Each new school year brings a fresh promise of excitement and renewed enthusiasm for learning. Teachers return eager to meet new students, and students return with intellectual curiosity and a desire to rekindle friendships and meet their new teachers,
This year is particularly exciting for AISD as voters in the district passed a $45 million bond election on May 10, giving students an opportunity to have updated athletic facilities, updated science labs, updated technology, and a new Phase I of a high school to be used as a middle school.
Students in third and fourth grades will have classroom sets of iPads in each class. In grades 5-8 students will have an individual Chromebook. Decisions about which device to provide to AHS students will be made this school year. Projection devices for teachers will also be provided.
The upgrades will enhance the current tennis facilities. Tennis courts are limited to four courts currently; passage of the bond allows the district to all four courts and put lights on all eight tennis courts. This will allow Argyle to involve more students in the tennis program and to host tournaments. Argyle participates in team and individual tennis.
Baseball and softball programs will receive updates. Both baseball and softball fields will be full turf. Seating at both fields will be increased and corrugated steel outfield fences will be added. There will be a gated entry to enhance the appearance of the complex and allow for ticket taking.
At the football stadium, seating on both the home and visitor sides will be increased. A field house for girls will be added. This addition will serve both soccer and cross country/track. Restrooms for visitors will be added to the visitors’ concession area. The concession area was plumbed for restrooms in 2008.
An indoor activity center will be utilized by band, tennis, baseball and softball and football. This facility will have locker rooms and a 60-yard field.
The middle school will be ready by fall 2016 and will accommodate up to 750 students in grades 6-8. The high school will continue at the current location until there is sufficient bonding capacity to build Phase II of the high school. The next bond will likely be in 2019.
In January 2014, the district received the results of a demographic study that Bob Templeton completed. The district enrollment is projected to double in eight years. Denton Central Appraisal District projects the tax valuation doubling in five years. This is unprecedented growth for AISD. The large housing developments Canyon Falls and Harvest are bringing 1,200 and 2,500 homes to the area.
New positions added in Argyle this year included a high school assistant band director and an additional middle school coach. A second athletic trainer was added; a strength and conditioning coach will work with both female and male athletes.
AHS won a fifth Lone Star Cup, the third in a row. The Lone Star Cup represents the highest number of UIL points in the state. Each classification receives a cup. The AHS band received the Texas Exemplary Band Award at the Texas Bandmasters Association meeting in San Antonio this summer.
Dr. Telena Wright, superintendent
Argyle Independent School District
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