Aldine ISD Trustees pass resolution opposing vouchers

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The Aldine Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 28 in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.

During the March 28 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to any bill that would allow for public tax dollars to go to private entities via vouchers, educational savings accounts (ESA) and tax credit schemes.

One of Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities during the 88^th Texas Legislative session is to push for “school choice,” meaning vouchers, educational saving accounts and tax credit tuition.

In the resolution approved by Aldine ISD’s Trustees at the March 28 Board meeting, it stated vouchers divert funds from public schools to private, religious and corporate run schools. The resolution also stated that at a time when Texas schools are woefully under-funded, taxpayers cannot afford to pay for two separate school systems – one private and one for mover 90% of Texas children who attend public schools. Giving an ESA to 600,000 homeschooled and private school students could cost billions. In conclusion to the resolution, Aldine ISD Trustees opposes any bill that allows vouchers. In addition, the Board authorizes the (Aldine ISD) administration in conjunction with the Southeast Texas Education Coalition (STEC) to take the necessary steps to voice opposition to any bills that contain provisions for vouchers.

Staff Assignment Approved

During the March 28 Board of Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced five staff assignments.

• Kelvin Chatham was named head football coach and campus athletic coordinator at Davis High School after serving as the head football coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD.

 Aldine ISD in partnership with TAS

During the March 28 Board meeting, it was announced that Aldine ISD is partnering with Texas Academy of Soccer. Grace Delgado, Executive Director of Multilingual Services, provided an overview of the district’s partnership with TAS. TAS is a training academy for youth soccer and is new to the Houston area. TAS offers a unique methodology developed by the best soccer team in the world, The. Real Madrid. TAS’ goal is to make their training program available to all children in the Houston area. Through a connection with the Education Office from the Embassy of Spain, TAS is now available to students at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Dunn Elementary School. Present at the March 28 Board meeting were Eliseo Fernandez Barrioviento, Educator Advisor for the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain, Francisco Meza, Presidente Texas Academy of Soccer Real Madrid Foundation, Rinell Ponceleon, Operations Director Texas Academy of Soccer Real Madrid Foundation and David Gonzalez, Sports Director Texas Academy of Soccer Real Madrid Foundation.

Teaching, Learning, Leading Department highlights district’s Performing Arts Department

During the March 28 Board meeting, the Teaching, Learning and Leading Department highlighted the district’s Performing Arts Department. Refugio Rodriguez, Director of Performing Arts, recognized a number of Aldine ISD students who have earned state and national honors. MacArthur High School Band members recognized were: Joshua Lagos, Sean Walker, Christian Suazo, Shoniya Murphy, Alejandro Orta, Jonathan Bautista and Bryan Aguilar. MacArthur Brigade Belles recognized were: Erick Garcia, Daryanna Garcia, Mildred Ramirez, Ariadny Zacarias, Isabella Delgado, Stefany Mondragon, Abigail Marroquin, Daphne Ordonez, and Mary Martinez. Carver High Drama students recognized were: Ryan Randolph, Ivan Davidson, Kamiliyah Washington, Delores Sells, Alyssa Dorsey and Takera Swain, Anisah Ali, Tyler Brantley, Morgan Childs, Lee Fransaw, April Guzman, Desmond Hampton, Camron Lettires, Tatiana Smith, and Nevaeh Law. Eisenhower High School Debate student recognized were: Elizabeth Rubio and Summer Smith. MacArthur High Speech and Debate students recognized were: Noe Carrillo and Brandon Hernandez. Blanson CTE High School Debate student recognized was Steven Barrios. The Aldine High School Vaqueras were also recognized. The Nimitz High Starboard Angels recognized were: Cinthia Estrada-Gomez, Jesse Coronatapia, and Tony Coronatapia.

Black History Oral Competition Winners Recognized

During the March 28 Board meeting, the top three finishers in Aldine ISD’s Black History Oral Competition were recognized. The event was held during Black History Month in February. LaTashia Abrams, Director of Family and Community Engagement, introduced the students. In the Ninth Grade and High School category, Ivanna Carrington of Blanson CTE High School finished in first place, while Branda Brooks of Victory Early College High School placed second and Emily Spiller of Hall Success Academy finished in third place. In the Middle School category, Sade Jackson of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy finished in first place and Isabel Escobar Phan of Garcia Middle School finished in second place. In the Elementary School category, Jessica Bhola of Marcella Elementary School finished in first place, while Julianny Hernandez of Houston Academy finished in second place and Matias Bermudez of Kujawa Elementary School finished in third place.

Employees Recognized

During the March 28 Board meeting, a number of Aldine ISD employees were recognized for their leadership, connecting with fellow employees and impacting student success.

• Chief Financial Officer Stan Osborne recognized the Purchasing Department for receiving the TASBO (Texas Association of School Business Officials) 2023 Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations. The Purchasing Department consists of Director of Purchasing Carlotta Nicholas, Purchasing Supervisor Frances Tucker, Lead Buyers Victoria Lee and Bianca Ellis, Buyers Gloria Harris, LaShadre Paul, Jennifer Garcia, and Selena Prado. Osborne also recognized members of the Business and Finance Department who received the ASBO (Association of School Business Officials) International Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the fiscal year 2022 Annual Comprehensive Report. The team consists of Osborne, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Alexia Rogers, Director of Accounting and Business Services Desiree Smith, Assistant Director of Accounting and Business Services Fernando Flores, Assistant Director of Accounting and Business Services Veronika Norris, Accountants Shantay Lee, Robin Armendariz, and LaTasha Rigmaiden, Accounts Payable Supervisor Minerva Alba, Payroll Manager Tony Silva, Director of Consolidated Programs Perla Davila, Director of Federal and State Compliance Dr. Dametra Skinner, Director of Special Programs Stacey Smith and Bookkeepers Ceci Romo, Sandra Wiggins-Johnson and April Vega.
• Aldine ISD Chief of Police Paul Cordova named Sergeant Christopher Harris as his department’s Employee of the Month.
• Chief Operations Officer Fred Washington named Melrick Stevenson as his department’s Employee of the Quarter. Stevenson handles maintenance duties at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center. Other Operations employees nominated for Employee of the Quarter were: Deanna Truvillion of Facilities Planning and Construction, Dimas DeLeon of Central Receiving, Maria Reynosa of Child Nutrition Services, Charlotta Liggins of Transportation and Dionisio Lopez-Martinez of Buildings and Properties.

Board Approves Action Items

During the March 28 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved the consent agenda
• Approved the Region IV Regional Day School Program for Deaf Shared Services Agreement effective July 1, 2023
• Approved single contracts and purchases of more than $50,000
• Approved a Resolution Extending Depository Contract for Funds of Independent School Districts Under Texas Education Code, Chapter 35, Subchapter G. School District Depositories
• Approved Local Policy Update 120 on Board Policies CB, CKC, DGBA, FFI, FNG, FO and GF – Second and Final Reading

Prior to the start of the March 28 Board of Trustees meeting, students from Carroll Elementary School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag. The colors were presented by the David High School Color Guard. The April Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18 and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building.