What to watch: The Midland ISD Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, May 19, to consider selling a 65-acre school site purchased last year, approve the 2026–27 compensation plan, consider potential legal action regarding a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, and review how only 20% of student STAAR-tested subjects met or were above the state average.

Key points:

  • Sale of property: Trustees will consider initiating the sale of two tracts totaling 65.5 acres at Cholla Road and South County Road 1235. The district purchased the land in January 2024 for a future school site, but now says it no longer needs it because of a planned 2028 grade reconfiguration that will move 6th grade to the middle school, freeing up elementary capacity.

The district would retain all oil, gas, and mineral rights. The Midland Central Appraisal District lists the combined value of the properties at nearly $2 million.

  • Juvenile Justice Alternative Education: Trustees will meet in closed session to consult with legal counsel on potential litigation and possible action related to a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) for the 2026–27 school year. The potential litigation is likely against Midland County.

JJAEPs serve students involved in serious criminal behavior. State law does not require Midland County to operate one because its population was below the threshold in the 2000 census.

MISD reported 32 expellable offenses during the 2024–25 school year and eight additional cases through November 2025. The district and county must weigh whether to create a dedicated facility, continue using alternative placements, or rely on the state’s newer virtual expulsion option.

  • Strategic plan report: Trustees will receive a quarterly update on the district’s strategic plan, which tracks 11 academic performance metrics through 2028.

Recent results show mixed performance. Reading growth exceeded its 2025 target at 65% compared to a goal of 59%. Algebra I results fell short, with 36% of first-time test-takers meeting the standard, compared with a 46% target. The percentage of STAAR-tested areas at or above the state average also fell short of its goal, reaching 20% compared to a 25% target.

  • Compensation plan: Trustees will consider the 2026–27 compensation plan. A new teacher with no experience would start at $61,600, up $100 from last year. Most pay levels would remain flat or increase slightly.

However, the district will offer new hires with 1, 3, 5, or 8 years of experience lower salaries than last year, with reductions ranging from $248 to $468. The district said it will not move current employees to lower pay steps.

The plan also introduces a lower District of Innovation teacher pay tier and adjusts administrative pay ranges slightly, with most positions decreasing 1–2% at the midpoint and a few executive roles increasing modestly. The district’s annual health insurance contribution remains $6,036 per employee.

  • Avalon and Thomason Drive: Trustees will consider awarding an $11.1 million contract to build the Avalon and Thomason Drive extensions, which will serve the new Lee High School.

The city requires MISD to construct roads along its property, but only to a minimum two-lane standard. The City of Midland is contributing an additional $18 million to expand surrounding roads, water, and sewer infrastructure to handle expected growth and traffic. The city cited the need for the additional $18 million as one reason for raising the drainage fee.

  • Bus seat belts: Trustees will receive an update on compliance with Senate Bill 546, which requires all new school buses to have three-point seat belts and all district buses to have seat belts by 2029. MISD is currently 73% compliant and expects to meet the 2029 deadline without additional retrofit spending for older buses.
  • Special education plan: Trustees will review a long-term strategic plan for special education, with goals extending through 2031. The plan follows a district-wide evaluation prompted by concerns at South Elementary. More than 4,000 students, about 14% of district enrollment, currently receive special education instruction, and demand continues to grow.
  • Board operating procedures: Trustees will consider forming an ad hoc committee to draft formal board operating procedures. The proposal, presented by Trustee Sara Burleson, would task the committee with researching best practices and developing recommendations for how the board conducts its work.