Aldine ISD Trustees Approve Tax Rate for 2023-24 School Year

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During the Sept. 19 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the 2023-24 school year tax rate. Chief Financial Officer Stan Osborne recommended the Board set the 2023-24 tax rate at $1.0368 per $100 valuation ($.7338 cents for maintenance and operations and $.3025 cents for the interest and sinking fund). The general residential homestead exemption value has been raised to $100,000 from $40,000 by the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD). The average taxable value of a residence with a homestead exemption is $149,896. This is an increase of about 13% over last year; however, with the adoption of the lower tax rate and the increased homestead exemption, the average homeowner in Aldine will see a more than $600 reduction in their yearly school taxes. In addition, Osborne added that keeping the interest and sinking rate at $.3025 will allow Aldine to collect an amount higher than its 2023-24 Bond Principal and Interest payments. The extra amount collected will pay down additional debt as needed. The 2023-24 tax rate provides the day-to-day operations of Aldine ISD and other lawful purposes.

Staff Assignments Announced

During the Sept. 19 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced four staff assignments.

• Michael Minter was named Director of College Readiness after serving as Senior Manager of College Readiness at Ignite in Houston ISD.
• Abigaile García was named Executive Director of Business Services after serving as Senior Internal Auditor with Klein ISD.
• Jeanette Mercer was named Director of Multilingual Instructional Support after serving as a Program Director in the Multilingual Services Department.
• Ashley Shelly was named Assistant General Counsel after serving as an Assistant General Counsel with Haglund Law Firm P.C. in Lufkin.

Teaching, Learning And Leading Department Highlights AP Scholars, AISD Art Students

 During the Sept. 19 Board meeting, the Teaching, Learning and Leading Department highlighted Aldine ISD students who achieved AP Scholar status and AISD art students named METRO Bus shelters art winners.

Chief Transformation Officer Dr. Adrian Bustillos announced that AP Scholars are granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Aldine ISD had 63 students who were AP Scholars. In addition, AISD had seven students who earned AP Scholar with Distinction honors. The criteria for this honor goes to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of those exams. In addition, 10 Aldine ISD students earned the AP Seminar and Research certification by scoring 3 or higher on both AP Seminar and AP Research. Aldine ISD had one student earn the AP capstone diploma by earning a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and 4 AP exams of their choosing. AP Scholars recognized at the Sept. 19 Board meeting who were able to attend were: Miguel Cuevas and Aldo Herrera of Avalos P-TECH High School, Ismael Díaz, Cristina Juárez, Elena Lai, and Juan Ramírez of Blanson CTE High School, Diane Chagoya and Itzel Fernández of Carver High School, Francis Dinh of Davis High School, Marlene Bermúdez, and Noé Carrillo, Khalil Chambers, Sophie Cruz, Juan González, Michael Guevara, Lisa M. Hernández, Katherine Luna, Aritzi Martínez, Yani Mendez, Yolanda Montero, Estefani Orozco, Lethia Tubbs and Rafael Vázquez of MacArthur High School.

Director of Visual Arts Kaileigh Newman announced that five Aldine ISD art students were recently named METRO art award winners. The five students, Katherine Robles of MacArthur High School, Arlenne Rodríguez of Avalos P-TECH High School, Estefany Ramírez-González of Blanson CTE High School, Jordan Barnes of Carver High School and Aldondra Gallegos of Aldine High School, each created a design for a METRO bus shelter near their respective campuses. Their designs visualized school pride. Newman added Aldine ISD has a long-standing partnership with METRO, which connects Aldine High School artists to careers in art. Luis García, Senior Public Engagement Representative with METRO, attended the Sept. 19 Board meeting.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Faviola Cantú announced that Eisenhower High School teacher Remelia Arpino was awarded the 2023 Yale Educator Award.

Operations Employees Recognized

During the Sept. 19 Board meeting, Chief Operations Officer Fred Washington recognized several Aldine ISD employees for their leadership, connecting with fellow employees, and impacting student success. Debra Willett of the Maintenance Department was named the Employee of the Quarter. Nominees for the Employee of the Quarter were:

• Erika Madera of Central Receiving
• Deanna Truvillion of Facilities, Planning and Construction
• Merari Alvarado of Buildings and Properties
• Nayda Osorio of Child Nutrition Services
• Eric Carrington of Eastside Transportation.

Trustees Approve Action Items

Aldine ISD’s Teaching, Learning and Leading Department recognized the district’s AP Scholars at the Sept. 19 Board meeting.

During the Sept. 19 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved the minutes from previous board meetings
• Approved a Board Resolution for Good Cause Exception to the Texas Education Code 37.0814
• Approved to submit the Staff Development Minutes Waiver Application to the Texas Education Agency for the 2023-24 school year
• Approved an Affiliation Agreement between the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professional Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and Aldine ISD for Master Clinical Placement Training and Experience for one year
• Approved an Affiliation Agreement between Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health and Aldine ISD for Clinical Placement and Experience for one year
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Tarleton State University and Aldine ISD for Dual Credit Agriculture Courses during the 2023-24 school year
• Approved the Harris County Extension Service with Aldine ISD for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension during the 2023-24 school year
• Approved the Benefits Advisory Committee Recommendations for the 2024 Health Benefits Plan
• Approved an Agreement between YES Prep Teaching Excellence and Aldine ISD regarding the collaboration between Teaching Excellence and Campus Administration/District Administration for the 2023-24 school year
  •Approved single contracts and purchases of $100,000 and greater
• Approved monthly Tax Office refunds
• Approved the Aldine ISD 2023 and 2024 Public Information Act 12-month calendars
• Approved the purchase of property in the East Aldine area

Before the start of the Sept. 19 Board meeting, students from Sammons Elementary School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the
Texas Flag. The Eisenhower JROTC Color Guard presented the colors before the start of the Board meeting. The October Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.