ActionLine…Your Board Meeting Update March 23, 2011

CenterPoint energy employees recognized

During the March 22 Trustees meeting, four employees from CenterPoint Energy were honored for their participation in the district’s Texas Scholars Program. Twiana Collier, Aldine ISD’s coordinator of student financial aid, said since 2005, 27 CenterPoint Energy employees have given Texas Scholars presentations to eighth-grade students in Aldine. Texas Scholars is a community-based initiative in which volunteers from local businesses and educators work together to motivate

middle school students to focus on education, career planning and life after high school. In addition to their commitment as volunteers, last year CenterPoint Energy awarded Aldine students $2,500 in scholarships. On hand at the March 22 Trustees meeting to receive recognition were Veronica Guillory, Janette Hammond, Gloria Luna and Tracy Janada. The four work in CenterPoint’s Corporate Community Relations Department. Collier awarded Texas Scholars medallions to Guillory and Hammond. The two have served as Texas Scholar volunteers every year since 2005. Employees recognized

During the March 22 Trustees meeting, a number of Aldine ISD employees were honored for the contributions they make to the district on a daily basis.

Richard Delgado, executive director of transportation, named Benita Thomas as his department’s Employee of the Month. Thomas works at the east side transportation department. He has been with Aldine for 17 years.

Emitte Roque, executive director of buildings and properties named MacArthur Ninth Grade School as his department’s Building of the Month. On hand to accept the award were head custodian Sofia Silva and MacArthur Ninth School principal Dr. Craig Mullenix.

Roque named Kujawa Elementary School as his department’s Yard of the Month. On hand to accept the award were head custodian Erica Tillman, yard man Moises Herrera and principal Debera Thomas.

Dani Sheffield, executive director of child

nutrition services, named the Eisenhower Senior High School cafeteria staff as her department’s Team of the Month. The team consists of managers Shirley Etundi and Diana Castellanos and specialists Elvira Aguilar, Judith Baillou, Janice Fielder, Myra Harris, Genevia Harrison, Barbara Jacobs, Jacqueline Jacobs, Laquetria Martin, Juanita Mendoza, Antoinette Miles, Ola Randolph, Gloria Salazar, Antonio Salgado, Lakeshia Shepherd, Dianne Thompson, Patricia White and Waltine Woods. The child nutrition supervisor is Valerie Barr and the school’s principal is Ben Ibarra.

Aldine ISD Police Chief Brian Allen

selected a group of officers as his department’s Officers of the Quarter. He first honored Officers Joshua Downing and Orville Wright for apprehending a suspect who broke into a vehicle in the Lane School parking lot. A witness advised the officers that she witnessed a male get out of a truck, walk over to a parked vehicle and strike the driver’s side window with some type of tool that caused the window to shatter. The

suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to get the radio system out when the car alarm went off. The suspect fled south on Aldine Westfield. The witness flagged down Downing, along with Wright and Sgt. Rodney Thordsen initiated an investigation, which resulted in a traffic stop of the suspect. Officers contacted the individual whose car was broken into and asked if the owner wanted to pursue charges against the suspect. The owner did ask that charges be filed and charges were accepted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for burglary of a motor vehicle.

Chief Allen also recognized Officer Claude Thomas for his work in assisting HPD in the arrest of individuals who were seen shooting a gun from a car. A HPD unit informed Thomas

of the incident and provided a description of the vehicle. Thomas spotted the vehicle, ordered the suspects out of the vehicle and held them until HPD arrived. HPD then took the suspects into custody. Contracts for professional staff approved

During the March 22 Board meeting, AISD Trustees unanimously approved Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg’s recommendation to approve contracts for the district’s professional staff for the 2011-12 school year. Summer work schedule approved

Aldine ISD Trustees unanimously approved the summer work schedule, recommended by Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg, during their March 22 meeting. The summer work schedule will begin on Monday, June 6. Summer work hours for all employees will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The district will be closed on Fridays. An exception to this will be the police department and central receiving, which will operate on a skeleton crew. The Fourth of July falls on Monday, and district offices will be closed Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4. Employees will work 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, July 5-8. Regular hours will resume on Monday, Aug. 8. Program presented

Patrick Mouton, executive director of facilities planning and construction, presented the program during the March 22 Trustees meeting. He provided an overview of the progress of construction and renovation projects made possible after Aldine voters approved a bond referendum in 2007.