Midland ISD board adopts tax rate, approves budget and evaluation items

The Midland Independent School District board on Sept. 16 voted on several formal items, approving a proposed tax rate for 2025–26, budget adjustments and board governance documents.

Tax rate: The administration recommended an M&O tax rate of 63.14¢ and an I&S rate of 21.01¢ for a total rate of 84.15¢ per $100 of assessed value. Finance staff explained how recapture and compression affect net revenue and presented scenarios including a 10% increase or decrease and the maximum possible M&O with voter approval. Trustees debated required phrasing under truth‑in‑taxation rules — which can show a percentage 'increase' on the required motion worksheet even when the adopted total rate is lower than the prior year due to property value changes — before adopting the rate by motion.

Budget amendment No. 2: The board approved budget amendment No. 2, which mainly reclassifies previously budgeted funds (cross‑functional transfers) and incorporates a $4,000 donation. The amendment also allows the Child Nutrition Services (CNS) fund to transfer part of its fund balance to cover allowable capital and operating expenses under a previously TEA‑approved spending plan.

Superintendent evaluation timeline: Trustees approved a revised superintendent‑evaluation timeline and assessment template to align with a May 2025 local policy change and to move to a September appraisal cycle. The template centers board‑adopted student outcome goals and includes criteria for tested grades, special education/dyslexia outcomes, accountability measures and CCMR (college, career and military readiness) indicators.

DEI compliance resolution: The board approved a resolution certifying compliance with Texas Education Code sections that prohibit certain DEI duties and authorized the superintendent to submit the required certification to the Texas Education Agency by Sept. 30, 2025. Administration said it had reviewed policies and employee‑handbook language and found no prohibited practices.

PreK–2 targets: Trustees approved annual and five‑year targets for PreK through second grade in literacy and math (examples cited included PreK literacy baseline 7% with a 1‑year target of 80% and kindergarten baseline 21% with a 1‑year target of 60%), aligned with HB3 requirements.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda (approved, unanimous); PreK–2 targets (approved); Superintendent evaluation timeline and template (approved); 2025–26 tax rate 0.8415 adopted (approved); Budget amendment No. 2 (approved); DEI resolution (approved). The meeting record shows motions were moved and seconded for these items; votes were taken by show of hands and motions passed as announced by the presiding officer.

Ending: The board completed votes on the listed action items and adjourned the meeting.