Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees will consider approving a policy that would remove corporal punishment as a disciplinary technique at TISD during their regular meeting Tuesday.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Jack L. Davidson Conference Center in the Jim Plyler Instructional Complex, 807 W. Glenwood.

TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said the district has seen a dramatic reduction in the use of corporal punishment. Three campuses used it in the last school year, he said.

"We just believe that it's time for us to look at other options for our kids as opposed to corporal punishment," Reid said. "We think there's other more effective ways. Most of our principals have chosen not to use it even though it's been in the book. We're trying to create some consistency with that policy also."

The removal of corporal punishment as a disciplinary technique in TISD is one of the proposed changes to the Student Code of Conduct, which is also up for approval at Tuesday's meeting.

Another proposed change to the Student Code of Conduct is a revision of the possession of telecommunication device section to include all electronic communications devices.

The Student Code of Conduct is revised annually with input from campus staff members, administrators and parents, according to information from TISD.

The board will also consider approving the purchase of 10 new school buses - seven transit buses and three special needs buses for a total of about $882,000. The district is proposing to include outside storage on the seven transit buses to help reduce the amount of charter service that some groups need when they are carrying equipment.

The purchase of the buses is done in accordance with the district's 15-year cycle for replacement of route buses, according to TISD information.

The money for the buses will come from the extra $2.8 million TISD recently received from the state because of a recalculation in target revenue from the 2006-07 school year.

Also Tuesday the board will have the first reading of a policy change related to procedures for final exam exemptions.

The board will also consider approval of: gifts and donations, Suddenlink contract, renewal of concession agreement with high school booster clubs, sale of property for delinquent taxes; shelter agreement between TISD and the American Red Cross, Smith County Chapter; interlocal agreement between Smith County Juvenile Board and TISD; interlocal agreement between Smith County school districts and TISD; annual performance review of High School Allotment; interlocal agreement with Andrews Center and approval of purchase of the Naglierie 2 for gifted and talented screening.