Aldine ISD Leaders Meet With Business, Community Partners

The executive leadership updated partners on the District’s strategic design process, completed bond projects and legislative agenda priorities.

Superintendent LaTonya M. Goffney (right) speaks with a partner at the Business Advisory Luncheon held Dec. 7 at the M. O. Campbell Educational Center.

Recently, Aldine ISD partners gathered at the Business Advisory Luncheon held at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center to hear from the executive leadership who shared key updates and the District’s key focus areas for the Texas 86th Legislative Regular Session, which starts January 8.

AISD Plans for the Future

Dawn Ayers-Rodríguez, executive director of assessment, accountability and school improvement; and Katie Roede, director of strategic planning and school improvement, gave an update on the District’s strategic design. The duo form part of Superintendent LaTonya Goffney’s Transition Team. They gave an overview of the timeline for the process that began in spring 2017. The District continues to develop and seek input from stakeholders. The team, along with the Board of Trustees, will finalize the vision, mission, goals and beliefs in spring 2019.

District Asks Legislature to Invest in Kids

District leaders are also planning ahead for the Texas 86th Legislative Regular Session, which begins in January. Dr. Selina Chapa, deputy superintendent, provided an overview the District’s key focus areas:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]School finance reform [/li] [li]State evaluation system [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]School safety infrastructure fund[/li] [li]Funding full-day prekindergarten for eligible four-year-olds [/li][/ul]

On a local scale, AISD is pushing for more awareness about the importance and impact early childhood education has on students. AISD, which currently offers free full-day PK for eligible four-year-olds, launched in October a pilot program for 3-year-olds. 

Goffney, a strong supporter of prekindergarten programs, hopes business and community partners will support the effort to have the state fund full-day PreK for all eligible four-year-olds.

“We must ensure we are helping these students develop the skills they need to be reading at third–grade level before they enter third grade,” said Goffney. “I hope business and community partners realize that early childhood education matters for the kind of future individuals will have. It is also an investment in the kind of future we as a community will have.”

The community showed its commitment to invest in students when voters overwhelmingly passed the 2015 Bond Referendum. Patrick Mouton, executive director of facilities, planning and construction, shared information about completed projects, which included technology upgrades, renovations and expansions. However, the biggest projects came to fruition when the District opened six new campuses in August 2018, and two new schools that replaced the older campuses.

Creating Successful Partnerships

Before closing the luncheon, Goffney thanked partners for their support of the District, students and staff members.

If you would like to become a business partner, contact Lori Gray, [email protected].

All in. All Students. Always!