Midland ISD public forum: residents press board to honor bond, question golf-course purchase and lawyer pick

Dozens of Midland residents told the MIDLAND ISD Board of Trustees on Wednesday that the district must honor the bond package voters approved in November 2023, act transparently about the Ranchland/Rancho Hills golf-course purchase and consider alternatives to a proposed outside attorney.

Public commenters repeatedly said board decisions should prioritize students and the community, not personal agendas. “Any decisions about the land deals or property must be made with one priority: the best interest of our students and our community,” said Amanda Archer, reading a statement from a counselor who could not attend.

Many speakers said the controversy over the district’s purchase of the Ranchland (also referenced in public comments as “Rancho Hills”) golf course should be closed after the March decision and that reopening the topic undermines trust. “That conversation is now finished. It's been voted on. And the public expects you guys, now, as our leaders, to carry that across the finish line,” said a speaker who identified herself as a member of the bond committee.

Other commenters pressed the board over conduct at recent meetings. Amanda Archer said the board president’s behavior at the prior meeting “was unacceptable” and “erode[d] the community's trust.” Several speakers urged civil, collaborative decision‑making instead of what they described as “dictatorial” conduct.

A number of residents asked the board to interview multiple candidates before hiring outside counsel. Mallory Marcu urged the board “not [to] hire Tim Davis of Jackson Walker LLP,” saying the board had told the public it would consider alternatives. “I agree with Miss Burleson that the board of seven should interview and vote among multiple candidates,” Marcu said.

Some residents thanked the board for recent actions. Ryan Ham praised the board for “following through with the Ranchland location for Midland High School” and for “looking at the benefits really of the students and community.” Jared Sparks, who said he served on bond planning, urged the board to consider temporary or alternate uses for district-owned land during bond execution.

Board members and staff responded in the meeting. Board President Hodges and Dr. Howard (identified in the record as Doctor Howard) opened the session by saying the district would present its capital-asset review in open session rather than closing the meeting for executive session. Board members and staff repeatedly said the presentation was informational; no votes or formal decisions on property sales were taken.

Brandon Hondas (identified in the record by that name) acknowledged communication problems and said he had allowed new board members to request additional information: “That’s on me,” he said, describing a leadership choice to provide materials to newly seated trustees. He said the board had stopped tree work temporarily to allow further review.

The board said it would provide more information and suggested that attorney selection and any property sales should involve broader board participation. Several speakers said they would continue to hold trustees accountable.

The public forum closed and the meeting moved on to a staff presentation about district properties and possible future sales; trustees emphasized the presentation was informational and that any sale or placement of property on the market would require separate board action.

The public comments section included a range of viewpoints: calls to keep the Ranchland property in public hands or restore it, requests to honor bond promises, criticism of recent board conduct, and demands for a transparent attorney-search process. The board did not take formal action on these items during the session.