Seen and Heard at the July School Board Meeting

July 14, 2025 – The July Board meeting began with an update on the District’s cell phone policy for the 2024-2025 school year. Amarillo High School Principal Andrea Pfeifer and Houston Middle School Principal Brad Phillips presented data showing the school year’s renewed focus on the policy that resulted in an eightfold increase in office referrals for cell phone violations compared to the previous year, but also a decline in more serious disciplinary issues like fighting, defiance, bullying, and vaping.

Amarillo ISD had set a goal to reduce disciplinary incidents from 16,043 to 15,883 for the school year. Instead, it saw an even bigger improvement, with total incidents dropping to 14,568. Principals reported that staff are seeing positive changes in student behavior and performance. The “Off and Away” message used across campuses through the Safe and Civil program to promote positive behavior and a respectful environment has helped reinforce the policy. While the recently passed House Bill 1481 aligns with AISD’s policy, it will require some adjustments moving forward, but overall, principals reported that students are interacting more positively without phones as a distraction.

The meeting continued with the Board electing Trustee Beilue to represent AISD at the upcoming Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Delegate Assembly. Mr. Beilue will be helping to advocate for the District’s priorities in the overall direction of the Association.

In other business, Trustees approved several local policy updates, including changes tied to legislative action from the previous session and other updates recommended by TASB to align with current state rules, agency publications, and common district practices.

Finally, the Board acknowledged and thanked those who gave gifts and donations to various schools this month. A total of $5,933.19 worth of donations were given from Landergin PTO – Ghost Squad, Park Hill Fellowship Church, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church.