December 13, 2021 – The December Board meeting began with the Amarillo High School New Sound Singers treating the Board and audience to Christmas music.
The Board proceeded with business and heard from Storybridge Director Chandra Perkins, AISD Early Childhood Director Brittany Hinz, and Storybridge Board President Brent McClure regarding details about a birth-5 community and parent engagement partnership. The main purpose of this initiative is to increase kindergarten readiness by providing curriculum, activities, constant communication with families, and safe spaces for family interaction. Trustee Mendez commended the District and Storybridge for partnering on a program that aligns with a Board priority of closing the achievement gap.
The Board approved the architect selection for an elevator replacement project at Tascosa High School and they approved the renewal of the Amarillo ISD District of Innovation plan, which is now in its fifth year. In renewing the plan, the District is adding two components exempting the District from laws relating to counseling duties and to employee probationary contracts. The draft renewal plan now goes to the Commissioner of Education for approval. Find more information about the District of Innovation plan on the AISD website at https://www.amaisd.org/269039_2.
Trustees also approved the architect selection for an elevator modernization project at Tascosa High School and they approved the renewal of property/casualty insurance, boiler and equipment insurance, and employee crime insurance. The total annual premium for these three categories of insurance is $2,653,440.
Trustees extended provisions for employee COVID-19 leave through June 3, 2022. A total of 10 AISD business days of paid leave are available (until the end of the school year) for benefit-eligible employees who are personally diagnosed with COVID-19, or whose school-aged or younger child is diagnosed with COVID-19.
The Board acknowledged and thanked those who gave gifts and donations to various schools this month. A total of $22,355 in donations was given from Katie and Matthew Klepper, Tricia Richardson Harper, Enviro-Ag Engineering, Inc., Plains Dairy, Leslie Massey of Farmers Insurance, CNS Pantex, the Woodlands Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, Happy State Bank, and the Amarillo Association of Realtors.
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