Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Tyler ISD trustees will consider a policy to remove corporal punishment as a disciplinary technique at tonight's regular school board meeting.

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. Closed session begins at 6 p.m.

TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said Friday that the district has seen a dramatic reduction in the use of corporal punishment in the district. 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."

TISD released a statement Monday on the issue.

"Our focus as a district is to place academic achievement as a top priority," according to the statement. "Tyler ISD believes that quality instruction helps to engage students in a positive classroom environment which diminishes off-task behaviors."

The current policy for TISD states that, "for campuses that utilize corporal punishment (paddling), parents/legal guardians shall be required to return student enrollment and contact information each year and indicate they do or do not want their child to be subject to corporal punishment (paddling). The disciplinary record of any corporal punishment shall include any related disciplinary actions, the corporal punishment administered, the name of the person administering the punishment, the names of witnesses present, and the date and time of punishment."

Under the new proposal, that policy would be removed and replaced with, "The Board prohibits the use of corporal punishment in the District. Students shall not be spanked, paddled, or otherwise physically disciplined for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other disciplinary rules."

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 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: 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.

Trustees will also consider approval of gifts and donations, including $40,000 from Region VII Educational Service Center for technology services.