Aldine ISD Trustees Hold Monthly Board Meeting on Jan. 12

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Aldine ISD Trustees held their Jan. 12 Board meeting with some Trustees attending live in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building and others via videoconference per the modified open meetings act by order of Gov. Greg Abbott. Board President Paul Shanklin, Assistant Secretary Dr. Kimberley Booker, and Member Steve Mead joined Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and members of her Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in the Board room, while Vice-President Rose Avalos, Secretary Connie Esparza, and Members Dr. Viola M. Garcia and Randy Bates took part in the meeting via videoconference.

Elected officials, community, district honor Board

In honor of School Board Recognition Month, several elected officials honored the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees for its leadership and commitment to the community during the Jan. 12 Trustees meeting. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia sent a Congressional certificate on her behalf thanking Board members for their service. Rep. Garcia also delivered a video message thanking Trustees for their service. Abel Garza, Assistant Superintendent of Government Relations and Constituent Services, announced that State Senator Carol Alvarado also provided certificates of appreciation, State Senator Senfronia Thompson, State Rep. Armando Walle, Harris County Precinct 2 County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, and Harris County Precinct 4 County Commissioner Jack R. Cagle. Staff member Clint Klingerman represented Commissioner Cagle at the Board meeting. The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees consists of President Paul Shanklin, Vice-President Rose Avalos, Secretary Connie Esparza, Assistant Secretary Dr. Kimberley Booker, and Members Dr. Viola M. Garcia, Randy Bates, and Steve Mead. The district’s Communications Department presented a video of Trustees out in the community. Aldine schools will share videos and messages on their marquees and social media celebrating Aldine ISD Trustees throughout January.

On Monday, Jan 11, a group of Aldine administrators visited the homes of Trustees working from home virtually.

AISD’s Trustees appreciated the tokens of appreciation, and each took the time to reflect on why they chose to become Board members.

“This is the best work I’ve ever done in my life,” Dr. Booker said.

“As Trustees, we want to make sure our kids are safe,” Mr. Mead said. “We’re all in this together. I could be doing a lot of other things, but serving as a Trustee with my fellow Board members is the most important thing to me.”

“I give 110% to this, and I love working with our superintendent and my fellow Board members,” Mrs. Esparza said. “This is all about the kids.”

“After 30 years of volunteer service, I knew where God wanted me to be,” said Mr. Bates, the newest Trustee who was elected in 2019. “It’s my responsibility to see that kids have opportunities. I also want to thank my fellow Board members for accepting me.”

“My dedication to Aldine ISD and this Board is absolute,” said Dr. Garcia, the longest-tenured Trustee with 28 years of service as a Trustee.

Ms. Avalos has resided in Aldine since she was two months old, and spent 33 years as an educator in Aldine, said serving as a Trustee is important to her.

“I want to protect the investment I’ve made during my 33 years in Aldine,” she said. “This is what I feel my calling is.”

“God put me here for a reason,” Mr. Shanklin said. “This is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Dr. Jose Diaz honored by the Teaching, Learning and Leading Department

During the Jan. 12 Board meeting, Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Academic Officer, and Katy Roede, Chief of Schools, recognized MacArthur High School Band Director and Jazz Band Director Jose Diaz as part of the Teaching, Learning and Leading Department’s presentation.

During his many years of service to MacArthur High band students, Diaz has received several accomplishments. Mr. Diaz was named a top 10 finalist for the 2017 Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator Award. Additionally, Texas Monthly featured him in their Oct. 2017 issue on the No. 2 spot of the magazine’s list of the “30 Things You Need to Know about Texas Music Scene in 2017.” Texas Monthly cited Diaz’s passion for music through the success of his former students. A few examples include Grammy-winning sideman Joe Gonzalez, Robert Martinez, Felix DeLeon, Marcie Chapa, a percussionist who has backed Beyonce Jay-Z, and Kanye West.

In March 2020, the Country Music Association Foundation (CMAF), a national education nonprofit and the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), named Diaz one of 30 music teachers from across the country as Music Teachers of Excellence. In its fifth year, the annual program was created to recognize educators who have the greatest impact on their students, using music as a vehicle for change. Award recipients were selected based on their dedication to bringing a high-quality music program to their students. The process also looks at the impact they have had on their school community through music.

