On Dec. 12, School Board President Earl Humbird, called to order the regular school board meeting for Alvin Independent School District.
Superintendent Carol Nelson gave the Superintendent’s Report stating that AISD SERVES November endeavors were a success. She expressed her gratitude to all the students and staff who participated in serving the community through various projects.
The district had 25 National Qualifying students in individual competition events at the 2023 Texas Thespians Festival held Nov. 15-18 in Grapevine, Texas. The qualifying students can attend the Thespian Festival at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in June 2024.
A Path to Purpose Breakfast was hosted by the district for local community groups, faith-based partners, and local non-profit leaders from around the district to build relationships with groups that support the district’s students and families.
On Dec. 4th, Santa greeted the students and staff of AISD with the help of Board President Earl Humbird and JB Hensler Culinary students.
Planning for the AISD Rodeo Open House at Liberty Hall at Freedom Field has begun. The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The holiday break began on Dec. 15. Students will return on January 4, 2024.
Alvin High School Choir students served as greeters and sang several Christmas songs.
Renae Rives, AISD Communications Director, announced the following Student Commendations:
Jr. High UIL One Act Play on Nov. 4 - the Alvin ISD Jr. High Theatre Programs performed at the District UIL One Act Play Contest at Shadow Creek HS:
1st place show – Manvel JH – An Absolutely True Story (As Told by a Bunch of Lying Liars)- Paige Rooney (Best Performer), Anders Freebug (All-Star Cast), Jackson Bullock (Honorable Mention Cast), Kashvi Nandagiri (Outstanding Technician) Director/Teacher: Christina Fondren 2nd place show – Rodeo Palms JH – Peter/Wendy Damian Perez (Best Performer), Alexis Ferraro (All-Star Cast), Gianna Bryant (Honorable Mention Cast), Aiden Calzadillas (Outstanding Technician), Director/Teacher: Taylor Orsak 3rd place show – McNair JH – Persephone- Mia Silva (All-Star Cast), Alyx Cooper (Honorable Mention Cast), Syriah Dawsey (Outstanding Technician) ,Director/Teacher: Brandi Kiekel Assistant: Jide Bell, Best Tech Crew - Alvin Jr. High – A Midsummers Night Dream Director: Angelica Hernandez
The following students received Rabbit Best of Breed at the Brazoria County Fair this past October:
Manvel High School: Audrey Smith, Savannah Sheffield, Kayla Dickens, Brianna Briggs, Shadow Creek High School: Abigayle Naiser, Megan Trevino and Isabelle Naiser
Superintendent Holiday Card Winners Elementary and Jr. High:
Aisha Rehman – Sweet, Sweet Holidays Brothers Elementary Art Teacher: Billie Jean Garcia Olivia Guerrero – Bright Lights – Nelson Elementary Art Teacher: Michael Somers Josiah Ybarra – Santa’s Rockin’ Hat – Alvin Elementary Art Teacher: Tiffany Quinn Chloe Adams – Christmas in the Desert – Alvin Jr. High Brianna Scroggs – Have a Paw Christmas – Alvin Jr. High Art Teacher: Elizabeth Rodriguez Jenita Sajan – Feliz Navidad – Rodeo Palms Jr. High Art Teacher: Ashley Perkins
Staff Commendations:
Rhoderick Poats, a Rodeo Palms Jr. High science teacher, was commended for saving a student’s life. The student was choking on a piece of candy, and Mr. Poats used the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the candy.
PBK Architects provided information on recent facility assessments. The older facilities in the district have been under assessment since April to set standards and determine what needs to be replaced. A timeline was shared with information on the facility assessments and a planning timeline. The timeline includes the following: Information Gathering, On-Site Assessments, Data Refinement, and Master Planning. The district is in the Master Planning Phase. The Smartsheet Database System, a high-level planning tool, was explained to the board. It is housed on Cloud and will aid the district in decisions on facilities.
It gives specific information on facilities, system life cycles, facility condition indexes, existing conditions, and recommended replacements. The Operations and Maintenance teams will use the information to make replace/repair decisions. In addition, the system will help with decisions to renovate or replace older schools.
There were no Open Forum requests, so the board moved to the Consent Agenda Action Items.
Superintendent Carol Nelson requested the consideration of approval of Consent Agenda Items A and B: Approval for Award of Contractor Consultant Proposals and Approval of Proposal 2312 Student Incentive. The board approved 5-0.
Request to consider approval for the Award of Contractor Consultant Proposals: Ten (10) proposals were received for service commodity codes and classified under the Contractor Consultant Proposals (2312CCP RFP) for a one-year, non-exclusive award with the option to renew for an additional two years. The motion was carried 5-0.
Request to consider approval authorizing a Citizens Advisory Committe: to adopt the Citizens Advisory Committee Goals, Purpose, Charges and Parameters. The committee will consist of community members, business leaders, and parents to conduct a comprehensive review of educational and student programs, enrollment trends, and current facility capacities and conditions. The board approved 5-0.
Request to consider approval of Resolution of SB 763 School Chaplain Bill. The Chaplain Bill (SB 763) requires school districts to vote on adopting a policy for employing or accepting volunteer chaplains by March 1, 2024.
The recommendation is to approve a resolution that would allow volunteer chaplains should a school need additional counseling.
This would be aligned with current practices and procedures within Alvin ISD. Vice President Regan Metoyer-Peterson clarified that this is a volunteer position, and Superintendent Nelson explained that the district does not have the funds to employ a person for this position. All faith-based persons are welcome—ranging from a pastor, youth pastor, etc.
Superintendent Nelson stated that administrative regulations will be developed and that this position will not replace school counselors. Trustee Cheryl Harris made comments on the connection to Capturing Kid’s Hearts and how these volunteers could take part in this program. President Humbird asked for clarification on whether the volunteers needed to be licensed. Superintendent Nelson stated that there is no verbiage in the resolution of license requirements. Trustee Johnson inquired if the clergy volunteer would have background screening. The volunteers will be screened and approved by the district. The resolution can be amended if necessary. The motion was carried to approve the resolution 5-0.
Request to consider approval of Bond Parameter Order. The order requests the Boards’ authorization to meet the scheduled cash flow for the approved projects by securing funding through the sale of authorized yet unissued bonds. Additionally, the Board is asked to consider providing authorization to refund current bonds should they provide appropriate savings to the district. The motion was carried 5-0.
Request to consider the approval of Annexation of the John Ralph Transportation/Safety and Tech Center site into the City of Alvin. The motion carried 5-0 to be annexed into the jurisdictional area of the City of Alvin.
Request to consider approval of Barbara Bennett Elementary and Iowa Colony Junior High Attendance boundaries. The School Boundary Advisory Committee presented the rezoning recommendations to the Board of Trustees at the November 14 meeting. These attendance boundaries will go into effect with both schools opening in August 2024. The motion to rezone was carried 5-0.
Personnel Approval of Employment of Personnel and Approval of Administrative Appointment carried 5-0.
Doniell Walters was appointed as Assistant Principal for Meridiana Elementary. Currently, Ms. Walters serves as the AISD Coordinator of Special Education of Elementary and Junior High campuses. She has eight years of experience with AISD.
The next AISD School Board meeting will be held on Jan. 9, 2024.
