January 18, 2022 – January is School Board Recognition Month in the state of Texas, and to celebrate, the Board meeting on January 18 began with a choir performance from the Rockin’ Roadrunners of Western Plateau Elementary, led by director Mary Ferguson.
The Board proceeded with business and heard from Chris Tatum, Chief Human Resources Officer, regarding the District’s process to apply for the State’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). TIA was created by the Texas Legislature as part of House Bill 3 to recognize effective teachers on three different levels: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master and to also recruit, retain, and reward highly effective teachers at traditionally hard-to-staff schools. These teacher designations generate additional funds from the State that allow districts to monetarily reward their top performers. An AISD TIA design team is currently working to develop local criteria and parameters for AISD’s TIA application.
The Board heard from Fabian Saldaña and Laura Abernathy, two AISD teachers who are serving on the design team and who gave their perspective regarding the work so far. The TIA application will be submitted to the Texas Education Agency in April, and a final decision should arrive in August 2022. If approved, the first allotment year for AISD would be 2023-2024.
The Board approved a contractor for a project to construct a weight room at Houston Middle School, and they approved several local policy revisions, including changes resulting from laws passed by the 87th Texas Legislature.
Trustees also adopted a resolution authorizing the Amarillo ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to convene to consider curriculum materials for human sexuality instruction. SHAC includes representative staff members and parents and its purpose is to assist the District in ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Regarding human sexuality instruction, state law requires: 1) Board authorization for SHAC to convene for the purpose of making recommendations regarding human sexuality curriculum materials; 2) at least two public meetings of SHAC to invite the public to provide input into decisions about these materials; and 3) Board approval of SHAC recommendations regarding the materials.
Trustees acknowledged gifts and donations in the amount of $8,050 given to various schools this month from Jerry and Janie Hensley, American Legion Auxiliary, Midwest Compressor Systems, Woodlands Elementary PTO, Taylor Weldon, First United Bank, and the Amarillo Association of Realtors.
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