Hello Thomas Elementary families,
This week, the Abilene ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a resolution supporting the district’s Building Brighter Futures plan. I want you to hear directly from me about the changes this plan will bring to Thomas.
The focus of Building Brighter Futures is to ensure that every student in Abilene ISD receives the highest quality education possible. After gathering community feedback and studying our district’s changing enrollment and student needs throughout 2024, we learned that we can offer better learning experiences to more students if we strategically operate fewer school buildings. With fewer students living in our attendance zones than other AISD elementaries, Thomas and Ortiz elementary schools have been chosen to begin a sunsetting process next year.
This means that in 2025-26, Thomas will only serve students in grades 2-5 (current first through fourth graders). Students in the Newcomer program will return to attending the campus zoned to their home address. In 2026-27, the Thomas building will keep its name, but will be repurposed and no longer serve as an elementary school in Abilene ISD.
I know this news may be difficult to hear. However, I want to personally reassure you that we care deeply about our students and staff at Thomas, and we are committed to taking great care of you and your family as Thomas and AISD move into this new chapter. As a result of this change, Thomas families will have the opportunity to choose to attend Taylor, Martinez, Purcell, or Bowie elementaries, as space allows.
Join us at Thomas for our upcoming parent meetings on Thursday, January 23, with AISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn, who will share more details. Use this schedule to select the best time for your family to attend:
If your last name begins with letter A-M, please attend: 5:00-5:45 p.m.
If your last name begins with letter N-Z, please attend: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
If you are a parent of a student in the Newcomer program: 7:00-7:45 p.m.
To help you determine which school may be the best fit for you and your student, you are also invited to join us at each of these upcoming family preview nights:
Taylor Elementary: Monday, January 27, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Martinez Elementary: Tuesday, January 28, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Purcell Elementary: Wednesday, January 29, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Bowie Elementary: Thursday, January 30, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Finally, I encourage you to visit and bookmark www.abileneisd.org/brighterfutures, where a school selection form for 2025-26 will be available beginning Monday, January 27. This page will be a primary source of information about next steps and key questions.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to helping you and your family navigate this process!
Shannon Marshall, Principal