What happened: Midland ISD trustees met Tuesday, Oct. 20, and approved increasing the district’s required estimated Robin Hood payment to the state from $44 million to $59.7 million this school year.

Trustees also approved selling the former MAP campus to St. Ann’s Catholic School for $4.6 million and discussed legislative priorities they could adopt in November.

Why it matters: Lower-than-expected student attendance and higher property tax collections are increasing MISD’s Robin Hood payment. The budget amendment also uses $1 million in district reserves for its lawsuit challenging the system and leaves a projected $1.2 million budget deficit.

Key points:

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  • Robin Hood payment increases: Trustees voted 6-1 to approve the district’s third budget amendment, raising its estimated Robin Hood payment to $59.7 million from the $44 million originally budgeted. Robin Hood, also called recapture, requires property-wealthy school districts to send part of their local property tax revenue to the state.MISD originally budgeted for average daily attendance of 25,900 students. Actual attendance averaged 24,639 during the first six weeks. The revised budget lowers the estimate to 24,221 because of declining enrollment and IDEA Public Schools not operating its planned 1882 partnership, The Permian Press reported.

    Chief Financial Officer Tucker Durham said MISD updates its budget each fall using certified property values and six weeks of attendance data. This keeps budgeted revenue within the 10% variance reviewed in the state’s financial integrity rating.

    The amendment uses $1 million from the district’s fund balance for its lawsuit against the state and continues to count the MAP campus sale as revenue. Trustees unanimously approved suing the state in July.

  • MAP campus sale: Trustees unanimously approved selling the former Midland Alternative Program campus on West Missouri Avenue to St. Ann’s Catholic School for $4.6 million. MAP educates students who have been removed from their regular campuses for disciplinary reasons.Durham said MISD rejected an earlier offer this fall because it was below market value. The district reopened bidding and received an offer in September slightly above the property’s appraised fair market value. The sale is expected to close about 30 days after approval. Trustees originally approved selling the campus in February.
  • Mineral leases tabled: Trustees unanimously delayed until November a proposal to lease mineral rights beneath Parker, Fannin and Rusk elementary schools and Lee High School after Pike Petroleum expressed interest.  The proposal granted more authority to the district to sell the minerals, and the Trustees adamantly opposed that provision.Durham estimated the leases could bring in $8 million to $9 million over 20 years, depending on oil prices. About half could be collected during the first 18 to 24 months. The district would advertise the mineral leases for three weeks and could select a company other than Pike Petroleum.
  • Legislative priorities: Trustees discussed proposed priorities for the 2027 Texas legislative session, which they could consider approving in November.Superintendent Stephanie Howard proposed asking the state to increase school funding through an inflation Adjusted Basic Allotment, along with additional funding for school security, employee health care and full-day pre-K.

    Howard also proposed advocating for protecting school funding if property taxes are reduced, funding districts based on enrollment rather than average daily attendance, and applying the same attendance funding rules to traditional public schools as charter schools and voucher programs.

    Dr. Friez proposed asking for a regional adjustment to school funding that accounts for labor shortages and higher education costs in Midland and the Permian Basin. He also called for ensuring the adjustment provides meaningful additional funding after Robin Hood recapture payments.

    Trustee Brandon Hodges proposed MISD push the state’s no-pass, no-play rules and requiring Midland County to build a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP), with a state sanctioned mechanism for MISD to enforce Midland County not building the JJAEP.

  • Encore Academy construction: Trustees voted to approve a $10.79 million guaranteed maximum price with Lee Lewis Construction for the new Encore Academy and the first phase of Storie Middle School.Encore Academy educates students with special needs ages 18 and older. The project also includes new tennis courts and water, electrical, drainage and parking improvements at the Storie site. The combined budget for Storie and Encore is $41.4 million. Construction is estimated to be completed in November or December 2027.
  • Campus improvement plans: Trustees voted to approve improvement plans for Midland Lee High School and Henderson, Jones and South elementary schools.Based on 2026 state ratings, Lee High and Henderson Elementary were identified for comprehensive support after ranking among the bottom 5% of Title I high schools and elementary schools statewide in closing achievement gaps between student groups.

    Jones Elementary presented an improvement plan required for its state grant. Lee High Principal Chris Bryant said attendance is lower than last year and the campus is working with a visiting truancy judge. A trustee said Lee’s attendance is 4% below its goal, costing the district about $3,700 a day in funding.

  • Library book removal: Trustees unanimously approved removing I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, a novel by Erika L. Sánchez, from district libraries.The decision was part of the consent agenda and followed the Library Council’s recommendation after a parent challenged the book.
  • District finances: Durham said MISD cannot continue relying on property sales to balance its budget.Howard said the administration plans to present a district optimization plan for possible board action in November and December. She said MISD has seven campuses with fewer than 500 students and 12 with fewer than 600 students.