Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Tyler ISD trustees voted Thursday night to demolish a portion of Orr Elementary to make way for the school's new building, a step the district is taking to prepare for construction of five replacement schools.

Without discussion, the board approved an asbestos abatement at Orr as well as demolition of a classroom building. Orr is being replaced as part of the voter-approved $124.9 million bond election.

The hexagonal building on campus needs to be demolished to allow a perimeter fence -- separating students from the construction that will start in the spring -- to be set up, Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid has said.

Reid said in a prior interview that the end of Orr's new building will sit where the hexagonal building is. The main building at Orr will remain while the new building is constructed.

"We can do a more contiguous construction process that way," Reid has said of demolishing the building.

Extra portable buildings were moved to the grounds during the Christmas holiday, and students have been moved out of the hexagonal building.

Demolition will begin Feb. 6.

Voters approved the bond issue Nov. 4, authorizing replacement of Clarkston, Griffin, Jones, Orr and Woods elementary schools as well as the St. Louis School-Wayne D. Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs. Jones and the Boshears school will be constructed as one facility.

The district hopes to open all of the schools in August 2010.

Reid has said the district plans to bid construction on Orr, Clarkston and Woods possibly next week and bring contracts for the board to approve possibly in early February.

A construction monthly executive summary was presented at the meeting. According to the report, construction is to begin Feb. 16 at Clarkston; April 20 at Griffin; Feb. 16 at Orr; Feb. 16 at Woods; and April 20 at Jones/Boshears.

Also Thursday, Tosha Bjork, director of financial services for TISD, gave the board information about the district's bond sale, which took place last week. The sale was for 25-year fixed rate bonds at a yield over their life of 4.73 percent.

With this rate, Ms. Bjork said before the meeting that it is "almost certain" TISD will be under the advertised tax increase of 16.4 cents, although officials are not sure how much, because they need to get property values for this year first.

The bonds are sold in $5,000 increments and mature differently over the life. The 4.73 percent is the rate averaged over the life.

Ms. Bjork said that half of the bonds were sold in Texas, and about $4 million were sold in Tyler and Smith County.

Board President Ron Vickery noted that the district got low rates because of financial stability of TISD and the community.

Trustees approved the 2007-08 fiscal year audit, with no discussion. Financial statements were audited by Prothro, Wilhelmi & Co.

Ms. Bjork said the district received a "clean opinion with no findings," which means the district's financial statements are "fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles." There were no findings regarding compliance with federal and state regulations, she said.

The board also approved the 2008-09 amended budget; annual investment broker review; resolution reaffirming the investment policy of TISD; resolution approving independent sources of instruction relating to investment responsibilities; resolution for sale of property for delinquent taxes; gifts and donations; building construction prevailing wage rates for the East Texas area; School Health Advisory Council and revisions related to the sexual health curriculum for grades six through 12; staff development waiver; 2009-10 school calendar and St. Louis School calendar.

Officials presented a monthly financial executive summary, quarterly investment report, board training report and a technology report.

The board accepted resignations of John Tyler High School Principal Vanessa Choice, who requested to step down, and Plyler Instructional Complex Principal Shirley Falzone, who is retiring. Their resignations are effective at the end of the school year.

January is school board recognition month. Trustees were recognized during the meeting by leaders from the district.

The newest member, Eleno Licea, as well as Gene Shull, who Licea recently replaced, were also honored as were Vickery, board Vice President Michelle Carr, trustee Brad Spradlin, trustee the Rev. Orenthia Mason, trustee Therelee Washington and trustee Shirley Jordan.

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