Midland ISD trustees approve notices of proposed termination for teacher Lynette Fields and administrator Isaac Johnson

The Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 18, 2025, voted to approve the superintendent’s recommendation to send notices of proposed termination for good cause to teacher Lynette Fields and administrator Isaac Johnson following a closed-session review of personnel matters at the board’s 7:30 a.m. meeting.

The action begins a formal termination-notice process; the board did not state effective dates or next procedural steps in the public record. The board invoked Texas Government Code exemptions to discuss personnel and to consult with district counsel before voting.

A parent spoke during the public-comment period about classroom remarks she attributed to Fields. "He got what he deserved ... the memes last night were hilarious and that she was gonna barbecue and drink and celebrate this weekend," Christie Copeland said, recounting what she said she heard in her child’s class. Copeland identified herself as speaking on behalf of students and as an educator. Copeland told the board that she found the alleged remarks "insensitive and careless" and said they could be traumatizing for students who have experienced mourning and loss.

District staff presented the two action items to the board. "The superintendent recommends proposed termination of term contract for good cause to Lynette Fields," a presenter identified as Miss Garcia told the board before trustees moved to discuss the item in closed session. On the second action item, Garcia said the superintendent recommended sending notice of termination for good cause to Isaac Johnson and that the proposed notice for Johnson would proceed under board policy DCE for a non-chapter-21 administrative contract.

The board moved into executive session under Texas Government Code sections cited in the minutes, including §551.074 (personnel matters) and §551.071 (attorney consultation). Outside the agenda process, attorney Nathan Simmons identified himself to the board as representing Isaac Johnson and asked to speak; President Hodges responded that he would meet with Simmons after the meeting to provide what he needed.

After returning from closed session, trustees made and seconded motions on each item and, at the call of Board President Hodges, voted to approve sending the notices. President Hodges announced each motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 a.m.

The record provided at the meeting does not specify the factual grounds listed in the superintendent’s recommendation beyond the phrase "for good cause," nor does it state subsequent administrative or hearing steps, timelines, or effective dates for either employee’s contract termination.