Steven Ortiz and the Legacy High School student athletic trainers were recognized at a recent Midland Independent School District (MISD) board meeting for qualifying for state recognition with the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association. The board also acknowledged other student achievements in June, including winners of the American Heart Association Kid's Heart Challenge, finalists of the I Am Texas Writing and Art Contest, and University Interscholastic League (UIL) Academics State medal winners.
According to an MISD news release, the board also held a public hearing to approve the 2024-25 budget, which will provide a raise to all staff and propose an overall tax rate of $0.8770. The board is expected to finalize the budget in September when the district maximum compression rate is announced by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The $530.7 million budget allocates $411.77 million to the general fund, $101.67 million for debt service, and $17.28 million for food services.
The board was also presented with an update on the 2023 school bond. According to the news release, playground equipment has been ordered for the new elementary school. Additionally, land surveys are being conducted on sites for Midland Freshman, Goddard Junior High, and two new high schools. The board is expected to announce a contract with a general contractor for the high schools as part of the next phase of the bond process and will release subsequent project packages. Construction costs associated with these high schools are anticipated to be disclosed in August.
According to the news release, the student services department announced transfer procedures for the 2024-25 school year that will consider attendance zones while quickly notifying students of approval and ensuring full transparency during the transfer process. A campus that reaches 90% capacity will not be allowed to accept additional students, and transfers can be revoked if a student misbehaves or has excessive absences by the end of the school year, rendering them ineligible to apply for a new transfer.