Recognitions
Spotlight on Excellence
Ema Rubio, Language Programs Assistant at Woodridge and Cambridge, was honored as the August Spotlight on Excellence recipient.
ISEF
Abigail Windscheffel from Alamo Heights High School was recognized for advancing to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (or ISEF). Only 10 projects from the state of Texas were selected to compete at ISEF.
National and State School of Character
Woodridge Elementary has been recognized as 2025 National and State School of Character by the organization Character.org. This is the second time Woodridge has earned this distinction. They were first recognized in 2020. To be considered at the national level, schools are first designated as State Schools of Character.
Woodridge Principal Sean Reno, campus Character Committee Members and District Testing and Counseling Director Dr. Kristen Ascencao were present for the recognition.
Spanish Spelling Bee Participant
Emiliano Ramos, now a 9th grader, competed this summer at the State Spanish Spelling Bee. Earlier this spring, Emiliano qualified by winning first place in the 6th-8th grade category of the Regional Spanish Spelling Bee held at Region 20. This is the second straight year he won and advanced from the Region 20 Bee.
Student Council Update
Student Council President Veer Patel and Vice President Lindsey Lam shared the first Student Council Update of the new school year.
Other Board Action and Presentations
Dr. Jimmie Walker, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, presented an Academic Update on Student Assessment Data in Pillars 1 and 2 of the AHISD Community-Based Accountability System (CBAS). She gave an overview of STAAR data for AHISD and provided next steps and supports for students who need interventions. Across all academic domains and grade levels, AHISD outperformed when compared to the state. Dr. Walker also shared Advanced Placement data that came in over the summer. In the class of 2025, an all-time high 335 students were recognized as AP Scholars for scoring 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.
Trustees adopt 2025-26 tax rate
Trustees held a public hearing to discuss the tax rate. The total approved 2025 tax rate is $0.9572 per $100 of assessed valuation, which is $0.009 cents lower than the 2024 combined rate. The 2025 tax rate includes $0.7122 for general Maintenance and Operations and $0.2450 for the Interest and Sinking (I&S) funds. The tax rate was presented by Matt Streger, Chief Financial Officer.
Frank Stanage, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, presented an employee compensation and market salary adjustment plan. Teachers with at least three years of experience will receive a targeted raise directly from the state. All other employees will receive a raise that was fractionally funded under a support staff allotment from the state, and the majority of funds from the significant staffing cuts the District made last year. While every employee will receive a pay increase, there are also targeted additional pay increases to staff who are below market salary for their field.
Trustees adopted the 2025-26 AHISD Student Code of Conduct and were presented the 2025-26 Student Handbook. Both are available on the AHISD website.
Trustees approved the membership of the 2025-26 District Education Advisory Council (DEAC); a School Health and Related Services (or SHARS) consultant, a legal services retainer agreement with Walsh Gallegos; the purchase of the IXL Learning online education platform for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in various academic subjects; and the 2024-25 annual School Health Advisory Council (or SHAC) Report and Wellness Plan was presented to Trustees.
Trustees also approved the purchase of the Next Level Prime direct primary care for all eligible AHISD employees for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
Trustees approved revisions to Local policies from a Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Policy Update (125) - BDAA, BDB, BDF, EI, FDE, and FEC. They also approved revisions to Local polices FM (Student Activities), and EFB (Library Resources). AHISD Policy can be found on the Board website.
Item I, consideration of Local Policy FNCE (Personal Communication Devices/Electronic Devices) was removed from the consent agenda and placed on the agenda for a Special Called Meeting on Wednesday, August 27 at 7 a.m.
Donations were accepted from: Alamo Heights Mule Team, Friends of Special Friends, the Alamo Heights School Foundation, and Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union.
The accepted donations totaled $70,353.02.
Trustees accepted reports from the Goals and Priorities, Budget, Policy, Building and Assessment and Long-Range Planning committees.