November 10, 2014 - Just prior to the Board meeting, the district hosted a reception to honor Shanna Peeples, Palo Duro High School English teacher, and Texas Teacher of the Year for 2014. Shanna will represent the entire state as a candidate for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year.
The School Board heard a report on “Map Your Plan,” AISD’s information campaign to educate students, parents and staff about the new graduation plans put in place by the Texas Legislature. Now, as students enter ninth-grade, they choose a career area to pursue for an endorsement which will be attached to their high school diploma.
Board members also heard a report on the district’s pre-kindergarten program. AISD currently offers state-funded half-day pre-k programs at 32 elementary schools, and an additional seven community daycares. In another report, trustees learned by refunding, or refinancing, debt to take advantage of lower interest rates, AISD has been able to save more than $16 million over the life of previously issued school bonds.
Trustees awarded a contract to build a privacy wall at Rogers Elementary School, and they received an unqualified, or “clean,” audit report from the external accounting firm for 2013-2014.
In other business, the school board approved the sale of property in the Colonies subdivision to a local builder/developer. Originally set aside for a possible school site, the Board determined the land was no longer needed by the district since the population of school-age children in the neighborhood has not and likely will not reach a number which would warrant building a school.
Board members heard a report regarding “highly qualified teacher” requirements. Federal law requires school districts to publicly report whether they meet the requirement that 100 percent of teaching staff be certified in their subject area and up-to-date with training requirements. AISD is more than 99.75 percent compliant with the law and is working toward 100 percent compliance.
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