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The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees held a workshop and regular meeting on Monday, July 6 at the District Support Center (241 Pine Street). The AISD community is invited to attend upcoming meetings in person or watch online through AISD Live. A list of future meeting dates is available at www.abileneisd.org/board.
Workshop
Budget Workshop
Trustees continued developing the district’s 2027 budget by analyzing year-over-year tax rates and updated employee compensation plan options. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hinds shared a preliminary property value estimate, noting that the district’s net taxable value is expected to increase due to large data center projects within district boundaries. However, due to the Texas school funding formula, the higher property values do not equate an increase in revenue for Abilene ISD.
Preliminary values also indicate a decrease in the district’s overall tax rate, due to tax rate compression driven by property value growth. This comes after AISD’s successful Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) last year, which adjusted the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate to address funding priorities like eliminating the district’s budget deficit, recruiting and retaining great teachers, addressing the district’s aging bus fleet, and stopping deferred facility maintenance. The district’s final 2027 tax rate will be determined after receiving certified property values from the appraisal districts for Taylor and Jones counties at the end of July.
The Board will hold a final budget workshop in August before considering adoption of the district’s tax rate, employee compensation plan, and 2027 budget.
2026-27 AISD Employee Compensation Plan
As part of the district’s budget development process, Chief Talent Officer Alison Sims reviewed key findings from a recent pay study conducted through the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The study evaluated AISD’s market competitiveness and identified opportunities to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts through compensation.
Mrs. Sims shared potential priorities for the Board to consider, including increasing compensation for support staff such as teacher aides, custodians, and bus drivers, as well as expanding targeted stipends for high-needs positions in special education, middle school math, and bilingual education, in addition to an overall general pay increase.
Student Code of Conduct
Executive Director of Student Services Alison Camp presented the Board’s annual review of the Student Code of Conduct. Because the Texas Legislature was not in session this year, only a limited number of updates were recommended, which were developed as a result of campus principal feedback.
The changes recommended for the 2026-27 school year included:
Changes related to mandatory expulsion for certain felony offenses
A decrease in the replacement cost of a lost or damaged Yondr cellphone bag from $35 to $20
The addition of an elementary guideline prohibiting costumes without principal approval
Updates to middle school guidelines regarding shoes and clothing related to leggings and tights
Regular Meeting
Superintendent’s Announcements | 4:05
During his announcements, Dr. Joe Waldron shared a list of important upcoming dates, including the district’s annual enrollment and registration event on July 23 and 24 at the Abilene Convention Center. He also shared a new publication from the Texas Association of School Boards which features an Abilene ISD case study, with contributions from Trustee Dr. Taylor Tidmore and photography by AISD Digital Media Communications Specialist Truman Young.
Recognitions | 8:25
Texas UIL State Solo & Ensemble Outstanding Performers
Three AISD high school students were recognized for the prestigious Outstanding Performer designation at the Texas UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest in Austin on May 25. Approximately 20,000 students competed statewide, with only five percent earning Division I Gold ratings and one percent receiving the contest’s Outstanding Performer designation.
Max Frick, a sophomore at Cooper High School, received the designation for the second year in a row for his percussion performance of Libertango.
Micah Mallet, a recent graduate of Abilene High School, received the designation for his tenor vocal performance of Brother Will, Brother John. He will attend Texas State University with a major in Theatre with a concentration in performance and production.
Syler Richardson was also recognized but could not attend the meeting. He will have an opportunity to be celebrated by the Board in person at their meeting in August.
Public Hearing: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Application | 12:50
Director of Federal Programs Shannon Marshall presented an overview of the district’s planned use of federal funds provided through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). As part of the annual funding process, AISD is required to gather stakeholder input before allocating the Title I-IV funds that support targeted student needs.
Mrs. Marshall shared how the district plans to invest ESSA funding to support high-needs student populations, including students experiencing poverty, students with disabilities, and emerging bilingual students. ESSA funds are required to support equitable access to educational opportunities and resources for students.
Report: Head Start/Early Head Start Self-Assessment and Improvement Plan | 25:29
Director of Early Childhood Programs Julie Wilson presented an annual self-assessment of the district’s early childhood programs. The assessment highlighted program strengths and opportunities for continuous improvement.
The assessment highlighted the success of strong family engagement and effective program governance, as well as instructional practices developed in response to the district’s Community Needs Assessment. Mrs. Wilson also shared key focus areas for the upcoming school year, including strengthening instruction through individualized coaching and staff well-being supports. The program will also continue its focus on modernizing enrollment and recruitment efforts and focus on strengthening student transitions to their next learning environments.
Report: District and Campus Improvement Plans | 40:20
Director of Federal Programs Shannon Marshall shared an overview of the District Improvement Plan (DIP). The plan, which is required by Texas Education Code, provides a strategic blueprint to guide the district’s educational goals, resource allocation, and instructional strategies. Developed through a collaborative process with district administrators and members of the DWCC, the Board is required to review the plan annually and approve the district’s performance objectives.
Report: Fine Arts Department | 53:04
Executive Director of Fine Arts Clay Johnson presented an overview of Abilene ISD's Fine Arts programs, which served more than 11,000 students representing 82 percent of the district’s enrollment in the 2025-26 school year. Mr. Johnson highlighted the district's continued success as a state and national leader in fine arts, earning three major distinctions in 2025-26:
Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) District of Distinction for the fifth consecutive year
Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA) Outstanding District for the third consecutive year, with Exemplary Campus honors for Craig Middle School and Outstanding Campus honors for Madison Middle School and Cooper High School
Recognition as one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education every year since 2018
Mr. Johnson also celebrated a year of student success, including 100 percent of band ensembles earning Division I ratings at UIL, two All-State choir members, and a 15 percent growth in the district’s orchestra program, which is the only orchestra program of its kind in the Big Country. Looking ahead, the department will expand fine arts opportunities through the Center for Arts and Innovation in partnership with McMurry University, while continuing to strengthen instruction through professional learning, curriculum collaboration, and recruiting highly qualified fine arts educators.
Board Action | 1:06:22
School District Teaching Permit: The Board approved one School District Teaching Permit for a paraprofessional at Bassetti Elementary School, in accordance with Texas Education Code §21.055 which allows eligible paraprofessionals to transition into classroom teaching roles.
Appointment of Delegate and Alternate for the TASB Delegate Assembly: The Board approved the appointment of Alana Jeter as delegate and Dr. Taylor Tidmore as an alternate to attend the TASA/TASB Delegate Assembly on behalf of AISD in Houston, Texas on Friday, Oct. 9.