Board members smiling for photo

The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 27. 

Before the start of the March 27 Board meeting, students from Hempstead Early Childhood led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil recognized Women’s History Month, the Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award recipient, the March Operations Employee of the Month, Campus Teachers and Support Staff of the Month, March Students of the Month, and the March Hempstead Reads Teacher and Students of the Month. 

Superintendent O’Neil kicked off his monthly Superintendent’s Report by recognizing that March is Women’s History Month. He acknowledged and thanked women for the various contributions they make each day around the globe. 

Students Recognized

March 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: Zius Williams

  • Pre-K 4: Luz Becerril

Hempstead Elementary School

  • K: Damon Pittman

  • 1st: Sophia Sanchez

  • 2nd: Yazmin Aranda

  • 3rd: Alexandra Lindsey

  • 4th: Ambraly Jordan

  • 5th: Jayden Glover

Hempstead Middle School 

  • 6th: Hayleigh Torres

  • 7th: Madisyn Sellers

  • 8th: Ricardo Duran

Hempstead High School 

  • 9th: Alaysia Tuck

  • 10th: Cole David Wood

  • 11th: Joseph Apodaca

  • 12th: Jacob Butler

March Hempstead Reads Award Recipients 

  • Ernesto Colunga Lujan (PK) - 4 hrs  42 min Literacy, 12,540 words read, 20 books read, 68 games played, 5 books in a month. 12% Growth in Phonological Awareness and 9 % Growth in  Reading Comprehension.

  • 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.

  • Everett Wadell’s Class - 3 hrs minutes of Literacy, 5,664 words read, 14 books read, 32 games played, 11 books written.

  • Cynthia Powers - Supporter of the Month - President of Prosperity Bank. She helped support our Spring Break Challenge by passing out flyers and is currently displaying a yard sign in front of the bank’s entrance promoting Hempstead Reads.

Employees Recognized

March Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award Recipient

Superintendent O’Neil named The City of Hempstead as the Superintendent’s Higher Heights award recipient of the month. Superintendent O’Neil recognized Mayor Erica Gillum and her team for being supportive partners of the District.

Operations Employee of the Month

Chief Operations Officer, Eric Mullens, named Hempstead ISD Operations employee, Lance Thomas, as the March Operations Employee of the Month. Thomas received a certificate for his work ethic and dedication to the students and staff of Hempstead ISD. 

Additionally, Hempstead ISD Chief Communications Officer, Valonia Walker, APR, was surprised by the Board of Trustees and Superintendent O’Neil for recently receiving the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) 35 Under 35 award.  

Monthly Staff Recognitions

Hempstead Early Childhood Center 

March HECC Teacher of the Month - Sheila Hill
March HECC Support Staff of the Month - Kathy Ivey

Hempstead Elementary School 

March HES Teacher of the Month - Bertha Cole
March HES Support Staff of the Month - Shakita Garvie

Hempstead Middle School 

March HMS Teacher of the Month - Kristy Rico
March HMS Support Staff of the Month - Susan McCown

Hempstead High School

March HHS Teacher of the Month - Abigail Murray
March Support Staff of the Month - Brianna Buford

Trustees Approve Action Items

During the Mach Board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

  • Approved the Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services with Waller County Elections Office for the May 2023 Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees Election 

  • Approved the Board Resolution extending the depository contract with Prosperity Bank

The April Board meeting will be held on Monday, April 17, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.