Aldine ISD Trustees Approve Pay Raise for All Employees During May 17 Board Meeting; Approve Retention Bonuses and Raise Starting Teacher Salary to $61,000

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The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees approved pay raises for all employees and employee bonus retention during the May 17 Board meeting. The retention bonus will be determined by the service time an Aldine ISD employee has spent with the district and will be paid in the spring of 2023. Trustees also approved raising the starting teacher salary from $58,000 to $61,000.

“I am extremely thankful to our Trustees for recognizing our staff’s hard work over these last few years and the challenges they have overcome with COVID-19. Now, all of us are dealing with tough economic times,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “This increase reflects the Board’s and district’s ongoing commitment to remaining competitive in recruiting and retaining employees prepared and determined to offer meaningful learning experiences every day to our students. This is exactly why the increase in the starting teacher salary, from $58,000 to $61,000, is significant. The retention bonuses show our employees that their loyalty to serving in Aldine ISD will be handsomely rewarded.”

Board President Randy Bates said he and his fellow Trustees believed it was important to reward Aldine’s staff.

“It is important to recognize that all teachers and staff deserve more money than our district can give this year, especially during these tough times recovering from a global pandemic,” Bates said. “I am proud that we worked to prioritize increased compensation for all employees.”

“We are pleased we could offer our employees raises and award them for their years of service to our wonderful district,” Mr. Bates continued. “Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Goffney and our Finance Department, the district is in sound financial shape and has allowed us to provide our employees with these raises and retention bonuses. We also felt it was important to keep pace with our neighboring districts by providing new teachers with a very competitive first-year salary increase.”

All exempt employees will receive a 3% raise, while non-exempt employees (bus drivers, custodians, and clerical) will receive a $1,500 raise.

As for the retention bonuses, employees with 1-4 years of experience with Aldine ISD will receive $1,500, while employees with 5-10 years of experience with Aldine ISD will receive $3,000, and employees with 11-plus years of experience with Aldine ISD will receive $5,000.

The raises will come from local funds, while the bonuses will come from Esser funds.

Staff Assignment Announced

During the May 17 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced one staff assignment.

• After serving as Program Director of Career and Technical Education, Brooke Martin was named Executive Director of Career and Technical Education.

Teaching, Learning and Leading Department recognizes Athletics, Magnet Schools

During the May 17 Board meeting, Dr. Katie Roede recognized Aldine ISD’s Athletic Department and Magnet Schools.

Dre Thompson, Executive Director of Athletics, recognized several coaches and student-athletes who excelled on the field and in the gym during the 2021-22 school year. Before Thompson announced coaches and student-athletes who earned honors this school year, the Conley Elementary Cheer Squad performed for the audience.

Coaches and student-athletes who were honored at the May 17 Board meeting were:

• MacArthur High School Volleyball Coach Lynda Eastland, who led the Lady Generals to back-to-back District 14-6A titles, recognized volleyball player Aaliyah Callaway. She will be attending the University of Texas in the fall.
• Nimitz High School Head Volleyball Coach Shannon Harrison was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. Joining her at the Board meeting were players Holly Richardson and T’Asia Green.
• Eisenhower High School Swim Coach Alexis Cisneros was named District 14-6A Coach of the Year. Joining her at the Board meeting were swimmers Daniel Sanchez, who will attend St. Peters Univesity in the fall, and Carolina Sanchez, who was named Academic All-State in swimming.
• Davis High School Swim Coach Camillo Orellana and swimmers Jalen Watts and Wendy Perea, who will attend Texas A&M University in the fall, were also recognized at the May Board meeting.
• MacArthur High Head Baseball Coach Ernest Gonzalez was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. He was joined at the May Board meeting by players Ryan Dollar, who will attend the University of Houston and was named the District 14-6A MVP, and David Medina, an All-Star game selection.
• Fernando Fernandez, the interim Softball Coach at MacArthur High School, was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year.
• Eisenhower High School Head Golf Coach Ryan Sweat was joined by golfers Josh West, a THSCA Academic All-State selection, and Samantha Guzman, also a THSCA Academic All-State selection.
• Nimitz High School Head Golf Coach Denis Chesah was joined by golfers Micah Wilson and Darren Muise at the May 17 Board meeting.
• Davis High School Head Golf Coach Alfonse Hubbard was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by golfers Stacy Uzowuru and Allan Giron, who earned All-State Academic honors.
• Nimitz High School Head Girls Basketball Coach Kendra Venzant was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. Players Kaiya Carter and Aniah Holmes were both named to the first team All-District in 14-6A.
• In his first year on the job, Nimitz High School Head Boys Basketball Coach Tiger Rideaux and his team advanced to the Area Round of the Class 6A Boys Basketball Playoffs. At the May 17 Board meeting, he was joined by players Ja’Varius Thompson and Dominic Damuel.
• Eisenhower High School Head Basketball Coach James Johnson was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. At the May 17 Board meeting, he was joined by players Keylon Dorsey and Davion Curry.
• MacArthur High School Head Tennis Coach Brandon Blake was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by players Hector DeLa Cruz and Jasmine DeLeon.
• Eisenhower High School Head Track Coach Michael Cheney was joined by Regional Qualifiers Ryan Niblett and Tyler Hutcherson.
• Eisenhower High School Head Track Coach Karen Smith was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifier Jaiya Covington.
• Nimitz High School Head Cross Country Coach Dennis Brazy was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Byron Doyle, Jonathan Doyle, Erica Sanchez, and Alysia Doyle.
• •Nimitz High School Head Girls Track Coach Shakevia Fleeks was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Sklar Bennett and Mya Brass.

