Lindale Trustees Earn Top Regional Honors

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD board of trustees has been named the Region VII 2009-2010 School Board of the Year. The board was nominated by Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt. To earn the top honor, trustees were judged on a number of criteria: commitment to ethics, support for educational performance and improvement, financial support for the school system and focus on student welfare. The LISD board of trustees is now eligible for selection as a Texas honor school board through the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). In September, TASA will name the Texas Outstanding School Board.

“This is a great honor for the Lindale school district,” Surratt said. I am proud that the Texas Association of School Administrators has recognized the results and successes of our school district and this school board.” “Their leadership and vision has been tremendous. They have focused on academic excellence, improved facilities, and improved teacher and staff pay, all while increasing the financial strength of the school district.”

After conducting an extensive facilities study in August 2009, the LISD board of trustees called a $42 million, two-proposition school bond election that passed overwhelmingly. In July 2009, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) issued its accountability ratings, giving Lindale ISD a rating of “Recognized” and Lindale High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School and Lindale Primary School a rating of “Exemplary,” the highest accountability rating. Lindale Junior High School received a rating of “Recognized.” LISD and the five campuses also received 21 Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the TEA. The Region VII Education Service Center serves 106 school districts, in 17 East Texas counties. Region VII is the largest ESC in the state.