Aldine ISD Trustees Hold Monthly Board Meeting on Feb. 9

Aldine ISD Trustees held their Feb. 9 Board meeting with some Trustees attending live in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building and others via videoconference per the modified open meetings act by order of Gov. Greg Abbott. Board President Paul Shanklin and Member Steve Mead joined Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and her Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in the Board Room. At the same time, Vice-President Dr. Kimberley Booker, Secretary Connie Esparza, Assistant Secretary Rose Avalos, and Members Dr. Viola M. García and Randy Bates took part in the meeting via videoconference.

Staff Assignments Announced

During the Feb. 9 meeting, Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced five staff assignments.

Gérman Enamorado was named Executive Director of Transportation after serving as Senior Operations Manager with Houston ISD.

Kimberly Sinclair was named Director of Interventions after serving as a Program Director of Dyslexia Services.

Ana Zamarripa-Hicks was named Program Coordinator in the Transformation office after serving as Dean of Instruction at Fondren IB Middle School in Houston ISD.

José Díaz was named Principal of Orange Grove Elementary School after serving as an Assistant Principal at Grantham Academy.

Torrie Richardson was named Assistant Principal at Carver High School after serving as Ascending to Men Project Program Manager with Houston ISD.

Teaching, Learning, and Leading Department Recognizes Several AISD Employees

During the Feb. 9 Board meeting, Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Academic Officer, and Katy Roede, Chief of Schools, recognized several AISD employees as part of the Teaching, Learning, and Leading presentation.

Teague Middle School Counselors Demetria Bryand, Allison Cormier-Rus, Nicolandria Kelley, and Dyann Wilson were recognized for creating a positive student and staff culture on the campus, according to Teague Principal Kimberly Dussette. The five also responded to the pandemic, which has affected parents and students, by creating a Virtual Calming Room, Take Care Tuesdays, and THOUGHTFUL Thursdays.

Valonia Walker, the Communications Specialist, was recognized for earning the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) distinction by successfully completing a comprehensive examination governed by the Universal Accreditation Board. APR’s fundamental purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience, and professional judgment in the field. Sheleah Reed, Chief Communications Officer, awarded Walker her APR pin.

Shaina Glass, Program Director of Technology Applications and STEM, for her impact on developing Computer Science and STEM in Aldine ISD. Glass has partnered with Rice University to bring Computer Science to Aldine for elementary and middle school students. She has also created the Hour of Code district events to celebrate Computer Science Education Week at all campuses in Aldine. Additionally, Glass created the district STEMFest, a district showcase of Computer Science and STEM for students in third-eighth grades. Glass also provides professional development opportunities with several partnerships and business partners.

Demedia Edwards, Director of Literacy, and Dr. Matt Warford, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, were recognized for launching Aldine’s inaugural Literacy Matters Conference held on Jan. 30. The conference is part of the district’s bold journey to transform literacy instruction in Aldine by implementing high-quality literacy curricula in grades K-8.

East Aldine Management District Recognized by AEF, District

During the Feb. 9 Board meeting, Aldine Education Director Linda Flores-Olson recognized the East Aldine Management District for the support they have provided Aldine over the years. Since 2012, the East Aldine Management District has provided financial support to AEF’s student scholarships and innovative teaching grants. They have also been a constant supporter of the district’s Educator of the Year Awards and have provided funding for $481,776 during their years of support of the district. East Aldine Management District Board Member Abel Garza, who also serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Governmental Relations and Constituent Services for AISD, represented the Management District at the Feb. 9 Board meeting.

Aldine Sports Association Recognized for Their Generosity to AISD Families

During the Feb. 9 Board meeting, Dr. Martha Escalante, Executive Director of the Family And Community Engagement Department, recognized Nimitz High grad and Houston Texans defensive back Michael Thomas and MacArthur High grad and current MacArthur High teacher Patrick James for providing 100 $100 Randall’s gift cards to Aldine families. Thomas, who attended Stanford University, founded the Aldine Sports Association and worked with Randall’s to donate 100 Randall’s gift cards to 100 Aldine families. The FACE Department coordinated the distribution of the gift cards. Each campus in AISD received a gift card to give to a family in need. “Anytime I’ve had a chance to give back in my career, I give back to Aldine,” Thomas said. “That’s where my passion is.”

MacArthur High grad and current MacArthur teacher Patrick James (left), and Nimitz High grad and Houston Texans defensive back Michael Thomas, right, pose with FACE Executive Director Dr. Martha Escalante after James and Thomas were honored at the Feb. 9 Aldine ISD Board of Trustees meeting. Along with Randall’s, the two provided 100 $100 gift cards to families in Aldine ISD.

Employees Recognized

During the Feb. 9 Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their daily contributions to the district.

Milo Ortiz, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named MacArthur Ninth Grade School as his department’s Building of the Month. María Berruete Ibarra services as the school’s Head Custodian, and Dr. Yul Everline is the school’s Principal.

Christina Riojas, Director of Transportation, named Bridgitte Mojena as the department’s Employee of the Month. Mojena works at the Northside Transportation Department as a bus driver. On Jan. 27, while stopped in a neighborhood near Teague, an individual boarded her bus without permission. Mojena quickly got the five students on her bus safely off of it, and Precinct 4 Deputies arrived on the scene and arrested the individual. Aldine ISD Police Chief Paul Cordova also awarded Mojena a commendation for her actions during the Feb. 9 Board meeting.

Grants Announced

During the Feb. 9 Board meeting, Stacy Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced two grants.

Orange Grove Elementary Principal José Díaz and Counselor Tarena Berry secured a $500 grant from the New York Life Foundation and the National Alliance for Grieving Children to provide bereavement counseling curriculum materials.

Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Executive Director Dr. Martha Escalante and FACE Specialist Ivan Tamayo secured a $5,000 grant from the Aldine Noon Optimist Club. The funds will be used for FACE’s “Book in the Hand” program. The goal of the program is to put a book in the hands of 3,000 Aldine students.

The grants announced at the Feb. 9 Board meeting totaled $5,500.

Trustees Approve Action Items

During the Feb. Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved the consent agenda
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with AVANCE, Houston, Inc – Head Start
• Approved an Interlocal Agreement between Harris County Department of Education and Aldine ISD for Campus Security Audits
• Approved an Interlocal Agreement between Harris County Public Health Department and Aldine ISD for a Mobile Dental Clinic
• Approved bids for instructional supplies, photography services, professional and counseling services, restaurant, food and catering vendors, travel and tour services, dry cleaning and alteration services, and bid contract renewals
• Approved contracts of purchases of more than $50,000
• Approved the General Fund Budget Amendment for Period 8 of the 2020-21 school year
• Approved monthly Tax Office refunds

The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9.