• Davis High School Head Boys Track coach Chris Gordon was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Jayden Thomas and Jaylon Jones.
• Davis High School Head Girls Track Coach Tramisha McGrew was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifier Jayla Brown.
• MacArthur High School Head Boys Track Coach Reggie Archie was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Jason Crampton and Rudy Reyes.
• MacArthur High School Head Cross Country Coach Kelly Silha was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Emiliano Flores and Giovanni Silva. The Generals also took first place at the District 14-6A Cross Country Meet.
• Aldine High School Head Girls Cross Country Coach Kerry Bowie was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Regional Qualifiers Edward Mota and Elda Zuniga Villa.
• Aldine High School Head Boys Soccer Coach Melbin Barahona was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. At the May 17 Board meeting, he was joined by players Juan Aguilera and Carlos Pena.
• MacArthur High School Head Girls Soccer Coach Saul Zamora was named the District 14-6A Coach of the Year. At the May 17 Board meeting, he was joined by players Melanie Cruz and Julieta Vega, who were both first-team All-District selections in District 14-6A.
• MacArthur High School Head Boys Soccer Coach Salvador Fernandez was named the TASCO Coach of the Year and led his team to the Region II Finals. He was joined at the May 17 Board meeting by Jose Gonzalez and Jay Hernandez, the District 14-6A MVP, Region II Player of the Year, and an All-Star selection.
• Garcia Middle School Campus Coordinator Jeffrey Bisotonni led the B Boys team to the district title, the 8th-grade boys’ soccer team to the district title, and the 8th-grade boys’ tennis team to the district title.
• Jones Middle School Campus Coordinator Laurentis Bulter led the 8^th grade A basketball team to the district title, the 7^th grade B Boys basketball team to the district title, the 7^th grade B girls basketball team to the district title, the 8^th grade B girls basketball team to the district title, the 8^th grade A football team to the district title, the 8^th grade B football team to the e district title, the 7^th grade A boys track team to the district title, the 8th-grade boys’ track team to the district title, the 8th-grade girls’ track team to the district title and the 7^th grade A girls track team to the district title.
• Mead Middle School Campus Coordinator Derek Clark led the 7th-grade boys’ soccer team to the district title, the 7th-grade girls’ soccer team to the district title, and the 8th-grade B volleyball team to the district title.
• Grantham Middle School Campus Coordinator Jeffrey Solomson led the 8th-grade girls’ tennis team to the district title.
• •Hambrick Middle School Campus Coordinator Claude Mims led the 8th-grade girls’ soccer team to the district title, the 8th-grade boys’ tennis team to the district title, and the 8th-grade girls’ tennis team to the district title.
• Hoffman Middle School Campus Coordinator Tony Standon led the 7^th grade A volleyball team to the district title.

• Stovall Middle School Campus Coordinator Justin Mulikin led the 8^th grade A volleyball team to the district title.
• Plummer Middle School Campus Coordinator Herbert McDaniel led the 7^th grade A girls basketball team to the district title, the 7^th grade A football team to the district title, the 7^th grade B football team to the district title, and the 7^th grade B volleyball team to the district title.
• Teague Middle School Campus Coordinator Thomas Marshall led the 7^th grade A boys basketball team to the district title and the 8^th grade A girls basketball team to the district title.

Sandra Mader, Director of Athletic Services, and James Colbert, Director of Athletic Services, also represented the Athletic Department at the May 17 Board meeting.

Aldine ISD Magnet Schools Earn National Recognition

 Chief Transformation Officer Adrian Bustillos announced that several Aldine ISD Magnet Schools were recently honored by the Magnet Schools of America. Magnet Schools of America’s National Merit Awards program honors the top Magnet Schools in the United States. These awards recognize Magnet Schools that demonstrate commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, and consistent delivery of high-quality educational services to all stakeholders. Under the direction of Principal Sharla Rogers, Reece Academy was named a Magnet School of Excellence and was the only school in Texas to receive the award. Under the direction of Principal Andrea Davis and Shotwell Middle School, under the direction of Principal Denise Winchester, Kujawa Primary was named Magnet Schools of Distinction. Carter Academy, under the direction of Principal Lee Wold, Houston Academy, under the direction of Principal Dr. Cedric Stewart, and Carver High School, under the direction of Principal Dr. Tracie Robinson, were honored as Magnet Schools of Distinction for their Fine Arts programs. Under the direction of Principal Ivan Hepworth, Grantham Academy was named a Magnet School of Distinction for its Engineering Program.

