Aldine ISD Students Recognized for Artistic Achievements at March Board Meeting

Disponible en: Español

During the district’s March 18 board meeting, Dr. Faviola Cantu spotlighted Aldine students for their artistic achievements in honor of Youth Art Month. Students were highlighted in two major art contests where they excelled. Fifty-nine students earned top awards during the Scholastic Art & Writing contest – one of the longest-running national high school art competitions. The district’s high school students earned 13 Gold Key and 19 Silver Key Awards for their creativity and dedication in visual and literary arts. The Gold Key recipients are advancing to the national adjudication. Aldine had two standout students amongst those highlighted. Ian Paiz from Blanson CTE earned multiple awards, including 1 Gold Key and 3 Silver Key awards, and 4 Honorable mentions for his photography. Emily Lucio of Aldine High School artworks was selected by the Harris County Department of Education for the Board of Trustees Incentive Art Award, earning her a $500 cash prize.

The recognition continued as Dr. Cantu celebrated students from pre-K to high school who were recognized at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Art Competition. Dr. Cantu stated the district’s visual arts has had a long-standing partnership with the HLSR School Art Contest. Student artists from 1st through 12th grade received 3 Best of Show, 5 Gold Medals, and 3 Special Merit Awards for their artistic skills and visual storytelling. Lastly, Dr. Cantu took the opportunity to recognize Aldine’s art educators for their guidance in the district’s visual art programs. AISD has been recognized for the past six years as a District of Distinction by the Texas Arts Education Association. Over 1,200 Texas districts and learning institutions were eligible to apply for the award, and only 96 districts met the high standards. Dr. Cantu said the honor indicates that the district’s visual arts programs are among the state’s top 5.5% of visual art programs.

Aldine Impact Award

Aldine ISD Board of Trustees recognized winners of the Aldine Impact Award. Employees and community members are rewarded for going above and beyond the call of duty in their respective roles with Aldine ISD. Board President Dr. Kimberley Booker nominated Betty Simmons, an early childhood educator, and Kai Goffney-Mukes, an associate science teacher at Nimitz High School. Vice President Connie Esparza nominated Bianca Ellis, purchasing supervisor, Victoria Lee, lead buyer, and Gloria Harris, a buyer with the Aldine Purchasing Department. Assistant Board Secretary Rose Avalos nominated Mervin Pellerin, a PE Teacher at Avalos P-Tech Early College High School.

Teaching, Leading And Learning Department Recognizes Aldine ISD Top Ranked Schools

Chief of Schools Dr. Javier Villarreal presented five Aldine schools that earned top spots in the 2023-2024 Children at Risk Annual Houston School Rankings. The nonprofit released its ranking on February 12, 2025. Avalos P-Tech School was ranked second, and Blanson CTE was ranked third among Houston Area Gold Ribbon High Schools. Impact Leadership Academy was ranked third for Houston Area Gold Ribbon Middle Schools, Young Women’s Leadership Academy was ranked fifth for the Houston Area Middle Schools category, and Thompson Elementary School was ranked fifth for the top Houston Area Gold Ribbon Elementary Schools.

Aldine ISD’s Purchasing Department Earns Prestigious “Award of Merit”

During the district’s March 18 board meeting, Chief Financial Officer Tim Momanyi announced that the district’s purchasing department was awarded the “Award of Merit of Purchasing Operations by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education service centers committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. Momanyi said this is the seventh time the purchasing department has received the prestigious award. The Purchasing Department consists of Abigale Garcia, executive director of business services; Bianca Ellis, purchasing supervisor; Victoria Lee, lead buyer; Yolanda Aleman, buyer; and Gloria Harris, buyer.

Employees Recognized

During the March 18 board meeting, Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their leadership, connections with their fellow employees, and impact on students.

Aldine ISD Chief Paul Cordova recognized Officer Jeremy Graham as his department’s Employee of the Month.

Staff Assignments

Thania Gonzalez was named Assistant Superintendent of Finance for Aldine ISD after serving as the Financial Controller at the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.

Trustees Approved Action Items

Approved the Open Education Resource Instructional Materials Transition Plan for Bluebonnet Learning Math Grades K-8 and Algebra 1.
Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Air Force and Aldine ISD for the renewal and operation of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit for the school year 2025 – 2026 through 2027 at Davis High School and Aldine High School.
Approved the TEA Innovative Courses from the Health Science Cluster for HEAL at Nimitz High School for the school year 2025 -2026.
Approved single contracts and purchases of $100,000 and greater
Approved a board resolution to designate investment officers and authorized investment institutions representatives to comply with the Public Funds Investment Act.
Approved a board resolution extending depository contract for funds of independent school districts under Texas Education Code, Chapter 35, subchapter G school district depositories, first renewal.
Approved a budget amendment for March 2025
Approved the monthly tax office refunds.

Before the March 18 board meeting, Houston Academy led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. The Davis High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors. Following the presentation of the colors, the Carver High School Mariachi Acero graced the audience with a performance. The April board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at the Donaldson Administration Building.