T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
TASD —The mission of the Texarkana Arkansas School District is to empower all students to realize their full potential. TISD —The mission of Texarkana Independent School District, an innovative learning community strengthened by its diversity, is to provide a superior education in a caring environment that inspires, challenges and engages each student through a wide range of opportunities. You will readily note that these mission statements are as unique as the school district trustees who authored them and the student bodies they address. This is a prime example of how elected trustees pursue their responsibilities, always mindful of the populations they serve. Using the district’s foundational mission statement, trustees establish a clear vision and high expectations for quality education that supports strong student outcomes and then reviews regular reports from the administration on district operations and progress toward goals. 2. Advance policy. A key responsibility of the board is to adopt local policies that guide how the district operates. These policies set practical guidelines for transforming the district’s mission into reality. Local school boards govern by adopting policies that must be consistent with and within the scope allowed by
a great deal of personal satisfaction in sharing with parents, staff, and students their academic successes. This crucial responsibility and the closeness of trustees to the voters arguably make the local school board the purest example of democracy our society presents. With rare exceptions, most public school boards in Arkansas and Texas comprise seven elected trustees. Combined with the district superintendent, this “Team of Eight” collectively fulfills a number of responsibilities critical to the district’s success. 1. Articulate a mission. The school board sets the course for the district’s schools by adopting goals and priorities to keep the district moving in a positive direction and then monitors success. Each board has a mission statement to guide it when setting goals. Here are the mission statements adopted by our local public school boards… LEISD —Liberty-Eylau Independent School District will provide an instructional environment where all students will develop essential academic, career, and social skills for a lifetime of learning. Our students will become responsible, contributing, and highly productive citizens in a diverse and changing world. PGISD —The mission of the Pleasant Grove Independent School District is to ensure high levels of learning for all students.
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B U S I N E S S & P O L I T I C S
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