The Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees will review a series of key updates during its March 24 meeting, including progress on the district’s 2023 bond projects, early budget planning for the 2026-27 school year, and changes tied to upcoming UIL realignment.
A major focus of the meeting will be the Bond 2023 monthly report, which shows continued progress on two new high school campuses. Construction at Midland High School is ongoing, with steel, concrete, and utility work underway and roughly 25% of concrete slabs and walls completed. Meanwhile, the new Midland Lee High School project is ahead of schedule, with about 60% of concrete slabs, 30% of walls, and 45% of the steel structure already in place. Road and utility work tied to the projects is also progressing, with some areas under construction and others still in design according to board documents.
The report also highlights ongoing elementary campus renovations under Group A projects. Phase 1 work includes fire sprinkler installations at several campuses, with additional work planned for summer 2026. Overall, these projects are part of the district’s broader effort to modernize facilities and accommodate growth according to board documents.
Trustees will also receive an update on the district’s budget development process for the 2026-27 fiscal year. District leaders outlined that the budgeting process is ongoing and will continue through June, when trustees are expected to adopt a final budget. Officials are currently refining assumptions, reviewing district needs, and monitoring any legislative changes that could impact funding according to board documents.
In addition, district staff will present a progress report on the short-term strategic plan for special education. The focus is on improvements in staffing, organization, and accountability to better serve students with disabilities. Trustees will also review UIL realignment changes for 2026-2028; these changes will keep Midland High and Midland Lee in District 2-6A while adjusting scheduling and travel considerations for multiple sports programs according to board documents.
The Midland Independent School District aims to enhance student achievement and support diverse groups through targeted educational and assistance programs according to the official website. The district operates under Superintendent Stephanie Howard, an educator with a doctorate who has experience in other districts according to the official website. The district collaborates with the Midland Education Foundation to finance initiatives in academics, fine arts, robotics, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), history and other areas according to the official website. It provides educational services focusing on academics as well as fine arts through partnerships according to the official website, functions as a public education entity overseeing programs aligned with state guidelines according to the official website, and marked a key development with its origins dating back to an original one-room schoolhouse after Midland County was established in 1885 according to the official website.