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
Lori Garcia, Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, was honored as the August Spotlight on Excellence recipient.
UIL State Girls Golf
For the second consecutive year, two teams represented AHISD at the 5A UIL Girls Golf State Tournament in May. The Alamo Heights Blue team won the state championship. The Gold team finished in fifth place.
THSCA Girls Golf Coach of the Year
This summer, Coach Brent McCuiston was recognized by the Texas High School Coaches Association as the Girls Golf Coach of the Year.
Other Board Action and Presentations
Dr. Jimmie Walker, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, presented on the Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) and the Student Achievement Pillar. She gave an overview of the STAAR Redesign. STAAR data for AHISD, focus area goals, and next steps including sharing results with parents through the Parent Portal Aug. 17. Across all academic domains, AHISD outperformed when compared to the state. Dr. Walker also shared AP data that came in over the summer. There continues to be an increase in the number of students taking AP courses. Last year half of high school students took at least one AP course. In the class of 2023, 264 students were recognized as AP Scholars for scoring 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.
Trustees approved a resolution regarding Section 37.0814 of the Texas Education Code. It was presented by Frank Stanage, Director of Human Resources. House Bill 3, which takes effect Sept. 1, requires districts to have a commissioned officer at every campus during regular school hours. There is a good cause exception for districts that are not able meet that requirement due to the availability of funding or lack of qualified commissioned peace officers, so long as school districts develop an alternative standard for compliance. The Board of Trustees has determined that the district qualifies for the good cause exception, due to a shortage of available commissioned peace officers, evidenced by the posting for school resource officers that has been open at the Alamo Heights Police Department since August of 2022. The District has developed an alternative for providing safe and secure campuses by contracting with the Alamo Heights Police Department for the provision of multiple school resource officers on a rotating patrol of the Alamo Heights ISD campuses during regular school hours. The SRO positions are still posted, and the district will continue to look for two more SROs.
Trustees adopted the 2023-24 AHISD Student Code of Conduct as presented by Dr. Frank Alfaro, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. It will be available on the AHISD website. The Student Code of Conduct outlines state laws regarding student discipline that apply to all students. The most notable change in this year’s Student Code of Conduct resulted from the 88th legislative session’s HB 114, passed in May 2023. HB 114 requires a mandatory placement in the Discipline Alternative Education Placement (DAEP) for any student who possesses, uses, or is under the influence of, or sells, gives, or delivers an e-cigarette (i.e., “vape”) to another person at school or a school-related event.
Trustees approved the membership of the 2023-24 District Education Advisory Council (DEAC); approved a resolution recognizing 4H as an extracurricular and approving an adjunct faculty agreement for those purposes; approved an interlocal contract with the Texas Department of Information Resources; approved Matthew Streger as District Investment Officer; the 2023-24 Student Handbook was presented to Trustees; approved architect fees for Alamo Heights High School; and the 2022-23 annual SHAC Report and Wellness Plan was presented to Trustees.
Trustees approved the naming of the Cambridge Garden as Jeanie Rabke Wyatt Garden and the Cambridge Outdoor Classroom as the Guglielmo Family Outdoor Classroom in recognition of gifts to the Alamo Heights School Foundation Endowment Campaign. They also approved the naming of the Science Building at Alamo Heights High School as the Kelleher Family Science Building in recognition of a gift to the Alamo Heights School Foundation Endowment Campaign.
Donations were accepted from: Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union and Alamo Heights Rotary Club. The accepted donations totaled $4,000.
Trustees accepted reports from the Budget and Building committees.
Superintendent’s Communication
Dr. Bashara shared highlights from summer learning, professional development for staff, welcoming new employees, Convocation, and the first day of school.
She shared a legislative and budget update. AHISD will adopt a budget, compensation plan, and tax rate later this month at a special called meeting.
The District will host a Legislative Lunch and Learn at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 1 in the HS auditorium foyer.
Next Regular Meeting: 6 p.m., Wednesday, September 27, Board Room
Regular meetings are typically scheduled on the third Wednesday 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].