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The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees held a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 6 at the AISD administration building. Future board meeting dates are available on the AISD website at www.abileneisd.org/board.
Superintendent’s Announcements | 3:04
Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn began the October meeting by inviting Alcorta Elementary School Principal Melissa Speegle to share remarks about her experience with the AISD maintenance team. Ms. Speegle shared that the maintenance team’s determined commitment to communication and efficiency in their work ensured that Alcorta students experienced smooth and uninterrupted school days throughout the school’s recent sewer line replacement project.
Dr. Kuhn closed his remarks with a message encouraging honesty, transparency, and parent involvement in AISD.
“We appreciate highly involved, caring, loving parents,” Dr. Kuhn said. “Schools have a responsibility to provide transparency, choice, and academic integrity. We try very hard to do this every day in AISD.”
Teaching Minute | 7:30
Teaching Minute is a monthly video series that highlights the world-class teaching and learning happening in schools across AISD. In the second episode of season two, Cooper High School teacher Rylee Wilkerson shared her application of Advanced Placement History Key Concept 3.2 and 3.3, showing how her students use active collaboration to process information in preparation of the AP History exam in May.
Recognitions | 10:35
Texas Education Human Resources Day
The Abilene ISD Human Resources team was recognized following the reading of a proclamation from the Office of the Governor, describing the importance of human resource professionals in education and their commitment to meeting the needs of students and educators. You can learn more about how the Human Resources department supports AISD here.
District of Innovation Public Hearing | 47:40
A public hearing was held to reopen Abilene ISD’s District of Innovation (DOI) process and update the district’s existing plan, which was originally adopted in 2019. Associate Superintendent for the Development of Human Resources Alison Sims explained that the DOI designation gives districts greater local control by allowing flexibility in certain state requirements such as school start dates, the use of instructional minutes for professional development, and more.
Mrs. Sims outlined plans to work with a committee to identify needed updates in the coming weeks. Following a 30-day public review period, the updated plan would be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in January.
Taylor County Appraisal District Report | 58:30
Taylor County’s Chief Tax Appraiser Gary Earnest presented a State of the Appraisal District update. His report covered the operations of the Central Appraisal District (CAD), the election process for its board of directors, and recent valuation trends, including the impact of the Lancium project on local property values.
Academic Performance Report | 1:12:44
Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Keri Thornberg presented beginning-of-year results from the district’s MAP Growth Assessment, supporting AISD’s Board Goals in early literacy and early math. These adaptive assessments help teachers tailor instruction, plan interventions, and partner with families to support student growth.
Content coordinators Mandi Joiner and Kelli Grigsby shared that the district continues its use of mCLASS Reading benchmark screenings and has launched a new K-2 pilot of mCLASS Math, which provides progress tracking, home reports for families, and instructional recommendations for teachers.
Bilingual/ESL Report | 1:34:27
Director of Federal Programs Shannon Marshall presented an update on Abilene ISD’s Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The program focuses on developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through culturally responsive instruction.
AISD currently serves students representing 31 languages, with 1,328 students enrolled in the Emergent Bilingual (EB) program for the 2025-26 school year. Mrs. Marshall shared that the department aims to expand the number of certified Bilingual and ESL teachers in the future, strengthen family engagement, and continue to provide resources and support for teachers and administrators.
Intruder Detection Audit Findings | 1:49:52
As required by the Texas Education Code, AISD recently completed its annual intruder Detection Audit. The results, presented by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Joe Waldron, included a corrective action related to an equipment issue that was resolved the same day it was identified.
For safety purposes, specific details of the corrective action are not publicly available. In his report, Dr. Waldron highlighted several other ongoing safety measures in AISD schools, including weekly safety plan reports by campus administrators, regular door sweeps, and check-in procedures requiring identification from all visitors and employees at each campus.
Board Action | 2:00:00
School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) Membership: In compliance with Senate Bill 13 and in alignment with the Board’s decision to establish a local School Library Advisory Council (SLAC), the Board of Trustees appointed seven voting members to the council.
District of Innovation Resolution: The Board adopted a resolution to reopen AISD’s District of Innovation (DOI) plan to make timely updates.
District of Innovation Planning Committee: The Board reviewed and approved nominations for the DOI Planning Committee.
Jones County Appraisal District Board of Directors: The Board approved the nomination of Mr. Jim Bailey to the Jones County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
Gymnastics Sports Center Agreement:
In compliance with House Bill 3372, the Board approved an agreement with Gymnastics Sports Center for hosting school field trips.