What to watch: The Midland ISD Board of Trustees will meet on July 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Why it matters: The board will consider multiple items that reflect changes to state law, including displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, banning student cellphone use on campus, expanding discipline authority, and deciding whether to allow homeschool UIL participation.

Spending approvals:

  • $15,000 fee for the district to utilize the Midland College Chaparral Center for the 2024–25 school year

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  • $112,500 (25% of the total cost) to cost-share five campus coordinator positions with Communities in Schools

  • $18,760 for Teen Court services as outlined in “Exhibit A” (not publicly posted; The Permian Press has requested a copy)

Key points:

  • Budget update: June financials show MISD expects to bring in about $20 million more in local and state revenue than originally budgeted, while the district projects spending to rise by $14.5 million, primarily due to increased recapture payments. Other increases and decreases in payroll, contracted services, and capital outlay mostly offset each other.

  • Policy changes: The board will consider the following updates to local policy:

    • Library policies: allows parents to submit a list of library materials their child may not access, and requires the district to provide parents with a record of each item checked out. The proposal also includes forming a Local School Library Advisory Council.

    • Ten Commandments: all classrooms must display the Ten Commandments, aligning with a new state law passed during the recent legislative session.

    • Cell phone policy: prohibits all student use of personal communication devices during the school day, except when required by documented educational or medical needs, or to comply with health and safety requirements. This change aligns MISD policy with recent state law.

    • Facility naming: allows the board to use a community input process, such as surveys, polls, or ballot results, in a facility naming process. However, final naming authority remains with the school board. Community input results would be considered advisory, not binding.

    • Board transition: establishes that newly elected board members will take the oath of office at the November regular meeting, but will not begin official duties until the December meeting.

  • District Improvement Plan: The board will consider updates to the plan, which includes clearly defined, measurable goals and aligned performance objectives aimed at enhancing student achievement and overall system performance. The plan is intended to ensure coherence and alignment between instructional and operational efforts throughout the district.

  • Student Code of Conduct: Revisions reflect recent state legislation, including eliminating mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placement for vaping, expanding authority to remove students for repeated classroom disruptions, increasing flexibility for in-school suspension, and establishing a virtual expulsion option.

  • Debt payoff: The board will vote on a defeasance order to use up to $22.5 million from the debt service fund to pay off existing bonds early. This action would eliminate all debt issued before the 2023 bond and begin repayment on Series 2024 bonds. The district estimates this move will save taxpayers approximately $12.56 million in interest over the remaining term.

  • UIL participation: MISD administrators recommend not allowing homeschool students to participate in UIL activities, citing concerns over academic standards and resource constraints. Proponents of the law cite the benefits of a broader talent pool for teams and activities. A recent Texas law requires school districts to allow homeschool UIL participation unless they formally opt out through board action.

  • Mineral lease: The district is requesting approval to retain Scheef & Stone, L.L.P., to advise on oil and gas lease negotiations and bond-related construction matters. MISD recently received a single bid on leases for land at San Jacinto, Bowie, and the Agriculture Barn. Mineral lease revenues are not subject to recapture and could support district operations.

  • Staffing update: MISD reported 342 resignations and retirements during the 2024–25 year, a continued decrease from 386 in 2023–24, 465 in 2022–23, and 505 in 2021–22.