April 18, 2022 – After listening to several public comments, the Board heard a report regarding the 2020-2021 State Compensatory Education (SCE) program evaluation. AISD receives about $34.4 million in SCE money annually and is required to report the effectiveness of the SCE program. The District must spend the money to support programs for at-risk students, to increase academic achievement, and to help reduce the dropout rate.
AISD Chief Financial Officer Daniel West and Director of Procurement David Harder gave a report regarding the District’s purchasing policies and practices with local vendors. Due to federal law, the District cannot give preference to local vendors; all purchasing decisions must be based on best value to the District. However, Harder said the Purchasing Department makes a concerted effort to teach vendors how to do business with AISD, including partnering with the WTA&M Small Business Development Center for ‘Meet the Buyer’ events. West said 44 percent, or about $70 million, of District purchases went to local vendors in 2020-21.
After reporting on their scheduled visits to campuses for the month, the Board renewed a contract with the Turn Center to provide physical and occupational therapy services to AISD students at a cost of $696,528 for the 2022-2023 school year. They also approved the purchase of a software system that will allow AISD to upgrade to a new, more secure platform for all human resources and financial applications.
To continue the District’s 1:1 technology initiative for students, the Board approved the purchase of $836,388 worth of Chromebooks for all incoming 9th graders, and they approved the purchase of another 4,200 Chromebooks to replace the oldest devices currently at elementary and middle schools.
Finally, Trustees thanked those who generously gave gifts and donations to AISD and its schools this month. A total of $20,750 was given to various schools from Central Church of Christ; Happy State Bank; Victoria Abadie and Gayle Callahan of Plains Plumbing Co.; Mullin, Hoard, and Brown Attorneys; Daniel Trejo with DTP Automotive; CNS Pantex Plant; L. Sanchez Trucking; and Sarah Garcia-Keith.
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