ActionLine. . .Your Board Meeting Update

May 18, 2005

Board Jones, Hill sworn in

During the May 17 Board of Education meet-ing, Trustees Marine Jones and Emmett W.Hill were sworn into office after retainingtheir respective seats following the May 7board election. Jones defeated Stephen Yu forthe Position 1 seat by earning 338 votes toYu’s 49 votes. Hill received 302 votes for thePosition 2 seat. Assistant Superintendent andGeneral Counsel Jonathan Hantke adminis-tered the oath of office.

Staff assignments approved

During the May 17 board meeting, trustees approved a number of staff assignments.Gloria Cavazos was named assistant superintendent of human resources after serving asthe area superintendent of the Aldine area. Cavazos received her bachelor’s degree inelementary education from Texas A&M University in 1984 and her master’s degree inmid-management from Sam Houston State University in 1993. She began her teachingcareer in 1984 in the McAllen Independent School District as a fifth-grade bilingualteacher at Zavala Elementary School. The next year, she moved to Alvarez ElementarySchool to work as a regular education teacher in third grade. Her career in Aldine beganin 1986 when she was assigned to teach in the bilingual program at Odom ElementarySchool (then known as Colonial Hills Elementary). For the next four years, she taughtpre-kindergarten, first and second grade. In 1990, she became an assistant principal atJohnson Elementary School and in 1992, she was named that school’s principal. In 1994,Cavazos transferred to Sammons Elementary School to serve as principal. She continuedas the Sammons principal until 1999 when she was named area superintendent for theAldine Vertical Area. Cavazos has 20 years of experience in the field of education andshe has spent 18 of those years in Aldine ISD.Sara K. Ptomey was named executive director of curriculum and instruction after serv-ing as the program director of secondary mathematics. Ptomey received her bachelor’sdegree in business administration from Drexel University in 1979, and her master’s de-gree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston in 1991. She is cur-rently enrolled in the doctoral program at Sam Houston State University. She is certifiedas a principal. Ptomey began her teaching career with Houston ISD in 1989 where shewas assigned to teach first grade. She joined Aldine ISD in 1992 and was assigned to

teach sixth grade gifted and talented children at Reed Intermediate School. In 1997, shetransferred to the Resource Center as program director of intermediate and middle schoolmathematics. She left the district in 2002 to join Project GRAD USA as manager ofmathematics curriculum and then returned to Aldine ISD in 2003 to serve as program di-rector of secondary mathematics. Prior to entering the education field, she was in retailmanagement from 1979 to 1989. Ptomey has 16 years of experience in the field of educa-tion and she has spent 12 of those years in Aldine ISD.Brian Allen was named chief of police and security of the Aldine Police Department af-ter serving in that same capacity at the University of St. Thomas. Allen received hisbachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown in 1991and his currently enrolled in the master’s program at the University of St. Thomas. Hemeets district requirements for this position. Allen began his career with the HoustonBaptist University Police Department in 1989 as a lieutenant. In November of 1991, hejoined the Texas Women’s University Department of Public Safety as ser-geant/coordinator and in 1998, he joined the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission asan agent and criminal investigator. He moved into his present position as chief of policeand security at the University of St. Thomas in 2002. Allen has 11 years of experience inthe field of security and law enforcement.Todd M. Davis was named principal of Aldine Middle School after serving as principalof Stephens Elementary School. Davis received his bachelor’s degree in elementary edu-cation from Mankato State University in 1991 and his master’s degree in educational ad-ministration from Sam Houston State University in 1999. He is certified as a principal.Davis began his teaching career in Aldine ISD in 1992 and was assigned to teach fourth-grade at Worsham Elementary School. In 1999, he transferred to Hambrick MiddleSchool as an assistant principal and moved into his present position as principal at Ste-phens Elementary School in 2000. Davis has spent all 13 of his years in education withAldine ISD.Kenneth W. Hodgkinson was named principal of Grantham Academy after serving asan assistant principal at Carver High School. Hodgkinson received his bachelor’s degreein marketing in 1997 and his master’s degree in administration from the University ofHouston in 2000. He is certified as a principal. He began his teaching career in AldineISD in 1997 teaching mathematics at Shotwell Middle School. He was named an assistantprincipal at Aldine Senior High School in 1999 and moved to his current position atCarver High in 2003. Hodgkinson is also a staff member at North Harris College andwith the University of North Texas. Prior to entering the education field, Hodgkinsonworked in industry as an operations director and project analyst from 1981 to 1997. Hehas spent his entire eight years in education in Aldine ISD.John M. Picklesimer was named principal of AEPC/Project Recovery after serving as anassistant principal at Aldine Senior High School. Picklesimer received his bachelor’s de-gree in music from Hardin Simmons University in 1981 and his master’s degree in educa-tional administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2001. He is certifiedas a principal. He began his teaching career in Pasadena ISD in 1995 as a music teacher.He joined Pearland ISD in 2001 as an assistant principal at C.J. Harris Elementary Schooland in 2002, he joined Aldine ISD as an assistant principal at Carroll Academy. Hemoved into his present position at Aldine Senior High in 2003. Picklesimer also workedin industry before he entered the education field as a district, risk and branch manager

