June 25, 2007

News Release

Baldwin Resigns From Board of Trustees

            Board of Trustee Representative for District 4, Kristen Baldwin, released the following statement:

My family has decided it is best for all of us to move into Tyler, closer to our schools, our activities, our work, and our friends.  We will be moving out of Tyler ISD District 4, and therefore on Monday, June 25th I will be resigning from the Tyler ISD School Board.  (Tyler ISD has 7 single member board of trustees’ districts.)

The decision to move has been hard because of what we will be leaving behind, but it will be best for our family to be closer to everything we do as individuals and as a family.  My three boys have been traveling quite a distance for school since my oldest began middle school (5 years).  Although we live close to Lake Palestine, we are in the Hogg Middle School district and therefore venture to downtown Tyler several times a day, and all of their activities and most of their friends are in town. 

Personally, this has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.  I am passionate and committed about educating all children in our community to their highest potential.  I believe this goes to the core of what makes a community healthy.  Making the best use of the gifts we are given is what we hope for everyone. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed serving on the school board and working with Tyler ISD over the last 5 years.  I hope the district is in a better place than it was when I was appointed to the board in April of 2002.  I am confident the processes in place will  ensure continuous improvement in years to come. 

Tyler is a wonderful community and needs to have premier public schools to ensure the best for our children and for our quality of life.  I believe the current board members, as well as the new superintendent, Dr. Randy Reid, are a dedicated team of outstanding individuals ready and capable to lead the district to the next level.  I know the best is yet to come for Tyler ISD and I hope to continue in some capacity to help along the way.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, and held me accountable during my tenure on the Tyler ISD board.

- Kristen Baldwin

Baldwin has held the Board of Trustee Vice President position with Tyler ISD for four years, while being on the board for five years.  The Tyler Board of Trustees was selected the 2005 State Honor Board of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators.

“The Tyler Independent School Board understands and supports Mrs. Baldwin’s decision on her relocation,” said Tyler ISD Board of Trustees President Brad Spradlin.  “I’m sure Mrs. Baldwin has thought through this decision and is doing what she feels is best for her family.  TISD has accomplished some great things with the help of Mrs. Baldwin and we fully intend to continue that progress in the future.  We wish her luck and look forward to her continued involvement and support of public education in Tyler.”

Spradlin said the board will begin the process to appoint someone to fill the unexpired term for District 4.  This will be an appointed position until the next Board of Trustee election scheduled for May, 2008. 

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