Former Aldine ISD Board of Trustee Member Rick Ogden recently passed away. Mr. Ogden served as a Board Member for 26 years.
He was appointed to the Board in August of 1990 to fill the unexpired term of Walter Stovall. He was elected to the Position 4 seat in January 1991. Mr. Ogden was one of the longest-tenured Trustees in the history of Aldine ISD. Before becoming a Trustee, he served on Aldine ISD’s Project 2000 Committee. He resigned from the Board in November 2016 when he and his wife, Charlotte, moved out of the district.
In the fall of 2017, the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees honored him for his years of dedicated service as a Trustee by renaming Rayford Road Elementary School in his honor. Ogden Elementary School is located at 21919 Rayford Rd.
“On behalf of our Board of Trustees and our entire district, I want to send our condolences to Mr. Ogden’s wife, Charlotte, and the entire Ogden family,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “Although I did not serve with him, I know he was well respected by his fellow Board members he served with during his 26 years as a Trustee. He was also well respected in Aldine and across the state of Texas due to his leadership in the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlotte and the family during this difficult time.”
Current Trustee Dr. Viola M. Garcia served with Mr. Ogden beginning in 1992. She said Mr. Ogden was dedicated and devoted to his role as an Aldine ISD Trustee.
“Rick Ogden dedicated his life to improving education and touched the lives of countless students, educators, and community members,” Dr. Garcia said. “With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a visionary leader and a beloved member of the Aldine ISD family. Rick was a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who knew him. Rick demonstrated a rare blend of wisdom, compassion, and empathy as a school board member. His commitment to fostering an inclusive and nurturing learning environment for students of all backgrounds and abilities was unwavering. Rick understood that education was not just about academics but about cultivating character, resilience, and a sense of belonging in each student.”
Former Aldine ISD Superintendent M.B. “Sonny” Donaldson said Mr. Ogden always put students’ and teachers’ needs at the forefront of his role as a school board Trustee.
“Rick will always be remembered for his nice smile and sense of humor,” Mr. Donaldson said. “Rick was a gentleman at all times and a servant at heart. He did what was best for students to give them the space to learn and ensured our teachers had the resources they needed to teach our students. I want to send my condolences to Charlotte and the Ogden family.”
Former Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg said Mr. Ogden was the consummate Trustee, always prepared, and added that he was involved at the local and state levels.
“Rick was an outstanding board member,” Dr. Bamberg said. “He was always prepared, present, positive, and encouraging as he performed his board duties. He focused on Aldine students and staff, and families. He was also a tremendous leader in his role in the state and national school board associations.”
Current Trustee Rose Avalos said Mr. Ogden’s experience as a board member was instrumental in mentoring new board members during his 26 years as a Trustee.
“Rick Ogden’s leadership initiated the Aldine ISD’s school boards’ true involvement at the state and national level,” Ms. Avalos said. “His experience was invaluable to so many of us. His commitment and loyalty as an Aldine Trustee enhanced our advocacy efforts for all students.”
During his tenure as a Trustee, Mr. Ogden held all four Board offices and chaired numerous committees. During his service as an Aldine ISD Trustee, Mr. Ogden was a valued member of the Team of Eight (Board Members and Superintendent) and was part of the team that was responsible for the district achieving Unitary Status – which allowed Aldine students to be educated in schools closest to their home. Mr. Ogden was also part of the team recognized in 2008 by H-E-B with their Excellence in Education Award for large school districts, the Broad Prize for Urban Education Award in 2009, and the H-E-B Excellence in Education Early Childhood Award in 2015. In 1998, Mr. Ogden was a member of the Board named the Outstanding School Board of Texas by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). He was also part of the Board that passed the largest bond referendum in the history of Aldine ISD. That election was in 2015 and was for $798 million.
A 1992 member of Leadership TASB (Texas Association of School Boards), Mr. Ogden earned the title of Master Trustee. In addition to serving as an Aldine ISD Trustee, Mr. Ogden was a director of TASB (becoming the first Aldine ISD Trustee to do so) and was that group’s president from 2002-03. Mr. Ogden chaired several major TASB committees, including the prestigious Texas Cash Management Program/Lone Star Investment Pool. From 1994 to 1995, he was part of the Federal Relations Network Affiliate Member – National School Boards Association. In 1997, Gov. George W. Bush appointed Mr. Ogden to the Tri-Partnership Initiative Peer Assistance Team Training Academy – an initiative to assist school boards in understanding their role and responsibility as a Trustee.
He held all TASB offices and was the manager of the TASB Rick Management Fund Boards and a trainer for The Center For the Reform of School Systems (CRSS).
Mr. Ogden was a native Houstonian, and all four of his children were graduates of Aldine ISD. He and his wife Charlotte owned and operated Ogden Manufacturing & Machine in Aldine. In 1996, Mr. Ogden returned to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Houston Baptist University. He later served the University for 13 years as Assistant Vice President for Church and Community Relations, Director of Foundations & Denominational Relations, and retired as Director of Special Projects for the Office of the President.
Mr. Ogden was dedicated to his church, Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for over 40 years. In his retirement, he served children as a long-time Sunday School Teacher for fifth- and sixth-graders.
Visitation will be held on Friday. Aug. 11 from 5-8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home (16131 Champion Forest Dr.). Mr. Ogden’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. at Memorial Baptist Church (22333 Kuykendahl Rd.). The burial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery (13102 North Fwy).