[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6374768,"mediaKeyId","2143563-d1674cb6e8600bd62b3b88e7fb85742d","parentId",2143563,"title","Midland ISD trustees approve superintendent extension and key district business, postpone hiring board counsel","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",8803000,"endMs",9006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2143563-d1674cb6e8600bd62b3b88e7fb85742d&start=8803&end=9006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2143563-d1674cb6e8600bd62b3b88e7fb85742d/thumbnail_8803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374768/Texas/Midland-ISD-trustees-approve-superintendent-extension-and-key-district-business-postpone-hiring-board-counsel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374768-5382790924ba81ecb7cf8cbae362686e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142049&Signature=gp9UHbcUjkeMXs5DIrtcCLRxDXxORHjk5y2GPF1MIRepsEPteP2XzvAtV5FV7QtOj5LGeeIe6KHNvTJpQEHq-hOjAc0MLh3V8FCwPCuVf1oZvrLvTXUrDYNeY5KcWLmD62q85yuCjn39H9Wj06vXH13Z-5N6vj~VUtLhw6ReiuH7T4boyLPNaksqbRWTEeKr4rXd30g~Np1dRGdF2ofcKa2lZlIlv0UiCZJXkZ0gQSyf72qhRG-sm~AHftSlRc~j17IkgGYgyeO5x1-XAFUZv2HRenNOcSMSik2v20WVqWxKceiWuvXc7R6P9xIOgohYy8Eo9wDBgk2dSF2Qvke5qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midland ISD, TX","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Midland ISD Board of Trustees on Jan. 21 approved several routine and policy items and, following a closed session on personnel, extended Superintendent Stephanie Howard’s contract through 2030.

The extension: After convening in closed session, the board returned and voted to extend Dr. Howard’s contract through 2030 and authorized the board president and the superintendent to finalize and execute the contract. The motion was made and seconded in open session following the executive session and recorded as passing unanimously.

Votes at a glance
- Superintendent contract extension (agenda item 15): motion to extend Dr. Stephanie Howard’s contract through 2030 and authorize the president and superintendent to finalize terms; outcome: approved unanimously (motion passed).
- Budget amendment No. 6 (agenda item 10a): transfer of budgeted funds across functions to meet district needs; outcome: approved unanimously.
- 2025–26 academic calendar (agenda item 10b): board approved Draft 2 of three calendar options; outcome: approved unanimously. The calendar meets the state minimum of 75,600 instructional minutes and includes built‑in bad‑weather and professional development days.
- Boundary adjustments (agenda item 10c): rezoned portions served by Goddard Junior High to San Jacinto Junior High to reduce Goddard’s utilization from 113% to 108% and raise San Jacinto from about 60% to 72%; outcome: approved unanimously after procedural confirmation late in the meeting.
- Angelo State University interlocal agreement (agenda item 10d): participation in the ASU Regional Security Operations Center for cybersecurity monitoring; funding for participation was provided through the Texas Department of Information Resources and poses no immediate district cost through Aug. 31, 2025; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Intent to lease minerals (agenda item 10f): trustees approved filing an RFP and public notice to solicit proposals to lease minerals under district property at Bowie Fine Arts, San Jacinto Junior High and the Agriculture Barn; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Hiring board counsel (agenda item 10e): trustees debated whether the board should hire its own attorney. After discussion trustees voted to postpone the decision indefinitely in order to continue review and public discussion; outcome: motion to postpone passed (6–1 in favor).

Other business and clarifications: During the meeting staff provided a monthly bond update describing progress across bond packages. Construction at the Ranchland Hills (Midland High) property included ongoing demolition, tree transplantation work (about 70 trees moved toward a target of roughly 250), and asbestos removal in parts of the clubhouse; some tree work was paused briefly to allow re‑planning. Bond program staff reported construction percentages for specific packages (example: one new elementary was reported as roughly 30% complete) and noted upcoming site work (Avalon/Thomason extension and Wadley widening design).

Board President Hodges described the board’s objective to make MISD \"a destination district\" and said trustees had discussed personnel and strategy with the superintendent in preparation for future work. Dr. Howard reported enrollment projections of 30,103 students for the upcoming year and highlighted district efforts in instructional frameworks, school safety and early testing increases for college preparedness (more students taking PSAT test administrations this year).

What the votes mean: The superintendent extension provides continuity for the district’s leadership through 2030. Approved budget transfers and the calendar keep the district on the state‑required schedule and allow staff to reallocate resources across functions. The boundary change is an interim measure to rebalance capacity while the bond program proceeds. The interlocal cybersecurity agreement is intended to provide real‑time monitoring and technical assistance at no immediate local cost. The board deferred the hiring of a dedicated board attorney to allow more discussion and public input.

