Letter of Transmittal
Introduction
Summary of Savings and Report Card
Exemplary Programs in TISD
What Still Needs to Be Done
TISD's Ideas for Improving the TSPR Process
Appendix A - Status of Recommendations and Savings
November 8, 1999
The Honorable George W. Bush
The Honorable Rick Perry
The Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney
Members of the 76th Legislature
Commissioner James E. Nelson
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am pleased to present this unprecedented three-year report on the progress of the Tyler Independent School District (TISD) implementing the Texas School Performance Review (TSPR) recommendations.
In February 1996, TSPR released the results of a five-month study of the district's operations. In June 1997, TSPR conducted a follow-up visit to determine how the district's leadership was putting our proposals into practice. At that time, school officials had implemented, or were in the process of implementing, 88 percent of TSPR's proposals, saving Tyler taxpayers more than $2.4 million.
When asked, I agreed to return for another follow-up visit three years after the release of the initial report, because I felt there were things we could learn about the long-range effects of a school review. We found that TISD has continued to move forward, with only a few exceptions. The district has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, 118, or 97 percent, of the recommendations and saving Tyler taxpayers nearly $7.9 million. By 2000-01, TISD expects to realize savings of nearly $16 million.
This is good news, and TISD is to be congratulated. But, from a longer-term perspective, the work that remains to be done in the areas of strategic and facility planning will be critical to sustaining the district's progress. We are confident that TISD is up to this challenge and will carry forward with the excellent progress they have made to date.
Sincerely,
Carole Keeton Rylander
Texas School Performance Review
Tyler Independent School District
Tyler Independent School District
