Board Notes

A Summary of the October 16, 2008, Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Meeting

Board Recognizes Students, Staff and Schools

The Board of Trustees recognized the following students, staff and campus for special achievements:

Congratulations to Miss Allison Camille Hampton, a student at Boulter Middle School, for receiving first place in the TOP TEENS writing contest. Her composition was entitled “A Psalm of Life –Willie Lee Campbell Glass.”  The competition was sponsored by Top Ladies of Distinction and the Carter Blood Center.

The students at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary have started a student council. The student council is comprised of third, fourth and fifth grade students. The students are already fast at work with their first campaign – recycling. We would like to thank Dawn Hudson, Mandi Gray, Kim Hill, and Ginger Pippin for taking the initiative to implement a student council program at Jack Elementary.

Congratulations to the Tyler ISD Financial Services department for being awarded the Certificate for Financial Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

This is the fifth time in a row that Tyler ISD has received this recognition.

Board Approves Technology Plan

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Technology Plan for 2008 through 2013. The intent of this plan is to provide a clear overview of technology in Tyler ISD. The plan outlines how the district will provide present and future technology needs for students and staff. It was developed by a committee that provided important input and feedback.  Committee members include district technology staff, central administrators, campus principals and community members.  Additional consultative meetings occurred, involving campus principals and central administrative staff members. The result is a dynamic plan that will guide the future of technology in Tyler ISD.  Some of the tools and projects included in the plan are interactive white boards, wireless networks, document cameras, and additional support personnel.

Board Approves Incentive Pay for the Rewards for Success Program

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Incentive Pay for the Rewards for Success Program.  One of the goals of Tyler ISD is to reward campus employees for academic excellence. Each fall the Rewards for Success plan is reviewed by the Pay for Performance committee. The committee believes that the reward program continues to support the Tyler ISD core belief: Expect academic excellence by hiring, training, and retaining the best teachers. The plan rewards all eligible campus employees if the campus met the district, state or improvement criteria outlined.

Board Approves Innovative Course Application for Veterinary Medical Assistant I

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Veterinary Medical Assistant I, a one-credit course, to begin school year 2009-2010. This course is a continuation of the Introduction to Veterinary Assistant Technology course, but will provide more detailed training in the unlicensed veterinary assistant field. This upper-level course includes, but is not limited to, animal handling and restraint, health and safety, sanitation, surgical preparation, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, infectious diseases, instrument and equipment identification, vaccine preparation and injection techniques, laws and ethics, and veterinary office procedures.

E-Rate Discounts Presented

Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid notified the Board of Trustees that the district has received notice that it has been approved for E-Rate discounts on telephone service, long distance service, Internet access and the district’s wide area network in the amount of $521,820.68.  The E-Rate program was established under federal law to provide discounts to public schools and libraries for telecommunications and internet access products and services.  The discount amount is determined by a formula based on the percentage of students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. Discounts range from 90% to 20% of the eligible products and services. TISD’s current discount is 76%. This amount is in addition to the $1.7 million that was refunded to the District for E-Rate discounts during 2004 Bond Program.