[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",6310573,"mediaKeyId","2399904-436dc5aed53836f16b64a6dcfda3d170","parentId",2399904,"title","Midland ISD trustees approve TEE membership, hire outside counsel and authorize multiple property marketing actions","audioSeconds",186,"startMs",12023000,"endMs",11837000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399904-436dc5aed53836f16b64a6dcfda3d170&start=12023&end=11837","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399904-436dc5aed53836f16b64a6dcfda3d170/thumbnail_12023000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310573/Texas/Midland-ISD-trustees-approve-TEE-membership-hire-outside-counsel-and-authorize-multiple-property-marketing-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310573-81f1f331fafc694af0ae498038387b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988669&Signature=GSKiikRGXSLOkblxOfdAoj9WJYoKgQ0QVW~jQp17nAeCPeLuvZ~frV7jN4Dw~6H1hEQRaHZNHbK3GlJwep50FSae5By6ZEh24ZCGC9yvfDhPgrTRbdi1sXMBTG0TPNgt3GxiJ007y-S5S5CBRDTQNy43PIz3dkXD1SU8u8Jxa1nOnCHOQRMj3m6q74SFXqMnf57NnDCmmsZJOC30V9jqW-Pau4Toew5IOkSPiozqh4DdkUEWs3KxmkSjhtX4X9euhFPEBG-i90Qb0Ny0AdI2xgPsbIyFmLcgADyjTOul78U3zzZOxpDNU5AMGpcJG-MlJaKiKHXhSE4JgYmWAPs-lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MISD Media","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Midland Independent School District trustees voted on a package of governance, legal and property actions at a Feb. 25 board meeting that also included routine approvals for school improvement plans and bond-related construction documents.

The board voted 4–2 to approve membership with Texans for Excellence in Education (TEE), a three‑year‑old nonprofit that offers board training and other services. John Petri, TEE president, told trustees that TEE \"does not take advocacy positions. They do not lobby. They stick to the facts.\" The board then approved a set of next-step service options to begin a policy audit and related services.

Trustees also voted to hire outside counsel for the board’s use. The board approved retaining the law firm Ohanian, Demarest & Castillo (partner attorney identified in meeting materials) in a 5–1 vote; the agreed fee schedule presented to the board lists hourly rates for partners, associates and paralegals and allows termination at any time. The board made clear this retention is for legal representation of the board itself, separate from district counsel.

On facilities and district real property, trustees authorized marketing several properties and approved other bond‑program items:
- A small parcel on Carver Street: approved to be marketed for sale (unanimous).
- The apartment property at 2910 W. Michigan (currently occupied and housing a program serving students): approved to be marketed for sale (vote 5–1).
- Town and Country Apartments: approved to be marketed for sale (vote 4–2).
- A roughly 40‑acre parcel south of Travis Elementary on South Mesa Road (gifted to the district earlier): approved to be marketed for sale (unanimous).
- The board postponed a decision on the Audrey Gill Sports Complex (the athletic/golf property sometimes called the \"boneyard\"/golf complex) to a future meeting so trustees and staff can pursue additional community and taxing‑entity conversations; the motion to postpone passed.

Trustees also moved forward with several education and operational items required for ongoing construction and school accountability work:
- Approved the district’s elementary, middle and high school educational specifications to guide designers on 2023 bond projects (unanimous).
- Approved the district’s targeted improvement plans for campuses identified by the Texas Education Agency and related school improvement documents (unanimous).
- Approved budget amendment No. 7, which adjusts general, child‑nutrition and debt service functions and recognizes certain reimbursements and donations (unanimous).
- Approved an invitation for competitive bids tied to e‑rate (FCC) funding for fiber and bus Wi‑Fi services (unanimous).
- Approved a two‑vendor pool for HVAC testing, adjusting and balancing (unanimous).

