Student and staff recognitions were among the highlights of this month’s Midland Independent School District (ISD) School Board meeting, which also included an update on developments tied to bond projects.
According to a district news release, 330 students and staff were recognized for accomplishments they earned since the previous board meeting. These recognitions included an All-American athlete, Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, and AP Scholars with Distinction. The board also highlighted school staff who work on campuses with high achievement and teachers who received the Education Foundation AP Score Incentive. This program funds incentives to teachers and schools to teach rigorous courses that increase students' college readiness.
Regarding the 2023 school bond, the board was informed that the tennis court slab has been poured, track curbs are complete, and the base material is in the final grading stages. Site work is finished on the new elementary school, and cabling for the elementary school safety and security package has been pulled in 14 of 26 schools. South Elementary is in the process of undergoing its security update.
The district's Human Capital and Talent Development team reported that 98% of the district’s teacher vacancies were filled with 264 new teachers hired for this school year. According to the news release, 73% of them have already been certified. The figure is above the median number reported by the state, with the district implementing several programs to help recruit and retain new teachers.