The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, January 23.
Before the start of the January board meeting, Hempstead Middle School students Victoria Espino and Nate Peterson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. During the meeting, the January Students, Campus Teachers, and Support Staff of the Month were celebrated.
Board Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month, a time to recognize the Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees for their dedication and commitment to the District and its students. This year the theme for Board Month is “Leadership for Tomorrow’s Texas.” Superintendent O’Neil took time to thank the Board for their selfless dedication to Hempstead students and staff. District leaders, staff, and students honored the Board Members with gifts of appreciation during the meeting.
President: Connie Wawarofsky (Position 7)
Vice President: Tressey Wilson (Position 1)
Secretary: Julian Alvarez (Position 6)
Trustee: James Glover (Position 2)
Trustee: Albert Garfield (Position 3)
Trustee: Hoveta Godines (Position 4)
Trustee: Susan Hopkins (Position 5)
Students Recognized
The Hempstead High School FFA Horse Judging Team was recognized during the meeting for being named in the Top 20 teams in the state of Texas.
Each campus selects 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: Andrea Berumen Aguilera
Pre-K 4: Yoanna Ortega
Hempstead Elementary School
K: Julieta Venegas
1st: Damon Pitman
2nd: Lucia Ponce
3rd: Sophia Sanchez
4th: Christopher Maxwell
5th: Vicente Macedo Villegas
Hempstead Middle School
6th: Victoria Espino
7th: Nate Peterson
8th: Kailey McDade
Hempstead High School
9th: Eli DeBruin
10th: Janaveve Trujillo
11th: Keily Pacheco
12th: Patria Hood
Employees Recognized
Hempstead Early Childhood Center
January HECC Teacher of the Month - Everett Waddel, PK Teacher
January HECC Support Staff of the Month - Gloria Torres, PK Paraprofessional
Hempstead Elementary School
January HES Teacher of the Month - Geraldine Williams, 2nd Grade Teacher
January HES Support Staff of the Month - Vanessa Carrizalez, Registrar
Hempstead Middle School
January HMS Teacher of the Month - Karen Peyton, 7th Math/8th Algebra 1 Teacher
January HMS Support Staff of the Month - Mercedes Silva, Library Paraprofessional
Hempstead High School
January HHS Teacher of the Month - Carly Becker, SPED Dept. Chair/Inclusion Teacher
January Support Staff of the Month - Seretta Madison, Secretary
Operations Employee of the Month
The January Operations Employee of the Month is Paula Vazquez, Hempstead ISD Custodian.
Information Items
During the meeting, Hempstead ISD Chief Academic Officer, Emily Vermeulen, presented Strategic Plan Goal 1 updates. Goal 1 focuses on ensuring success for all learners Hempstead ISD will provide the tools and resources to support effective teaching and learning that fosters communication, engagement, and critical thinking. The updates focused on Quarter 2 Interim Assessments.
The following action items were approved during the meeting:
Approved the 2025-2026 District Calendar
Approved Budget Amendment #2
Approved the Order Calling Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees Election for May 3, 2025 (Position 1, Position 2 and Position 3).
Approved 2024-2025 Hempstead Elementary School Targeted Improvement Plan.
Approved Hempstead Middle School Targeted Improvement Plan.
Approved Hempstead High School Targeted Improvement Plan.
The February Board meeting will be held on Monday, February 24, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.