Board members posing for a group photo

The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 20. 

Before the start of the February 20 Board meeting, students from Hempstead Middle School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. The pledges were led by students Brianna Padilla and Leahne Smith. During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil recognized Sam Schwarz alumni, the Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award recipient, the February Operations Employee of the Month, Campus Teachers and Paraprofessionals of the Month, February Students of the Month, and the February Hempstead Reads Teacher and Students of the Month. 

In honor of Black History Month, Superintendent O’Neil recognized Sam Schwarz High School alumni who attended the February board meeting. 

“Thank you for being here with us tonight,” Superintendent O’Neil said. “ We are thankful for the opportunity to honor the past as we look to the future.”

Students Recognized

February Students of the Month

Our campuses have selected one student of the month from each grade level to be recognized for their excellence, efforts, and achievement in being outstanding students on campus.

Hempstead Early Childhood Center

  • Pre-K 3: Ryan Torres

  • Pre-K 4: Paris Holmes

Hempstead Elementary School

  • K: Cade Armstrong

  • 1st: Alianna Rios

  • 2nd: Damian Cantu

  • 3rd: Ashley Avelar

  • 4th: David Ramirez

  • 5th: Wayne Houston

Hempstead Middle School 

  • 6th: Jaylin Aguilar

  • 7th: Airiella Mancilla

  • 8th: Naima Wilder

Hempstead High School 

  • 9th: Mariah Trujillo

  • 10th: Reese Rodriguez

  • 11th: Elizabeth Zamora

  • 12th: Chloe Uvalle

February Hempstead Reads Award Recipients 

  • Alexander Garza (PK) - 2 hrs Literacy, 3,682 words, 17 books read, 40 games played, 2 books in a month for a total of 11,979 words, 35 books read, and 8 books. 100% completed at home. 38% Growth in Phonological Awareness and 33.50 % Growth in  Reading Comprehension.

  • Melani Martinez (PK) - 2 hrs Literacy, 3,500 words, 40 games played for a total of 7,668  words with 2 books read and 6 books written. 89% completed at home 8% growth in Phonics.

  • Jason Richard (K) - 5 hours Literacy, 10,634 words read, 10 books read, 45 games played, and 24 books written. 15.68% Growth in Language.

  • Azucena Kennedy’s First Grade Class - 30 hr 2 minutes of Literacy, 70,919 words, 92 books read, 390 games played, 432 books written.

Employees Recognized

February Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award Recipient

Superintendent O’Neil named Hempstead ISD Director of Bilingual & ESL, Margarita Paramore, the Superintendent’s Higher Heights award recipient of the month. Paramore was honored and received a certification for her support of the students and staff in Hempstead ISD.

Operations Employee of the Month

Chief Operations Officer, Eric Mullens, named Hempstead ISD Operations Secretary, Judy Perez, as the February Operations Employee of the Month. Perez received a certificate for her work ethic and dedication to the students and staff of Hempstead ISD. 

Monthly Staff Recognitions

Hempstead Early Childhood Center principal, Keri Houston, recognized Sandra Lozano, as the February HECC Teacher of the Month and Sandra Leiva as the February HECC Support Staff of the Month. 

Hempstead Elementary School principal, Dr. Brittanee Shiflett, recognized Sarah Shaffer as the February HES Teacher of the Month and Dana Pineda as the February HES Support Staff of the Month. 

Hempstead Middle School principal, Dr. Rhonda Smith, recognized ChrisSandra Jackson as the February HMS Teacher of the Month and Adriana Conde as the February HMS Support Staff of the Month. 

Hempstead High School interim principal, LaKesha Morgan, recognized Cornell Lang as the February HHS Teacher of the Month and Grecia Maldonado as the February Support Staff of the Month.

The March Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 27, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.