What happened: The Midland ISD Board of Trustees met June 24

Why it matters: The board approved turnaround plans for four underperforming schools, adopted the 2025–2026 budget, reviewed STAAR performance, and joined a national lawsuit against social media companies.

Key points:

  • Turnaround plans: Bunche, De Zavala, Lamar, and Scharbauer elementaries presented TEA-mandated turnaround plans after failing to meet state academic exit criteria for multiple years.

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  • Proposed budget: The board reviewed a $508 million budget with a $7.89 million projected deficit. At the proposed tax rate, the average homeowner would pay about $128 more in taxes than last year, after factoring in higher property values and homestead exemptions (not including 65+ or disabled exemptions).

  • Bond construction: Lone Star Trails Elementary is 80% complete and set to open in August. Design documents for the new Midland and Legacy High Schools are 70% complete. The City of Midland will cover more than 60% of related road infrastructure costs.

  • STAAR results: Preliminary STAAR scores showed growth in most areas. Reading scores improved in four of six grade levels, while math scores improved in five of six. Fourth grade showed districtwide strength; fifth grade declined slightly.

  • Social media lawsuit: Trustees unanimously approved joining national litigation against social media companies. The lawsuit, backed by over 1,500 school districts, seeks damages related to student mental health impacts and classroom disruptions. The district will only pay legal fees if there is a financial recovery.