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The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees held three meetings during August, including a workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 10, and a Special Budget and Tax Rate Meeting on Monday, Aug. 24. All meetings are held at the District Support Center (241 Pine Street), and the AISD community is invited to attend meetings in person or watch online through AISD Live. A list of future meeting dates is available at www.abileneisd.org/board.
Workshop
Academic Performance Report
Chief Academic Officer Lyndsey Williamson previewed the release of 2025-26 accountability ratings, highlighting areas of success, opportunities for growth, and next steps to continue AISD’s academic progress.
In case you missed it, click here to read Dr. Waldron’s accountability update.
Regular Meeting
Superintendent’s Announcements | 4:36
During his announcements, Dr. Waldron previewed back-to-school staff development opportunities and events. He also shared an email praising Sonia Castillo, an interpreter and bilingual specialist, for the support she provided to a family navigating a new community and school system.
The family arrived in Abilene just three days earlier as the mother prepared to begin work as a dialysis nurse at Hendrick Health. Drawing from her own experience of starting school in a new country as a child, Castillo helped the family navigate the enrollment process and feel welcomed as they began a new chapter in Abilene.
Recognitions | 8:47
National Speech and Debate Competitors
Trustees recognized three Abilene High School students who competed at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Richmond, Virginia this summer. Sloan Westbrook, Lainey Marz, and Syler Richardson became the first AISD students to advance to elimination rounds in main events, earning national finishes of 33rd, 15th, and 28th, respectively. Richardson was also recognized for earning an Outstanding Performer Award at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest.
TMEA State Honor Band Competitors
The Clack Middle School Honor Band was recognized for advancing to the state semifinal round of the TMEA Honor Band Competition, a milestone no Abilene ISD music program has reached in more than 20 years. The rigorous competition requires bands to advance through region and area rounds based on adjudication of live, unedited performances.
Abilene ISD Teachers of the Year
Trustees celebrated Abilene ISD Teachers of the Year Noah Watson of Bowie STEM Academy and Katie Condra of ATEMS, who were recently named the Region 14 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.
Read more about Mrs. Condra and Mr. Watson here.
Report: Teacher Incentive Allotment | 23:46
Chief Talent Officer Alison Sims and Executive Director of Human Resources Chris Bailey provided an update on Abilene ISD’s continued growth in the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a state program designed to recruit and retain effective teachers while improving student outcomes.
Now entering its sixth year of TIA, Abilene ISD continues to expand teacher eligibility, with more than 600 teaching assignments expected to be eligible in 2026-27. TIA provides direct state funding tied to teacher designations based on evaluation and student growth, rewarding educators who make a significant impact on students. AISD has seen significant growth in participation and certifications through the TIA program and aims to make 100% of AISD teachers eligible to participate.
Board Action | 53:45
2026-27 Employee Compensation Plan: The Board approved a 2% pay increase for all exempt employees, a 3% increase for non-exempt employees, higher starting pay for paraprofessional and auxiliary staff, and an increase in teacher salaries to reach 100% of market value.
2026-27 Early Notice of Departure (END) Rate: The Board approved an incentive for employees who provide early notice of their intent to retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year. Eligible employees will receive $1,000, plus $100 per day for unused local sick leave, calculated at up to five days for each year of service in AISD.
Long-Range Facility Planning Committee Framework: The Board approved the framework for a Long-Range Facility Planning Committee, which will begin meeting in September to study district facilities, programs, enrollment, safety, and financial considerations before presenting recommendations to the Board of Trustees in June 2027. The committee’s work builds on previous district planning efforts, including the Strategic Footprint Committee, community Pathways to Possibility meetings and perception survey, and facility assessment process.
2026-27 Hazardous Bus Routes: The Board approved 30 hazardous routes that qualify for exceptions to the state’s two-mile transportation funding rule due to high-traffic conditions and a lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure.
Special Budget and Tax Rate Meeting
Public Hearing on Budget and Tax Rate | 0:44
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hinds presented Abilene ISD’s proposed 2026-27 budget and tax rate during a public hearing.
Mrs. Hinds shared a balanced proposed budget, highlighting the district’s successful efforts to eliminate a $12 million budget deficit over the past two years, made possible through the Abilene ISD community’s generous support of the fall 2025 Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election. The budget also includes a $5.1 million investment in employee compensation.
“This is quite a moment,” Mrs. Hinds said. “We’ve been really diligent in making sure we’re spending money where it needs to be spent and maximizing every dollar we can for students.”
Notably, Abilene ISD has officially entered recapture under Chapter 49 due to the increase in local property values. Recapture, sometimes referred to as the “Robin Hood” law, requires districts to send a portion of their local property tax revenue back to the state. Mrs. Hinds clarified that Abilene ISD will not receive additional revenue from local data center projects. Instead, local property taxes will pay the portion of funding previously sent to Abilene ISD from the state. The district’s recapture payment is estimated at approximately $1.2 million.
Trustees were also presented with a proposed total tax rate of $0.8887 per $100 of taxable value. The rate is approximately 6 cents lower than last year, with an M&O rate of $0.6728 and an I&S rate of $0.2159.
Board Action | 13:45
2026-27 Budgets for General Fund, Student Nutrition Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Internal Service Fund: The Board approved the 2026-27 operating budget as presented.
Defeasance and/or Redemption of Certain Unlimited Tax Bonds: The Board approved a resolution allowing the district to pay off certain outstanding bonds early, helping reduce long-term debt and save on future interest costs.
2026-27 Proposed Interest & Sinking Tax Rate: The Board approved an I&S rate of $0.2159, maintaining the I&S rate from the previous year and exceeding the district’s debt service rate. The excess revenue collected from the proposed rate will be used to pay off debt approximately 1.5 years earlier than scheduled and will save local taxpayers more than $12 million in interest.
2026-27 Tax Rate Ordinance: The Board approved a total tax rate of $0.8887, a six cent decrease from 2025-26.