Full House for TISD’s School Board Meeting

TYLER — It was standing room only for a highly anticipated Tyler ISD school board meeting Monday night. The public turned out to express their opinions “for” or “against” a possible name change for Robert E. Lee High School. Some Tyler ISD parents want to change the name of the school.Another parent who, would like to see the name changed, said Robert E. Lee himself was not a fan of statues honoring Civil War Generals. The topic was not on the agenda and a motion was not called. TISD has not announced if they will take up the issue.

The White Nationalist rally in Charlottesville sparked renewed attention to Confederate monuments and memorials across the country, including Tyler. TISD last week released the following statement: “The Tyler ISD administration and board of trustees continuously stay aware of national concerns and their impact locally,” Parnell said. “If an issue appropriately rises for board consideration, collaboration between the Tyler ISD board of trustees and various leaders throughout Tyler, Texas, will occur, with logistical assistance from Tyler ISD administration, while in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Tyler ISD policy and board operating practices.”