Texarkana, TX – Texarkana Independent School District student enrollment continues to show an increased growth pattern for the 2014-15 school year.
Final numbers are expected to be determined for the state Public Education Information Management Systems (PIEMS) effective October 30.
“TISD’s enrollment during the last 12 years has been an average of 146 students per year. We anticipate our enrollment growth within the next five years to remain on par with our past increases,” shared Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools. “I credit our success to our fantastic teachers within the Tiger Family who work diligently in their efforts to provide quality academic offerings for our students and academic rigor that our parents expect. I also credit our parents and students who continue to push us, as a district, to provide curriculum that is important to the workforce needs for the future.”
Current student enrollment occupies 99% of school capacity for all TISD elementary permanent facilities. Students in grades 6-8 occupy 114% of the permanent facility capacity available at Texas Middle School and Texas High School is at 112% permanent facility capacity for all students in grades 9 – 12.
Beginning in September 2013, the TISD Board of Trustees approved the district moving forward with the development of a Strategic Planning process to address short-term and long-terms goals, as well as needs for the next five years. An estimated 150 volunteers made up of parents, staff, students and community members analyzed seven areas of the district: curriculum; goal setting; technology; human resources; finance & facilities; mentor programs; and community outreach. Recommendations and goals, in all areas, were developed including the building of a new elementary school and a sixth grade center on the Texas Middle School campus.
The TISD Board of Trustees called for a $29.9 million Bond Election in August 2014 which would address current overcrowding due to enrollment increases during the last 12 years. A new elementary school and a new Sixth Grade Center on the Texas Middle School campus are needed to accommodate students and maintain an appropriate student/teacher ratio. They are the only two projects included in the bond proposition.
If approved, the Bond Election features an 8.9¢ tax rate increase to $1.428 effective October 2015. TISD’s current tax rate of $1.339 is approximately the same rate as it was in 1996 when enrollment was 5,401 students. Enrollment for the most recent school year was 7,243 students.
Early voting began October 20 and runs through October 31 and will be held Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from Noon – 5:00 p.m. Locations for early voting will be the Bi-State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Avenue, Texarkana, TX and the Bowie County Courthouse at 710 James Bowie Drive in New Boston, TX.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4 and TISD residents will vote at their respective precinct site.
For more information on Election Day voting sites, current tax rate comparisons, frequently asked questions and to see a sample ballot, visit www.txkisd.net.
