CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - TISD Administrators Have New Ideas for Bond Election

TISD Administrators Have New Ideas for Bond Election

By Hayley Wielgus

Voters have yet to pass the $125 million school bond on the November ballot.  But Tyler Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid is not wasting any time getting campus designs put in place.

"Regardless of whether it passes or not, we will hopefully someday build some new buildings and these designs would be something we would be able to utilize at any point," Reid said.

Administrators are also considering consolidating St. Louis School and Mattie Jones Elementary.

"It would be a combination design but we would certainly create it in a way that we could isolate the two populations from one another where necessary," Reid said.

Reid said in many school districts, special needs students blend well with the general student population.

Lin Whittaker's granddaughter is a special needs student in Rockwall.  She moved to a regular campus after attending a special school.

"She just never liked that at all she wanted to be like all the other kids and she did great," Whittaker said.

Some parents think combining St. Louis School and Jones Elementary is a good idea.

"Children need to experience people that are different than they are," an East Texas mother said.  "It helps teach tolerance and acceptance of others."

Dr. Reid said the district would never compromise the needs of St. Louis students with the new plan. Board members will hear from Tyler residents before voting on the proposal. Thursday's 7 p.m. meeting is open for public comment.