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.“   

Four others named Commended Students

Montgomery High School senior Brody Grochett has been named a Semifinalist for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Grochett is one of more than 16,000 high school seniors moving forward in the competition. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Semifinalists must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. From over 16,000 Semifinalists, about 95 percent are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation.

Additionally, Richard Orduna-Garcia from Montgomery High School and three Lake Creek High School students – Brett Harrington, Marshall Anderson and Keaton Anderson – have been named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students across the nation who entered the 2025 National Merit competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognizes these students for their academic promise based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores. While Commended Scholars do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, their recognition places them in the top 3-4% of test-takers nationwide. This commendation is an academic achievement that can enhance college applications and open many doors for scholarship opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud of these students,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said.  “Each of them have demonstrated excellence in a rigorous academic courseload, resulting in highly successful performances earning nationally recognized distinction. This achievement is a direct reflection of their hard work, and an incredibly proud moment for their families and the educators who have supported them throughout their academic journey. We are so honored to have students like them represent Montgomery ISD.”

Montgomery HS, Lake Creek HS students excel in College Board assessments and schoolwork to earn these awards

Montgomery ISD students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs.

These National Recognition Programs grant students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications to distinguish students to universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect with colleges and stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded African American, Hispanic/Latino, Rural Area/Small Town, Indigenous/Native American and First-Generation Recognitions through College Board’s Student Search Service.

“We’re thrilled for these outstanding MISD students for earning these prestigious recognitions! It is a testament to their personal dedication to academic success and our teachers’ ability to provide high level, engaging instruction. We are so proud of the accomplishments in their classrooms and on College Board assessments,” Montgomery ISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “These programs recognize hard work and help our students stand out during the college admissions process, and we are so excited to see the doors that will open as a result of their efforts.”

According to College Board information, students can submit based on these eligibility criteria:

• Take the Fall 2023 PSAT/NMSQT or Spring PSAT 10 and score in the top 10% of test takers from their award program in their state. 
• Or earn a 3+ on 2 or more distinct AP exams in the 9th and/or 10th grade
• And earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87-89%) by the time of submission.
• And identify as First Generation, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous or Native and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.

Eligible students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the beginning of the following school year. Students receive their awards in time to include them in their college and scholarship applications.

Congratulations to these Montgomery ISD honorees!

Montgomery High School:

Riley Aikin: Rural                          

Matthew Binkley: Hispanic, Rural            

Noah Bouley: First Generation, Rural

Landen Brown: First Generation, Hispanic, Rural

Lilly Brown: Rural                         

Owen Brown: Rural                      

Maile Burman: Hispanic

Santiago Bustillos: Hispanic, Rural

Jackson Carver: Rural    

Luke Chang: Rural                        

Broden Clark: Rural                      

Wyatt Clewett: Rural                   

Carter Cutright: Rural                  

Caroline Davis: Indigenous, Rural

Michael Dickens:  First Generation

Braylee Dyer: Rural                      

Brandon Eng: Rural                      

Jacob Feick: Rural                         

Clara Finch: Rural                         

Charlotte Franco: First Generation, Rural

John Freed: Rural                         

William Gaspard: Rural 

Tyler Graziano: Indigenous, Rural

Brody Grochett: Rural   

Emery Harrison: Rural   

John Hart: Indigenous, Rural      

Ava Harvey: Rural                         

Laurel Hereford: Rural  

Jake Hutchinson: Rural 

Shaylee Lane: First Generation  

Sonora Lilly: Rural                        

Garrett Mock: Rural                     

Joel Morgan: First Generation   

Reagan Mosier: First Generation, Rural

Adam Nunez: Hispanic, Rural     

Richard Orduna-Garcia: First Generation

Jarod Peschl: Rural                       

Brooke Peterson: Rural 

Morgan Pool: Rural                      

John Reynolds: Rural                   

Isela Rivera: Hispanic, Rural       

Braeley Schneider: First Generation, Rural

Eyan Staels: Rural                         

Averi Szynal: Rural                       

Henry Thomas: Hispanic, Rural  

Richard Trevino: Rural  

David Troyer: Rural                      

Nicholas Vaca De La Torre: Hispanic, Rural

Makaylee Van Bergen: Rural      

Luke Vinyard: First Generation, Hispanic, Rural

Alana Wheeler: First Generation, Hispanic, Indigenous

Lake Creek High School:

