The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved and adopted a resolution that paves the way for the district to take the next steps in its Building Brighter Futures initiative.
As the district’s new landmark strategic planning and development project, Building Brighter Futures is a comprehensive program of innovation designed to ensure that every AISD student has access to exceptional academic experiences and the best possible learning resources. The resolution adopted by the Board authorizes the administration to implement the following actions during the 2025-26 school year:
Thomas and Ortiz elementary schools will begin a sunsetting process. Both buildings will operate only for grades 2-5 in 2025-26 before being fully repurposed in 2026-27.
The district will begin planning the implementation of specialty programs at all AISD elementary schools, offering unique opportunities to meet diverse interests.
The district will pilot a school choice program at Stafford, Purcell, and Martinez elementaries to work toward providing parents with more choice.
The district will pursue additional grants through the Texas Education Agency that will offer the funding necessary to bring innovative programming to all AISD schools.
“The most important thing for our community to know is that we care deeply about every student, family, and staff member in Abilene ISD,” said Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn. “Confronting our challenges with bold action to deliver on community needs is the path to rebuilding trust and ensuring that every child in AISD receives the high-quality education they deserve. These decisions are not easy, but I am confident they are the right things to do for our students, our families, our educators, and for future generations of AISD kids.”
These intentional and transformative solutions are the outcome of an extended community feedback process that began in the spring of 2024 after the district joined the TEA-supported System of Great Schools. Throughout summit meetings at Mann Middle School, stops on the Pathways to Possibility listening tour, and conversations with the stakeholder-led Strategic Footprint committee, AISD leaders heard a call for a culture of more innovative learning choices, advanced academic experiences, better financial stewardship, and operational sustainability.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our gratitude to our community for the trust you have placed in us to make meaningful, challenging decisions for the good of our students, families, and schools,” said AISD Board President Angie Wiley. “It was an honor to learn about our district’s changing needs with you last year, and I am now motivated to stand alongside our superintendent and support his team as they forge a new path forward together into a brighter future for AISD. Our hearts are with every member of the AISD community, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to doing what is right to provide the best schools with the best teachers and the best resources for every child in Abilene.”
Specific information regarding next steps for students, families, and staff will be shared at additional community meetings later this month. The district encourages parents and families to visit and bookmark www.abileneisd.org/brighterfutures as a primary source of information about the Building Brighter Futures initiative.