Area city representatives gathered with the Aubrey ISD trustees to discuss the growth and developments happening throughout the area at the AISD special meeting Oct. 1.
Aubrey ISD is experiencing a significant rise in student enrollment, with around 4,850 students enrolled.
The average number of students per grade level is about 300, with some grades above 400 students, and one around 200.
The district has also become increasingly diverse, with more than 50 different languages spoken. The ESL program now serves about 675 students.
“I would say probably 10 or 12 years ago, we had maybe two or three languages,” Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor said. “We’ve really increased our demographics.”
Aubrey ISD’s goal is to offer something for every student, including gamers.
Esports were recently added to the extracurricular activities, and last year, one student received a full-ride scholarship for esports.
“If you have a child, grandchild, niece or nephew who says, ‘Hey, I want Splatoon 3 for Christmas,’ get it for them,” Dr. Saylor said.
The district is also expanding its Career and Technical Education programs to help students leave high school workforce ready.
“We figured out we were making kids college-eligible, but were they college-ready? And did they want to take on that debt? A lot of them did not,” Saylor said. “Texas has shifted its focus to CCMR— College, Career and Military Readiness.”
Through CTE, students can earn 13 certifications across 16 programs in seven career fields, including animation, entrepreneurship, sports medicine, fire academy, teaching and programming.
Next year, the district plans to add cosmetology, plumbing and carpentry.
In the future, the goal is to expand to include accounting and finance, automotive technology and engineering.
“You could be doing somebody's hair, nails, be an esthetician and funding your college if that's the path you choose,” Saylor added.
State Rep. Jared Patterson, District 106, also participated in the meeting, discussing the record $8.5 billion in education funding this year.
“That means $3.2 million annually for Aubrey ISD,” Patterson said. “That’s a big win for Aubrey and new money coming in from the state level. Most of it is geared toward teacher pay, school safety and support for special needs students.”
He also addressed the new changes to public school testing.
Starting in the 2027–28 school year, the STAAR test will be removed.
In its place, students will take three shorter tests that will be spread throughout the year.
The results are expected to be sent back within 48 hours to help schools adjust instruction to meet the students’ needs faster.
Patterson also discussed the $51 billion in property tax relief that was passed.
Aubrey’s population is also increasing.
The city’s sign lists 10,000 residents, but City Manager Charles Kreidler estimates the number is around 11,000.
The additional Aubrey ISD communities—Providence Village, Cross Roads and Krugerville—are also growing.
Kreidler also shared plans for a new community activity area.
“We have 29 acres,” he said. “We’re building a fourplex: baseball, football, soccer, pickleball [and] parking lot. That was it. I’ve asked to try to get some tennis courts on there.”
The design phase is expected to be completed within two years. Developers are taking notice of Aubrey’s growth.
“Developers are telling me that Aubrey is what people are talking about,” Kreidler said. “They’re talking about the school district. They’re willing to come here because of the opportunities we have. It’s difficult to find land that’s reasonable, but this is where everyone wants to be.”
Paisley McGee/The Post-Signal
