Midland ISD held its regular school board meeting for December on Tuesday. Here's a few things you might have missed:
Third Future Schools partnership
The board of trustees approved the three-year contract renewal with Third Future Schools, which oversees Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary. The initial contract was set to end on June 30, 2025, and this is the first contract renewal the partner is seeking.
The district determined that Sam Houston's academic goals aligned with the MISD Board Goals, including the campus earning a B rating for the next three years.
The district recommended the board to approve the contract renewal because of Sam Houston's academic performance (NWEA scores showed a year's growth or more) and their efforts to push students to achieve a "masters" level of STAAR. Their financial standing met all obligations and goals.
Contract negotiations included a term extension of three years, updated academic performance goals and an increase in student enrollment.
New hires
The board approved the hiring of the new leader for human resources and an elementary school principal.
Roy Garcia was hired as the chief of human capital. Garcia has nearly 30 years of experience in education and has served in roles such as teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent.
Griselda Rosales was hired as the principal of Parker Elementary. Rosales was recognized as the MISD Assistant Principal of the Year last year.
FIRST report
The board held a public hearing on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas report, which encourages transparency in public school district finances.
For the FIRST report, the district is rated according to 21 indicators developed by the Commissioner of Education including financial audit and governance disclosures, debt management, administrative costs, cash and investments, student enrollment, students to staff ration and fund balance.
In August, MISD submitted an appeal letter to the Texas Education Agency related to the four-point deduction of the 2022-23 fiscal year, which is related to the liability account where the district is required to show annual recapture payment. The TEA denied to appeal, leading to a final FIRST rating of 96 or an A grade for superior achievement.
Bond update
Construction at the Lone Star Trails Elementary School is 28% done, the masonry walls in the kitchen are fully completed. The steel erection is 60% complete and the drywall sheathing installation and installation of stud walls are ongoing.
Construction for the elementary school safety enhancements is 75% complete. Camera installation was finalized and work on door access control system is underway.
Construction of track installation at Midland Freshman are fully complete. The finalization of lighting wiring is pending.
For a full update of bond progress, visit midlandbond2023.com.