The Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees met Monday evening for a special session focused on two significant decisions: the adoption of the 2026–2027 district calendar and a shift in the district’s employee insurance program. Both items passed unanimously after detailed presentations from administrators.
Deputy Superintendent Kevin Phillips briefed the board on the months-long calendar development process, noting that district staff reviewed 21 different calendar models before proposing a final version. Phillips told trustees that the approved calendar includes 175 instructional days, a number that not only exceeds state requirements for instructional minutes but also allows AISD to participate in the state’s Additional Day School Year (ADSY) program. Phillips emphasized the financial and academic benefits, explaining that the calendar “provides for 175 instructional days and exceeds requirements for the number of minutes in the school year,” enabling the district to pursue additional intervention opportunities and the funding tied to ADSY.
The calendar also includes 187 contractual days for teachers, with designated meeting days on Nov. 11, 18, 20, 21 and Dec. 2, 9 and 12, 2026. According to district reports, the calendar committee—made up of elected teachers, district staff, and parent, community, and business representatives—considered stakeholder feedback, training requirements, testing schedules, and state mandates before finalizing its recommendation.
Phillips noted that the committee sought to balance instructional needs with staff and family priorities. One example was eliminating school days on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, a widely unpopular feature in past calendars. He said that AISD would now follow the practice of 50 of the largest districts in Texas in offering a full week off for Thanksgiving.
Another factor driving the 175-day structure is the district’s ability to offer extended summer learning. Phillips said these days benefit students who are required to attend summer school due to academic struggles as well as those seeking to earn additional credits. The expanded instructional calendar also draws additional state funding, helping offset summer program costs. “Working with Daniel (West), CFO for AISD, we estimate on the low end that we can recruit about a million dollars of that cost and in certain circumstances, 100% of it,” Phillips said. “Right now, we’re spending about $1.8 million. You cannot get a seat at that table unless you have 175 instructional days in your calendar.” The motion to adopt the 2026–2027 calendar passed unanimously.
Following the calendar vote, the board turned to the district’s health insurance plan, a topic introduced by Board President Deidre Parish. Parish explained that AISD’s self-funded insurance model—once praised for its flexibility and cost control—had become financially unsustainable due to rising medical claims and increasing costs. After extended discussions with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), administrators recommended joining the TRS Active Care program, beginning July 1 and aligning fully with the TRS plan year on Aug. 31.
District reports indicate that 87% of AISD staff are expected to see reduced costs under the new plan, though about 13% may face increases. The TRS plan is expected to open for enrollment in a three-month window between March and May of 2026. TRS currently contracts with Blue Cross, though that provider could change after the spring rebid.
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