Board members smiling for photo

The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, May 15.

During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil recognized the 2023 Teachers of the Year, 2023 Teacher Incentive Allotment Recipients, the Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award recipient, the Operations Employee of the Month, Campus Teachers and Support Staff of the Month, Students of the Month, the HHS Girls 4x200 State Track Team, HHS FFA Dairy Judging Team, and the HHS UIL One Act Play Cast & Crew.

Superintendent O’Neil kicked off his monthly Superintendent’s Report by recognizing that May 8-12 was National Teacher Appreciation Week. He thanked all the Hempstead ISD educators for their hard work this year.

Students Recognized

May 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: Emilia Longoria

  • Pre-K 4: Aubree Alvarez

Hempstead Elementary School

  • K: Julian Martinez

  • 1st: Titus Johnson

  • 2nd: Crystal Garcia

  • 3rd: Brandon Cruz-Vasquez

  • 4th: Beckett Trimboli

  • 5th: Anayeli Saucedo Venegas

Hempstead Middle School 

  • 6th: Miguel Montero

  • 7th: Joe Zamora

  • 8th: Andrew Manzano

Hempstead High School 

  • 9th: Juan Marin

  • 10th: Kasi Kwiatkowski

  • 11th: Haley Herbert

  • 12th: Demarcus Dixon

Employees Recognized

May Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award Recipient

Superintendent O’Neil named Hempstead ISD Police Officer, John Howard, as the Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award recipient of the month. Superintendent O’Neil recognized Officer Howard for being supportive of Hempstead ISD students 

Operations Employee of the Month

Chief Operations Officer, Eric Mullens, named Hempstead ISD Lead Custodian, Aurora Martinez, as the May Operations Employee of the Month. Martinez received a certificate for her work ethic and dedication to the students and staff of Hempstead ISD. 

Monthly Staff Recognitions

Hempstead Early Childhood Center 

May HECC Teacher of the Month - Rebecca Lopez
May HECC Support Staff of the Month - Gloria Torres

Hempstead Elementary School 

May HES Teacher of the Month - Akiau Ratcliff
May HES Support Staff of the Month - Amberly Wagner

Hempstead Middle School 

May HMS Teacher of the Month - Karon Neal
May HMS Support Staff of the Month - Loretta Smith-Harris

Hempstead High School

May HHS Teacher of the Month - Gabriel Arias
May Support Staff of the Month - Latasha Garvie

Trustees Approve Action Items

During the May board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:

  • Approved the Superintendent’s hiring authority for the months of May through September. 

  • Approved the TEA Waiver for three low attendance days (April 4-6, 2023).

  • Approved updates to the Hempstead ISD Stipendent Compensation List.

  • Approved canvass of votes from the May 6, 2023, Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees Election.

  • Approved reorganization of the Board. 

    • Board Secretary - Julian Alvarez

    • Board Vice President - Tressy Wilson 

    • Board President - Connie Wawarofsky

Additionally during the meeting, Superintendent O’Neil thanked Ms. Stephanie Bush for her work on the Hempstead ISD Board and her dedication to Hempstead ISD students and staff. Newly elected board member Hoveta Godines-Mayes (Position 4) and reelected trustee Connie Wawarofsky (Position 7) were sworn in at the board meeting. 

The June Board meeting will be held on Monday, June 12, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.