April Board Meeting Recap

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING | APRIL 15, 2025

PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE

The meeting opened with pledges of allegiance led by Emerson Elementary school students, Shamira Limendux Lorenzo, and Ukari Osuamkpe.

DISTRICT REPORTS

BOND 2023 UPDATE

The board heard an update on project progress that included information on the new elementary school and high schools, elementary and middle school renovations, safety and security, the Midland Freshman campus site improvements, and Packages 08 and 09.

Package 01 - Lone Star Trails Elementary:

The construction of Lone Star Trails Elementary is 68% complete and remains on track to open in August 2025. Significant progress has been made, with metal stud installation 99% complete, drywall at 35%, and roofing at 97% complete. All A/C units are scheduled to be delivered, and the transformer installation is set for the end of the month. Furniture selection is complete, and procurement is expected to be finalized by the end of April. Staffing efforts are fully underway.

Package 02 - Two New High School Campuses:

New Legacy High School:

The design development is complete, and the construction documentation (CD) phase is 50% complete. The Avalon Drive and Thomason Drive design and coordination are in progress. Project cost estimates are in progress, and the district issued a 50% CD for CMAR bidding on April 11. The interior design review took place March 5, and the school is on schedule to open in the fall of 2028.

New Midland High School:

The design development is complete and the construction documentation phase has begun. The asbestos removal, building demolition, and tree salvage/relocation is complete. The construction documentation phase is 50% complete. The design for the Wadley Avenue expansion is in progress, and the school is on schedule to open in the fall of 2028.

Package 03 - Elementary School Reno Group A:

The Scope to Budget/Schematic Design phase is 95% for Emerson Elementary, General Franks Elementary, Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary, Lamar Elementary, Long Elementary, Parker Elementary, South Elementary, and IDEA Travis. The summer 2025 construction document phase two is on track for completion. The construction schedule is being finalized.

Package 04 - Middle School Reno Group A: Current Goddard Junior High School

The construction document phase is 95% complete and scheduled for completion this spring. Portable relocation is complete, and the asbestos abatement is scheduled for this summer. The construction schedule is being finalized.

Current Middle Freshman High School

The construction document phase is 95% complete, and the spring 2025 construction document is complete. The asbestos abatement is scheduled for this with the construction schedule being finalized.

Package 05 - Middle School Reno Group B:

The construction document phase for Alamo Junior High is 50% complete. The portable relocation and asbestos abatement are scheduled for the summer of 2025. A portion of the package is out for bid.

Package 06 - Safety:

Construction for the safety enhancements is now 100% complete. Camera installation and door access control systems have been finalized, and additional door access controls are currently in progress. The new secure vestibule storefronts have been completed, and the intruder-resistant film has been fully installed.

Radios

Construction of the radio repeaters and centralized receivers to enhance districtwide communication began in February 2025. FCC licensing has been secured, and system testing is scheduled for completion by April or May. The central repeater tower, located at the MISD Administration Office, was completed on April 3.

Package 07 - Midland Freshman Site Improvements:

All construction and the track installation at Midland Freshman are complete. The bleachers were modified to be ADA compliant, and the final punch list walkthrough is complete. The review and finalizing progress for the closeout documents are 99% complete.

Package 08 - Elementary School Renovations Group B:

MWM Architects were selected in September 2024 for the projects of Santa Rita, Bush, Scharbauer, and De Zavala elementary schools. The scope to budget and schematic design is approximately 95% complete. The construction schedule is being finalized and the pre-development meeting with the City of Midland was held on March 19. The Santa Rita Elementary drive/parking construction has begun.

 

Package 09- Middle School Renovations Group C:

JSA Architects was selected in November 2024 to lead the projects for San Jacinto and Abell Middle Schools. Initial site surveys are in progress, and the STB submittal process is underway. The design and construction schedule is currently being finalized, and a portion of the project is out for bid.

2025-26 BUDGET PREPARATION UPDATE #3

Trustees heard the third update regarding preparation for the upcoming fiscal year budget. This monthly report included assumptions, the state of the district, any legislative changes with budget implications, and the building blocks that make up the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

STRATEGIC PLAN QUARTERLY UPDATE #6

The district provided its Quarterly Strategic Plan Report, which included four initiative updates and communication regarding progress towards initiative metrics. The Strategic Plan Oversight Committee, now in year two, has reviewed and provided feedback on 22 of the 28 initiatives this school year.

To begin, from the Student Experience Pillar, Initiative 3.2, aims to foster a cohesive and engaging learning environment through curriculum alignment, consistent across all grade levels, and promote teacher collaboration to develop cross-curricular projects which deepen students’ interconnected understanding. Beginning in 2025-26, all 3rd-6th graders will receive bi-weekly LegoRobitics during math and science. MISD will continue to increase UIL A+ Academics (grades 2-8) and UIL Academics (grades 9-12) participation and recognitions. Approximately 100 7th graders will begin a biomedical pathway by participating in a STEM + M Neuroscience elective, thanks to a partnership with Baylor College of Medicine.

