February 27, 2023 —The February Board meeting began with a special recognition of UIL champions and other state-level award-winning students in music, dance, art, speech and debate from all four AISD high schools. Several students proudly stood at the podium to give comments to the Board regarding their experience at competition and each thanked the District for providing opportunities for participation in various fine arts programs. Six students from Amarillo High and Tascosa were named 2023 All-State Music students; three students from Amarillo High, Caprock and Palo Duro were named All-State Dance students; and 10 students from Amarillo High, Caprock and Tascosa placed or qualified in UIL State Student Congress and/or Cross-Examination competition. Six of these students additionally qualified for the National Speech & Debate Tournament which will be in June. Four students from Amarillo High, Caprock and Palo Duro were 2022 State Visual Art Scholastic Event Gold Seal winners and their artwork is being exhibited in various venues around the State this year.
The Board conducted a public hearing and review of the District’s Annual Performance Report for the 2021-2022 school year. Several staff members discussed highlights of the comprehensive report that includes the state-issued Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), as well as reports regarding District accreditation and financial status (AISD continues to receive a rating of ‘Superior’ in financial categories), criminal incidents, campus performance objectives, and other information related to academic performance of Amarillo ISD students. District and campus plans for College, Career, and Military Readiness and Early Childhood literacy and math proficiency were also highlighted. The complete 2021-2022 AISD Annual Report is available on the AISD website, State Required Postings section.
In other business, the Board awarded a contract to L. Wallace Construction to complete the Amarillo High School and Palo Duro High School roofing project with a total construction cost of $17,986,052. The project includes a full roof replacement at Amarillo High and a partial roof replacement at Palo Duro. The Board also awarded a 5-year contract to First Student, Inc. to provide bussing services. First Student is AISD’s current transportation services provider.
Keeping with the District’s initiative to strengthen safety and security at all campuses, the Board approved schematic drawings for a project to upgrade HVAC units to add air-conditioning at several high school and middle school gyms. This project will allow air-conditioning to be added so that gym doors will no longer need to be propped open for ventilation purposes. The schools included in this estimated $4 million project are Tascosa and Palo Duro high schools (Old Main and auxiliary gyms), and Austin, Bonham, Crockett, Fannin, Houston, Mann, and Travis middle schools.
Finally, trustees acknowledged gifts and donations totaling $9,895.70, given to various schools from the Panhandle Restaurant Association, Chick-fil-A, American Legion Auxiliary – Hanson Unit #54, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch Alumni Association, the Austin Middle School Booster Club, AKT Foundation, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, and UIL – Region 1.
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