Why it matters: the actions package affects near‑term district operations (retaining board counsel, starting a policy audit, e‑rate upgrades), long‑term facilities (bond education specifications and property marketing) and local governance (membership with a new statewide board association). Several votes were divided, reflecting disagreement among trustees over strategy and timing for property decisions and association memberships.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (minutes, monthly financials, donations, MOUs including Baylor College of Medicine STEM+ and Air Force JROTC memorandum): approved (6–0).
- Targeted improvement plans (TEA‑required plans for identified campuses): approved (unanimous).
- Membership: Texans for Excellence in Education (TEE): approved (4–2).
- Board retention of outside counsel (Ohanian, Demarest & Castillo): approved (5–1).
- Carver Street parcel: authorize marketing/sale: approved (unanimous).
- 2910 W. Michigan apartment property: authorize marketing/sale: approved (5–1).
- Town and Country Apartments: authorize marketing/sale: approved (4–2).
- 1900 S. Mesa Road parcel: authorize marketing/sale: approved (unanimous).
- Audrey Gill Sports Complex (boneyard / golf complex): motion to postpone final decision; postponement approved (vote recorded as passed).
- Bond education specifications (elementary, middle, high): approved (unanimous).
- RFQ for fiber and bus Wi‑Fi (E‑rate): approved (unanimous).
- RFQ pool for HVAC testing/adjusting/balancing: approved (unanimous).
- Budget amendment No. 7: approved (unanimous).
- Exit from Lone Star Governance framework (board governance program): approved (4–2).

What trustees said
- Superintendent Dr. Darin Howard (superintendent) summarized academic progress and district actions, and flagged an estimated $26–31 million operating deficit for the fiscal year as staff continue budget reductions and planning.
- John Petri, president of Texans for Excellence in Education, said TEE is a nonprofit launched in late 2021 and described the group as \"committed to helping school board trustees better govern their districts\" and repeated that TEE \"does not take advocacy positions. They do not lobby.\" The board majority said they wanted a second vendor choice for board training and policy work and to begin an independent policy audit.

What’s next
- Administration will begin the policy audit and related services with the approved vendor(s) and will work with trustees and staff to negotiate next steps for any marketing or sale process for district property; staff said any future sale would respect existing leases and tenants while the district explores long‑term options.
- The board postponed the Audrey Gill Sports Complex decision to allow additional discussion with community partners and possible interlocal options with other taxing entities.

sources and authorities cited in meeting materials and discussion included: Texas Government Code §551.001 (open meetings), the Texas Education Code, the Texas Administrative Code (school facilities rules, ch. 61), and references to TEA accountability rules and House Bill 3979 on specified instructional requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-25-25 MISD BOARD MEETING","oneSentenceSummary","Midland ISD trustees on Feb. 25 voted to join Texans for Excellence in Education, hire outside counsel for the board and authorize marketing of several district properties while approving required school‑improvement and bond planning documents.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6310567,"Parents, coaches and community groups press MISD trustees on school performance, First Tee lease and special‑education site changes",0,2968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399904-436dc5aed53836f16b64a6dcfda3d170&start=2968&end=2968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399904-436dc5aed53836f16b64a6dcfda3d170/thumbnail_2968000.jpg","/articles/6310567/Texas/Parents-coaches-and-community-groups-press-MISD-trustees-on-school-performance-First-Tee-lease-and-specialeducation-site-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310567-969784863d815b8bdc7cb7a1c6cd108d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988669&Signature=SSwVkqetGAPYpbIW4-nexWZj90xOkIOOhmKj9WO1uBx-6fxY7Wbt5J53Vzwc0WH2yzfcDWnPFu87d2MP-9gGOnkBCVEUiVf~HKHcUyG4cVMR~mDBEFvMxjs6knVOjPdnOaKJ7tkylL84wgn1c6St7R9h0sPwY3NzcjSw4udMcrE84H~rkkxxQ3jwrD7NdXC6amEoL1w6OL1DZ~6KbA~OkAy0Jj4Trmzjxyo5T63YRMiMdaxhu2Mu7bnDNIr6Rw0t9tXX9MpY4D8qrJeCEt4jd4pUOTx2ETxzkDN0erATg-gv~Ro1nVwcVeV4pE5u2-lZY4Qgp-taE2mRlnq-5ISjvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Midland residents and program leaders used the Feb. 25 public comment period to press the Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees on school quality, community programs and special‑education placements.

