Thorndale ISD

Volume 1, Issue 10: 1/19/24

Greetings Bulldogs! Happy Friday! 

January is School Board Appreciation Month!

If you happen to see any of our 7 board members (which likely you will - they are volunteering and attending our events ALL the time) please take a moment to thank them for their service to our district. Long hours, tough decisions, and 0 pay make them true heroes in education!

TISD Student Shout Outs:

I really hope you have been able to like and follow our Facebook Pages so you can keep up with all of the amazing things our students are experiencing and accomplishing. As a reminder, here are the pages to follow:

Now, if you are not able to keep up with us on Facebook, I would hate for you to miss out on all the celebrations! I can’t possibly capture them all in my Blog that comes out every two weeks, but let me give you a glimpse of just a sliver of the excellence here in TISD:

HS Band Students at Area Tryouts:

Results for the HS Area Tryouts from Saturday, January 6th at Robinson High School… All four of these students represented Thorndale very well! We are so proud of these musicians! 

• Emma Hohertz - 5th - Missed All-State by 3 chairs!
• Juan Acosta - 9th - Missed All-State by 7 chairs
• Landin Ellington - 12th
• Jordan Amidon - 26th

TES at District UIL:

I am very proud of the results of our elementary kiddos at their UIL academics competition in Hearne. We had strong participation and many kids placed in their event.

Boys Basketball Wins Giddings Christmas Tournament

• 60-36 W vs Lexington
• 46-45 W vs Bellville
• 50-42 W vs Cuero
• 62-22 W vs Giddings

Thorndale Band Christmas Concert:

The annual Band Christmas Concert was a huge success and the place was packed! The amount of time our students put into preparing for their various concerts, performances, and competitions is incredible. Kudos to our kids and their directors.

Thorndale Middle School Debates:

I was impressed with Coach Dickerson and Mrs. Lake’s professional communications classes as they held formal debates over relevant topics such as college athletes being paid, dress code, and more! The kids did great and I enjoyed seeing them stand in front of their peers and our guest judges with confidence.

Kids Having Fun:

This picture is from a recent basketball game where some of our most dedicated basketball fans set up an ESPN-inspired announcer table in the student section. The setup included the table covering, headset microphone, and even a cardboard camera. I love seeing our kids support one another and get into the games this much!

2024-25 TISD District Calendar:

The Board of Trustees approved the 2024-25 District calendar Wednesday night at the board meeting. We wanted to get this out to you as soon as possible in hopes that summer plans, vacations, and holidays can easily be planned around school breaks.

District Facility Committee Update:

Our community committee presented on Wednesday night to our Board of Trustees on what they have been working on over the last few months.

I am incredibly proud of the job they did and the plan moving forward.

In an attempt to continue to keep you informed as we go, I wanted to provide you with a brief update:

First, I want to thank the 45 community members who came to at least one meeting to share their ideas. Plus, the staff members who joined to support the efforts and provide insights. We met 6 times and each meeting was 2+ hours long!

Of all of the priorities we talked about, what did the committee’s suggestion aim to provide/solve:

What projects did the community committee suggest for the bond? (please know this list is generic and more detailed information will be provided as it develops). Ultimately, the committee wanted to ensure each aspect of Thorndale was touched in this bond proposal. Each campus and each program will be positively impacted. Additionally, this plan allows for growth and space for all of our current portable classes to move into permanent building space.

With the board aware and supportive of the proposal, we will now work to develop a detailed plan and outline. Additionally, we will put together information regarding the facts of the bond and much more! The next big date on the calendar is February 12th when the board will review the official bond proposition(s) and decide to “call an election” - put it on the May 2024 ballot for the community to vote on.

It is exciting times for sure in TISD! Stay tuned for more.

Required Annual Posting:

Each year, every school district in Texas is required to share information regarding various State-level accountability measures. Please use this link to view Thorndale’s specific information: Required Postings:

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Accreditation Status (19 Administrative Code §97.1055(f))
• Texas Academic Performance Report (Title 19 Administrative Code, §61.1022(f))
• Campus Report Card, Performance Report, District Rating (Education Code, §39.362)
• Targeted Improvement Plan (Education Code, §39.106 (a-1), (e-1)(2))
• High School Personal Graduation Plan (Education Code, §28.02121(b))
• Conflict Disclosure Statements and Questionnaires (Local Government Code, §176.009(a))
• Check Register and Aggregate Payroll Amount
• Superintendent’s Contract (Title 19 Administrative Code, §109.1001(o)(3)(B)(i))
• Annual Federal Report Card (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(2)(E))

FINANCIAL 

• Summary of Proposed Budget (Education Code, §44.0041(a)(1))
• Adopted Budget (Education Code, §44.0051(a))
• Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate (Tax Code, §26.05(b)(2))
• Tax Rate Trend Information (Tax Code, 26.16)

GOVERNANCE

• Landowner’s Bill of Rights (Property Code, §21.0112(b)(2))
• Notice of School Board Meeting (Government Code, §551.056(b)(3))
• Agenda for School Board Meeting (Government Code, §551.056(c)(3
• Election Notice (Election Code, §85.007(d)(1))
• Video and Audio Recording of School Board Meetings (Government Code, §551.128(b-1)(1-2))
• Campaign Finance Reports (Election Code, 254.04011)
• Public Information Request (Education Code, 11.1512) 

HEALTH

• Immunization Requirements and Recommendations (Education Code, 38.019)
• Statement for Public Inspection by School Health Advisory Council

PERSONAL

• Group Health Coverage Report and Plan (Education Code, §22.004(d))
• Vacancy Postings (Education Code, §11.1513(d)(1)(B))
• School Board’s Employment Policies (Education Code, §21.204(d))
•  
• Federal Grant Awards (Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA))
• Financial Transparency (Local Government Code, 140.008)
• Financial Transparency (Government Code, 1201.0245)
• Capital Appreciation Bonds (Government Code, §1201.0245 (b)(4)(A-G))
• Annual Financial Report of Debt Obligation (Local Government Code, §140.008(c-d))
• Political Contributions and Expenditures Report (Election Code, §254.04011(b))
• Electricity, Water, and Natural Gas Costs (Government Code, §2265.001(b))
• Proposal for Qualifying Project (Government Code, §2267.066(2)(A))

PURCHASING 

• Reverse Auction Scheduled Internet Location (Government Code, 2155.062(d)) 

STUDENTS 

• College Credit Programs (Education Code, §28.010(b))
• Physical Activity Policies (Education Code, §28.004(k))
• Testing for Homeschooled Students (Education Code, §29.916(c))
• Upcoming Events – January 22nd - February 1st:For the most up-to-date information on upcoming events, please visit our Thorndale ISD website. However, here are some highlights of important dates below:
• Testing Transparency – Title 1, Part A Recipients (20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(2)(B))
• Transition and Employment Guide (Education Code, §29.0112(e)(1))
• Programs and Services for Homeless Students (Education Code, §33.906(a))
• House Bill 3 – Third Grade Reading and Math Goals and High School College, Career and Military Readiness Goals (Education Code § 11.185 and 11.186)
• Bullying Reporting Procedure (Education Code, §37.0832(e))
• Special Education - Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
• TITLE IX, 34 C.F.R. Part 106.8

Upcoming Events – January 22nd - February 1st:

For the most up-to-date information on upcoming events, please visit our Thorndale ISD website. However, here are some highlights of important dates below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most sincerely,

Zack Kleypas
Superintendent
Thorndale ISD
#TISDStrivingForExcellence

“Keep improving, always, in all ways.”