Photo credit: USDA National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), 2022

What to watch: Midland College trustees will meet Tuesday, Oct. 20, to consider buying the roughly 26-acre property known as the Boneyard from Midland ISD for $10.7 million.

Trustees will also consider a $192,896 software contract, two administrator contracts and purchasing agreements.

Key points:

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  • Boneyard purchase: Trustees will consider a purchase and sale agreement with MISD for the Boneyard property at 200 W. Loop 250 N. The agenda packet does not include the agreement, purchase price or how the college would pay for it.

In September MISD trustees unanimously approved selling the property to Midland College for $10.7 million. The price was consistent with property appraisals from 2023 and 2024.

Under the terms approved by MISD, the district would keep all mineral rights and continue using the property at no cost until the new Lee High School is completed. MISD would also maintain the property during that time.

The Boneyard currently provides softball and soccer fields for Lee High School. MISD Board President Josh Guinn said Midland College plans to use the property for career and technical education.

Midland College trustees voted Aug. 25 to begin negotiations with MISD.

  • College reserves: Midland College reported an estimated $55.3 million in unrestricted net assets as of Aug. 31. That is $15 million above its required reserve of $40.3 million or half its 2026-27 operating budget.
  • Turnitin renewal: Trustees will consider renewing a three-year contract with Turnitin LLC for $192,896. The software helps detect plagiarism and grade assignments and includes tools to identify AI-generated content.

The contract would run through Sept. 2, 2029, and be paid from the college’s information technology software budget.

  • Cooperative purchasing: Trustees will consider allowing Midland College to buy goods and services through 13 purchasing programs that have already negotiated contracts with vendors. The college would use these programs when they offer the best value. These include BuyBoard, TIPS and the Texas Department of Information Resources.
  • Administrator contracts: Trustees will consider employment agreements for Victoria Edwards as dean of community outreach and engagement, reflecting a title change, and Hector Govea as director of institutional research.
  • Tennis event: Trustees will consider allowing alcohol at a Nov. 3 Serve Midland event at the Midland College Tennis Complex. The event will recognize the Midland College Tennis Association as the organization’s charity for the year.
  • Board updates: Trustees will hear updates on a proposed orientation plan for new board members, a board self-evaluation and the college’s annual Title IX report.

Trustees will also choose a representative to vote on Midland College’s behalf at a national community college association meeting Oct. 21-24.