April 12, 2007

News Release

Tyler ISD Responds to Memorial Day Concerns

            Tyler ISD recognizes the importance of Memorial Day and the significance of this day to our country and our citizens, and we have thoughtfully reconsidered the calendar to announce that this year Memorial Day will not be a required school day in Tyler ISD.

Memorial Day was never intended to be used as a school day in Tyler ISD but five years ago was added as a school day to comply with the required state-mandated days of instruction. We used a snow day recently because of questionable weather, and consequently, Memorial Day was added to the school calendar.

The Tyler ISD school calendar is created through a lengthy, thoughtful process that relies on the input and feedback of numerous people in the community and school system, including the District-Wide Educational Improvement Council (DEIC). The DEIC consists of business representatives, parents, teachers and administrators who serve as advisers to the District in a number of initiatives throughout the year, including the selection of dates for staff development, teacher work days, holidays and bad weather days. 

Once the DEIC finalizes two calendar drafts, these drafts are presented to campus and district personnel for input and feedback. The DEIC then recommends a final calendar to the Board of Trustees for approval. 

            When the discussion or approval of a school calendar is placed on the School Board meeting agenda, this item is then posted for input and feedback from anyone in the Tyler community, as well as the media.

            During this entire lengthy process we received little to no negative feedback regarding the selection of Memorial Day as a Bad Weather Day.  However, because of the overwhelming outcry of our community in the last 24 hours against using Memorial Day as a school day, Tyler ISD has adjusted the school calendar to allow for Memorial Day to be observed by all District employees and students. To make the adjustment, Monday, April 23 will no longer be a staff development day but will now be a regular school day for all of Tyler ISD. The staff development hours originally scheduled for this day will be made up on each campus by extending teachers' workdays as directed by each campus administrator.

We will also re-examine the 2007-2008 school calendar in the near future and make any necessary adjustments as well.  As always, Tyler ISD welcomes and appreciates community input, especially during the school calendar selection process.

###