from 1987 to 1995. He has 10 years of experience in the field of education and has spentthree of those years in Aldine ISD.Katherine Roede was named principal of Conley Elementary School after serving as anassistant principal at Eckert Intermediate School. Roede received her bachelor’s degree insecondary Spanish education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994 and hermaster’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Houston in1998. She is certified as a mid-management administrator. She began her teaching careerin Aldine ISD in 1994 and was assigned to teach ESL at Stovall Middle School. She wasnamed program director of secondary ESL education in 1998 and was assigned to hercurrent position at Eckert Intermediate in 2000. Roede has spent all 11 of her years ineducation in Aldine ISD.

Summer hours approved

During the May 17 board meeting, Aldine ISD trustees approved the summer workschedule. Summer work hours will begin Tuesday, May 31 and will run from 7:30 a.m.until 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Fridays (with the exceptionof Friday, June 3 when employees will work until 12:30 p.m. due to the Memorial Dayholiday on May 30). During the week of the Fourth of July, offices will be closed Mon-day, July 4. Employees will work Tuesday, July 5, through Thursday, July 7 from 7:30a.m.-5 p.m. and on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The three week window for sum-mer vacations will be from June 15-July 8. Exceptions will need supervisor approval.Additionally, the casual dress code will go into effect on May 31. Blue jeans, tennis shoesor shorts are not appropriate, nor acceptable. Regular work hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) willresume Monday, Aug. 1. The standard dress code will also resume on Aug. 1.

Employees, students honored

During the May 17 board meeting, a number of employees and students were honored forthe contributions they make to Aldine ISD on a daily basis.

Daryl Wade, director of athletics, namedSharon Richardson as the district’s MiddleSchool Coach of the Year. Richardson is thehead volleyball and basketball coach atTeague Middle School.

Wade also presented the dis-trict’s high school AssistantCoaches of the Year, whichwent to Shawne Ledee ofEisenhower High School, andSammy Covey of MacArthurSenior High School. Ledee isthe assistant girls volleyballcoach, while Covey serves asthe defensive coordinator for

the MacArthur football team.

Ralph Wheeler, executive director of theGreenspoint YMCA, was on hand to thank theboard for its partnership with the Y whichbenefited 2,200 Aldine elementary studentswith after-school programs during the 2004-05 school year. Wheeler presented the boardwith two bronze sculptures, and had studentsin the program also present the board with agift. Gail Glasser, a Houston-area Y boardmember, also presented the board with a proc-lamation thanking them for their partnershipwith the Greenspoint YMCA. Also on hand

for the presentation was Seth Sharr, a member of the Greenspoint Y board of directors.

Willie Pickens, principal of Carver HighSchool, presented the school’s Global Enter-prise team, which will represent the UnitedStates at the International Global EnterpriseChallenge at the Glasgow Science Center inScotland in June. The Carver students won thenational title at NASA, competing againsteight other schools from the Houston area andAtlanta, GA. Team sponsor Bill Heeter intro-duced the team, which consists of NormaLeos, Chris Rawls, Chris Francis, Brook McGinnis, April Brooks, Nancy Mai,Wendi Bartlett, and Vewiser Turner. Also on hand were representatives of PLATO,which sponsored the event and presented the Carver students with invitations to a dinnerin September where 25 students from Scotland will be in attendance during a week-longvisit to Houston and NASA. Representing PLATO were John Smith, Hyang Lloyd andCarol Browne.

Emitte Roque, executive director of build-ings and properties, named Johnson Elemen-tary as his department’s Building of theMonth. On hand to accept the award wasprincipal Dr. Rebecca Hoyt on behalf ofhead custodian Geronimo Deantes.

The Building of the Year Award was pre-sented to Aldine Middle School. On hand toaccept the award was the entire custodialstaff, headed by Kathryn Price, and princi-pal Luis Pratts.

The Yard of the Month Award went to AndersonAcademy. On hand to accept the award head cus-todian Annette Powell, yard man Larry Fisherand principal Stephanie Rhodes. Roque alsopresented his department’s year-end awards.

The Yard of the Year Award went to CarverHigh School. On hand to accept the award werehead custodian Juanita Frazier, yard man Hec-tor Rodriguez and principalWillie Pickens.

Joyce Lyons, executive director of child nu-trition, named the Shotwell Middle Schoolcafeteria staff as her department’s Team of theMonth. On hand to accept the award was theentire staff, headed by cafeteria manager LoisJoller. The staff consists of Lametria Carr,Catrece Crockett, Lorraine East, RegenaHarmon, Babette Lee, Olga Martinez, Yo-landa Morris, Erica Parson, Shelia Powersand Pamela Williams. Kevin White servesas the child nutrition supervisor andWandaWalker is the principal.

