Board Member Announces Resignation

At the conclusion of the Board meeting, Board of Trustee Representative for Single Member

District 1, Gene Shull, announced he is resigning from the Tyler ISD School Board effective December 30, 2008. Shull stated he is leaving his position because he is moving out of Tyler ISD Single Member District 1. Tyler ISD has 7 single member board of trustees' districts. Shull has held the Board of Trustee position with Tyler ISD since May, 2007. Shull recommended to the Board of Trustees that they consider Eleno Licea, a District 1 resident, as a possible candidate for the District 1 position.

Tyler ISD Board of Trustees President Ron Vickery said the board will consider the option to appoint someone to fill the unexpired term for District 1. This could be an appointed position until the next Board of Trustee election scheduled for May, 2009, to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term which expires in May, 2010.

Board Recognizes Students, Staff and Schools

The Board of Trustees recognized the following students and a staff member for special achievements:

Tyler ISD is proud to announce that the artwork of Brandon Tucker has been selected as this year's cover of the District's holiday greeting card. Brandon is an 8th grader at Hubbard Middle School.

The school district would like to congratulate five graduates from John Tyler High School Class of 2008 for being awarded IB Diplomas. In August, Tyler ISD was informed that these John Tyler students earned the prestigious IB Diploma from the IB Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. These outstanding JT students have moved on to the university level, but we wanted to take the opportunity to recognize their accomplishment. The students are:

Jeffrey Davis who attends Texas A & M University and majors in Chemistry;
Blake Hampton who attends University of North Texas and majors in Communication Design; Aaron H. Hanna who attends Stephen F. Austin State University and majors in Theater and Philosophy; Allie Smith who attends University of North Texas and majors in English/Creative Writing; Jacquelynn Wade who attends Stephen F. Austin State University and majors in English/Creative Writing.

Congratulations to Amy Mimms, from Moore MST for being recognized as a winner in BrainPOP's Educator Contest. BrainPOP creates animated, curriculum- based content that supports educators and engages students. Ms. Mimms was selected for developing a creative lesson plan that integrates technology into the classroom. So far, eight educators from seven states have been recognized.

Board Approves an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved an order authorizing the issuance of approximately $124,877,000 for the "Tyler Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2009."

Board Approves Traffic Feasibility Study for Hubbard Middle School

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved to retain the civil engineering firm (The Brannon Corporation) for a Traffic Feasibility Study and Pre- Design for Hubbard Middle School. Hubbard Middle School has needed to correct the traffic flow issues for years in order to alleviate congestion for the school and surrounding neighborhood. The feasibility study will include cost analysis, options, vehicle stacking options, directional flow options and design.

Board Approves Plans for Jones-Boshears Elementary School

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the initial design, elevations and styles as provided by Corgan Associates, Inc. for Jones-Boshears Elementary School. Corgan Associates, Inc. and Tyler ISD Administration representatives have met with the respective campus committees and staff to present the exterior elevations and floor plans.

Board Discusses Proposal for Change in Method of Awarding High School Credit

Tyler ISD currently awards credit for high school courses by semester. If a student fails one semester of a two semester course, only .5 credit is earned for the semester which the student passed. Many districts include in their regulations the option to average the two semesters to achieve a passing grade for the course in order to keep students progressing toward graduation. Tyler ISD Superintendent, Dr. Randy Reid, and Tyler ISD Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Karen Raney, discussed with the Board of Trustees a proposal to improve the opportunities for students to attain credits toward graduation and to graduate on time with their respective class. The district proposed to the Board of Trustees to add the option of averaging two semesters of a year-long course and awarding 1 credit if the average is 70 or more. To be eligible for semester averaging, each semester grade must be a minimum of 60. Only grades earned for the first time during the same school year may be used. This was an informational presentation. No board action was required.

Board Discusses Proposed Modification of the High School Schedule and Length of the High School Day

Based on current achievement and completion data for high school students in Tyler ISD, district and campus administration have been investigating options for increasing instructional time for high school students. Research on various scheduling options has been conducted as well as visits with other districts. It is the conclusion of both district and campus administration that a change in the high school schedule and the length of the school day will increase academic options for students.

Tyler ISD Superintendent, Dr. Randy Reid, and Tyler ISD Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Karen Raney, discussed with the Board of Trustees a proposal to modify the block schedule to increase the amount of instructional time available for students and minimize single-section conflicts between advanced course offerings and fine arts and athletics. In addition, it was discussed that lengthening the school day by thirty minutes allows the periods that meet daily to include sixty minutes of instruction instead of the forty-five that results when a block is "split". The proposed modifications have been reviewed with campus planning teams and faculties at both high schools. District administration has reviewed the implications for transportation and determined that the transportation department can facilitate bus schedules for either an 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or an 8:45 a.m.to 4:15 p.m. student day at the high schools. The Superintendent discussed with the Board of Trustees that the high school schedule and length of school day be modified for the 2009-2010 school year. This was an informational presentation. No board action was required.

Board Discusses Grading and Assessment Procedures for Secondary Semester Exams

According to Tyler ISD Superintendent, Dr. Randy Reid, and Tyler ISD Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Karen Raney, the two District high schools have submitted a joint proposal to modify the requirements for the spring semester examinations. It was discussed with the Board of Trustees to approve the waiver for the spring semester examinations for both high schools for the spring semester of 2009. According to the proposal current Policy EIAA (Local) will be in effect for both juniors and seniors for the 2008-2009 school year. Effective in the fall of 2009, only seniors may earn exam exemption by maintaining a 90 average each six weeks in the class, maintaining 95% attendance in the class, and having no discipline referrals, suspensions, or expulsions. This discussion was an informational presentation. No board action was required. ###