Elected Officials Honor Aldine ISD Trustees At January Board Meeting

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Elected Officials Honor Aldine ISD Trustees At January Board Meeting

In honor of School Board Recognition Month, a number of elected officials honored the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees for its leadership and commitment to the community during the Jan. 11 Board meeting. U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was represented at the meeting by aide Yuroba Harris, who presented each Board member with a Congressional certificate. Congresswoman Lee called in to personally thank AISD’s Trustees for their service. Houston City Council Member Tarsha Jackson of District B presented Board members with a proclamation, while Kent Clingerman of Precinct 4 County Commissioner Jack Cagle’s office presented Trustees with a certificate of appreciation. Selina Valdez of County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office, also presented Trustees with a certificate of appreciation. Abel Garza, Assistant Superintendent of Government Relations and Constituent Services, announced that certificates of appreciation were also provided U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, State Senator Carol Alvarado, State Reps Armando Walle and Senfronia Thompson and County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees consists of President Randy Bates, Vice-President Dr. Kimberley Booker, Secretary Rose Avalos Assistant Secretary Connie Esparza and Members Dr. Viola M. Garcia, Steve Mead and Paul Shanklin. A video of students and staff thanking the Trustees for their service was also shown during the Jan. 11 Board meeting.

AISD Art Students Recognized By Teaching, Learning And Leading Department

During the Jan. 11 Board meeting, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Todd Davis recognized a number of Aldine ISD art students during the Teaching, Learning and Leading Department’s presentation. The students were Amiee Mahindarante, Danna Santa Maria and Shonease Murphy of MacArthur High School, and Jade Jimenez of Carver High School. The five students all received the prestigious Gold Key Award in this year’s regional Scholastic Art and Writing competition. Santa Maria won for two of her pieces of art and Murphy won for her art portfolio. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, and most distinguished recognition program for creative teens. Some notable alumni of Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are artists Andy Warhol and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. History, Amanda Gorman. All entries in the Scholastic Art and Writing competition are considered for multiple awards with the Gold Key being the pinnacle award. These awards are presented to students during celebration ceremonies and exhibitions in each region of the state. Jurors look for work that exemplify the Awards; core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The regional Gold Key entries are automatically considered for national awards in New York City that are judged by world-renowned creative professionals. Also attending the Jan. 11 Board meeting were Carver High School Principal Dr. Tracie Robinson, MacArthur High School Assistant Principal Aquilla Aubry and Director of Visual Arts Kaileigh Newman.

Staff Assignments Announced

During the Jan. 11 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced four staff assignments.

• Dr. Lauren Petra was named Executive Director of Talent Acquisition after serving as the district’s Interim Executive Director of Talent Acquisition.
• K’Nara Utley was named an Assistant Principal at Harris Elementary School after serving as a district Literacy Coach.
• David Lehman was named an Assistant Principal at Eisenhower High School after serving as Principal at Floresville Middle School in Floresville ISD.
• Edna Rosales was named an Assistant Principal at Odom Elementary School after serving as a district literacy coach.

Employee Recognized

During the Jan. 11 Board meeting, a number of Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their leadership skills and the contributions they make to the district on a daily basis.

• Aldine ISD Police Chief Paul Cordova named K9 Officer Jonathan Arnold and his partner Delta as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• Dr. Robin Williams, Executive Director of Human Resources, named Shellene Burlin as HR’s Employee of the Month.
• Patrick Mouton, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, named Tony King as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• Susan D’Amico, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services, named Kim Alridge as her department’s Employee of the Month.
• Tremel Prudhomme, Director of Maintenance, named John Bankston as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• Tiffany Travis-Williams, Director of Transportation, named Anthony McCarthy as her department’s Employee of the Month.
• Milo Ortiz, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named the Young Women’s Leadership Academy as the Building of the Month. Cecilia Gomez is the head custodian and the school’s Principal is Dr. Jericah Jackson.

Grants Announced

Stacey Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced three grants during the Jan. 11 Trustees meeting.

• Andrea Davis, Principal of Kujawa Primary School, and teacher Thao Nguyen, secured a $706 Donors Choose grant to purchase a climbing dome jungle gym that students can play on during recess.
• Demedia Edwards, Director of Literacy, secured a $5,000 grant from Amplify that will provide ready-to-go resources that will support research-based reading instruction.
• Refugio Rodriguez, Director of Performing Arts, and teachers Sarah Prather of Caraway Elementary, Lee Mitchell of Reed Academy, Kari Zimmerman of Kujawa Primary, Ezequiel Trevino-Pena of Marcella Elementary, David Dalton of Stephens Elementary, Sarah Michaelis of Anderson Academy, Nickole Burr of Thompson Elementary and Rebekah Johnson of Smith Elementary secured a $5,600 grant from the Texas Music Educators Association to purchase musical instruments and equipment for their respective schools.

The grants announced at the Jan. 11 Board meeting totaled $11,306.

Trustees Approve Action Items

During the Jan. 11 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Application for Early Heard Start-Childcare partnership and Expansion Grant Continuation Funding
• Approved an interlocal agreement and lease agreement with Lone Star College to operate Victory Early College High School to extend through July 31, 2024
• Approved and authorized for the Superintendent of Schools to execute an interlocal agreement between Aldine ISD and the City of Houston for funding to support COVID-19 testing through July 31, 2022
• Approved the following bids: awards, incentives and spirit apparel, fundraiser vendors, instructional suppliers, material and equipment, professional and consulting services, student and district activities and venues, rescind and revise bid award for stop loss insurance, and bid contract renewals
• Approved contracts and purchases of more than $50,000
• Approved the General Fund Budget Amendment for Period 7 for 2021-22
• Approved an amendment to extend the current 10-year term of lease agreement with the City of Houston for the Bethune Empowerment Center for an additional 20 years.

The Aldine Middle School LOTC Color Guard presented the colors prior to the start of the Jan. 11 Trustees meeting. The Color Guard consisted of Cadet Second Lt. Nicolas Lundy, Cadet Sgt. Yisrael Lopez, Cadet Private Angel Gonzalez and Cadet Private Melanie Lopez. The Color Guard was under the direction of Christopher Miley (SFC, USA, Retired). Calvert Elementary students Melanie Henriquez, Leslie Ramirez and Nayeli Zuniga led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag.

The February Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15 and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.