The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, September 16.
Before the start of the September 16 Board meeting, students from Hempstead Middle School Cheer 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 the learning happening across each campus and the importance of staying engaged with campus and district events and tools for families. He also recognized the Septermbet Students, Campus Teachers, and Support Staff of the Month.
Students Recognized
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: Benjamin Holliday
Pre-K 4: Elsy De La Fuente
Hempstead Elementary School
K: Leonardo Garcia
1st: Aubree Alvarez
2nd: Abigail Castanon
3rd: Viviana Grimaldo
4th: Myka Anderson
5th: Emma Fullen
Hempstead Middle School
6th: Nahomi Barboza Lara
7th: Allyson Cardenas
8th: Elijah Salters
Hempstead High School
9th: Jocelyn Ortiz
10th: Octavio Lozoya
11th: Casey Seets
12th: Tamaya Curtis
Employees Recognized
Hempstead Early Childhood Center
September HECC Teacher of the Month - Rebecca Lopez, PK Bilingual Teacher
September HECC Support Staff of the Month - Estephany Orostieta, Secretary/Registrar
Hempstead Elementary School
September HES Teacher of the Month - Alexis Lang, 4th Grade Teacher
September HES Support Staff of the Month - Stephanie Montgomery, Lifeskills Aide
Hempstead Middle School
September HMS Teacher of the Month - Christina Conklin, 8th Grade Social Studies
September HMS Support Staff of the Month - Barbara Reid-Gooden, SPED Paraprofessional
Hempstead High School
September HHS Teacher of the Month - Eric Eady, World Geography Teacher
September Support Staff of the Month - Vincent Murray, Truancy Officer
During recognitions, Executive Director of Human Resources, MaBisha Stubblefield, introduced the district's new partnership with Grand Canyon University. Hempstead Early Childhood Center pre-k teacher, Sandra Lozano, will be starting the Grand Canyon University Graduate program, and Sahairi Estvez Garcia, will begin the Grand Canyon University undergraduate program.
Bond 2024 Update
Gallagher Construction and PBK Architects provided an update on the Bond 2024 projects. The bond will be broken up into six packages. During the meeting, the team provided an estimated project schedule with a goal of late 2027 completion of all Bond 2024 projects.
*This image is not drawn to scale.
The Hempstead Board of Trustees discussed two different site locations for the new Hempstead Early Childhood Center project. The campus will be located on district-owned land behind Hempstead Middle School, near 9th and Shepherd Street. This land has been owned by the district for some time, and it will soon take on a new look as construction begins.
You can review the Bond 2024 projects at www.hempsteadisd.org/bond2024.
Trustees Approve Action Items
During the September Board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:
Approved the ratification/approval of project delivery/contract method of Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) for the following 2024 Bond Program Projects.
Approved project delivery/contract method of Job Order Contracting for the following 2024 Bond Program Project: Athletic Field and Track Project.
Approved a Resolution adopting prevailing wage rates for Hempstead ISD public works/construction projects, effective August 1, 2024.
Approved the school site of the new Hempstead Early Childhood Center.
Approved a Resolution regarding the Extracurricular Status of the Waller County Texas 4-H Organization for the 2024-25 school year.
Approved the Adjunct Faculty Agreement with Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Cooperative Extension Program for the 2024-2025 school year.
Strategic Plan Update: Learning and Leading to Higher Heights
Dr. Kimberly Harvey, Director of Special Education, provided a strategic plan update for Goal 3. Goal 3 focuses on supporting the whole child. Harvey explained the district is implementing an increase in wrap-around mental health services. Wrap-around services provide support to children and youth with mental health concerns, behavior concerns, and emotional concerns. Strategies will include all staff completing a mental health training program, providing resources to students, staff, families, and the community, and a goal of having a family-centered counseling program by the end of 2026.
The October Board meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.