November 28, 2022

Board Briefs - November 28. 2022


Alamo Heights ISD is committed to keeping the community informed about the work of the Board of Trustees. 


This board summary highlights the action and recognitions from the latest Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees.


Recognitions

Spotlight on Excellence 

Benjamin Keenan, English Language Arts (ELA) Department Chair and teacher at the High School, was honored as the November Spotlight on Excellence recipient. 


Powering the Profile

Shelly Bynum, theater director at the Junior School, was recognized for 

Powering the Profile for embodying the AHISD Profile of a Learner. Visit the 

AHISD YouTube channel for a video showing how she encourages students ‘to 

think critically and creatively.’ 


Tennis State Semifinalists Last month, AHHS tennis appeared in the UIL state tournament for the 27th time in school history. They finished the season as 5A State Semifinalists. Trustees recognized the team and Coach Larry Oxford.


Student Council

Dylan Castro, President of the Alamo Heights High School Student Council, shared an update with Trustees. The Student Council spearheaded a campus initiative that collected 30 baskets of Thanksgiving meals for the community. They also hosted a lunch to show gratitude to custodial and maintenance staff. Stu Co is also planning for a winter holiday event in the coming weeks. 


Other Board Action and Presentations  


Trustees approved the addition of new visual arts courses, Sculpture I, II, and III, for the 2023-24 school year. The presentation was made by Dr. Jimmie Walker, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and Charlotte Dolat, High School Academic Dean.


Dr. Walker presented Trustees with an update on instructional materials support for teachers. The matrices presented are also available on the Instructional Materials website. 


Dr. Walker also presented a report on Pillar 3 of the Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) which is focused on student well-being and safety. She shared the results of Fall Feedback, a confidential student survey that allows students to give feedback about their campuses. The response rate was 77% of students. Visit the CBAS website for more information about the accountability system. Subsequent reports to the Board in the coming months will focus on the remaining Pillars. 


Trustees heard about a request that was previously approved by the Superintendent for a high school student trip to England in July of 2023.


Trustees approved the naming of the Counseling Suite at Alamo Heights HS after Lynette and Trey Embrey in recognition of a gift to the Alamo Heights School Foundation Endowment. They also approved the naming of the Imaginarium at Woodridge Elementary after Kelly and Carl Fellbaum in recognition of a gift to the Alamo Heights School Foundation Endowment. 


Trustees approved the 2021-22 Financial Audit completed by Armstrong, Vaughan, and Associates, PC, and approved the 2022 Tax Roll.   


As required by state law, a public hearing was held for the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). FIRST is the state’s financial accountability rating system. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. AHISD received a “Superior Achievement” rating based on 2020-21 data. 


Trustees approved the 2023-24 tuition rate for $9,900. This is an increase of $400 from the 2022-23 rate. 


Trustees approved a resolution to nominate Dr. Dana Bashara for Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Superintendent of the Year. 


Donations were accepted from: the Alamo Heights Mule Team, Alamo Heights High School PTO, Alamo Heights Mulepushers, and Howard PTO. The accepted donations totaled $248,323.50.


Trustees approved revisions to FFAC (LOCAL), Wellness and Health Services- Medical Treatment, policy. 


Trustees accepted reports from the Building, Goals and Priorities, and Assessment and Long Range Planning committees; the Audit, Building, Policy, and Communications committees; District Design Team, District Education Advisory Council (DEAC), Alamo Heights School Foundation, and the District Safety Committee.


Superintendent’s Communication

Dr. Bashara highlighted events from the last month that celebrated gratitude including Thanksgiving lunches at our elementary schools, the Turkey Trot at Woodridge, the Turkey Tango at Howard, and the gratitude luncheon for the District’s maintenance and custodial staff. She recognized campuses for hosting events on Veterans Day and the inaugural Hooah Huddle for military families at Cambridge. She congratulated the football team on an outstanding season.


Dr. Bashara also shared an update with Trustees on the District’s efforts to not only recruit teaching staff but retain teachers in AHISD. She cited a study from the Howard Butt Foundation that showed teachers are feeling less valued, and data that found the pipeline of new educators is not enough to fill the vacancies of those leaving the profession. 


The next event for Senior Citizen and Grandparent Mules is coming up on January 4, 2023.  RSVP by email to Alicia Caballero, Superintendent’s Secretary, at [email protected] or by phone to 210-832-5953.


Next Regular Meeting: 6 p.m., Thursday, December 15, Board Room 


Regular meetings are typically scheduled on the third Thursday of the month and held in the AHISD Board Room, 7101 Broadway, 78209. 


Meeting Information is also posted on the Board website.  


Regular meetings are broadcast live and recordings are available within 24 hours. 


If you would like to communicate with the Board of Trustees, email them at [email protected]


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