Midland trustees approve 2025–26 tax rate, budget amendment and several administrative items

The Midland Independent Board of Trustees on Sept. 16 adopted a maintenance-and-operations tax rate of 63.14¢ and an interest-and-sinking rate of 21.01¢, for a total of 84.15¢ per $100 valuation, and approved multiple administrative items including Budget Amendment No. 2, Pre-K–2 annual targets aligned with HB 3, and a revised superintendent-evaluation timeline.

Finance staff told the board the recommended M&O rate reflects TEA-mandated compression and the district’s option to levy five “golden pennies” that are not subject to recapture. The recommended total rate, officials said, will produce slightly more revenue than last year because property values rose; staff noted that the state’s recapture rules will take a portion of increased collections. The finance presentation included three scenarios — a 10% increase, a 10% decrease and the maximum M&O rate — and explained how each would affect net revenue and recapture.

On budget matters, the board approved Budget Amendment No. 2, described by staff as largely intra-budget transfers to reclassify already-budgeted funds and a transfer from the Child Nutrition Fund to cover TEA‑approved expenditures. Administrators said the amendment has a net zero impact on the general fund.

The board also approved academic and governance items: annual targets for Pre-K through second grade (literacy and math baselines and one-year targets) and a simplified, board‑aligned template and timeline for the superintendent’s annual appraisal. Trustees discussed including dyslexia metrics and sought clarity about measurement sources before voting.

All motions described above were moved, seconded and approved by board vote during the meeting. The superintendent was authorized to submit a certification to the Texas Education Agency related to DEI prohibitions, and the board took no business into closed session.