April 15, 2019 - The School Board started its meeting on April 15 with a recognition of the Amarillo High Lady Sandies 2019 5A State Champion Basketball Team.
The Board approved the purchase of English and Spanish language arts and reading instructional materials for use in grades kindergarten – eight, beginning next year. The total cost of the purchases, which were recommended by a committee composed of representative teachers and administrators, is $1.9 million. About $333,000 of the cost is coming from AISD’s general fund; the remainder is the District’s Instructional Materials Allotment, which is state funding that is allocated to districts for the purchase of textbooks and other instructional materials.
Trustees approved the purchase of almost $900,000 worth of Chromebook laptops for the District’s 1:1 technology initiative. Each year, AISD purchases Chromebooks for incoming 9th grade students at Amarillo, Caprock, Palo Duro and Tascosa high schools. The students use the Chromebooks throughout high school and, if they meet the attendance requirements of the program, students are allowed to keep their Chromebook upon graduation.
The Board adopted several revised policies, among them a policy on naming District facilities. This revised policy is the work of a Board committee, and provides for additional guidance and provisions for stakeholder input in selecting names for new campuses and District-owned facilities, and also for renaming schools.
Finally, the Board approved construction documents and authorized the bid process to begin for bond projects at Caprock High School and Tradewind Elementary School. Work at Caprock will include, among other things, renovation of the old main gym facility into 12 new classrooms and a choir room, construction of a new auxiliary gym facility, renovation of the auditorium, and a new parking lot. At Tradewind, bond work will include site drainage improvements and installation of bullet-resistant glass in exterior doors. The estimated total cost of the projects at these two schools is $14.4 million. The Board also approved awarding a contract for another bond project - infrastructure improvements at 16 schools - to Wiley Hicks, Jr. Inc. at a total cost of $6.9 million. This work primarily addresses renovations at several elementary schools, including bullet-resistant glass installation in exterior doors, plumbing/sewer line replacement, and site drainage improvements.
The Board acknowledged gifts and donations totaling $41,591.26, given to various schools this month from the Amarillo Association of Realtors, Mr. and Mrs. James Gonzalez, Amarillo National Bank, First United Bank, H.E.B. Excellence in Education Program, Panhandle Power and Performance, Woodlands Elementary PTO, Amarillo High School Basketball Booster Club, Proffer & Proffer Surgical Associates, Bobby Duby Motors, Amarillo Bone and Joint Clinic & Dr. Brad Veazey, Rebecca McPherson, Robin Weir, and Copart Auto Auction.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