Maa Adodoadji: First Generation, Rural

Marshall Anderson: Rural

Maria Ceballos: Hispanic, Rural

Isabella Jade Dillay: Indigenous, Rural

Glory Eyiba: African American

Logan Grace: Rural

Anne Guarda: Hispanic

Renee Hanson: First Generation

Brett Harrington: Hispanic, Rural

Regan Krahn: Rural

Julia Louwerens: Rural

Andrew Ronsman: Rural

Ivy’ance Ruiz: African American, First Generation, Hispanic, Rural

Owen Stephens: Rural

Avery Waida: Rural

Carson Williams: Rural

Rylee Wright: First Generation, Rural

Grady Yeager: Rural

District Leaders recognized for National Principal Appreciation Month

During the October meeting of the Montgomery ISD school board, trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price of $14.6M for renovations at the MISD Athletic Complex. Prop B, approved in the 2022 bond, will fund the scope of work on the football stadium including flipping the home and visitors sides while adding 2,838 seats and a press box to the new home side. Prop B also adds new concession stands, restrooms, ticket areas, fencing, and an elevator to the home side and replaces the field turf.  

To address other needs outside of the football stadium such as parking and traffic flow, work will be completed to add almost 400 parking spaces while widening and paving the exit road to Lone Star Parkway. Additionally, student-athletes will benefit from renovations to the existing locker rooms and the construction of a new locker room. Safety net upgrades will also be completed at the MHS baseball and softball fields.  

Montgomery ISD Chief Operations Officer Brad Mansfield shared that work at the Athletic Complex will begin at the conclusion of football season and is expected to be complete by the opening of the 2025 football season. PBK Architects created the design for the project, and Stewart Builders will oversee the construction.      

 “We are thrilled that our team was able to develop a plan that is reasonable and conservative while meeting the current and growing needs of our student programs and community,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “The continued emphasis placed on sound fiscal management and scope of work, has continued to allow us to deliver on the projects in the 2022 bond.”  

Mansfield also provided an update on other projects funded by the district’s 2022 bond program. The Phase Two addition at Lake Creek High School and construction of Creekside Elementary are complete with the exception of a few punch list items.  “We are grateful to our partners at Huckabee Architects and Pogue Construction for the thoughtful design and construction of these projects, and to our community for their patience during the construction period,” Mansfield said. “We recognize that this work brought about some temporary challenges and inconvenience, so we appreciate the Creekside and Lake Creek communities for their understanding and flexibility while construction was taking place.” 

Progress at the district’s Career & Technical Education and Ag-Science Center and renovations at Montgomery High School are proceeding on schedule.  Work to modernize the fueling station at Liberty Transportation Center is set to begin this fall.    

Trustees also voted to authorize the purchase of attendance credits should the district be required to pay recapture dollars for the 2024-2025 school year. Each fall, school districts receive notice of whether they owe recapture dollars to the state for the previous school year.  Purchasing attendance credits from the state serves as the mechanism for making a recapture payment. 

School districts that choose not to pay their recapture obligation are subject to the state detaching commercial properties from the district and annexing those properties to neighboring districts, effectively lowering the tax base for a district subject to recapture.   

“Even though the district was not assessed a recapture payment for the 2023-24 school year, discussions around recapture and public school funding are alive and well in Montgomery ISD,” Matt Fuller said.  “In addition to asking our MISD community to consider Prop A to increase our Maintenance & Operations budget on the November ballot, our state lawmakers are returning to Austin for the 89^th Legislative Session in January 2025. We are doing everything in our power to encourage legislative action that will impact school funding. This includes addressing the significant disparity in funding MISD receives per-student versus the state average and increasing the basic per-student allotment to match the current rate of inflation. Our MISD families are dealing with rising costs at every turn, yet the state has not increased the per-student basic allotment since 2019, with a more than $30B state budget surplus.” 

 Trustees also heard a report from MISD Bilingual/ESL Specialist Jennifer DeHart, regarding MISD Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students in 2023-2024. The number of emergent bilingual students enrolled in MISD increased by 14 percent during the 23-24 school year. Emergent bilingual students in MISD continue to make progress in developing English language proficiency, with more students eligible to transition out of the LEP program at the end of the 23-24 school year, compared to years prior. 

“The increase in the number of students able to exit our growing LEP program is a credit to our people, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “We are fortunate to have remarkable ESL educators who are committed to developing a student’s understanding of English in speaking, reading and writing.”   

Trustees also recognized National Principals Month, thanking MISD’s campus principals for their leadership on campuses and commitment to the district.  

