Board of Trustees

Randy Stipes, President
Michael Hill, Vice President
Ken Murray, Secretary

Trustees Honor Irving ISD Decathletes

Board of Trustees President Randy Stipes presented certificates to each member of the district’s four academic decathlon teams. The Nimitz High School team was congratulated on another successful year, including a second-place finish at the state meet. Greg Jackson also was congratulated for earning the first Coach of the Year designation from Texas Academic Decathlon.

In addition, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and its Public Education Task Force presented $1,000 scholarships to each Nimitz team member in honor of their performance in Texas Academic Decathlon. Presenting the scholarships were Chris Wallace, president and CEO of the Chamber, and Lisa Sturgeon, who is chairwoman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The scholarships were underwritten by Allstate, Aviall, Microsoft and NEC America.

Team members were introduced by their coaches and principals from the four schools who addressed the board in describing the teams’ hard work and dedication to the competition.

The Irving High School Decathlon Team consists of Devon Albert, Zachary Conrardy, Eric Hill, Elvis Ibarra, Kevin Itty, Sunny Lovan, Mauricio Romero, and Tincy Thomas. Kala Loutrel was an alternate. Coaches are Lindsay Hudgins, Terry Fraza, Carol Lawler and Sandra Pettigrew. Principal is Linda Kimm.

The MacArthur High School Decathlon Team includes Belen Dietz, Robert Dorlan, Hilliana Estrada, Courtney Fears, Raven Garcia, Alex Holley, Daniel McCalip, Linh Nguyen, and Rachel Smith. Ana Ochoa and Jean Paul Rojas were alternates. Coaches are Sherry Martinez and Paula D’Spain. Principal is Cindy Bean.

The Nimitz High School Decathlon Team consists of Shehznan Baqui, Austin Christenberry, Jeremiah Glenn, Matthew Granado, Jared Hindman, Jerry Jacob, Murtaza Jafferji, Joseph Mathew, and Alex Masterson. Coaches are Greg Jackson, Dionn Duffy Dahl, Jeremy Chumley, Julia Friedl, and JoAnna Easton. Principal is Sam Bean.

The Academy of IISD Decathlon Team includes Rema Almasri, Cameron Bunkley, Elia Delgado, Georgia Hogan, Huong Nguyen, Joshua Westerman, and Maha Yousif. Cyril Varughese was an alternate. Coaches are Laura Hayes and Connie Cooley. Principal is Robbin Wall.

The Irving High Academic Decathlon Team with Principal Linda Kimm and IISD trustees.

The MacArthur Academic Decathlon Team with Principal Cindy Bean and IISD trustees.

The Nimitz Academic Decathlon Team with Principal Sam Bean and IISD trustees.

Lashbrook Honored as Teacher of the Month

Bob Lashbrook, seventh and eighth grade honors and gifted & talented science teacher at Crockett Middle School, was honored as Teacher of the Month for April. A graduate of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Maryland, Lashbrook earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from the University of Texas at Arlington.

He began his teaching career at St. Maria Goretti Parochial School as an advanced math teacher. Lashbrook joined IISD in 1996 and has spent all 11 years in the Science Department at Crockett. Prior to his teaching career, he worked for S.A. Healy Company as a tunnel engineer and LTV Aerospace & Defense where he worked in fabricating composite aircraft parts.

Mendez Recognized as Employee of the Month

Rafael J. Mendez, HVAC technician at Facilities Services, was recognized as Employee of the Month for April. He began his career with Irving ISD in 1987 as an HVAC helper. Mendez served in this capacity until 1989 when he assumed duties as HVAC lead. Since 1993, he has worked in various capacities in the HVAC Department. Mendez has been in his current position since 2000.

In Other Business, Trustees: