Board Notes

A Summary of the August 16, 2007 Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

Board Approves Budget Adoption Meeting Date

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved August 28, 2007 as the meeting date for the purpose of adopting the budget and the proposed tax rate. The Board of Trustees also approved the recommendation that the “proposed tax rate” of $1.215 be used in the publication “Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate.”  This proposed tax rate will equate to a .27 cent decrease from the current tax rate.

Board Authorizes and Accepts Donations

The Board of Trustees authorized and approved the acceptance of $18,650.00 from Jack Elementary PTA to Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary for playground equipment.

Board Approves High School Retention Facilitator

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the new pilot position of High School Retention Facilitator at John Tyler High School.  This position is designed to complement other positions already in place to support dropout prevention.

During the past few months the Hispanic Educational Alliance has expressed an interest in supporting dropout prevention for Hispanic ninth and tenth grade students. Fourth Partner Foundation volunteered funds to support a position that would increase the retention of this targeted group.  During the 2007-2008 school year, TISD Administration will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this position.

Facilities Department Provides Update on School Construction Projects

Project Manager Randy Rayford, with The Staubach Company, provided the Board of Trustees an update on the progress of the school construction projects. 

Four elementary schools are under construction at this time (Austin, Bonner, Douglas and Peete):

The punch list process is in progress at Austin, Bonner, and Douglas elementary schools and is expected to be completed by mid September.  At all three locations, they are working hard to be ready for the start of school despite the rain delays.  Every effort is being made to complete the landscaping and exterior work before the ribbon cutting ceremonies later this month.  General construction is complete on all three buildings.

Punch out is approximately 80% complete at Austin Elementary; 95% complete at

Bonner Elementary; and 90% complete at Douglas Elementary.

At Peete Elementary structural steel is 95% complete; drywall framing is 85% complete; brick work is approximately 85% complete; roofing is 80% complete; ductwork is 100% complete; and rough-in of electrical, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems are 90% complete.

Although a few of the finish trades are behind, some are working overtime, at their expense, to catch up.  Site work is behind but should be able to work during the month of September.  Denson Construction will finish November 30^th as planned.