PWSH & Williams educators named finalists
in 2009 Tech Titan of the Future awards contest

Saigling elementary awarded by Arc of Dallas for inclusive environment Story and photo by Karen Thier Principal Kellie Latimer and ESL Team Leader Christina Long aid the passion for demonstrating an exceptionally inclusive environment at Saigling Elementary School. Modeling respect for people with disabilities earned the school the "All Kids Can" award from Arc of Dallas. Read More

TRS-Active Care employee medical plan provider starting Jan. 1 Health Benefits Update On January 1, 2010, Plano ISD will begin using TRS-ActiveCare as its medical plan provider. Refer to the Plano ISD TRS-ActiveCare website for updates from the benefits department, an FAQ, plan comparison charts and links to PPO doctors and preferred drug name brands.

Around the district

Nine Plano ISD schools have been named to the 2009 TBEC Honor Roll for sustained academic excellence. Read more

Order your "Leading Edge Education" spirit shirt through Sept. 30 to support the Plano Principals Association. T-shirt samples/prices

The Plano ISD Education Foundation is taking applications through Sept. 23 for its Grants to Educators program. Read More

Board briefs

At their September 1 meeting, school trustees took the following action. View the complete agenda, including links to supporting data, on BoardBook. The meeting streamed video (1:05:29) is also posted online.

• Superintendent Dr. Doug Otto congratulated the following new administrative appointees: Nevert Moses, Plano East Senior High School assistant principal; Tonelli Hatley, Vines High School administrative intern; Monica Smith, Clark High School, administrative intern; and Kristopher Vernon, Bowman Middle School administrative intern.
  
• Trustees read a resolution honoring Plano Senior High employees Chris Reynolds, Phil Parlin and Jeff Vines, who administered lifesaving measures to a student who collapsed at a Plano ISD campus.
• The board approved routine business items on the consent agenda.
• Richard Matkin, associate superintendent for business services, reviewed the tax rate adoption process and outlined the impact of this year's proposed tax rate. Trustees adopted a maintenance and operating tax rate of $1.04 and a debt service tax rate of $0.2884 for a combined total rate of $1.3284/$100 value for 2009-10.
  
• School trustees adopted the District Based Improvement Council's (DBIC) improvement plan goals for subsequent use by school based improvement committees. Jim Hirsch, associate superintendent for academic and technology services, and Dr. Jim Wussow, executive director for secondary academic services, presented the DBIC goals report to trustees.
• Superintendent Dr. Doug Otto and his cabinet members provided an overview of the Proposed District Initiatives for 2009-10.
• The board adopted the following policies as presented by Karla Oliver, executive director for government and community relations. Trustees also adopted policies:
  • TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 85 - second reading;
• BDF(LOCAL) Board Internal Organization: Citizen Advisory Committees - first reading;
• Policy CH(LOCAL) Purchasing and Acquisition - first reading;
• Policy DEA(LOCAL) Compensation and Benefits: Salaries and Wages - first reading;
• Policy DGBA(LOCAL) Personnel-Management Relations: Employee Complaints/Grievances - second reading;
• EIA(LOCAL) Academic Achievement: Grading/Progress Reports to Parents - first and final reading; and
• Policy FFAC(LOCAL) Wellness and Health Services: Medical Treatment - first reading.

Read Notable Notes here, or select button at top right of this page.