Photo credit: Your Basin

What to watch: Midland ISD trustees will meet Tuesday, Oct. 20, to consider a budget amendment that increases the district’s estimated Robin Hood payment to the state by $15.7 million. Trustees will also consider selling the former MAP campus on W. Missouri Ave. for $4.6 million and improvement plans for four schools including Midland Lee High School.

Key points:

  • Robin Hood increases: MISD expects to pay the state $59.7 million this school year under Robin Hood (the recapture system), up from the $44 million originally budgeted. The Robin Hood system requires property-wealthy districts to send a portion of their local tax revenue to the state.

District documents attribute the increase to higher-than-expected tax collections and lower student attendance. MISD budgeted for average daily attendance of 25,900 students in June. Actual attendance during the first six weeks averaged 24,639. The amendment lowers the estimate to 24,221 because of declining enrollment and IDEA Public Schools not operating its planned 1882 partnership. The amendment also adds $1.3 million for legal fees including the district’s lawsuit challenging recapture. MISD says the change leaves a $1.2 million budget deficit.

Midland’s top stories. One quick email. Free, every Friday.
Get Midland Wrapped, our free weekly email for busy Midland residents. Each Friday, we break down the week’s most important local stories — what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next — so you can stay informed without the noise.

Trustees voted unanimously to sue the state in July. Board President Josh Guinn said attorneys estimated the lawsuit could cost about $1 million.

  • Robin Hood agreement: Trustees will consider the district’s annual agreement to purchase attendance credits from the state and authorize the superintendent to sign it. This is how MISD makes its required Robin Hood (recapture) payments.

The district estimates it has paid about $1.14 billion in Robin Hood since the 2013-14 school year. Its highest payment was $165 million in 2022-23. The agreement’s supporting memo still uses the previous $44 million estimate rather than the proposed $59.7 million.

  • Property values: MISD’s chief financial officer will present a response from the Midland Central Appraisal District explaining how property values were determined this year.

Chief Appraiser Michelle Berdeaux said 47% of improved properties countywide increased in value by at least $1,000 while 53% decreased by at least $1,000. She attributed lower taxable values to a new $125,000 exemption for business personal property and low oil prices in late 2025. District figures show mineral values fell about $7.1 billion and total assessed values dropped roughly 10%.

In July, MCAD’s chief appraiser told trustees the district lost access to local MLS property sales data about five years ago.

  • MAP campus sale: Trustees will consider selling the former MAP campus at 2101 W. Missouri Ave. to St. Ann’s Catholic School for $4.6 million. St. Ann’s submitted the only proposal. The administration said the offer exceeds the property’s estimated fair market value. Trustees approved selling the campus in February. In July, Guinn identified sales of unused district property as one way to help pay for the Robin Hood lawsuit.
  • Mineral leases: Trustees will consider leasing mineral rights beneath Parker, Fannin and Rusk elementary schools and Lee High School after Pike Petroleum expressed interest. If approved, MISD would advertise for proposals for three weeks before bringing a recommendation back to trustees.
  • Campus improvement plans: Trustees will hold a public hearing and consider improvement plans for Midland Lee High School and Henderson, Jones and South elementary schools as part of a state school improvement grant. Lee High School and Henderson Elementary were identified for comprehensive support after ranking in the bottom 5% of Title I high schools and elementary schools statewide in closing achievement gaps between student groups based on 2026 ratings.

The Permian Press previously reported on South Elementary’s improvement plan and efforts at other low-rated campuses.

  • Library book removal: Trustees will consider removing “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daugter” a novel by Erika L. Sánchez from district libraries following a parent’s challenge. The district’s Library Council recommended removing the book, which was available at Goddard Junior High, Lee Freshman and Lee High schools. It remains unavailable to students until trustees make a decision.
  • Encore Academy construction: Trustees will consider a $9.94 million construction for the new Encore Academy under the 2023 bond. An additional $846,723 would cover optional new tennis courts. The district expects the school to be ready for students in August 2027.
  • Parkhill contract: Trustees will consider a contract change with Parkhill that would add $994,364 to the firm’s pay for the 2023 bond program. Parkhill would design $2 million in road and utility work on Wadley Avenue and on Avalon and Thomason near the district’s 2 new high schools, under a cost-sharing agreement with the City of Midland. Parkhill would give up its $1 million management fee on the $41.4 million Storie Middle School and Encore Academy project, which the firm will design instead. The district said the changes stay within the 2023 bond budget.
  • Oncor easements: Trustees will consider three separate electric easements with Oncor for construction projects at Alamo Junior High, the new Midland Lee High School and the new Midland High School.
  • Legislative priorities: Staff will present draft priorities for the 2027 Texas legislative session. Trustees are expected to consider a formal recommendation in November. The draft highlights where the district wants more or a larger share of state funding. MISD received about $3.1 million through the state’s basic allotment last year compared with $45.8 million in calculated costs. The district also received about $1.9 million in state safety funding but spent roughly $6 million on safety and security, leaving a $4.1 million gap.
  • District reports: Trustees will hear updates on financial planning, long-range facilities, the district’s “optimization” plan, early childhood reading and math performance, bilingual and ESL programs and the annual Midland Council of PTAs report.