 “As a school board, we love to celebrate our principals,” Trustee Eddie Winn said.  “We are grateful to each of them, for being such impactful leaders, and motivating our students to strive for success. They set a positive tone on every MISD campus, and create a great example for our students, families, teachers and staff members.” 

Montgomery and Lake Creek High Schools recognized for student success

College Board has announced that both Montgomery ISD high schools have been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll for 2024. 

Montgomery High School earned a bronze distinction, with 43% of students taking at least one AP Exam during high school, 26% of students scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 10% of students who took five or more AP Exams. Additionally, Montgomery High School earned the AP Access Award which honors schools that encourage underrepresented minority students to take AP courses.  The AP Access Award demonstrates a clear and effective commitment to ensuring AP coursework is equally available to all students.   

Lake Creek High School earned a silver distinction, with 50% of students taking at least one AP Exam during high school, 36% of students earning college credit by scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 17% of students who took five or more AP Exams.

“We are so proud of our students who take advantage of AP course offerings in Montgomery ISD and for putting in the work to succeed in this impactful program,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said.  “Having both of our high schools named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll acknowledges the outstanding work by our AP kids and the educators who encourage students to participate in our AP programs and support them on their pathway beyond MISD and into college.”

Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. And even for those who don’t earn college credit, advanced coursework provides early exposure to college-level work and contributes to a college-going school culture.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.

The Montgomery Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling Proposition A, also known as a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) for Nov. 5, 2024. State law requires that school districts seek voter approval to raise their tax rate above a prescribed amount. Proposition A will allow MISD voters to approve or disapprove the tax rate adopted by the Board of Trustees.

The school district’s total tax rate consists of two parts: Maintenance & Operation (M&O) and Interest & Sinking (I&S). The M&O rate covers general expenses like salaries and instructional costs, while the I&S rate is used to pay off debt for district facilities.

As MISD faces a $4.3 million deficit for the 24-25 school year, Prop A stands to increase the M&O rate by $.0425 which stands to generate over $5.5 million dollars of new revenues to MISD this fiscal year.

The new Montgomery ISD tax rates for the 2024-25 fiscal year are .7169 (M&O) and .3743 (I&S) for a total of $1.0912 per $100 property valuation.  Prior to the 24-25 tax rate adoption, Montgomery ISD has decreased its tax rate every year since 2019, including a $.1802 decrease for 2023.

“MISD is proud that we have decreased the tax rate every year since 2019, even after the passing of the 2022 Bond election. This includes last year’s historic tax decrease of over 18 cents last year and homeowners saw their homestead exemptions increase to $100,000,” Chief Financial Officer Ben Davidson said.

“During the 2022 bond campaign, MISD let voters know that a small tax increase may be necessary to support the measure,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “However, due to increased property values, the I&S rate has not increased from the passing of the bond.”

Unlike a bond proposition where funds can only be used for facility construction, renovations, and other capital improvement projects, Prop A would generate revenues for the Maintenance and Operations budget. MISD has never called for a VATRE (Prop A).  

“I want to thank our trustees for the considerable time and effort they’ve committed to arrive at this point – adopting a tax rate that allows our stakeholders to have a voice in the way the school district is funded,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “Prop A provides an opportunity for our community to exercise local control over our funding, something that this district has never done before.”

Prior to calling for Prop A, MISD conducted an efficiency audit that compares revenues and expenditures to 10 peer districts. The findings of the audit provided evidence that MISD receives $1,517 less per student than peer districts and MISD expenditures per student are $898 less than the peer districts.

“The audit findings reinforced what we already knew at MISD. We are already as lean as possible. We get less, and we spend less than other districts,” Board Secretary Eddie Winn said.

The State of Texas has not increased the basic allotment, the amount of money per student, for school districts since 2019, even with inflation at record highs. This puts constraints on the district’s buying power to continue providing a safe, supportive, and secure environment in Montgomery ISD. 

“To be clear, our funding challenges are not limited to the lack of additional funding from the state,” Ruffin said. “Add to that inflation, rising special education costs, and unfunded mandates like HB3 that require districts to have an armed officer on all campuses. Providing officers on all campuses is something we will always commit to, but we received just $240,000 in our safety and security allotment last year, while our MISD Police Department payroll was over a million dollars. We have worked diligently to minimize our deficit without negatively impacting our student programs or our people.”

Of the estimated $5.5 million increase in revenues, 15% comes in the form of additional state aid. Prop A requires the state of Texas to also increase the amount of funding provided to MISD.

