Alpine ISD receives ‘historic’ $575,000 investment amid state funding shortage

Editor’s Note: The video above first aired in May 2024.

ALPINE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Alpine ISD Board of Trustees accepted a $575,000 investment from the Prentice Farrar Brown Alline Brown Foundation, which the district said will be used for capital improvement projects that will impact every student and staff member.

“This donation is an incredible vote of confidence in the amazing things that our staff make happen every day in Alpine ISD. We are honored to be entrusted with this donation, which we will use to continue the legacy of excellence and stewardship we are known for in our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rinehart.

The donation comes as Alpine ISD and many other school districts across Texas are facing budget deficits due to a lack of state funding, historic inflation, and nuances of the state funding formula that persistently underfund some rural school districts.

Alpine ISD said due to these factors, the district only receives 85% of its state-determined funding allotment each year, ranking AISD in the bottom two percentile in the state of Texas. The district also said these funding losses have resulted in millions of dollars in deferred maintenance across AISD.

“This donation funds so many different projects across our district, from updating facilities that were in dire need of repair or replacement to funding opportunities we really wanted to make happen for our kids. From students to staff, everyone in Alpine ISD will be impacted by this investment,” said Alpine ISD Board President Eddie Natera.

The donation will fund 17 projects across the district, including school supplies for all Alpine ISD students for the 2024-25 school year, funding a grow-your-own teacher certification program, as well as teacher and staff member of the month programs.

In addition to many more projects, $300,000 of the donation will be paired with $280,000 in grant funding to install new playgrounds at Alpine Elementary and Alpine Middle School. Plans include a new, age-appropriate playground for the Prekindergarten programs, as well as near complete overhauls of the playgrounds for Kindergarten through second grades and third through fourth grades.

“Some of the playground equipment at Alpine Elementary dates back to the 1960s and has served our community well for generations. We’re thrilled to be able to update these play spaces for the children of Alpine thanks to the generosity of the Brown Foundation,” Rinehart said.

A new, activity-based playground will also be installed on the north side of Alpine Middle School for 5th and 6th grade students there.

This donation was orchestrated following an introduction made by leaders from Permian Basin Area Foundation, a Midland-based organization focused on partnering with donors to enrich the quality of life in West Texas communities.

“We appreciate the energy that the leadership of Alpine ISD has brought to the community to support student success. We commend Dr. Rinehart on her tireless efforts advocating for students of AISD and are honored to connect her with other funders across the state,” Permian Basin Area Foundation Grants Officer Raymond Williams shared.

Here’s a quick look at the 17 projects this donation will help fund:

• Teacher of the Month program
• Staff Member of the Month program
• Promethean boards for every elective classroom at Alpine Elementary School
• Retrofitting the Alpine Middle School marquee, so the district can share announcements, news, celebrations, and more with the community
• New kiln for the Alpine High School art classes
• Grow Your Own Teacher Certification Program
• The $30,000 Fightin’ Buck Teacher Project Fund, that funds $100-$300 classroom grants for fun projects and activities
• Promethean boards for every elective classroom at Alpine Middle School
• A new shade cover structure for the playground at the Alpine Child Development Center
• A new etching press for the AHS art classes
• School supplies for every single Alpine ISD student for the 2024-25 school year
• Interior digital signage at Alpine Elementary: video displays for announcements, celebrations, welcome messages, etc.
• Interior digital signage at AMS
• A 3D laser printer/engraver at AHS to print signs, plaques, awards, and more
• A retrofit of the AES marquee
• New PK, K-2, and 3rd/4th playgrounds at AES
• A new activity-based playground at AMS for fifth and sixth graders

You can read more about the projects the donation will help to fund and learn more about the Prentice Farrar Brown Alline Brown Foundation on the Alpine ISD website here .

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