Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid highlighted the success of the district's Phase 1 facilities improvement bond issue, looked ahead to work for Phase 2 and pointed out funding challenges the district faces during a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday.

Reid showed photos of school buildings before and after the construction of replacement facilities, as well as photos of the one new additional school that was part of the first bond issue.

"Coming in from the outside and looking at it - they've done an incredible job putting some outstanding facilities on the ground and delivering on the promises that were made in that bond program," said Reid, who was hired this summer.

"We have done all of this on time and under budget," he said, followed by applause from the estimated 175 people who attended the membership luncheon at Willowbrook Country Club. "These are things that are most critical to the taxpayers."

TISD has almost concluded the first phase of the 12-year, four-phase master facilities improvement plan. The first phase consisted of a $95.9 million bond program voters approved in 2004 and includes the construction of six replacement schools - Bell, Ramey, Douglas, Austin, Bonner and Peete elementaries - and one new campus, Jack Elementary.

Peete Elementary is the only remaining Phase 1 project. It is expected to open in January.

More than 200 new classrooms have been built as part of Phase 1.

"A lot of this was not just replacing the existing facilities but it was getting us out of portable buildings," Reid said. "We still have that issue on several campuses. We've got campuses right now ... that have more children in portable buildings than they do in the regular building."

Reid noted savings the district has seen through the Phase 1 process. There were conservative projections on the bond in 2004 and, because of pricing and timing, TISD has saved about $52 million over the 35-year life of the bonds the district is selling over what was projected it would cost over time and interest, he said.

When all the work is done, TISD is projecting a $750,000 savings from the original $95 million budget. Another $2.5 million has been saved because of interest earned, he said.

"We'll be able to repurpose these dollars for other fiscal needs we have and not have to ask for money for those items in the future," he said.

PHASE 2

It is not clear what projects will be included in Phase 2. A tentative project listing was included when a master facilities improvement plan was unveiled a few years ago, although officials have said that plan is subject to change.

That original four-phase plan basically rebuilds the entire school district in a 12- to 15-year period, Reid told the chamber.

"That's exciting for me," he said. "But it's also something I think we need to step back from as we do each phase and really make sure that we're on target and on track with what we're doing."

The district is working on updating the facilities assessment, Reid said.

"We have had some things change," Reid said, noting as an example that, in four years, Robert E. Lee High School, slated for the last phase of the original plan, went from having one portable building to now having 17.

Following the original plan, it could be eight to 10 years before the high schools are dealt with, he said, noting that could mean 50 portables at Lee at the current rate.

"And I don't think we are going to get the city to allow us to put those out in the middle of the Loop," Reid said, causing the audience to laugh. "So we're probably going to have to look at some types of adjustments. Don't think I'm talking about doing the high schools in the next (phase), but we need to look at the whole big picture and go back and reassess."

The demographics study will also play a role. The latest demographic report indicated TISD needs two new elementary schools and a new middle school in addition to the plan for Phase 2.

Reid said TISD will be engaging community groups to sit down and look at the big picture, "to help us make sure that Phase 2 needs to look exactly like it did in the original plan or what changes need to be made to that so we can put a plan in place to move us forward."

"... We have a great sales tool as we look at future bonds," Reid said of Phase 1. "I think the district has done a great job with the money you've entrusted to us. We've got to do a really good job of making sure we get that word out."

Phase 2 likely would not go to the voters until November 2008, although it is still possible May is an option if a plan is put together that would not change attendance boundaries, Reid said.

ACADEMICS & FINANCES

While buildings are important, "It doesn't matter how pretty they are if the right things aren't going on inside of them," Reid said.

When Reid was hired, everyone agreed academics should be first and foremost, he said Wednesday.

Reid explained changes made to the structure of the superintendent and deputy superintendent positions show academics are important. He also said "consistency" is an issue in curriculum, teaching quality and in the learning environment - "and that's more than just buildings," Reid said.

Reid highlighted the importance of technology.

"We have done a wonderful job in Tyler, with the dollars that have been available to us, of providing the best available technology we possibly could," he said. "We have stayed close to the curve ... but there are steps we are going to have to take over the next few years to improve technology to be able to provide that level of consistency and that performance."

Improving technology will be a challenge within the district's current budget situation, he said.

At the chamber meeting Wednesday, Reid also touched on the current funding situation school districts face after the state reduced school property tax rates. TISD's maintenance and operations rate went from $1.46 to $1.03 per $100 valuation in the last couple of years, Reid said.

"One thing that has really changed is the way we are now funded ... new growth in our tax base in Tyler ISD does not really benefit us in the district on the maintenance and operations side," he said. "When our tax base grows, the state sends less money to us. The only two ways we get new money is if we have increasing numbers of students - and we have pretty modest growth in Tyler - and the other is an increase in taxes."

He explained the state has given districts 13 cents on their tax rates of meaningful discretion - but those pennies are only attainable through an election.

"It needs to be public knowledge out there that this is what's happening. ... As they vote on bonds, which we're going to have to have in the future, we're also going to have to be coming back and nipping away at that 13 cents that's available," Reid said.

"We hope to not have to go there for a while, but over time we will, because that's the only new money that we can get. Just like your household budget, our budget goes up regularly, especially when we want to give raises to teachers."

After the luncheon, Tom Mullins, Tyler Economic Development Council and chamber president and chief executive officer, said the superintendent gave a great overview of the current bond issue and helped educate the business community about changes in school funding. He also said the work TISD is doing to improve facilities helps the chamber and economic development council market the city.

Dr. Aubrey Sharpe, chairman of the chamber board, said after the luncheon that the response to TISD's Phase 1 has been "excellent." Sharpe noted the "then and now" photos Reid showed and the cost savings he pointed out.

"If it were me, I would just get that word out," Sharpe said. "They have proven they are faithful stewards."

SCHOOL GOALS: TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid addresses the Chamber of Commerce meeting at Willowbrook Country Club on Wednesday. Dr. Reid discussed the goals of TISD and the direction it needs to go to be competitive in the immediate future.
((Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero))