School Board Recognition Month

School Board Recognition Month is being observed across Texas during January 2008. Irving ISD students, staff and community members are honoring the Irving residents who volunteer their time to govern our public schools.

The annual observance is designed to build awareness and understanding of the vital role an elected board plays in providing effective public schools. As citizen leaders, trustees face complex and demanding challenges. The recognition is a way of saying “thank you” to our trustees who contribute numerous volunteer hours each year to ensure quality education for Irving’s children.

During 2007, Irving ISD trustees worked with staff members and volunteers to distribute information to the community about the capital needs of the district. As a result of the bond election in November 2007, Irving ISD voters approved $249.975 million in school bonds that will be used to build new facilities as needed, renovate existing schools and other facilities, provide replacement technology, and purchase equipment.

Other significant district accomplishments include:

• Five IISD schools – Hanes Elementary School, Gilbert Elementary School, Good Elementary School, Austin Middle School and Lamar Middle School – have achieved the Recognized rating for this school year.

• Nineteen IISD schools earned 51 Gold Performance acknowledgements from the Texas Education Agency.

• Graduating seniors in the Class of 2007 earned $31.9 million in scholarship offers.

• Advanced Placement test results indicate 671 IISD students earned scores of 3, 4 or 5 and 93 students were recognized as AP Scholars during the 2006-2007 school year.

• Approximately 33,000 IISD students are receiving a well-planned education in a safe and secure school environment.

• More than 2,300 IISD teachers are giving students from all cultural, economic and educational backgrounds a myriad of opportunities to experience the thrill of achievement.

• Lee Elementary School is the first school in Texas to receive the Gold School Award from the U.S, Department of Agriculture.

• The IISD website, located at www.irvingisd.net, continues to receive state and national recognition for its design and content.

• IISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent worked together to update the IISD vision and mission statements and major goals of the Board of Trustees.