TISD trustees approve hiring firm to search for superintendent

The headline of the Texarkana Independent School District’s Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday was captured by the announcement of their new acting superintendent Autumn Thomas, but there were multiple separate topics worth highlighting.

The district approved proposals regarding search committees for their hunt for a new superintendent, COVID19 regulations and teacher compensation plans.

Those issues discussed are included in the following:

■ Approval of the Engagement of Thompson & Horton, LLP to Conduct a Search for the Position of

Superintendent of Schools. Taking the next step in finding TISD’s new Superintendent, the TISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve Thomas & Horton, LLP as the third-party firm to lead the search. Thompson and Horton have 20 years of experience with superintendent searches. During the meeting, David Thompson and Dr. Mike Moses (former Texas Education Commissioner) outlined how they would work for the board to recruit a chief executive with a proven track record of success and one that would fit wonderfully into the Tiger Family culture. Thompson & Horton will begin working with trustees to identify a timeline for the district’s search process. It is expected that the application period will open on August 3.

■ Approval of “paid” meal pricing as calculated by USDA’s Equity Pricing rules. For the 2020-21 school year, TISD student meal prices will be: Breakfast $2.35, Elementary Lunch $2.85 and Middle/High School Lunch $2.95.

■ Approval of TISD Compensation Plan for 2020-21. Includes teacher step increases in salary and a 3% of mid-point range for all other professional, paraprofessional and auxiliary employees who receive a satisfactory performance rating of 3.0 or above on their 201920 appraisal.

New for this year will be that new STEM teachers will be required and current STEM teachers will have the opportunity to complete National Institute of STEM Education (NISE) STEM Teacher Certification. The National Certification is being provided by TISD at no cost to teachers and certifies that teaching professional are delivering high quality STEM education. Participants are guided through a selfpaced, mentor-led, competency-based program that demonstrates proficiency in 15 teacher actions essential to STEM learning. The average completion time for this certification process is 5-6 months, but teachers can have up to 10-11 months for completion.

Goals for 2020-21 include the increase in parent/community involvement with the committee, research & implement a new initiative to fulfill the TISD Health and Fitness Challenge requirement and to research; implement a Personal Hygiene (grades 3-5) and Puberty Program (grade 5).

TISD’s next Board of Trustees meeting will be Tuesday, August 18, 2020.