Plainview ISD board approves ASH High School designation, safety film grant and multiple routine items; votes to terminate probationary teacher

Plainview — The Plainview Independent School District Board of Trustees approved multiple business and personnel items at its April 24 regular meeting, including changing the district’s ASH program into an ASH High School, accepting a nearly $10,000 in‑kind donation for the CTE welding program, and authorizing a federal school‑violence prevention grant to install bullet‑resistant film at the district education complex.

Trustees also approved routine housekeeping and operational items — a Skyward licensing renewal, out‑of‑state student travel, staff development minutes waiver, a missed‑school‑days waiver, campus supply purchases and the district’s auditor selection — and they approved professional and administrative contract packages in executive session. The board voted 6‑0 to terminate the probationary contract of Christopher Augustine Ramirez, a classroom teacher; the board also authorized the proposed nonrenewal of teacher Barbara Ann Garcia.

Key board actions and votes at the meeting included:

- ASH program reclassification: Trustees voted to reestablish ASH as a standalone alternative high school with its own Texas Education Agency campus ID, allowing the campus to be evaluated under alternative‑education accountability criteria rather than under the comprehensive high‑school model. Motion to change ASH program to "ASH High School" passed 6‑0 (motion by Miss Salazar; second by Miss Ray).

- Donation to CTE/welding program: The board accepted a donation of tools from Stanley Black & Decker/DEWALT valued at $9,936.46 to support the district’s welding program and related CTE efforts. Motion carried 6‑0.

- Bullet‑resistant film installation (SVPP grant): The district applied for and accepted a U.S. Department of Education school‑violence prevention grant of $219,400 to install bullet‑resistant laminate at the Education Complex (boardroom, foyer and exterior glass); trustees approved the contract award to install the film using grant funds. Motion carried 6‑0. The administration noted an estimated vendor cost listed in the meeting materials at approximately $197,259 and that remaining grant funds could be allocated by the grant committee for related safety items or change orders.

- Skyward renewal: Trustees approved the district’s annual Skyward enterprise resource planning renewal at approximately $158,073. The finance director said the system has been in use since 1999 and that Skyward’s forthcoming migration to a hosted product (“Cumulative”) will raise future costs and require a larger migration effort. Motion carried 6‑0.

- Field trips and out‑of‑state travel: The board approved a same‑day out‑of‑state field trip for a resource class to Carlsbad Caverns (motion by Miss Salazar; second by Miss Rivera), approval for a PHS trip planning use of facilities for a student trip to Ireland in June 2027, and authorization for BPA students to attend the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. All travel items passed 6‑0.

- Waivers and certifications: Trustees approved the application for a staff development minutes waiver (to bank 2,100 professional development minutes for inclement‑weather use) and approved the application for a missed‑school‑days waiver (March 14 storm closure). They also certified that district instruction follows the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). All passed 6‑0.

- Auditor selection and campus purchases: The board selected Ike Bailey as the district auditor for 2024‑25 and authorized campus supply purchases for the 2025‑26 budget cycle. Both motions passed 6‑0.

- Personnel actions: In executive session the board approved professional and administrative contract packages for 2025‑26. In open session trustees then moved to propose the nonrenewal of teacher Barbara Ann Garcia and to terminate the probationary contract of Christopher Augustine Ramirez; both motions carried on recorded voice votes (each 6‑0). The motion to terminate Ramirez’s probationary contract directed the board president to execute the termination notice and authorized the superintendent to deliver it in accordance with state law.

Board President called for a closed session on employment contracts and personnel matters consistent with Texas Government Code; no other votes were taken in closed session. All formal votes recorded at the April 24 meeting carried unanimously, 6‑0.

The board’s meeting minutes and posted agenda identify more detailed backup for each item (vendor quotes, grant budgets, travel rosters) and the administration said any budget items required to implement new athletic programs will return for board approval once estimates and funding sources are finalized.