AISD Trustees Hold March Board Meeting

The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees held their March Board meeting on Tuesday, March 24.

Aldine ISD Trustees hold their March Board meeting on March 24.

Board President Paul Shanklin, Vice-President Rose Avalos, Assistant Secretary Dr. Kimberley Booker and Member Steve Mead joined Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and some members of her Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in the Board Room at the Donaldson Administration Building, while Secretary Connie Esparza and Members Dr. Viola M. Garcia and  Randy Bates participated in the meeting via video conferencing.

Following the invocation by Mr. Mead, Ms. Avalos read the Board’s ethic statement and statement of purpose.

Board members then unanimously approved the minutes from the Feb. 11 meeting and the emergency meeting held on March 19.

Dr. Goffney then had members of her ELT who are chairing committees on the district’s Coronavirus Task Force provide updates to the Board.

Chief of Schools Dr. Katy Roede shared with the Board that her committee is monitoring updates from the CDC, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and shared with the Board that the UIL has suspended all UIL-sponsored events until May 4. She also said her committee is working with Maisha Guidry, program director of health services, to assess the needs of parents and students.

Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Javier Villarreal, who chairs the Human Capital Committee, reported his committee is answering questions from district employees on a daily basis concerning pay, and leave issues. He said the Human Resources Department will continue to recruit teachers for the 2020-21 school year and is working with the district’s student teachers to place them on campuses for the next school year.

Chief of Academics Dr. Todd Davis shared what the district is doing to assist students with virtual learning so they can continue to learn from home. The digital learning team, headed by Akilah Willery, developed an at home hub that families can use for on-line learning. Dr. Davis also reported his team has developed five non-digital activities families can engage in to keep student’s minds and bodies sharp and that his department is reminding parents to emphasize reading with their children.

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Tamika Alford-Stephens reported that the district will receive state aid and that all of Aldine’s vendors will be paid for services rendered. Her department is in the process of revising the district’s budget planning and calendar for the 2020-21 school year. She reported to the Board that the district will still be required to submit a budget for the next school year on July 1.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Selina Chapa updated the Board on the operations department. She told the Board landscaping services will continue throughout the district and that the district’s fleet of buses will be maintained during the extended closure of school.

She also lauded the district’s Child Nutrition Services Department (CNS) for the success of its curbside meal service, which has provided breakfast and lunch to more than 48,000 Aldine families in its first seven days of service.

“It is hard work, but our CNS employees are there with a smile on their face,” Dr. Chapa said. “I am extremely proud of them and the work they are doing.”

Chief Communications Office Sheleah Reed provided an update on the information her department has posted concerning Coronavirus and processes the district has in place to address parents and students via social media, the district’s website and local media outlets. The department has created a Health Alert page on the district website. She added that each Monday the district will send out a message from Dr. Goffney updating district staff and the latest information concerning Coronavirus.

Mr. Shanklin commended Dr. Goffney and her team for how quickly an professionally the district has responded to the pandemic.

“The Board appreciates all the work your team is putting together,” he said. “We (Aldine ISD) are looked at setting the standard.”

The Board then approved the consent agenda before going into executive session to discuss personnel and litigation issues.