October 14, 2024 – The October Board meeting began with the School Board learning that the District has received a “Superior” rating in the 2024 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Annual Management Report. Chief Financial Officer Daniel West also reported that by the recent refunding, or refinancing, approved by Trustees at a recent past Board meeting, AISD was able to take advantage of lower interest rates, saving the District $11.2 million in repayments over the life of the previously-issued school bonds.
After hearing from AISD assistant superintendents on the challenges and highlights at each school level, including new leadership development, strengthening middle school math collaborative, and targeting behaviors, Trustees approved the 2024-2025 District Improvement Plan and the Campus Improvement Plans for each of AISD’s 55 schools. All of the improvement plans are based on the needs of the students at each campus and are developed by committees of administrators, teachers, parents, community members, and business leaders. The plans contain strategies and evaluation measures that are revised as needed throughout the school year.
In other business, the Board adopted a resolution nominating individuals for the Potter-Randall Appraisal District Boards of Directors, and they also appointed members to the School Health Advisory Council, or SHAC. The Board is required to appoint an advisory SHAC to assist the District in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the District’s health education instruction. A majority of SHAC members must be parents of students currently in AISD.
The Board approved the 2024 tax rolls for Potter and Randall counties. The tax rolls are calculated by applying the AISD tax rate of $0.8830 per $100 of property valuation to the taxable values in the two counties. The total amount Potter County expects to levy in school district property taxes for 2024 is $51,639,302, and the total amount Randall County expects to levy is $43,463,349.
In line with the Board’s identified priority of safety and security, Trustees awarded a contract to All Star Fence for a multi-campus security fencing project. The total construction cost for the project is $5,998,775 and will be funded through the School Safety Standard Grant.
The Board reluctantly accepted Superintendent Doug Loomis’ retirement to be effective June 30, 2025. Superintendent Loomis has dedicated his career to serving AISD for almost 39 years. The Board only voted to accept his retirement and will develop a plan, profile, and timeline in the weeks to come to begin the search for a new superintendent.
Finally, the Board expressed appreciation for gifts and donations totaling $32,105, given to various schools from Bank of America, Puckett PTO, Amy Rea Insurance, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, Yellowhouse Machinery Co., Pro IT Support LLC, Fast Restoration, Tony & Janice Young, Jamie’s Flooring, Welcome Pardner LLC, Garrick Winters, Reserve @ 47, A-Town Lawn Care, Diversified Improvement Contractors, Titiana Frausto, Vinh Le & Thanh Nguyen, Chelsi Plummer, Paul Frederiksen, Scottco Mechanical, Western Plateau PTO, Wayne Williams, Caliche Amarillo LLC, Brad Phillips, Vera Honea, Jeffrey & Erin Wyrick and RJ & Kelsey Morgan.
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