Abilene ISD board reviews plan to shift Center for Innovation from STEM to fine-arts fifth-grade program

The Abilene ISD board heard a proposal at a workshop to reorient the Center for Innovation — a fifth-grade program housed in partnership with McMurray — from its long-standing STEM focus toward a fine-arts–focused model while keeping state-required core instruction.

The change, presented by Carrie Thornburg, Abilene ISD's executive director of elementary, and Clay Johnson, executive director of fine arts, would keep TEA-aligned core coursework and add daily fine-arts instruction across art, music, theater and dance. "We don't wanna take away the experiences that the students are having, but instead to enhance an area that we think is really exciting," Thornburg said, adding that the district would continue to cover math and science even after the shift: "doesn't mean that we're we're ditching math and science. We're still covering those those core areas and still doing above and beyond in science and math."

Why it matters: the Center for Innovation currently serves about 50 fifth graders in two classrooms and has partnered with McMurray since 2009. The district framed the proposal as an expansion of parental choice and a response to community feedback that some families sought alternatives to a strictly STEM-centered option. Presenters said the district would monitor application interest and could expand if demand grows.

Program details and student experience: Johnson said the proposed model would provide daily fine-arts instruction four days a week and a fifth day for students to pursue a declared specialty. "This then allows them on that fifth day to pursue something that they really are passionate about," he said, describing specialty work in studios or focused environments and year-end interdisciplinary showcases, guest artists, and expanded field trips with community partners such as Young Audiences of Abilene and the Grace Museum. Presenters also noted continued collaboration with the Abilene Philharmonic and other community partners for performances and field experiences.

Enrollment, selection and oversight: Presenters said the application process would remain selective and voluntary, with academic and behavior criteria and an opt-in/opt-out window that concludes in May so families can decide before students enter fifth grade. Thornburg added the district plans quarterly oversight meetings with McMurray and AISD curriculum and fine-arts staff to maintain TEKS alignment and vertical progression into middle school.

Public comment and concerns: During public comment, elementary teacher Tammy Fogle said she brought classroom experience to the board and urged caution. Fogle warned that project-based learning and transformative social-emotional learning can shift teacher roles and emphasized concern about prioritizing cultural literacy over basic literacy skills. "I'm a little sick to my stomach because I don't like, coming up and knowing that I have to say hard things, but it's because I care," she told the board, and later: "Project based learning is teaching skills beyond the academic. It's a learner centered environment." Presenters responded to the concerns by stressing that core academics would remain, that the program would be voluntary, and that McMurray leaders have been collaborative and supportive during planning.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members asked whether the fine-arts focus would harm the district's strong fine-arts record or improve it, how McMurray had reacted (presenters said McMurray was enthusiastic and invested), and whether students could still participate in home-campus UIL events (presenters said yes). Officials said they expect to begin the model next year and to coordinate branding and communications with McMurray before returning to the board with updates.

The meeting moved into closed session later in the evening under the Texas Government Code and adjourned at 7:17 p.m.