Published On: March 10th, 2021By Mike Keeney

AISD Trustees Hold March Board Meeting

For the first time in over a year, the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees met as a group as they held their March board meeting on Tuesday, March 9, in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.

All seven Trustees attended the meeting in person, along with Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and her Executive Leadership Team (ELT), to conduct district business and recognize several students and district employees.

Public hearing held on 2019-20 APR

During the March 9 Board meeting, Aldine ISD conducted a public hearing to discuss the district’s annual report. Dawn Ayers, Chief of Strategic Initiative and Accountability, conducted the hearing. The report includes the district and campus Texas Academic Performance (TAPR) reports, district accreditation status, campus performance objectives, a report of violent or criminal incidents, and information received under Texas Education Code 51.403(e) from the Texas Higher Education Coordinator Board. Ayers reported that within the next two weeks, the 2019-20 Annual Performance Report would be disseminated and available in its entirety on the district website.

Trustees approve instructional calendar for 2021-22 school year

During the March 9 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the instructional calendar for the 2021-22 school year. The first day of instruction will be Monday, Aug. 16. Other key dates include:

Labor Day Holiday – Sept. 6
Student Holiday – Oct. 18
Thanksgiving Break – Nov. 22-26
Midwinter Break – Dec. 20-31
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – Jan. 17
Presidents Day – Feb. 21
Spring Break – March 14-18
Student Holiday – April 15
Last Day of Instruction – May 26
Last Day for Teachers – May 27

Black History Orator winners announced

During the March 9 Board meeting, Latashia Abrams, Director of Family and Community Engagement announced the district’s first-ever Black History Oratory competition winners. The event was held in February during Black History Month. In the Ninth Grade and High School category, Minnatullah Embaby of Aldine High School finished in first place. Patience Washington of Eisenhower Ninth Grade School finished second, and Madison Carazes of Eisenhower High School placed third. In the Middle School category, Justina Meta of Teague Middle School finished first, while Kesandra Williams of Hall Success Academy placed second, and Ayana Ned of Hambrick Middle School finished in third place. In the Elementary School category, Viviana Maldonado of Johnson Elementary School finished first, with Davia Gaines of Harris Elementary School placed second, and Umar Syed of Parker Elementary School finished in third place. The three first-place winners recited their speeches during the Board meeting.

Teaching, Learning and Leading Department recognizes a number of AISD employees

During the March 9 Board meeting, Chief of Schools Katy Roede recognized several Aldine ISD teachers and administrators as part of the Teaching, Learning, and Leading presentation.

Nimitz High School was recognized for being named a Dr. Jay Cummings Demonstration School by the Texas Association of Black School Educators (TABSE). During TABSE’s annual conference, Dr. Cummings brought together a select group of high-performing K-12 Demonstration Schools from across the state to share best practices and inspire other school leaders to implement effective practices. Nimitz High School serves as a model and actualization of Dr. Cummings’ vision for all children in every school throughout the world. As a TABSE Demonstration School, Nimitz High School will carry the exemplary torch and distinction of being one of a small and unique group of high-performing majority-minority schools that all schools across the state will be eager to emulate.

Roede also announced that their respective campuses nominated 62 AISD teachers as Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) Campus Teachers of the Year. The 62 teachers were highlighted with a slide show presentation during the board meeting. Keeble Primary teacher Jordan Beale was named the overall winner HAABSE winner.

Roede also recognized Mark Moreno, a Senior Programmer Analyst in the Strategic Initiatives and Accountability Office. Moreno has transformed how the district looks at data and has implemented ways to automate processes to be more efficient and productive. Some of Moreno’s accomplishments include:

development of the Aldine ISD Analytics website to house all newly created dashboards in one easy-to-navigate location
developed an internal dashboard to visually monitor and track confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the Aldine community by zip code as well as monitor positivity rates
developed an external, public-facing dashboard to visually monitor and track confirmed Aldine ISD cases by campus and department facility
developed a Schoology Analytics dashboard to support campus and district leaders in monitoring student engagement and attendance in the district’s learning platform by campus, team, grade level, and demographics
wrote specific code to automate the attendance extraction process from the district’s learning management system, Schoology, to streamline the attendance process for remote learners
was asked to consult with TEA and multiple districts to scale his automated attendance process
developed an easy-to-use process for parents to request learning model changes each nine weeks
is developing visualization tools for district and campus leaders to use in determining opportunities for learning recovery that are aligned to the Board’s newly-adopted Board goals

“Mark embodies every aspect of the district’s leadership definition: to connect, inspire and impact,” Roede said. “He is an invaluable asset to the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Accountability as well as the district’s New Way Forward. We are blessed that Mark has chosen to share his expertise in Aldine to support the continued growth and advancement of the students and staff.”

