AISD Trustees Hold Monthly Board Meeting

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The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees held their April board meeting on Tuesday, May 18, in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.

Ermel Elementary Principal Eric Torres left, and Knippel Education Center (KEC) Principal Gerald Schattle pose with Candis Houston, center, and members of the Aldine Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) at the Aldine ISD Trustees meeting. AFT donated gift certificates to the two campuses to purchase books through the First Book organization.

All seven Trustees attended the meeting live, along with Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and members of her Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Aldine ISD Employees to Receive One-time Checks for Efforts During Pandemic 

During the May 18 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved a resolution to give all district employees a one-time incentive and retention payment. The Board of Trustees approved a resolution to give all employees a one-time incentive and retention payment of $1,500 to exempt staff and $1,000 to non-exempt staff for going above and beyond their duties and responsibilities during an unprecedented school year.

The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees has always been intentional when allocating financial resources. It has made it a priority to invest in recruiting, retaining, and developing the best team for Aldine ISD students and families. They believe, without a doubt, that there is no better investment to make than in our incredible educators and staff.

At the meeting Superintendent, Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney expressed that the dedication shown by district staff has not gone unnoticed.

“Please accept this check on behalf of the Aldine ISD board of trustees as a tangible expression of appreciation for the dedication you bring to work each day. Thank you for teaching and working in extraordinary ways this school year.”

Staff can expect to receive their one-time check in June.

Board President Paul Shanklin said he was proud he and his fellow Trustees had the opportunity to thank Aldine ISD’s hard-working staff members.

“This last year has been challenging in so many ways, but our employees never wavered,” Mr. Shanklin said. “They came through for our students, parents, and the community, and we as a Board are proud we can show you all how much we value you and the work you have done.”

Board Vice-President Dr. Kimberley Booker also thanked the district’s employees.

“We can’t thank all of you enough for the long hours, the innovative ideas you came up with to continue educating, feeding, transporting, and supporting our students. All of our devoted staff members well deserve this bonus,” she said.

Board Secretary Connie Esparza said she was impressed with how the district’s staff addressed online learning and other issues that arose during the pandemic.

“Every time we asked questions, you had the answers,” she said. “You all were innovative and creative in your approach to online learning, and we could not have gotten through this pandemic without all of you working as a team.”

Assistant Secretary Rose Avalos said she was not surprised by how Aldine’s staff responded to the call to action.

“As a former educator, I know how important teamwork is, and we have a wonderful group of team members throughout Aldine who put their students and their community first,” Ms. Avalos said. “I am proud to be a product of this great school district and am proud to be a member of a Board that recognizes and rewards hard work.”
Board Member Dr. Viola M. García, who serves as President of the National School Boards Association, said she was proud to share Aldine’s story with her cohorts from across the country.

“I love to brag to my cohorts across the country and in Texas about how special Aldine ISD is, and it is truly a special place with so many special people,” Dr. Garcia said. “The dedication our teachers and staff show to our students and the community is something worth bragging about.”

Board Member Randy Bates was impressed with the work ethic displayed by staff members during the pandemic.

“As the newcomer to the Board, I have been impressed with the work ethic displayed by our teachers, child nutrition staff, custodians, operations personnel, and our support staff. You put our kids first,” Mr. Bates said. “These bonuses are our way of saying we appreciate you and are so fortunate you chose Aldine ISD.”

Board Member Steve Mead said a special spirit among Aldine staff shines through during challenging times.

“I’ve been in Aldine most of my life, and I am always amazed by the can-do spirit that exists,” Mr. Mead said. “We faced many challenges when the pandemic began, but our wonderful staff was up to meeting those challenges and seeing to it that our students continued to learn. I’m glad we could say thank you with a little boost.”

Staff assignments approved

 During the May 18 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced five staff assignments.

Kathleen Avery was named Executive Director of Talent Acquisition with the Human Resources Department after serving as a Senior Director of Human Resources at McKeeson Pharmaceutical Solutions and Services.

Juan Toscano was named Principal of de Santiago Primary School after serving as an Assistant Principal at Keeble Primary School.

Angela Singletary was named Director of Health Services after serving as Program Manager for Specialized Nursing and Homebound Services in Fort Bend ISD.

Richard Kelly was named Senior HR Benefits Manager after serving as a Consultant at Spurrier Benefits Consulting.

Keli Atchison was named Payroll Manager after serving as Payroll Supervisor in Spring ISD.

Aldine ISD honors employees with 30-, 35- and 40-years of service to the district

 During the May 18 Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD recognized and honored employees who have devoted 30-, 35- and 40-years to Aldine ISD.

The 30-year recipients were featured in a PowerPoint presentation. Those receiving their 30-year pins this year were: Bettie “BJ” Schroeder, Caroline Villarreal, Cheryl Ballard, David Isaac, Dawnelle Carroll, Deborah Butler, Dora Recio, Dorothy Ayala, Elizabeth Hensley, Innetta Carter, Jeanette Mercer, Katheryn Kelly, Laura Wong, and Lori Herzik. Other 30-year pin recipients were: Lynda Eastland, Mary Bishop, Misty Cartwright, Delma Molina, Peggy McCanna, Perla Davila, Phyllis Brown, Regina McGrough, Rhonda (RJ) Clark, Shannon Pearson-Bobb, Sonia Pace-Inkster, Timothy Mrazek, Tony Padgett, and Colleen Powell. Other 30-year pin recipients were: San J. Benavides, Barbara Fontenot, Jerri Moss, Robert Thomas, Thomas Tillman, Dora Trevino, Vincent Cartwright, Debra Edwards, Priscilla Lindeen, Kelly Turner, Wilma Wilkerson, Tomas Zamora, and Maria Perez.

