AISD Trustees Reorganize During Dec. 14 Board Meeting

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Paul Shanklin, the outgoing president of the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees, hands the gavel to Randy Bates, the incoming president of the Board during the Dec. 14 AISD school board meeting.

The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees approved a new slate of officers during its Dec. 14 Board meeting. The Board’s Nominating Committee, consisting of Randy Bates, Dr. Viola M. García, and Steve Mead, recommended that Mr. Bates serve as president, Dr. Kimberley Booker serve as vice president and Rose Avalos serve as secretary. Dr. García, Connie Esparza, Mr. Mead, and Paul Shanklin will serve as members.

Mr. Shanklin thanked his fellow Trustees for their support over the last two years when he served as president.

“It has been my pleasure to serve as board president for the last two years, during some very difficult times. I want to congratulate our new board officers and wish them well,” he said.

Mr. Bates thanked Mr. Shanklin for his service over the last two years when the district dealt with COVID-19.

“I want to thank Mr. Shanklin for his service over the last two years,” Mr. Bates said. “It has not been an easy job. We come together for the good of Aldine. I also want to thank (Aldine ISD Superintendent) Dr. Goffney and her team for their leadership and hard work.” 

Aldine ISD Earns State’s Highest Fiscal Accountability Rating for 18th Straight Year

For the 18^th consecutive year, Aldine ISD received a rating of “Superior” under Texas’ School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) accountability rating system. The “Superior” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Aldine ISD’s financial management and reporting system. Aldine ISD received a score of 96 out of a possible 100 points.

The primary goal of the School FIRST system is to ensure that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices. The School FIRST system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to manage their financial resources better to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.

The School FIRST system has 15 indicators that are evaluated. The first five indicators are critical and must be met to avoid failure. The other 10 indicators evaluate financial solvency and financial competency.

According to Alexia Rogers, executive director of finance, Aldine met the requirements of the five critical indicators. Those indicators are: filing of the district’s annual financial report within a month, the districts annual financial report was free of any instances of material weaknesses, the district was in compliance with the payment terms of all debt agreements at the end of the district’s fiscal year, the district made timely payments to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the IRS and other governmental agencies, and the district’s total unrestricted net asset balance in the Statement of Net Position/Assets was greater than zero.

Indicators 6-10 evaluated the financial solvency of the district. Those indicators analyzed the amount of cash on hand needed to cover operating expenditures, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, the ratio of long-term liabilities to total assets, total revenue compared to expenditures, and whether the district had sufficient funds to cover its debt. Aldine met the requirements for each of those indicators.

Indicators 11-15 evaluated the district’s financial competency. Those indicators assessed the district’s administrative costs ratio, student enrollment compared to the number of staff, the accuracy of its PEIMS reporting, compliance with guidelines, and revenue forecasting. Aldine met the requirements for those five indicators as well.

“Since implementing the School FIRST accountability system, Aldine ISD has received the highest rating a school district can receive,” Rogers said. “This year’s “Superior” rating is a reflection of the district’s continued demonstration of high-quality management and reporting.”

AEF, Lone Star Foundation Receive $20,000 From AISD

During the Dec. 14 Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD provided $20,000 to the Aldine Education Foundation and the Lone Star College Foundation. Both organizations support Aldine ISD students with much-needed scholarships to help them pursue their dreams. AEF Director Linda Flores-Olson, and AEF Board Members Dr. Charlotte Davis and Stacey Smith received both checks on behalf of the two organizations. “The Aldine Education Foundation is a nine-year-old nonprofit that has worked hard to build an endowment valued at $1.5 million for our students, and another endowment for Aldine ISD students to attend Lone Star College, valued at $2.2 million,” Flores-Olson said. “We are grateful for the past and current AED board members and staff who have made this incredible achievement possible for our beloved students in AISD. We want to show our appreciation for the work AEF has done and ensure that this important work continues. Aldine ISD is making a gift of $10,000 to the scholarship fund, and another $10,000 for Aldine ISD students to attend Lone Star College.”

