Aldine ISD names 2025 board committees; union urges community engagement on possible school closures

The Aldine Independent School District Board of Trustees on Jan. 14 announced its standing and ad hoc committee assignments for 2025 and heard public comment from Aldine AFT leaders who urged the board to be cautious and transparent about any proposed school closures.

Trustees listed committee chairs and members for the coming year. The nominations committee will be chaired by Randy Bates with Connie Esparza and Paul Shanklin as members. The board policy committee will be chaired by Dr. Garcia with Rose Avalos and Randy Bates as members. The school names committee will be chaired by Mead with Dr. Booker, the president, and Dr. Garcia as members. The board also named an advocacy ad hoc committee to be chaired by Avalos, with Booker and Connie Esparza as members.

During the public comment period Candace Houston, president of Aldine AFT, urged the board to "be very mindful of the number of schools being closed and the placements of the students." She said the district is facing financial challenges "due to a decrease in enrollment, lack of increase in state funding," and also criticized past district administration for not addressing issues earlier. "Schools are more than just buildings; they are pillars of the community," Houston said, and she urged trustees to ensure staff at closing schools "have a voice on their new placement" and that campuses slated to accept displaced students have adequate administrative support.

Zelda Morgan, vice president of Aldine AFT and a teacher at Davis High School, offered the union—s tokens of appreciation to trustees during the school board recognition portion of the meeting and thanked the board for their support.

Board members did not take formal action on any school closure at the meeting; the discussion during public comment was a request for outreach and deliberation rather than the presentation of a specific closure plan. The creation and membership of the advocacy ad hoc committee was presented as part of the board—s operating procedures and was described by the president as a vehicle the board plans to use for legislative and policy advocacy in 2025.