Board Notes

A Summary of the August 19, 2008, Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

Board Authorizes and Accepts Donations

The Board of Trustees authorized and approved the acceptance of $40,000 from Region VII as a grant to the Tyler ISD Technology Department for technology infrastructure.

Board Approves Bus Purchases

The Board of Trustees accepted the quotes for purchase of seven (7) transit buses and three (3) special needs buses at a total cost of $882,080.00.  The transit buses will have storage units underneath to help reduce charter bus expenses.

Board Approves Technology Policy for the Student Code of Conduct

The Board of Trustees approved to adopt the revisions to the Student Code of Conduct Policy pertaining to the use of technology devices by students.

The new approved policy states: The District prohibits students from using electronic communication devices without permission at school during the instructional day.

Electronic communication devices include but are not limited to:

·   Portable telephones (including cellular, digital, camera, internet capable, etc.);

·   Two-way radios;

·   Pagers/beepers (does not include amateur radios under the control of a licensed operator);

·   Any other electronic device capable of transmitting electronic signals (including Bluetooth and/or infrared technology, iPODS, IPHONES, MP3 players, Blackberries, Smart Phones, handheld games, etc). 

Students may possess electronic communication devices on school premises; however, such devices shall not be visible and shall remain turned off during the instructional school day. Students may use “personal digital assistants (PDAs)” only for instructional purposes and with specific permission from the classroom teacher.

Administrators shall enforce this policy in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Schools may impose different rules for possession of electronic communication devices on days that statewide assessments or District benchmark tests are administered.

Board Votes to Not Adopt Corporal Punishment Policy Changes

The Board of Trustees approved to not adopt the revisions to the Student Code of Conduct Policy pertaining to corporal punishment.  The policy remains unchanged.

The corporal punishment clause will remain: For campuses that utilize corporal punishment (paddling), parents/legal guardians shall be required to return student enrollment and contact information each year and indicate they do or do not want their child to be subject to corporal punishment (paddling).

 

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