Initiatives 5.1 and 5.3 come from the Grow and Develop Staff Pillar. These initiatives focus on staff recruitment, retention, and onboarding. Overall resignation counts continue to decline as the Human Capital Team continues to focus on providing ongoing support and job training to our employees.

Lastly, from the Engage and Act Pillar, Initiative 10.2 relates to tracking student performance to facilitate communication. Skyward Online Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opened on April 1st. This process has significantly improved, resulting in shorter completion times, is mobile-friendly, and has fewer required tasks.   

SPOC will meet on May 6th for the final time this school year. The next quarterly report will come before the board in July and will discuss year three of SPOC implementation and its priorities.

ACADEMIC UPDATE

The district presented an update on Goal Progress Measure (GPM) 1.3, which is related to the percentage of kindergarten through second grade students who are reading on or above grade level. The mCLASS assessment is utilized three times a year to assess kindergarten through second grade students’ literacy development. With this data, the district is able to identify where each child needs additional support and is able to determine the percentage of students who are successfully reading on or above grade level. mCLASS assesses the critical skills needed for students to become proficient readers, and it is aligned with the Science of Reading.

The district reported it is on track to meet the end of year target of 61%, based on middle-of-the-year-data which shows that Midland ISD is aligned to the state.

A focus has been placed on working closely with teachers, literacy strategists, and Multi-Classroom Leaders to strengthen phonics instruction to ensure students build a strong reading foundation. With ongoing progress monitoring, MISD remains on track to meet the end-of-year target.

After end-of-year testing is complete, the district will identify students in need of additional intervention through a robust summer learning program focused on increasing the number of students reading on grade level.

ACTION ITEMS

NEW HIRES

The board voted to approve the hiring of the Yarbrough Elementary School and Early College High School principals for the upcoming school year.

Kristen Godwin has been selected as the new principal for Yarbrough Elementary School. As a participant in the Aspiring Principals Academy, she has developed the skills and knowledge to lead effectively. Ms. Godwin brings experience as an assistant principal and three years of service at her current elementary school, demonstrating a deep understanding of elementary education and school operations. Ms. Godwin is committed to fostering a learning environment that prioritizes academic and student growth.

Renee Hildago has been approved as the next Chancellor for Early College High School. She is completing her eighth year of school administration. Mrs. Hidalgo is currently serves as Assistant Chancellor at ECHS, and in previous years she served as assistant principal at Scharbauer Elementary. She has an extensive background in special education and brings leadership skills in the areas of instructional leadership and organizational management. Mrs. Hildago’s experience and expertise related to ECHS’s unique campus and partnership with Midland College will provide stability and continued momentum.

EMPLOYEE CONTRACT RENEWALS AND EXTENSIONS

The Texas Education Code (TEC) mandates that the board determine whether contracts should be renewed or terminated upon their expiration. The board approved the employee contracts presented as outlined.

BUDGET AMENDMENT 09

Trustees voted to approve budget amendment 09.

RFP #24-226 ASBESTOS ABATEMENT PROJECTS

Trustees voted to approve the recommended vendors for RFP #24-226. This will allow asbestos abatement services to move forward for the 2023 Bond Program Package #4 (Midland Schools Group A) and Package #5 (Middle School Group B), which include Alamo, Goddard, and Midland Freshman.

The Board also authorized the Superintendent or designee to negotiate and execute a contract in accordance with Board Policy CVB (Legal) and Texas Government Code 2269, Subchapter D.

GMP #1 - BOND PACKAGE 03

The board voted to approve the partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #1 for the early release package. As part of this package, Cerris Builders will complete work during the summer of 2025 to install comprehensive fire protection and sprinkler systems at all campuses included in Package #3—Emerson, Franks, Houston, Lamar, Long, Parker, South, and Travis Elementary Schools. Conducting this work in summer 2025 will help reduce anticipated construction demands during the summer of 2025 and beyond.

2025 STAAR RESULTS REPORTING

The district presented TEA's testing calendar of events that drives the work related to testing including when scores are released and reported to the board. A draft of the MISD School Board State Assessment Reporting Calendar was also presented. A discussion was held regarding the release of STAAR assessment data. 

Ultimately, no vote was taken and the action item was tabled.

DAILY ACCESS TO ADMINISTRATION/BOARD COMMUNICATION

Discussion was held about the potential for a process and system be put in place for the community to have access to the administration and school board’s emails regularly. 

Ultimately, there was no motion and no vote was taken.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for May 20 at 5:30 p.m.

LIVE STREAM

Please remember that our meetings are streamed live and archived at midlandisd.net/stream. You can view meeting agendas here.