Long-Range Facility Planning
Abilene Independent School District appointed a committee of students, educators, parents, community leaders and local citizens to study facility needs across the district.
This work will include, but is not limited to, a review of facilities under the following scope: academics, safety, security, technology, transportation/enrollment, capital improvements and student programs/extracurricular needs.
The committee’s work over the next nine months will be instrumental in developing a Long-Range Facility Plan that will serve Abilene ISD students for the next five years. This work aligns with state law under Policy CS (Legal).
Committee’s
Charge
The Long-Range Facility Planning Committee is charged to serve in an advisory capacity to the School Board and Administration on a temporary basis regarding the topic of facility planning and capital needs.
Students & Stewardship
The committee will keep students at the center of all recommendations and maximize the district’s financial resources. The work will be guided by the district’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Priorities.
Committee Objectives
- Study current demographic data and future projections for student enrollment;
- Tour district facilities and assess capital improvement, safety/security needs in consultation with AISD staff;
- Identify any additional needs required of the district to effectively carry out its mission and/or the district goals outlined in the AISD Strategic Plan.
- Review Abilene ISD’s current and projected financial situation, considering all factors, including but certainly not limiting AISD to: new construction, building additions, temporary facilities and/or any other options for addressing maintenance, transportation, safety and security or technology; and
- Make a final recommendation as part of a Long-Range Facility Planning Committee Recommendation to the AISD School Board and Administration.
Orientation Meeting #1: Tuesday, September 22 at Abilene High School
Meeting #2: Tuesday, October 27 at Cooper High School
Meeting #3: Tuesday, November 17 at ATEMS
Meeting #4: Tuesday, December 15 at Abilene High School
Meeting #5: Tuesday, January 19 at Cooper High School
Meeting #6: Tuesday, February 23 at ATEMS
Meeting #7: Tuesday, March 23 at Abilene High School
Meeting #8: Tuesday, April 20 at Cooper High School
Meeting #9: Tuesday, May 18 at ATEMS
Tentative Recommendation to the Board of Trustees: June 2027
Members of the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee were appointed by the
Abilene ISD Board of Trustees and administration to represent every campus and
a broad cross-section of the community, including taxpayers and business leaders
with and without students enrolled in Abilene ISD. At least five committee
positions were filled by community members selected from submitted applications.
| Sarah Alexander | Courtney Jackel |
| Lacey Barnett | Benjamin James |
| Dayton Borger | Cory James |
| Mike Breckenridge | Carlie Johnson |
| Robin Buckner | Lyndsey Kaufmann |
| Aileen Bunting | Kasie Kidd |
| Triston Cauthen | Stan Lambert |
| Alexis Castro | Savannah Leas |
| Jana Nicole Churchill | Leah Leas |
| Taylor Claxton | Tabitha Lopez |
| Melinda Cook | Danielle Martinez |
| Lisa Dabney | Karla Martinez |
| Cristi Doll | Liam Meeks |
| Will Dugger | Autumn Meeks |
| Will Duncan | Kathryn Mitchell |
| Josh Duwe | Anthony Ntambwe |
| Katelin East | Brandon Osborne |
| Parker Emerson | Doug Peters |
| Eric Emerson | Braylee Petty |
| Ted Evans | Blair Phariss |
| Shawnte Fleming | Gentry Pittman |
| Maria Foster | Kelsey Pruitt |
| Ryan Gibson | Lyndsey Ransford |
| Myrick Gloyna | Austin Roeder |
| Colton Gragg | Sarah Scott-VanderBerg |
| Stephanie Graves | Jennifer Smothermon |
| Grant Greenwood | Patricia Snow |
| Gail Gregg | Seth Summers |
| Seaver Griffin | Kristin Summerlin |
| Megan Hall | Sam Vinson |
| Tiffany Hammer | Katie Walker |
| Abbi Harmon | Meredith Ware |
| Seaton Higginbotham | John Whitten |
| John Hill | Rhianna Wilson |
| Vicki House | Wendy Wright |
Members of the Abilene ISD campus and central administration are not committee members, but are serving as liaisons and resources as needed.
Administrative Liaisons
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Superintendent of Schools | Dr. Joe Waldron |
| Chief of Schools | Dr. Gustavo Villanueva |
| Chief Academic Officer | Lyndsey Williamson |
| Chief Talent Officer | Alison Sims |
| Chief Financial Officer | Jennifer Hinds |
| Chief of Strategic Operations | Jay Ashby |
| Chief Communications Officer | Dr. Jordan Ziemer, APR |
Principal Liaisons
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| High School | Jon Patrick |
| Middle School | Ashley West |
| Elementary School | Heath Wright |
| Elementary School | Leslye Roberts |
Additional Administrative Liaisons
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Executive Director of Athletics | Jim Garfield |
| Executive Director of Fine Arts | Clay Johnson |
| Executive Director of Student Services | Alison Camp |
| Director of Career & Technical Education | Lucille Fullen |
| Executive Director of Special Education | Dr. Stevanie Jackson |
| Chief Technology Officer | Nick Rutherford |
| Asst. Director of Transportation | Zach Sneed |
| Director of School Safety and Security | Tony Lassetter |
| Director of Facilities | Rickey Wallace |
The committee of 75 students, parents, educators, taxpayers and community members will break into five subcommittees to begin their work. These subcommittees include:
- Academics & CTE
- Safety, Security & Technology
- Capital Improvements
- Extracurricular Student Programs
- Technology
From Budget to Bright Futures: Share the AISD Story
We invite you to help amplify AISD by sharing Budget Blueprint with others.
The committee’s work will be presented in a public meeting on or before June 2027 as recommendations to the Abilene ISD Board of Trustees. This webpage will be dedicated to sharing information and presentations with the public as part of the committee’s ongoing work.