Several speakers described First Tee West Texas — the nonprofit that operates a golf facility at the Audrey Gill Sports Complex — as a vital and low‑cost youth program and urged the board to consider the program’s community value before altering the facility or lease. Layton Brown said the organization raised more than $2.3 million to build the course and another $650,000 to renovate an associated clubhouse and estimated annual upkeep at roughly $750,000. Chris Hubbard, First Tee West Texas board president, said First Tee serves students across 10 counties and that the facility currently supports more than 100 MISD athletes and is integrated into elementary PE curriculum. Hubbard asked trustees to \"consider the merits of the First Tee program as well as its benefit to MISD\" as the board reviews decisions related to the Audrey Gill site.

Several speakers also urged trustees to be cautious about changing the district’s professional association. Amber Davidson, a PTA leader, and Jane Wolf, a longtime community volunteer, voiced concerns about a proposal on the agenda to explore membership in Texans for Excellence in Education (TEE) as an alternative to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Wolf reminded trustees that TASB has been the statewide association for decades and urged the board to maintain institutional memory; Davidson asked for town‑hall conversations before any membership change and raised questions about insurance and costs.

Community advocates and business leaders pressed the board on persistent academic underperformance. Melissa Ware, director of education and workforce development for the Permian Strategic Partnership, told trustees that \"more than 11,000 students, that's 1 in 4, attend a school that has received a D or F rating from the Texas Education Agency\" and urged immediate, strategic interventions, including partnering with high‑performing school operators.

Parents and advocates also voiced specific concerns about Encore Academy, a program the speakers said serves medically fragile and intellectually disabled students. A parent identified as Reagan told trustees that Encore students had experienced long staffing and program challenges this year and argued that planned moves to new sites must preserve existing ADA‑compliant bathrooms, kitchen space and laundry facilities. Linda (operations staff) explained a proposed temporary relocation plan to Coleman High School portables and said staff believe that site offers comparable space for programming and more immediate access to campus resources (nurse, counselor and culinary lab).

Why it matters: Public comments reflected three recurring themes — preserving low‑cost youth programming, ensuring transparent and evidence‑based governance choices, and protecting specialized services for students with disabilities. Trustees heard detailed, sometimes emotional, appeals from parents and nonprofit leaders and indicated staff follow‑up would be required on facilities and program continuity.

What speakers said (selected excerpts)
- Layton Brown (First Tee): \"While true, yes, the cash consideration permitted MISD is a mere dollar. The overall value of MISD access to the multimillion‑dollar ... facility with an annual upkeep of over $750,000.\"
- Chris Hubbard (First Tee West Texas): \"First Tee is a national youth development nonprofit ... We served over 400 kids in our green grass programs in 2024 and are currently integrated into the PE curriculum at all the MISD elementary schools.\"
- Melissa Ware (Permian Strategic Partnership): \"In Midland ISD, more than 11,000 students, that's 1 in 4, attend a school that has received a D or F rating from the Texas Education Agency.\"
- Reagan (parent, Encore Academy): \"These students need unencumbered access to bathrooms for diaper and toilet training. They need access to washer and dryers to address goals throughout the day.\"

Next steps: Trustees asked staff to document relocation plans for Encore students, to provide cost and program continuity details related to the Audrey Gill site and to schedule further community engagement (trustees and staff referred to follow‑up meetings and potential town halls on association membership).","At the Feb. 25 Midland ISD board meeting community members urged trustees to protect the First Tee facility, called for transparency on joining Texans for Excellence in Education and pressed for attention to low‑performing campuses and special‑education campus moves.","actionData","errors"]

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Midland ISD trustees approve TEE membership, hire outside counsel and authorize multiple property marketing actions

Parents, coaches and community groups press MISD trustees on school performance, First Tee lease and special‑education site changes