The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, May 18. Hempstead Elementary School 5th Grade Leaders from Ms. Geraldine Williams ' class led the pledges.
During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil celebrated the May Students and Staff of the Month, 2026 Teacher Incentive Allotment Recipients, and the 2026 Support Staff and Teachers of the Year.
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
Alicia Medellin - Pre-K3
Beyden Alvarado - Pre-K4
Hempstead Elementary School
Angel Barros Montenegro - K
Jonathan Adame - 1st Grade
Luz Becerril - 2nd Grade
Easton Lampkin - 3rd Grade
Mateo Serna - 4th Grade
Mia Perez - 5th Grade
Hempstead Middle School
Alexa Denley - 6th Grade
Victoria Espino - 7th Grade
Andrea Rodriguez - 8th Grade
Hempstead High School
Amelia Bodine - 9th Grade
Eddie Ivey - 10th Grade
Kenadie Anderson - 11th Grade
Ozaria and Oziria Gillum - 12th Grade
Employees Recognized
Operations Employee of the Month
Kenneth Jeffery, Maintenance Employee
Hempstead Early Childhood Center
May HECC Teacher of the Month - Sandra Lozano
May HECC Support Staff of the Month - Blanca Tejeda
Hempstead Elementary School
May HES Teacher of the Month - JoKeisha Campbell
May HES Support Staff of the Month - Maria Rodriguez
Hempstead Middle School
May HMS Teacher of the Month - Melissa Johnson
May HMS Support Staff of the Month - Tameko Wilder
Hempstead High School
May HHS Teacher of the Month - Cori Gurka
May HHS Support Staff of the Month - Rosa Flores
The Campus Teachers of the Year and Support Staff of the Year were recognized during the meeting. Each of them was given flowers from the district.
2026 Support Staff of the Year
Hempstead Early Childhood Center - Abbigail Compean
Hempstead Elementary School - Shakita Garvie
Hempstead Middle School - Alma Harvey
Hempstead High School - Kristie Toliver
2026 Campus Teachers of the Year
Hempstead Early Childhood Center - Sandra Lozano
Hempstead Elementary School - Amberly Wagner
Hempstead Middle School - Sandra Smith
Hempstead High School - Ronald Walker
MaBisha Stubblefield, Executive Director of Human Resources, named the 2026 District Teachers of the Year, who will represent Hempstead ISD in the Region 4 Teacher of the Year Contest.
Congratulations to the 2026 District Secondary Teacher of the Year, Sandra Smith, and the 2026 District Elementary Teacher of the Year, Sandra Lozano.
2026 Teacher Incentive Allotment Recipients
The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, created by the Texas Legislature as part of House Bill 3, offers an opportunity for teachers to earn six-figure salaries and for districts to attract and retain highly effective educators in traditionally hard-to-staff schools. The allotment amount per teacher is based on the level of academic growth their students attained, teacher instructional performance, and the percentage of socio-economically disadvantaged students at their school. Teachers can be recognized at three levels: Recognized, Exemplary and Master.
Hempstead Early Childhood Center
Sandra Lozano - Recognized
Hempstead Elementary School
JoKeisha Campbell - Exemplary
Dominique Donald - Master
Hempstead High School
Christine Herbert - Master
Kristen Payne - Exemplary
Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award Recipient
Superintendent O’Neil announced that the May Superintendent’s Higher Heights Award recipient was Artis Edwards, Hempstead ISD Chief Operations Officer. Superintendent O’Neil thanked Edwards for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to students and staff across the district.
The following information items were presented at the monthly board meeting.
Bond 2024 project manager and architect representatives from Gallagher were present to provide a progress and financial update.
Trustees Approve Action Items
During the May board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:
Approved Superintendent's hiring authority from May 19, 2026, to September 21, 2026.
Approved contract renewal with Aramark Educational Services, LLC for the 2026-2027 school year.
Approved the Certificate of Election for Sharon Thibodeaux (Position 4) and Connie Wawarofsky (Position 7).
Approved the reorganization of the Board
Board Members Sharon Thibodeaux (Position 4) and Connie Wawarofsky (Position 7)
took the Oath of Office during the meeting.
The June Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 15, in the Administration Building Board Room.