The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees met Tuesday evening for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, You can watch the video and read the recap below:
Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees Canvass Prop A Election Results
District Opens Resource Center for MISD Families and Employees
The votes from Montgomery ISD’s November 6th Proposition A - Voter Approval Tax Rate Election were canvassed at the school board meeting tonight, making election results official.
Board President Matt Fuller canvassed the election returns, a legally required reading of the vote totals, and announced the proposition passed with 50.5% of votes cast in favor of the ballot item and 49.5% cast against; 30,945 total votes were cast. This is the first Tax Ratification Election ever passed in Montgomery ISD.
Prop A will generate over $5.5 million dollars of new revenues to MISD this fiscal year, 15% of which will come in the form of additional state aid.
“We are incredibly grateful to our community for supporting Prop A,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “In an election cycle where many school districts around Texas saw bonds or tax rate elections fail, Montgomery ISD’s measure was one of the few that passed. That is a testament to our community and the the value they see in the work our staff is doing on a daily basis.”
“The additional revenue from Prop A has already begun making an impact here in MISD,” Ruffin continued. “We can now review staffing needs in high needs areas. For example, we have been able to approve three special education para-professional positions to better serve our students in those areas. The funding priorities for Prop A, recruiting and retaining staff, maintaining student programs, and ensuring the safety and security of our campuses, is where we will focus the increased revenues. Because of Prop A we no longer have to ask ourselves what staff we are going to be forced to cut going into next school year. Instead, we can start discussing options to increase compensation and address other staffing needs going into next year’s budget.”
“We will continue to engage with our state lawmakers, advocating for MISD to receive appropriate funding from the state,” Ruffin said. “We will keep our community informed at every step and host a town hall meeting in the spring for a more in-depth discussion about the 2025-26 budget development process and an opportunity to ask questions.”
Also during the meeting, Montgomery ISD officially opened a new Resource Center. Courtney Dyer, MISD’s Director of Community Service was joined by Montgomery County Food Bank President & CEO Kristine Marlow, Director of Programs Joe Contreras, Programs Manager Ryan Redmer, and Nutrition Education Coordinator Amy Gentry, and Lisa Fenley, Development Director for the American Heart Association’s Gulf Coast Region, for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“We are so excited to partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank and the American Heart Association to provide this resource in MISD,” Dyer said. “In addition to serving MISD families and employees in need, our goal is to build partnerships with the community and student organizations,” Dyer said. “We look forward to making this resource available, and also connecting with volunteers and those interested in donating to the center.”
The MISD Resource Center is in the Education Support Center at 20774 Eva Street. Set up like a small store, it is stocked with food, toiletries and household cleaning supplies.
Initially, the Resource Center will be open by appointment. Counselors and school personnel may also access resources for students and families as needed. The pantry and personal care items available at the MISD Resource Center are funded through a generous grant from the Montgomery County Food Bank, and support from numerous donors.
“We are honored to partner with Montgomery ISD in launching the MISD Resource Center,” said Kristine Marlow, President & CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “Through this collaboration, we aim to provide essential resources to MISD students, families, and employees, helping to create a community where everyone has access to the nourishment and supplies they need. Together, we’re not just addressing hunger; we’re building a foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom.”
“This is a great addition to MISD. We know that making sure our kids are fed is critical to their success in the classroom,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “We are so grateful to the Montgomery Food Bank, American Heart Association and donors from our community for helping make the MISD Resource Center a reality, allowing us to connect our students, families, and employees with the food and other support they need to grow and thrive. This is really about taking care of our kids and our people.”
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank the Montgomery County Food Bank and American Heart Association for partnering with the district” trustee Nate Robb said. “This Resource Center is a great example of how we can work with our larger community to help our kids be their best selves every day. I am excited to see how this program will benefit our students and families.”
If you would like to schedule a time to shop, volunteer or donate, please visit the MISD Resource Center website to learn more: https://bit.ly/3C3BJ86
Trustees also welcomed members of the Montgomery Marvels Bocce Ball and Cheer Teams. Sponsors Heather Hebert and Shara Phillips shared about their recent success in competitions and efforts to support the Bears and Lions at home football games.
Trustees also approved a proposal from DivisionOne Construction, for facility upgrades at three of the district’s elementary schools: Lone Star, Madeley Ranch and Stewart Creek. These projects were approved as part of the district’s 2022 bond.
The scope of work includes air conditioning and plumbing upgrades, remodeled restrooms and new graphics and branding throughout the campuses, and new fencing around the schools. Each campus will also receive a new public address system and new interactive panels for classrooms.
“We look forward to working with DivisionOne Construction on these renovations,” MISD Chief Operating Officer Brad Mansfield said. “They have particular experience in working on projects like these with a quick turnaround, and pride themselves on quality work and the ability to anticipate and resolve issues that occur on a fast-paced renovation.”
Work at these three campuses is scheduled begin this spring and finish by the start of school 2025.
Trustees also approved the purchase of 15 77- passenger buses and three special needs buses. These transportation upgrades are also part of the 2022 bond.
Mansfield also shared that Stewart Builders is refunding $193K to the district for the roofing project at the Montgomery High School ninth grade campus. “This refund is for prep work on the roof that was not as extensive as originally anticipated,” Mansfield said. “We appreciate our partners at Stewart Builders for their transparency and honesty at every phase of this project at Montgomery High School.“