Superintendent Goffney Participates in Press Conference Along With U.S. Rep. Sylvia García

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Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney joined U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia García at a press conference to discuss the importance of the U.S. Senate passing the HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act. The press conference was held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney delivers remarks during a press conference and U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia García on the importance of passing the HEROES Act.

The HEROES act would benefit families by bringing economic relief, increase food assistance for children, and provide funding for Aldine ISD and school districts across the country.

Representative García said the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the HEROES Act in March of 2020, and she said it’s now time for the U.S. Senate to do the same.

“Children in my community needed help nearly four months ago when we (the U.S. House) passed the HEROES Act,” García said. “Families need another stimulus check. Students, parents, and teachers still need access to technology and reliable Internet. And teachers need reassurances that their safety, and the safety of their students, will be prioritized by the Congress and the White House.”

Goffney thanked García for her support of the HEROES Act and promoting the importance of its passage.

“I am thankful for her (García) leadership,” Goffney said. “She hasn’t forgotten her home. She puts children first.”

Goffney also lauded the efforts of Aldine ISD’s Child Nutrition Services Department under the direction of Executive Director Dani Sheffield, which provided 1.6 million curbside meals to the Aldine community from March-July and another 54,000 meals the first seven days of the 2020-21 school year. She also saluted Chief Business and Operations Officer Dr. Tamika Alford-Stephens and her department for making devices (such as Chromebooks) available to AISD students to learn from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And she assured the crowd that when schools reopen on Sept. 21, Aldine will require universal masking for all students, staff, and campus visitors, provide hand hygiene stations at all campuses and support facilities and practice social distancing.

“While we will prioritize safety, we will not sacrifice learning,” Goffney said.

Representative García said the HEROES Act would provide $100 billion in direct K-12 emergency funding, including funds for protective equipment for teachers and funds to improve students’ Internet access. It would also provide $1 trillion in state and local funding to prevent deep public education cuts.

Other speakers at the press conference included Aldine ATF President Candis Houston, Houston ISD parent Elizabeth Aguilar and David Haynes from BakerRipley.

BakerRipley held a food distribution during the event, which provided food for between 500 and 600 families.

Aldine ISD Board Vice President Rose Avalos, Board Secretary Connie Esparza, and Board Member Steve Mead also attended the press conference.