The CMA Foundation was originally set to hold its annual Music Teachers of Excellence Awards on May 5 in Nashville. In light of the uncertainty everyone faces with the pandemic, the CMA Foundation has decided to postpone its Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony for a later date.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has named Diaz a 2020 UIL Sponsor of Excellence. School administrators from across the state nominated teachers, directors, and coaches for this recognition. Diaz was selected because he demonstrates the high level of dedication, care, and achievement we look for in a Sponsor of Excellence.

In her letter of recommendation, MacArthur High School Principal Heather Peterson said the following about Diaz: “The dedication and passion for music he shares with his band students is unmatched. Jose Diaz provides MacArthur High School students with a comprehensive music program,” Peterson said. “Students gain opportunities to bond with other students sharing the same aspirations and network with professionals to advance in their dreams of becoming successful musicians.”

Dr. Davis added: “Our leadership definition in Aldine includes three main tenets – connect, inspire and impact. Mr. Diaz truly embodies each of these tenets. We thank Mr. Diaz for his extraordinary ability to inspire, connect, and impact our Aldine students.”

CenterPoint Energy recognized by AEF, district

During the Jan. 12 Board of Trustees meeting, the Aldine Education Foundation (AEF), along with Blanson CTE High School, recognized CenterPoint Energy for serving as a business partner with Aldine ISD. AEF Director Linda Flores-Olson and Blanson Principal Ben Ibarra thanked CenterPoint for supporting the district’s Educator of the Year Awards, providing scholarships to AISD students, providing energy rebates to the district, and serving as a business partner with Blanson CTE High School. Over the years, CenterPoint has donated $277,159.66 to Aldine ISD. Representing CenterPoint at the Board meeting were Theresa Sauls, the People & Business Solutions, Community Relations Program Manager for Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and Lynette Sealy, District Director for Northwest Gas Operations.

CenterPoint Energy was recognized at the Jan. 12 Board of Trustees meeting for its partnership with the Aldine Education Foundation (AEF) and Blanson CTE High School. Pictured are (l-r): Linda Flores-Olson, Director of AEF, Lynette Sealy and Theresa Sauls with CenterPoint Energy, and Wanda Ardoin-Bailey and Ben Ibarra with Blanson CTE High School.

Staff assignments announced

During the Jan. 12 Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced two staff assignments.

Robin Sweet was named an Assistant Principal at Magrill Primary School after serving as the Mathematics Skills Specialist at Aldine Middle School.

Alicia Lewis was named Assistant Principal at Shotwell Middle School after serving as the Mathematics Skills Specialist at Orange Grove Elementary School.

Employees recognized

During the Jan. 12 Board meeting, two employees were recognized for their contributions to Aldine ISD daily.

Milo Ortiz, Executive Director of Buildings and Properties, named Goodman Elementary School as his department’s Building of the Month. The Head Custodian is Maria Guevara, and LaDon Ward serves as the school’s Principal.

Christina Riojas, Director of Transportation, named Mack Wilson as the Transportation Department’s Employee of the Month. Wilson serves as a technician at the Westside Transportation Department.

Grants announced

During the Jan. 12 Board meeting, Stacey Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced several grants Hoffman Middle School teachers recently received.

Hoffman teachers William Schaller, Christin Hill, Tracy Hooper, Yulanda Humber-Dixon, Stephanie Carey Johnson, Nataly Sanchez, Dominique Young, Krishonda Potts, Toluwani Omotola, Johanna Hollis, and Jasmine Oguntuga secured Donor Choose grants to fund various projects in their respective classrooms. The grants totaled $20,203. Hoffman Middle School’s Principal is Jeana Morrison-Adams.

Trustees approve action items

During the Jan. 12 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

• Approved restaurant and catering bids, retail store bids, and bid contract renewals
• Approved contracts and purchases over more than $50,000
• Approved general fund budget amendment for period 7 for the 2020-21 school year
• Approved the release of judgment liens and to authorize district counsel to execute and file notices of the release of liens filed in the Harris County District Courts
• Approved the release of abstract judgments and to authorize the district’s Chief Financial Officer to execute and release abstract liens filed in the Harris County District Courts