What’s next: Trustees signaled continued follow‑up on bond timelines and tree‑transplant decisions; the board also scheduled additional meetings and an executive session to finalize contract details and other pending business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Midland ISD Board Meeting 2025-01-21","oneSentenceSummary","In closed session the Midland ISD board extended Superintendent Stephanie Howard’s contract through 2030. During open session trustees approved a budget amendment, the 2025–26 academic calendar, boundary adjustments, an interlocal cybersecurity agreement and an intent to lease minerals; the board deferred a decision to hire a board attorney.","taxTitle","MIDLAND ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14242,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6374773,"Midland residents urge trustees to honor bond, oppose land-swap that could delay Midland High",1030,1447000,2477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2143563-d1674cb6e8600bd62b3b88e7fb85742d&start=1447&end=2477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2143563-d1674cb6e8600bd62b3b88e7fb85742d/thumbnail_1447000.jpg","/articles/6374773/Texas/Midland-residents-urge-trustees-to-honor-bond-oppose-land-swap-that-could-delay-Midland-High","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374773-69ed55e61a64967cc42f0df4bd943485/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142049&Signature=C25z9ozB1pDRIbVKInZ5FdCnud03DGJ5s3oML3yeY3ymajyt~buiuSiRVSBuqrsulryScaAUFnfBt2l1UFYojKDNzVWmVLizE2yfF2~5RBI0Uylxewf9zQLGtZtSpjcu0-97N8w6MPu2-pAz84LGrRs8auXemVP~M2aMUJ~AVU8MCudILIkN6EqiyWf9z-IcPUTQ1Xx~FIMAOL~BL-WlAKoNqTqbhujzu69Of5ecxPgV3kBaARC~dUvFi8lD~WSJGodJy8G7VB4vLtMbTiA420IXzCjtwf0QaBimdGLW89ZnqWJG0L8556l~8ULDK4Ik6YYiWztDd3uuvixCu2SPbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Midland residents used the public‑forum portion of the Midland ISD Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 21 to urge trustees to proceed with building the new Midland High at the Ranchland Hills site approved by voters and to oppose any land swap or delay that would alter the bond plan.

The speakers said the district and city should stop discussing alternative sites and deliver the campus the voters approved. \"I heard that there's a possibility of the construction of Midland High being halted, and I don't really know why that's even being discussed,\" said John Morris during the public‑forum portion. \"There's no reason that this should be put at a halt costing no telling how much in time and money.\"

Why it matters: The 2023 bond included a new Midland High at Ranchland Hills. Several speakers said the district promised a timetable tied to voter approval and that any delay would add costs and deny students planned athletic fields and recreation space. Speakers also asked trustees to publicly reaffirm the bond plan and to support Superintendent Stephanie Howard, whose contract and evaluation were on the board calendar.

Speakers repeatedly referenced the bond vote and the district's pledge to voters. \"That bond wasn't just a set of plans. It was a promise to prioritize our children's futures,\" Denise Norman said. Katie Joyner, who identified the vote tally of 12,412 in favor of the bond, said voters expected the district to follow the approved plan: \"I am asking you as a board not to let your four votes that you need to undo an election be more important than the votes of the people of Midland.\"

Parents and former educators described the high school replacements as safety and education priorities. \"I know there's about 30 different doors in that school,\" said Crystal McGinnis of the current Midland High, noting concerns over the building's layout. Several former teachers and administrators, including Stan Van Hooser, urged trustees to provide consistent leadership and avoid disruptions that can damage morale.

Support for Superintendent Howard was a recurring theme. Several speakers—parents, alumni and retired district staff—praised Howard's two years in the district and asked the board to retain her. \"She has a deep love for our community,\" Stephanie Meade said. \"I would like to personally invite the seven board members to do all within your power to support our current leadership.\" Other speakers cited discipline improvements, gains on AP and college‑readiness measures, and expanded staffing as reasons to continue her contract.

Opposition to hiring outside counsel and concerns about possible legal advisors tied to controversies in other districts also surfaced in public comments. Multiple speakers raised alarm about a potential board‑level attorney and asked trustees to be transparent about any legal engagements.

Board response and next steps: Board President Hodges told the audience the board had discussed the topics with Superintendent Howard and that trustees want to keep the district on track to be \"a destination district.\" The board did not take a formal vote on the Ranchland Hills site during the public forum. Several consent and action items were processed later in the meeting (see separate article for votes). A special meeting and an executive session scheduled during the board meeting signaled additional discussion on contract and legal‑counsel matters would continue behind closed doors.

The public‑forum speakers and written comments reflect strong community interest in the bond timetable, school site, and district leadership. Trustees accepted the public input and proceeded with agenda business; community members asked for public confirmation that the district will deliver the bond projects on the timeline presented to voters.

The board moved on to routine consent and action items after the public comments and later recessed to closed session for personnel matters. No formal board action changing the bond site or cancelling the Ranchland Hills plan was recorded in the public meeting minutes.","Dozens of residents used public forum at the Midland ISD board meeting to press trustees to proceed with the Ranchland Hills site approved by voters in the 2023 bond and to support Superintendent Stephanie Howard. Speakers warned a land swap or delay would cost taxpayers and deprive students of promised facilities.","actionData","errors"]

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Midland ISD trustees approve superintendent extension and key district business, postpone hiring board counsel

Midland residents urge trustees to honor bond, oppose land-swap that could delay Midland High