MISD has committed to focusing on these three funding priorities for Prop A:

• Recruiting & Retaining High Quality Staff
• Maintaining Student Programs
• Safety & Security

“We are in the people business. Our people are what make MISD the Premier district that it is, and the incredible people within MISD have made an incredible impact on our community over the years,” Ruffin said. “Successful communities go hand in hand with successful school districts.” 

Should Prop A pass, the estimated impact would be $8.85 per month for a home valued at $350,000, the average market value for a home in Montgomery ISD. Taxpayers that are over 65 with a homestead exemption have their school taxes frozen and would not see an increase in taxes due to Prop A.

“I am proud of the dedication and effort of this board,” Board President Dr. Matt Fuller said.  “We are well-informed about the impact of Prop A and the operational costs facing Montgomery ISD. Dr. Ruffin and his team have provided us with a comprehensive overview, presenting all possible scenarios. It’s clear that MISD is not alone in facing financial challenges; many districts across Texas are in similar situations. In 2024, operating costs such as salaries, supplies, insurance, and fuel continue to rise, while state funding for school operations has not kept up—meaning we’re dealing with 2024 expenses but receiving 2019 funding.”

“We truly believe our stakeholders recognize, love, and value the impact Montgomery ISD has on our students and community,” Fuller said. “Our vote tonight to call for Prop A provides those stakeholders a chance to voice in November whether to increase the local revenues for MISD.” 

More information about the Prop A projects, estimated impact, and voting locations will be available on the district website at go.misd.org/PropA.

To register to vote or to find out your registration status, call the Montgomery County Elections Department at 936-539-7843, or visit their website at https://elections.mctx.org/BBM.asp. The last day to register to vote in the November election is Monday, October 7.

Early voting begins Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Cell Phones and DAEP Addressed

At a board workshop this week, MISD trustees reviewed changes to the student handbook for the 2024-2025 school year. As Montgomery ISD students return to school on Thursday, August 15, 2024, there will be a new policy regarding cell phone use on campuses.

“There is ample research available providing valuable insight into the challenges that cell phone use presents to students, teachers, and administrators. After spending the spring listening to teachers, parents, and students, it is clear that we are facing many of those same challenges in Montgomery ISD. Cell phones create a distraction that hinders student learning and academic performance, negatively impacts student discipline, leads to instances of academic dishonesty, and unfortunately provides opportunities for cyber bullying,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that our learning environments provide students and teachers with the best possible opportunity to succeed. Our classroom teachers need help competing with the distractions posed by cell phones, and we believe this policy is a step in the right direction toward reclaiming the learning environment.”

Students in Montgomery ISD will be allowed to have cell phones on campus. However, they are expected to be “away for the day” in backpacks, lockers, or vehicles and turned off to prevent distractions. The cell phone policy update applies to all classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, and any other school property during the school day.

Teachers and school staff will monitor and enforce the policy. Students found in violation of the policy will face disciplinary consequences including phone confiscation, detention, and parental notification.

“As a board, we are confident the new guidelines will limit distractions and disruptions to the learning process, which are often caused by cell phone usage,” Montgomery ISD Board President Dr. Matt Fuller said. “This new expectation empowers our staff to focus on providing engaging instruction and provides academic and social benefits to our students.”

Parents are encouraged to contact the school office in case of emergencies or urgent matters. The school will promptly relay urgent messages to students and ensure they can contact their parent/guardian if needed.

“We understand that in today’s society, our ability to stay connected and communicate with our children provides an incredible sense of comfort for parents,” Ruffin said. “Our goal is to ensure effective lines of communication are available for parents and they feel more confident in the safety, security, and overall well-being of their child.”

This updated cell phone policy aligns with MISD’s 1:1 use of technology in the learning environment. In MISD, every student has access to a district-issued device; they can engage with technology and blended learning without needing their own device. 

Parents will receive information about the policy change via email and are encouraged to talk with their children about the new guidelines before the start of school.      

Trustees also heard updates to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). DAEP is a program adopted by local policy for students in elementary through high school who violate the Student Code of Conduct and are removed from their regular classes and placed in a DAEP.

“DAEP was identified last spring as an area where we need to align our practices to better support our students and staff and ultimately promote an effective discipline management program,” Ruffin said. “Ensuring disciplinary consistency across Montgomery ISD schools is critical. This update will clarify the parameters of a DAEP placement and expectations for students and staff members.”