Employees Recognized

During the May Board of Trustees meeting, several Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their leadership and exceptionally representing the district’s values daily.

• Aldine ISD Police Chief Paul Cordova named Police Officer Johnathan Sneed as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• German Enamorado, Executive Director of Transportation, named the Transportation Training Academy team his department’s Employees of the Month. The team consists of Mironya Houston, Ashley Valdez, Delphine Estes, Eric Camacho, Jonzetta Pleasant, Pamala Perry, Patricia Lawrence, and Stacy Taylor.
• Juan Vargas, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named Carver High School his department’s Building of the Month. Dr. Tracie Robinson is the school’s Principal. Vurchus “Corine” Baynesagan is the Head Custodian, and Melina Neal serves as the Intern Head Custodian.
• Herb Harris, Executive Director of Maintenance, named Lonnie Konieczny as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• Susan D’Amico, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services, named Lisa Castillo, the Cafeteria Manager at Hinojosa Primary School, as her department’s Employee of the Month.
• Patrick Mouton, Executive Director of the Facilities Planning and Construction Department, named Christopher Hazzan his department’s Employee of the Month.

Grants Announced

During the May 17 Board meeting, Stacey Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced four grants.

• Escamilla Elementary Principal Susan Rehan and teachers Kristie Polzin, Morgan Delaney, Lyzette Washington, Ann Gustavus, Ann Pride, Tamika Brown, Abraham Martinez, Valeria Gomez, and Dr. Monica Loas secured a $6,895.85 grant from Donors Choose. The funds will be used to purchase materials for the respective teachers’ classrooms.
• De Santiago Primary Principal Juan Toscano secured a $2,000 grant from Dollar General to support family literacy.
• Shotwell Middle School Principal Denise Winchester and teacher Jessica Jackson secured a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation to purchase books for the school’s library.
• Dr. Martha Escalante, Executive Director of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department, and Twiana Collier, Director of Guidance, Counseling, and Student Support Services, teamed up to secure a $10,000 grant from the Harris County Department of Education to help purchase books in English and Spanish for Aldine ISD parents who participate in FACE’s Outreach Thursday’s program. Dr. Escalante and Collier also secured a $19,100 grant from Harris County Partners in Education to fund the “Mental Health Matters” project created by Collier that will provide books and stories that Pre-K counselors can use to address topics such as trauma, grief, and anxiety as part of the district’s planned guidance program.
• The grants announced at the May 17 Board meeting totaled $32,995.85.

Board Approves Action Items

 During the May 17 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved the 2022-23 Allotment and TEKS Certification
• Approved a Principal Residency Grant Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Houston effective during the 2022-23 school year
• Approved an Agreement of Collaboration between Prairie View A&M University and Aldine ISD regarding a Collaboration to Support School and District Leadership Candidates
• Approved an Affiliation Agreement between Stephen F. Austin State University and Aldine ISD regarding Field Experience, Internship, Practicum, and Clinical Teaching
• Approved the following bids: fundraiser vendors, instructional supplies, photography services, professional and consulting services, restaurant, food and catering vendors, special supplies and equipment, volleyball supplies and equipment, high volume food and on-food, bid contract renewals, awards, incentives and spirit apparel, renewal of fundraiser vendors, general operations maintenance and facility suppliers, instructional supplies, materials and equipment, professional and consulting services, retail stores, student and district activities and venues and travel and tour services
• Approved contracts of more than $50,000
• Approved General Fund Budget Amendment for Period 11 for the 2021-22 school year
• Approved the monthly Tax Office Refunds
• Approved Authorized Investment Institution and Representatives and District Investment Officers
• Approved the Resolution of Commitment of Fund Balance E-Rate Appeal
• Approved revisions to Additional Day School Year for the 2022-23 school calendar
• Approved an Agreement of Collaboration with Prairie View A&M University and Aldine ISD for the launch of Impact Leadership Academy at Wilson for the 2022-23 school year
• Approved the HOPE Clinic School-Based Clinic Partnership Agreement

Before the start of the May 17 Board meeting, the Davis High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors. Mari Calderson, Issac Dao, Emily Segovia, and Veronica Sepulveda were the students who presented the colors. Two students from Conley Elementary School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag. Those students were A’Kenslie Brown and Jurnee Giles.

The June Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.