Montgomery Independent School District

The MISD Board of Trustees met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. You can watch the video and read the recap below. 

Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees Receives Update on Texas Legislative Session

District provides update on 2022 bond program

During the April 15, 2025 School Board meeting, Montgomery ISD Trustees received an update on the 89th Texas Legislative Session.

Members of the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees recently visited the State Capitol, where they had the opportunity to meet with Senator Brandon Creighton and Representative Will Metcalf. These productive conversations were part of the Board’s ongoing efforts to remain engaged during the 89th Texas Legislative Session.

The district continues to work closely with lawmakers on key priorities, including:

• Increasing the basic allotment to support teacher and staff compensation and academic opportunities for students
• Advocating for discipline policy reforms that empower educators to maintain productive and orderly classroom learning environments 
• Securing additional targeted funding to serve students receiving special education services
• Strengthening school safety by ensuring districts have the necessary resources to comply with state mandates
• Legislation to provide more affordable healthcare insurance options for district staff

There is active legislation addressing each of these areas, and Montgomery ISD remains in communication with state legislators regarding proposals that would impact the school district.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin added that planning and development of the employee compensation plan for 2025-26 is well underway. The district is waiting to see what additional funding it may receive as a result of legislative action before finalizing a recommendation to present to the Board of Trustees.

“Our Board of Trustees has consistently prioritized providing competitive compensation for all employees, and that commitment remains as strong as ever,” Dr Ruffin said. “While we can’t finalize the details of a compensation plan until we have a clearer idea of the direction of the state legislature, I can confidently say the recommendation will include a raise greater than the 1% approved last year. Regardless of what happens at the state level, we are committed to recognizing and rewarding the hard work of our staff.”

Board Member Training Update

Each year, Texas public school board members are required to complete continuing education courses to stay up to date on district policy and governance, and to build a strong foundational understanding of their role in improving student outcomes. The requirements for training are measured as of the first anniversary of the date of the trustee’s election or two-year anniversary of his or her previous training, as applicable.

It was reported during the meeting that all seven Montgomery ISD trustees exceeded the required number of hours for board member training, during the reporting period.

2022 Bond Update

Chief of Facilities and Operations Brad Mansfield provided an update on the 2022 bond program approved by voters. Highlights include the following:

• Construction of The DEN, which consists of the Montgomery ISD Career and Technical Education and Agricultural Science Centers is on time and tracking within the budget. Both facilities will be completed in July 2025 on time for the 2025-26 school year.
• Construction at the Liberty Transportation Center is scheduled to be complete in August 2025.
• Renovations at Lone Star ES, Madeley Ranch ES, and Stewart Creek ES will begin this month. 
• Construction at the MISD Athletic Complex is on track to be completed this summer. Parking lot paving for the new home side of the stadium will begin later this month.

“As a member of the 2022 Community Bond Task Force, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the district deliver every project that was needed and promised to voters with a clear commitment to transparency and financial accountability,” Trustee Nate Robb said. “Our community expects outstanding educational facilities for our students, and we intend to deliver on that expectation in a fiscally responsible manner. This work reflects not only sound financial stewardship but a thoughtful, collaborative approach to long-range planning. Our community placed its trust in us, and we are proud to be upholding that trust by preparing facilities that meet our community’s needs.”

Student Recognitions

As part of the meeting, the MISD trustees recognized the MISD Class of 2025 Valedictorians and Salutatorians. From Montgomery High School, Joseph Rizzo is the Salutatorian and Addison Hedges in the Valedictorian.

Lake Creek High School’s Valedictorian is Brett Harrington and the Salutatorian is Alyssa Walters. 

“On behalf of the school board, we proudly congratulate our district valedictorians and salutatorians,” Board President Matt Fuller said.  “Their hard work and dedication have earned them this incredible honor, and we are excited to celebrate this accomplishment. We wish each of them well in their future endeavors and know they will make Montgomery ISD proud.”

Trustees also recognized Montgomery ISD’s Academic Decathlon teams for their recent success at the state tournament.  Individuals named state champions from Montgomery High include Christie Telthorster, Addison Hedges and Peyton Lawson.  Both Montgomery High and Lake Creek High teams had multiple individual medalists and strong showings in the team competitions.  The teams are coached by Dayna Lawson (MHS) and Eric Moons (LCHS).  

“Preparation for Academic Decathlon competitions began at the beginning of the school year, and we are thrilled to see the efforts of these bright students pay off at the highly competitive state event,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “We understand the high level of commitment required by our students and their coaches and are extremely proud to see the district represented so well at the state level.”

Academic Decathlon is a program that provides high school students an opportunity to experience the challenges of rigorous academic competition through participation in team activities. In addition, the Academic Decathlon involves members of the business/industry as active supporters of a program promoting academic excellence. Long term relationships, developed through joint participation, benefit the students and the community.  Montgomery ISD is proud to offer Academic Decathlon courses at both high schools.  

Finally, two Destination Imagination Teams were recognized for success at the state level competition and advancing to the global competition this summer. 

Competing in the secondary level in the “Less is More” challenge, the Lake Creek HS Destination Imagination team, the Couch Convicts, advanced to the global competition that will be held in Kansas City.  The team is managed by LCHS teacher David Herman. 

The team from Creekside Elementary, 5 More Minutes, took first in the “Are We There Yet?” challenge at the elementary level.  They also received the Spirit of DI Award, a major award that recognizes only a few teams for an outstanding display of the virtues of Destination Imagination, serving as role models in the areas of spirit, teamwork, sportsmanship, volunteerism and inclusion.

 “This is an incredible accomplishment for these students,” Creekside teacher and Team Manager Robin Riley said.  “To take first place in their challenge and earn the Spirit of DI award is truly an honor, especially for a team competing in their first year. I am so proud of them and excited for them to participate in the global competition this summer.”

DI team members work together to develop a solution to open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Through the challenge program, students learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation, and learn skills needed to succeed in school, career, and life, including teamwork, communication, project management, perseverance, creative and critical thinking, and self-confidence.