The 35-year pin recipients were introduced at the Board meeting. They were: Francisco Bernal, Pamela Burgay, Wanda Higgins, Denise Keaton, George Molina, and Melissa Raymond.

The 40-year pin recipients were also introduced at the Board meeting. They were: Allison Hamacher, Franklin Higgins, and Linda Hamlin.

Teaching, Learning and Leading Department recognizes Principals of the Year, SHABE teachers

During the May 18 Board meeting, the Teaching, Learning, and Leading Department recognized the district’s Principal’s of the Year and 102 SHABE (Suburban Houston Association for Bilingual Education) teachers.

Katy Roede, Chief of Schools, introduced Shauna Showers as the district’s Elementary Principal of the Year. She is the campus leader of Stephens Elementary School. Mrs. Roede announced that Heather Peterson was named the district’s Secondary Principal of the Year. She is the campus leader of MacArthur High School. Mrs. Roede announced that Kimberly Dussette was named the district’s Rookie Principal of the Year. Mrs. Dussette is the campus leader at Teague Middle School, which she attended when she was a student in Aldine ISD.

Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Academic Officer, honored the district’s 102 SHABE teachers. SHABE is an organization created by a former Aldine ISD teacher to promote educational opportunities and recognition for bilingual and ESL teachers. Dr. Davis presented a slideshow with pictures of all 102 SHABE teachers across Aldine ISD.

Employees recognized

During the May 18 Board of Trustees meeting, several Aldine ISD employees were honored for their contributions to the district daily.

Milo Ortiz, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named Odom Elementary School as his department’s Building of the Month. The Head Custodian is Theresa Jefferson, and the school’s principal is Delilah St. Julian.

German Enamorado, Executive Director of Transportation, named Lashadre Paul as his department’s Employee of the Month. Paul serves the district’s McKinney Vento students. She assists with transporting students in Klein ISD and Galena Park ISD.

Grants announced

Stacey Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced several grants during the May 18 Trustees meeting.

Gerald Schattle, Principal of Knippel Education Center, and Erik Torres, Principal of Ermel Elementary School, received gift certificates from Candis Houston, President of the Aldine Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), on behalf of First Books. First Book is a non-profit social enterprise committed to elevating educational opportunities for children in need. Ermel Elementary received $500, while KEC received $250 in gift certificates.

Escamilla Elementary Counselor Valeria Gomez secured a $10,852 grant from First Book, which collaborated with Disney to provide Escamilla students with 1,309 brand new Disney-themed books. Good Morning America Weekend featured the distribution of the books on a recent Saturday broadcast.

Escamilla Elementary FACE Liaison Elisa Saavedra received $300 from Bob Beasley of Beasley Tires to purchase water for families after Winter Storm Uri.

Escamilla Elementary Teacher Morgan Delaney secured a $590 Donors Choose grant to purchase exercise equipment for her students.

Escamilla Elementary Teacher Fatimata Lam secured a $745 grant from Donors Choose to purchase dividers, flexible seating, charts, and dry erase markers for her students.

Escamilla Elementary Instructional Literacy Specialist Dr. Monica Loas secured a $5,153 grant from Donors Choose to fund 30 projects this spring to purchase flexible seating, graphic novels, virtual materials, and maker space supplies.

The grants announced at the May 18 Board meeting totaled $18,390.

Trustees approve action items

During the May 18 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following Action Items:

• Approved Math Curriculum Adoption for Kindergarten-Algebra 2
• Approved a Pre-K curriculum adoption
• Approved the 2021-22 allotment and TEKS Certification
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with UTMB Health, UT Health, and Aldine ISD
• Approved a cost-of-living adjustment application to AVANCE-Houston, INC for Early Head Start Community and Childcare Partnership #1, Early Head Start Community and Childcare Partnership #2, and Head Start Partnership in Aldine ISD
• Approved an Inter-Local agreement between HCDE (Highpoint High School) and Aldine ISD
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between JJAEP and Aldine ISD
• Approved an Inter-Local Agreement between Fortis Academy (Recovery High School) and Aldine ISD
• Approved a service contract between Aldine ISD and Communities in Schools, Inc.
• Approved bids to purchase awards, incentives and spirit apparel, instructional supplies, materials and equipment, professional and consulting services, student and district activities and venues, travel and tour services, districtwide marquee and graphic signs, self-funded medical plan, and flexible spending account plan administration, fire extinguisher maintenance and source for replacement roll towels and roll towel dispensers and bid contract renewals.
• Approved contracts of purchase of more than $50,000
• Approved the General Fund Budget Amendment for Period 11 of the 2020-21 school year
• Approved to accept an offer from North Harris County Regional Water Authority Waterline Easement in the area east of Spence Elementary School
• Approved to accept an offer from Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District for both Keeble Primary School and Carroll Elementary School
• Approved to grant permission to the Harris County Flood Control to come onto Odom Elementary to collect soil samples
• Approved to accept an offer from Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District Waterline easement in the MacArthur Ninth area
• Approved to grant the utility easement to Forest Hills Municipal Utility District and accepted an offer from Luton/Underwood Development Partner for the water and sanitary sewer easement at Sammons Elementary

The June meeting of the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.