Abilene ISD trustees celebrate state qualifiers

The Abilene School District Board of Trustees met on June 8 for their regular monthly meeting, discussing action items that touched on a multitude of topics, such as recognitions and the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

The Abilene High School golf team was recognized as the UIL Golf State Competitor, as well as the school’s boys’ track team who received the same honor.

AHS’ softball team was also recognized for their outstanding effort and sportsmanship that they executed during their season.

Coach Jenna Aguirre praised the team’s effort, noting that all five seniors earned Academic All-State recognition — one of the season’s top highlights.

Alcorta Elementary School nurse Sarah Alexander was recognized as Region 14 School Nurse of the Year.

Throughout her time at Alcorta, Alexander has demonstrated exceptional expertise within the school in terms of her nursing practice — ensuring that she provides high quality care with compassion for students.

Chief of Strategic Operations Jay Ashby presented the STEM reports of Bowie STEM Academy, Purcell STEM Academy and Mann STEM Academy.

The presentation provided the board an update on the district’s expanding STEM/STEAM strategy, student experiences and how the three schools are planning to execute their strategies for the upcoming school year.

So far, all campuses have completed grant-support for the planning year and the first two years of K-1 and PALS implementation. The planning year focuses on campus leaders and staff building an instructional vision, learning from other STEM models and contributing to other STEM-related opportunities to benefit students and their families.

Justin Rosenquist, principal at Purcell STEM Academy, explained that the implementation year was focused on creating a “clear vision and mission for our campuses.”

Rosenquist said, “Our ultimate goal is to build strong STEM campuses for Purcell and Bowie here in Abilene ISD.”

Janaye Wideman, principal at Bowie STEM, discussed how the STEM committee implemented sectors dedicated to STEM education. That includes early teacher training and support in STEM instruction, family engagement in STEM and early STEM experiences.

“Having those fields of experience, as well as where to go to places in order to continue that learning,” Wideman said. “Just connecting what they’re doing in the classroom to the real world and not just learning about these hypothetical situations in math and reading.”

Moving forward, the committee plans to implement new sectors for the upcoming school year.

Some of these include heightened STEM visibility, stakeholder engagement and updated branding.