Commerce – Commerce ISD Superintendent Blake W. Cooper has been appointed to serve on the University Interscholastic League Legislative Council. He will complete the term held by Joe Oliver, who is retiring as superintendent of Wills Point ISD.
Superintendent Cooper states, "This is a great honor and a special opportunity to serve our state's public schools." Cooper will be representing all Class 3A schools in the Region 2 Area.
The University Interscholastic League was created by The University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers. Since 1910 the UIL has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world. The UIL continues to operate as part of the University of Texas, under the auspices of the Vice President for Diversity & Community Engagement.
The UIL exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests. The initials UIL have come to represent quality educational competition administered by school people on an equitable basis.
The Legislative Council is the rule making body composed of 28 public school administrators. Twenty are elected by school superintendents, with a representative chosen from each of the five conferences in each of the four geographical regions of the state. The chair of the Council appoints eight members from larger schools, to ensure a more balanced representation of students' ethnic populations and women.
The Council acts on many proposed amendments. An affirmative vote by a majority of superintendents is required to change an eligibility rule or to make a major change in UIL policy. Rules approved by the Council or by vote of member schools require further approval of the Commissioner of Education before they are implemented.