Mardee Barnett, executive director of tech-nology services, named Dale Jahnke, as herdepartment’s Most Valuable Player, for help-ing the department complete a major auditingproject.

Jim Pinkerton, directorof transportation, namedSally Garcia as his de-partment’s Employee ofthe Month. Garcia is aMagnet School busdriver and drives out ofthe east side transporta-

tion department. She has been with the district for three years. Pinkerton also presented25-year safety jackets to drivers Janice Cullum and Jean Marburger.

Dr. Margaret Byrd, area superintendent ofMagnet Schools, announced that 12 AldineISD Magnet schools received either distin-guished service awards or awards of excel-lence during the National Conference onMagnet Schools, held April 17-21 in Miami.Dr. Byrd presented plaques to Smith Acad-emy (Magnet School of Distinction) and prin-cipal Katie Washington, Harris Academy(Magnet School of Distinction) and principalConnie Leday, Reece Academy (MagnetSchool of Distinction) and principal SherrieBatro, Stovall Academy (Magnet School of

Distinction) and principal Acquenette LeBlanc, Anderson Academy (Magnet School ofMagnet School of Distinction) and principal Stephanie Rhodes, Carver High (MagnetSchool of Distinction) and principalWillie Pickens, Grantham Academy (Magnet School

of Distinction) represented by 2005-06 principal Kenneth Hodgkinson who accepted onbehalf of current principal Diane Aitchison, Reed Academy (Magnet School of Distinc-tion) and principal Gina Rigsby, Raymond Academy (Magnet School of Excellence) andprincipal Dr. Linda Miller, Bethune Academy (Magnet School of Excellence) and prin-cipalMichella Wheat, Carter Academy (Magnet School of Excellence) and principalRobert Graham and Drew Academy (Magnet School of Excellence) and principal Dr.Fred Walker. Dr. Byrd also announced the district was awarded a Distinguished ServiceAward for its dedicated support and commitment to magnet schools and magnet pro-grams. Dr. Byrd presented the award to Board President A.W. Jones.

Grants announced

During the May 17 board meeting, Judy Hoya, program director of resource develop-ment, announced a number of grants.

Dr. Jamie Bryson, director of financial serv-ices, was responsible for the submission of theClassroom Teacher Reimbursement Grant,which provides for classroom teachers to bereimbursed for up to $400 for personal out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses. The 2004-05 school year was the first year for the im-plementation of this grant. The funding fromthe two awards, plus Aldine’s matching fundstotals $240,000.

Joyce Phillips, assistant principal of HallNight High School, and Xandra Williams-Earlie, program director of secondary sci-ence, teamed up to secure a $50,000 TexasAccelerated Science Achievement ProgramGrant from the Texas Education Agency. Theintent of the grant is to provide direct and in-direct support services to students in gradesnine through 12 through intervention pro-grams that target students attending highschools with low science TAKS passing rates.Hall High School will partner with the Dana Center of the University of Texas to engagetargeted students in the use of multimedia materials, focusing on the relevance of scienceand integrate the science disciplines in such a way that helps students see how and wherethey use science in their daily lives.

Dr. Fred Walker, principal of Drew Acad-emy, and Sylvia Leal, Drew’s library mediaspecialist, secured a $25,000 3M Salute toSchool Grant. The grant will provide the li-brary with a detection system to prevent unau-thorized removal of materials from the library.Nancy Blackwell, principal of HambrickMiddle School, secured a $20,000 AdvancedPlacement Middle School Spanish LanguagePlanning Grant. This grant is aimed at prepar-ing middle school students who are native

speakers of Spanish to begin advanced placement classes in middle school and continuethrough high school.

Dale Jahnke and Rose Chavez of the tech-nology services department, along with execu-tive director of technology servicesMardeeBarnett, were responsible for the district re-ceiving e-rate funding for the district in theamount of $4,556,033.57. The allocation cov-ers approximately 84 percent of networkmaintenance, including a refresh of e-mailservers, a server farm switch at the data cen-ter, Nextel radio service, telephone service,long distance service, data and telephone ca-bling, Internet access for the district, firewallequipment and service and pager service.The grants announced at the May 17 board meeting totaled $4,711,033.57.

Program presented

The Career and Technology Education Department presented the program during theMay 17 board meeting. The program centered on the district’s JROTC program, in placeat all four of the district’s traditional high schools. Col. Michael Milam, commander ofthe MacArthur JROTC, presented the program and introduced other JROTC instructorsfrom Aldine High (Air Force), Eisenhower High (Army) and Nimitz High (Navy and Ma-rines). Milam also had three cadets address the board to tell them how each of them bene-fitted from their respective programs.