TISD trustees OK improvement plans

District enjoys recognition for financial accountability

Trustees of Texarkana Independent School District met Tuesday to consider the district’s accountability rating, the 2017 tax roll and district/campus improvement plans.

Nanette Power, TISD’s executive director of quality assurance, told the board the district has received a rating of Superior Achievement from the state for financial accountability.

“TISD’s effort in being effective, efficient and accountable with taxpayers’ dollars is an important task that we strive continually to deliver,” she said in a press release. “Receiving the Superior Achievement rating since the inception of this accountability system is evidence of our excellence in managing and reporting taxpayer dollars and something that we take great pride in.”

The Schools FIRST accountability rating system was put in place in 1999 after the passage of Senate Bill 875, which authorized the implementation of such a system for Texas school districts. This is the 15th year TISD has received a Superior Achievement rating.

The board also approved the 2017 tax roll from Bowie County Central Appraisal District. This year’s total taxable value is $2 billion, $1 million higher than last year.

In other business, the board approved district and campus improvement plans. Chief Academic Officer Holly Tucker said they are working documents that are now more aligned with the district’s mission statement and strategic objectives.

“We wanted our document to reflect the targets we are focused on, versus the things we were already doing,” she said. “It allows us to streamline the district focus so that we can make an impact on student learning.”

The document addresses four main goals and 18 overall objectives.