepts Donations

The Board of Trustees authorized and approved the acceptance of the following donations totaling $38,950:

 

$12,500 from Carrier Corporation for Boulter Middle School

$11,450 from Andy Woods PTA for Woods Elementary School

$5,000 from JTHS Band Parent Organization to John Tyler High School Band

$5,000 from Watson Wise Foundation to St. Louis Elementary School

$5,000 from Watson Wise Foundation to Woods Elementary School

 

Board Approves Selection of Construction Manager-At-Risk Firm

for Birdwell and Owens Elementary Schools

The Board of Trustees approved RPR Construction Co., Inc. as the Construction Manager at Risk for both Owens and Birdwell Elementary Schools.  Both campuses have been approved for renovations.

 

Board Approves Replacement Scoreboard at Mike Carter Field

The Board of Trustees approved the installation of the new scoreboard to Olen Williams in the amount of $43,895.00 with an additional owner’s contingency ($5,000) for miscellaneous items totaling $48,895.00. Funding is provided by the Athletic Capital Replacement fund.

 

Board Approves Purchase of Buses

The Board of Trustees approved and accepted the quotes for the purchase of seven conventional buses and one special needs bus for the grand total of $655,449.00.

 

Board Approves Academic Calendar for the 2010-2011 School Year

The Board of Trustees approved the 2010-2011 District calendar.  The Tyler Independent School District School Board annually adopts the calendar for the following school year. The 2010-2011 calendar is consistent with holidays and includes the state waiver option to use four instructional days for staff development. The calendar also includes the requirements from TEA, such as the TAKS testing dates.

 

Board Approves the Boulter iCan Project

The Board of Trustees approved the Boulter iCan project at Boulter Middle School and the expenditures associated with the plan through technology funding.  As we continue to move forward with 21st Century Learning and the further use of technology integration, this pilot program will give us the opportunity to evaluate and assist in the future technology planning for Tyler ISD.  Boulter Middle School will provide iPod Nanos to the 115 ESL students to provide a review of content vocabulary in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Student will create and share Podcasting reviews of content, vocabulary, and concepts learned in class during their ESL time.  Students will also build reading fluency by recording into the iPod to practice their reading skills. The iPods will also contain the CSCOPE material and other activities and software to provide the students the opportunity to review and learn new content.

 

Board Approves Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy

The Board of Trustees approved the memorandum of understanding between Therapet and St. Louis School.  St. Louis School, the Wayne D. Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs has been approached by Therapet to provide an animal assisted therapy visitation program. The program will be used to promote instruction for students with severe disabilities. Therapet is a volunteer program. An agreement on guidelines is required before entering into the Therapet program. Animal Assisted Therapy guidelines have been developed and reviewed by legal counsel and the TISD administration.

 

Board Approves Five Star Consulting Services for John Tyler Science Instruction

The Board of Trustees approved in the amount of $36,000 to Five Star Education Solutions for Science Instructional Support at John Tyler.  Services provided by Five Star Education Solutions include: assistance in learning thoroughly the content for the core courses; training in how to implement standards based instruction; instruction on how to use hands-on and manipulative strategies; and helping with class management and student motivation techniques.

 

Board Approves Memorandum of Understanding

The Board of Trustees approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Tyler ISD and Tyler ISD Head Start Program.  According to the Head Start Reauthorization Act, Head Start programs must enter into an agreement with the local education agency.

This agreement provides documentation of governance of the Head Start Program by Tyler ISD. This is a new requirement and in the future the agreement will be renewed in August of the appropriate school year.

 

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

Parking area on South side has been completed.  Final grading of site is underway and sod is being installed.  Vinyl wall covering and carpet is complete on 2nd floor.  Kitchen equipment is being installed and is almost complete. First floor finishes are progressing well.

Progress for the next month will be the continuation of interior finishes in all areas, completion of exterior brickwork, installation of new furniture in classrooms.

 

Griffin Elementary School

Mass excavation is complete in all areas. The slab on grade has been poured in one area. Concrete and masonry foundations have started. Foundations for the building retaining walls have started. Excavation and rough grading for the extension of 28th Street to Broadway is complete. Site utility work is nearing completion.

Next month’s progress will be the continuation of foundation work, pour slab and steel erection.

 

Orr Elementary School

Standing seam metal roofing at two areas is complete.  Brick work on the building is almost complete.  Ceramic tile work has started in 2 story class room building.  Sheetrock work is progressing in four areas.  Project is ready for permanent electric power and gas.

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

 

Woods Elementary School

Brick work on main building is nearing completion.  Drywall work in all classroom areas is nearing completion and ceramic tile work has started.  Above ceiling work is nearing completion in two areas and ceiling grid is being installed.  Installation of metal roof has started on the 2 story classroom building.  Painting and finishes are started in the single story classroom area.

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

 

Jones/Boshears Campus

Wall covering and ceramic tile are being installed in two areas.  Sheetrock work is almost complete in one area and walls are being painted.  Brick work is nearing completion on the entire project.  Painting has started and walk-in coolers, freezers and vent hood are being installed in the kitchen.  Framing and sheetrock installation is underway in two areas and above ceiling rough-in is underway.  Site retaining walls are nearing completion.

The next month’s progress will be continuation of installation of sheetrock, finishes and painting.  

 

 

 

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