Celebrating Service: Aldine ISD Recognizes Impact Award Winners and Longtime Trustee

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Aldine ISD celebrated the achievements of its students and staff during the Nov. 18 Board of Trustees meeting. From recognizing Impact Award winners, to honoring longtime trustee Steve Mead, there were many standout accomplishments across the district.

Aldine Impact Award Winners

The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees recognized the winners of the Aldine Impact Award, which honors employees and community members who go above and beyond the call of duty in their respective roles within the district. Board President Dr. Kimberley Booker nominated Roberta Vanzandth, Pre-K 3 Aide at Reece EC/PK/K Academy; Shaundrika Watson, SLC Aide at Escamilla Elementary School; and Craig Kitchy, GT Math Teacher at Jones Middle School for the award. Vice President Connie Esparza nominated Dr. Keena Bradley, executive director of employee relations, and Norma Cisneros, secretary to the executive director of employee relations.

Aldine ISD Board Member Steve Mead Honored

Steve Mead was recognized for his service as a longtime trustee as his term comes to an end. A lifelong Aldine resident and Aldine High School alumnus, Mead has served on the board since 2004. He was first elected to fill a vacant seat and was reelected several times.

Over the past two decades, Mead has helped guide the district with integrity and vision. In addition to his work on the board, he is active in several local community organizations, including the Aldine Scholarship Foundation, the Aldine Improvement District, and the Aldine Noon Optimist Club. Throughout his tenure, Mead has served multiple board leadership roles, including board president and secretary, that has helped shape policies that enhance opportunities for Aldine students. Mead Middle School, named in his honor, stands as testament to his lasting impact on the district.

Aldine ISD Swears in New Board Members

During its Nov. 18 meeting, Aldine ISD swore in three newly elected board members. Angela Williams (Position 3) succeeds retiring Trustee Rose Avalos; Steve Moore (Position 4) succeeds retiring Trustee Connie Esparza; and Nataly Pérez (Position 5) succeeds longtime Trustee Steve Mead. The three were elected in the Nov. 4 general election.

The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees is composed of seven community members who serve four-year terms. Trustees are responsible for setting policy, overseeing the district’s budget, and ensuring the district’s vision and goals are carried out.

Financial Audit Approved

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the district’s 2024-25 financial audit report and authorized its submission to the Texas Education Agency. Chief Financial Officer Timothy Momanyi presented the report, which was prepared by the external auditors Weaver and Tidwell. The auditors stated that the audit report was unmodified, or a clean opinion, and that it was the highest level of assurance to be given on a financial statement.

Public Hearing on Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs) and Turnaround Plans (TAPs)

Dawn Rodriguez, chief of accountability, assessment, and analytics, presented a public hearing to notify the public of the district’s 2025-26 Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs) and Turnaround Plans (TAPs) for identified campuses, and to solicit public comment.

The campuses that will implement TIPs are: Cypresswood Elementary School, Davis High School, Francis Elementary School, Harris Elementary School, Kujawa Primary School, Kujawa Elementary School, Ogden Elementary School, Plummer Middle School, and Stehlik Elementary School.

The campuses that will implement TAPs are: Aldine Middle School, Caraway Elementary School, Dunn Elementary School, Grantham Middle School, Hoffman Middle School, Lewis Middle School, Smith Elementary School, and Stovall Middle School.

All identified campuses must complete an Effective Schools Framework-aligned TIP or Tap. The district will monitor each plan throughout the year and provide necessary resources and support.

Aldine ISD Police Department Receives Accreditation Recognition

The Aldine ISD Police Department has been awarded its official accreditation certificate by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA). The department earned accreditation through the TPCA’s Law Enforcement Accreditation Program by meeting 173 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices, which cover areas such as use of force, patrol procedures, and protection of individual rights.

Fewer than 10% of law enforcement agencies in Texas have earned TPCA accreditation. Aldine ISD Police became the 222nd agency to achieve the designation out of an estimated 2,800 law enforcement agencies statewide. Accreditation must be renewed every four years, requiring agencies to maintain compliance with all best-practice standards.

Spotlight on Teaching, Learning, and Leading Department

Dr. Adrian Bustillos, chief transformation officer, spotlighted students from Grantham Academy and Mead Middle School who were showcasing their projects before the start of the board meeting. The projects are part of a program launched at both schools two years ago through a partnership with New Tech Network, which focuses on deeper learning.

Students and teachers participate in a new approach to learning that uses the same high-quality instructional materials, while making lessons project- and community-based. Students choose a subject to guide their project work. They complete nine-week and semester-long projects and host two to three community events each semester, presenting their work to peers and the community.

Recognition of Staff, Students, and Patrons

Chief Communications Officer Sheila Adams highlighted several district November accomplishments:

• The football teams from Davis High School, Eisenhower High School, and Nimitz High School qualified for the state playoffs. Both Davis and Nimitz also finished the season off as District Co-champions.
• Four Aldine ISD students earned spots in the 2025-26 TEXSEF State Championship, a teacher-led nonprofit organization that oversees Esports competition for middle and high schools statewide. The Aldine Esports team placed first and second place in Marvel Rivals.
• Aldine ISD held its 2025-26 Spanish Spelling Bee on Nov. 11. Cristian Alejandro Flores, a 5th grader at Stehlik Elementary School, won first place. The top three winners advanced to the Region 4 Spanish Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
• Aldine ISD was named a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) for the second consecutive year, recognizing the district’s growth and high-quality CTE programming.

Board Approve Action Items

The Board of Trustees approved the following action items:

• Minutes of previous meetings.
• A Clinical Experience Affiliation Agreement with West Texas A&M University and Aldine ISD for 2025-26 school year
• A 2026 Baseline Application for Funding to AVANCE Houston for the Aldine ISD Head Start Program
• An Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for the Community Health and Wellness Division (CH&W) – Chronic Disease Prevention Services through Sept. 30, 2028
• An interlocal agreement between the Harris County Department of Education and Aldine ISD CASE Debate Program for the 2025-26 school year
• District and campus goals and performance objectives for 2025-26
• An agreement between the University of Texas at Arlington, Educational Experience Affiliation and Aldine Independent School District for Nov. 2025 – Nov. 2030
• A Memorandum of Understanding between Texas A&M University and the Aldine Independent School District for Dec. 2025 – Dec. 2026
• An affiliation agreement between Stephen F. Austin State University and the Aldine Independent School District for Nov. 2025 – Nov. 2030
• A Memorandum of Understanding between Rice University Education and the Aldine Independent School District for Nov. 2025 – Nov. 2028
  Single contracts and purchases of $100,000 and Greater

Before the Nov. 18 meeting, the Aldine Police Department led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Flag and presented the colors. Davis High School and Carver High School Ballet Folklorico performed.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at the Donaldson Administration Building.

Click here to see more moments from the board meeting.