Halliburton recognized as a valuable business partner with Aldine ISD

Aldine Education Foundation Director Linda Flores Olson left, recognized Halliburton and Melissa Sowell, the company’s manager of community relations, for their service to Aldine ISD as valuable business partners at the Board of Trustees meeting on March 9.

During the March 9 Board meeting, Aldine Education Foundation Director Linda Flores Olson recognized Halliburton and Melissa Sowell, Halliburton’s Manager of Community Relations, as a valuable and generous business partner. During the recent winter storm, Sowell handwrote a check for $10,000 to support Aldine families and students affected by the storm. On Feb. 22, Dr. Martha Escalante, Executive Director of the Family and Community Engagement Department (FACE), organized a water distribution at Aldine High School with Sowell and other Halliburton employees’ assistance. The effort provided food and water to 500 Aldine families. “We are so proud to have Halliburton as a new partner,” Olson said. “I envision us doing great things together for our community. Thank you for your bighearted gift.”

Staff assignments announced

During the March 9 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced two staff assignments.

Sonia Crockett was named an Assistant Principal at Raymond Elementary School after serving as a fifth-grade teacher at that same school.

LeKrystal Guidry was named Curriculum Assistant Principal at Drew Academy after serving as the Lead Counselor at Cook Middle School in CyFair ISD.

Employees recognized

During the March 9 Board meeting, several Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their contributions to the district daily.

Dr. Tamika Alford-Stephens, Chief Business and Operations Officer, recognized the Operations Department for their work in repairing district campuses and damaged facilities during Winter Storm Uri. Dr. Stephens reported that employees in the Maintenance and Buildings and Properties departments worked around the clock to address needed repairs. Derek Sanders serves as Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Milo Ortiz serves as Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, and Herb Harris serves as Executive Director of Maintenance. On Friday, March 5, both departments’ employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication with an ice cream social where they were served sundaes at the Bamberg Professional Development and Resource Center.

Dr. Stephens also recognized Dani Sheffield, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services, for her department being ranked second in the Houston area in Kroger and Children at Risk’s School Food Ranking.

Milo Ortiz, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named Thompson Elementary School as his department’s Building of the Month. The Head Custodian is Rosa Viduarri, and the school’s Principal is Nereida Ochoa.

Grant announced

During the March 9 Board meeting, Stacy Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced one grant.

Avalos P-Tech High School Principal Dr. Diana Del Pilar and teachers Rodelio Abuan and Jonathan Duncan secured a $2,500 grant from State Farm to purchase lab coats that will be used for diagramming newly learned Biology course concepts.

Board approves Action Items

During the March 9 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following Action Items:

Approved the consent agenda
Approved the 2021-22 academic calendar
Approved a request to apply for the Hybrid-Instruction during district-scheduled testing days for K-8^th student waiver
Approved a request to apply for the 40% Campus Hybrid Instruction for 9^th-12^th-grade students waiver
Approved an Interlocal Agreement between Harris County Public Health and Aldine ISD for childhood immunizations
Approved a resolution for pay during district emergency closing for Winter Storm Uri Feb. 14-Feb. 23
Approved a revised payday schedule for 2020-21
Approved bids for awards, incentives and spirit apparel, instructional supplies, professional counseling services, senior graduation items, charter bus and transportation services, rental of cargo vehicles, basketball supplies and equipment, cross country and track supplies and equipment, depository services, lawn equipment repairs, demolition/clean up crew, plumbing, fixtures, and supplies, swimming pool maintenance and contract renewals
Approved contracts of purchases of more than $50,000
Approved General Fund Budget Amendment for Period 9 for the 2020-21 school year
Approved monthly Tax Office refunds