Published: December 05, 2008 12:59 am      

Palestine ISD alumni take tour of campuses

PALESTINE — Members of the Palestine High School Alumni Association got a first-hand look at Palestine Independent School District’s campuses Thursday during a tour of facilities led by district superintendent Dr. Thomas Wallis.

The group of almost 15 visited Southside Primary School as well as Palestine’s middle and high school campuses, dialoging with Wallis to determine some of the district’s biggest needs.

“We are not on a jet ski in terms of our movement to make improvements — we are on a tug boat,” Wallis said. “It is going to take time for us to get where we need to be, but we are going to get there.”

Wallis explained that the district was currently in a reactive, rather than proactive, mode in terms of meeting facility needs on its campuses.

“Right now, there is so much to do, we cannot do it all,” the superintendent told the group, adding that his greatest concern was the safety of students and teachers.

“At Southside, we have more students in portable classrooms than in the main building,” he said. “Any stranger can walk up to those buildings; and the teachers have no way to call for help except for their personal cell phones.”

Wallis showed the group how gymnasiums on both the high school and middle school campuses had inadequate pull-out bleachers, which cannot be fully extended during basketball and volleyball games.

A lack of storage space for teachers, inadequate restrooms and fine arts facilities were also mentioned by Wallis as problem areas in the district.

“We cannot make any major changes to the facilities without having to bring an entire building up to code,” he explained. “And that just isn’t financially possible right now.”

Wallis was not without praise for the campuses, pointing out the reductions in student loitering and discipline problems as well an increased student recognition and achievements on the campuses.

“I have visited all classrooms on the campuses at least twice and I see a lot of learning going on,” he said. “There are no students loitering in the halls and the number of citations given out by the district officer has decreased drastically since school started.”

Wallis also mentioned the district’s free breakfast program, as well as the after school tutoring and Friday night school as a just a few of the positive things taking place in the district.

“There are a lot of good things going on here,” he said.

Thursday’s tour, according to PHSAA president Timothy Triplett, was a way to allow alumni and members of the community to see with their own eyes the needs and successes taking place at PISD.

“We hoped that those on the tour would gain an understanding of the physical condition of our schools,” he said. “And so that they can personally know what is going on at the campuses by getting a first-hand look.”

Triplett, who also works with the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, referred to a study being conducted on economic growth — a study that targeted education as a big need in the community.

“No matter what (the firm conducting the study) said, it all came back to education,” he explained. “The educational system, from kindergarten to college is central to positive economic development in Palestine.

“It is good for the kids, as well as the community and local businesses.”

Triplett explained that the PHSAA was currently forming subcommittees to work directly with the district in specific areas, such as facilities. Those interested in being part of one the PHSAA can visit www.palestinehigh.com.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com