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Seen and Heard at the April 2021 School Board Meeting


Posted Date: 05/05/2021

Seen and Heard at the April 2021 School Board Meeting

April 19, 2021 – The Board heard a report regarding the 2019-2020 State Compensatory Education (SCE) program evaluation. AISD receives about $34 million in SCE money from the state and is required to annually report the effectiveness of the SCE program.  This money is above and beyond revenue from local tax dollars and its purpose is to support programs for at-risk students, to increase academic achievement and to help reduce the drop-out rate.

Superintendent Doug Loomis gave a progress update on construction of the AmTech Career Academy, AISD’s new state-of-the art career and technical education school, set to open in August for the 2021-2022 school year.  AmTech Principal Jay Barrett introduced four high school students who spoke briefly about their plans to attend AmTech.  Over 2,800 students have already applied to attend the new school.

Trustees approved a resolution authorizing AISD to form its own police department.  Mr. Loomis explained that this does not change the partnership AISD has with the Amarillo Police Department to provide liaison officers in schools.  Currently, 13 APD officers are assigned full-time to schools in the liaison officer program.  Forming our own school district police department will allow the two staff members in the AISD safety/security office, who are currently commissioned peace officers through the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, to be commissioned through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.  This allows for broader jurisdiction since AISD’s schools and facilities are in multiple law enforcement jurisdictions.

In other business, the Board authorized the District to ask for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency for four low attendance days in October due to a bad snow storm.  The Board approved a contract renewal with Chartwell’s School Dining Services to continue providing the school breakfast and lunch program for the District.  The Board also approved an annual contract with the Turn Center to provide physical and occupational therapy services for AISD students.

Trustees thanked those who generously gave gifts and donations to AISD and its schools this month.  A total of $2,800 was given to various schools from Connie Garrett, Timothy Payton, Walter Wolfram, Happy State Bank and Aaron and Sallye Barnes.