MIDLAND ISD board approves plan to reassign Travis Elementary students after lease termination

The Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees voted April 28 to approve an instructional plan to place Travis Elementary students at other district campuses for the 2026–27 school year after the board terminated the Travis lease with IDEA Public Schools.

Dr. Howard, the district presenter, told the board that the district voted April 21 to terminate the lease for Travis and that, under the existing 1882 partnership, the campus reverts to a pre-K campus next year. He said the agreement prevents the district from directly communicating with families whose children are enrolled at IDEA Travis, and described the administration’s recommendation to place elementary students at two campuses where the district has capacity.

The administration provided enrollment figures to justify the urgency: the district estimates the Travis campus historically served about 1,002 students in pre-K through grade 7; as of the day before the meeting, 143 students had enrolled for next year via Skyward and 76 were pending — about 219 total — and roughly 277 elementary‑zoned students would need placement. Dr. Howard proposed offering 156 students the option to attend Lone Star Trails Elementary and placing about 121 at General Franks; the district would provide transportation and adjust staffing based on actual enrollments.

Board members asked staff for cost estimates and logistical details. Dr. Howard said a detailed cost projection for building maintenance during the interim was not yet available, and said the transportation office would map routes to minimize ride times once families’ choices were known. He said staffing allocations would be adjusted after enrollment is finalized and that the district will monitor enrollment daily at the start of the year and weekly thereafter to make necessary adjustments.

Trustees pressed officials on academic impact. A committee member questioned whether moving students from a chronically D‑rated campus to ones projected as high C/low B or B would be a meaningful improvement; Dr. Howard replied that receiving campuses have established systems, teacher incentive allotment teachers (9 at Lone Star Trails; 21 at General Franks were cited) and that earlier intervention (including summer school) would be offered to support students.

Several trustees expressed broader concerns about accountability and governance at the partner organization. One trustee cited multi‑year low ratings at the campus, described governance concerns and referenced news reports about spending at the operator, saying the district had received a letter indicating IDEA might sue the Midland taxpayer over the lease termination. No IDEA representative was present to respond during the meeting.

Because the 1882 partnership restricts direct outreach, Dr. Howard said the district will use its website, social media, press releases and existing channels to encourage families to contact student services so staff can explain options and rapidly finalize placements. He said the district would bring a boundary and quality‑seat analysis back to the board by December to inform 2027–28 planning.

After discussion, the chair moved to approve the 2026–27 instructional plan as presented; the motion was seconded, trustees indicated their assent by raising hands, and the board adjourned at 7:01 p.m.

The board’s immediate next steps are to execute transportation routing, finalize staffing allocations as enrollments are confirmed, implement a maintenance plan for the inactive campus, and continue updates through the summer. The district intends to provide a follow‑up recommendation for 2027–28 no later than December.