Teaching, Leading and Learning Department Recognizes School Nurses

During the Dec. 14 Board meeting, Chief of Schools Dr. Katy Roede recognized Aldine ISD’s school nurses during the Teaching, Leading, and Learning Department’s presentation. She introduced the district’s five Lead Nurses, chosen based on their outstanding performance and dedication to their jobs. The district’s five Lead Nurses are Ingrid Pool of Hill Elementary School, Vickie Jones-Williams of García Middle School, Erika Young of Carroll Elementary School, Theria Malone of Reed Academy, and Patricia Pérez from Oleson Elementary School. AISD’s Lead Nurses continue their daily duties plus take on extra tasks of performing district training, meetings, and assisting other nurses with daily concerns, clinical care, and other tasks. The Lead Nurses work closely with the district’s Director of Health Services to review, revise, and write policies/procedures to bring the health services guidelines/policies up to date. Their future focus will be on a plan to reduce the district’s immunization delinquencies, continue to encourage students and staff on COVID-19 precautions, be trained on the new Electronic Medical Record (EMR), and effectively train their fellow nurses. “School nurses inspire students, staff, and each other to take ownership of their physical, mental, and social well-being,” Dr. Roede said. “They connect with their peers by letting them know that they are available as a resource when needed. They assist in providing ongoing training for new nurses to ensure they are able to meet the expected standards of Aldine ISD.”

FACE Recognizes Community Partner TNTP

Dr. Martha Escalante, Executive Director of FACE (Family And Community Engagement Department), recognized TNTP, one of FACE’s community partners, during the Dec. 14 Board meeting. TNTP is a professional learning partner that supports the district’s Teaching, Learning, and Leading Department and the School Office Department on curriculum implementation. But they also assist FACE by being involved in several initiatives by offering parent-training sessions and have provided donations and other resources to FACE. Kristen McQuillan from TNTP contacted Dr. Escalante to learn more about FACE and what the company could do to help. TNTP was represented by Gerald Boyd, Ginny Johnson, and Reginald Hutchins at the Dec. 14 Trustees meeting.

Staff assignment announced

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced one staff assignment.

• Amanda Villatoro was named Assistant Principal of Gray Elementary School after serving as a Reading Specialist at Elmore Elementary School in Houston ISD.

AISD employees recognized

Department leaders recognized several employees for their leadership and their contributions to the district daily.

• Herb Harris, executive director of maintenance, named Debra Willett the department’s Employee of the Month.
• Susan D’Amico, executive director of child nutrition services, named Katina Frey as her department’s Employee of the Month.
• Milo Ortiz, executive director of buildings and properties, named Davis Ninth Grade School as his department’s Building of the Month. Head Custodian Sherrie Amos and Principal James Metcalf were on hand to accept the award.
• Steve Oakes, director of central receiving and warehouse services, named Oscar Reyes the department’s Employee of the Month.
• Christina Riojas, director of transportation, named Linda Broady as her department’s Employee of the Month.
• Aldine ISD Police Chief Paul Cordova named Police Officer Samuel McCarter the department’s Employee of the Month.

Grants announced

Stacey Smith, director of special programs, announced three grants the district has received at the Dec. 14 Board of Trustees meeting.

• Dr. Charlotte Davis, assistant superintendent of student support services, and Angela Singletary, director of health services, secured a $1,105,020 grant from the Houston Health Department to provide school-based health program services supporting the COVID-19 response and recovery. The grant will augment staffing, supplies, and equipment through June 30, 2023.
• Susan D’Amico, executive director of child nutrition services, and CN employees Esha Naaz and Carrie Allen secured an $8,000 grant from No Kid Hungry. No Kid Hungry is a national campaign to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States. No Kid Hungry supports school meals programs, providing grants to purchase equipment, and advocating for better laws and policies.
• Eisenhower Ninth Grade Principal Jane Ocanas and teacher Elizabeth Gilbert secured a $735 grant from Donors Choose to purchase “how-to” books for Eisenhower Ninth Grade students.

The grants announced at the Dec. 14 Board meeting totaled $1,113,755.

Trustees approve action items

During the Dec. 14 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved a Letter of Intent between Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and Aldine ISD for Health Impact Team (HIT) Expanded Mobile Health (EMH) services between Oct. 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022
• Approved bids for instructional supplies, materials and equipment, professional and consulting services, restaurant, food, and catering vendors, student and district activities and venues, travel, and tour services, stop-loss insurance, bid contract renewals, and miscellaneous
• Approved contracts of purchases of more than $50,000
• Approved the monthly Tax Office refunds

The Nimitz High School JROTC presented the colors and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag at the Dec. 14 Board meeting. The Nimitz JROTC students who took part were Cadet Lt. Melissa Rivera, Cadet Lt. Joseline Delgado, Cadet Master Chief Darnell Celestin, and Cadet Ensign Jennifer Medrano. The students are under the direction of Senior Naval Science Instructor Lt. Gerald Bonnette, USN (Retired).

The January Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.