Manor ISD board approves nonrenewals, several executive hires and extends superintendent's contract

The Manor Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on multiple personnel actions following closed‑session deliberations on May 19, approving two contract nonrenewals tied to a previously authorized reduction in force, confirming a board finding on an educator's resignation, hiring district executives and extending the superintendent’s contract by one year.

Board nonrenewals: The board voted 7‑0 to not renew the employment contract of Ala May Sannakova, and separately voted 7‑0 to not renew the employment contract of Kristen Strymer. Trustee Patterson moved the first nonrenewal; Trustee Martinez seconded. A board member reminded the public that on April 21 trustees had previously authorized a reduction in force due to program changes that reduced staff by 15 positions; the speaker said 13 of those affected engaged in a process to avoid nonrenewal while two did not.

Educator resignation finding: The board voted 7‑0 to make a finding that there was no good cause to support Leland Bird’s resignation from his position at Manor ISD. Trustee Rodriguez Barnett moved that finding and Trustee Patterson seconded.

Hires: The board approved several hires in separate motions, each passing 7‑0. The board approved the hire of Sandow Ali as executive director of human resources (motion by Trustee Patterson; second by Trustee Howard), Ricky Bean as executive director of special programs (motion by Trustee Rodriguez Barnett; second by Trustee Lowry), and Brian Reed as principal of Decker Middle School (motion by Dr. Thomas; second by Trustee Patterson). Reed introduced himself briefly and said he is ‘‘honored and excited’’ to join the district.

Superintendent contract extension: Trustees voted 7‑0 to extend Superintendent Dr. Sarmani’s contract one year, to end June 30, 2028. Trustee Patterson moved the extension; Trustee Thomas seconded. The board said the extension supports continuity during budget‑balancing work and acknowledged the superintendent’s role in recent district actions.

Consent agenda: The board also approved consent items 11.1 through 11.9 in a single 7‑0 vote (motion by Trustee Lowery; second by Trustee Rodriguez Barnett).

Why it matters: The nonrenewals were tied to a reduction in force resolution the board adopted April 21, 2025; the hires fill senior administrative roles and a campus principal vacancy; the superintendent extension prolongs the district’s current leadership during a period the board described as one of fiscal adjustment.

What the board did not do: No vote on immediate removal of the PME principal occurred during the meeting. Public comment calling for immediate leadership changes at PME was received during the meeting’s public‑comment period but is separate from the formal personnel votes recorded here.

Ending: The personnel votes concluded before the board returned to an agenda that included bonding and budget items later in the meeting.