Honored as one of three statewide finalists in small district category
H-E-B has named Montgomery ISD as a statewide finalist for the Texas-based organization’s 2025 Excellence in Education Awards. MISD is one of three statewide finalists in the small district category, encompassing those with less than 10,000 students enrolled.
H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards in 2002 as a positive way to support education in Texas. Since the program’s inception, H-E-B has awarded more than $14 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, principals, public school districts, school boards, and early childhood facilities.
“In Montgomery ISD we talk a lot about maximizing the impact we have on our students, our community, and our people,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “H-E-B is a perfect example of a company that maximizes their impact on communities all across Texas. Their commitment to supporting public education is inspiring and is evident in their Excellence in Education Awards, and Montgomery ISD is incredibly honored to be named as a finalist. Through this process, we get to shine a light on our people and highlight the work they do that makes a meaningful impact every day. Being able to share the amazing things happening here on such a large platform is incredibly exciting. This distinction reinforces Montgomery ISD’s daily commitment to being the Premier School District in Texas.”
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards recognize school districts based on the following criteria:
Commitment to student achievement through innovative programs
Parent/Community involvement
Professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators
“We are thrilled that Montgomery ISD has been named as a statewide finalist by H-E-B. The Excellence in Education Awards criteria aligns with our community’s high expectations of our school district.” MISD Board President Matt Fuller said. “We are proud that families choose Montgomery as a place to raise their children, and never take for granted the faith they put in MISD to provide a premier education for each student, preparing them for future success.”
To determine overall statewide winners, a panel of judges will tour campuses and visit with administration, staff, parents, students and community members.
Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony this spring.
To kick off a year-long celebration of Montgomery ISD’s centennial year in 2025, the MISD Education Foundation committed to awarding $100,000 to the school district via educator grants and other initiatives. On Friday, January 10, the “Grant Express” school bus, filled with members of the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation, district leaders, and community partners stopped at each of MISD’s eleven campuses to award 32 educator grants. These grants are in addition to six previously awarded district-wide grants and seven Foundation Fellowships, a new initiative that supports MISD employees in their pursuit of higher education in the teaching profession.
“We are so proud to pilot the Foundation Fellowship program for district employees,” Montgomery ISD Education Foundation Executive Director Tiffany Ortiz said. “The program is designed to encourage, promote, and foster a desire for continued education. We strongly believe that our student’s premier education comes from our premier teachers and are especially excited to unveil the program in the district’s centennial year.”
Each fall, the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation hosts a competitive grant application process. Grants are awarded based on creative and innovative ideas that district staff can implement in the classroom to positively impact student learning.
Grant applications are evaluated based on whether the proposed program represents an inventive approach to improve and enrich learning and includes sound evaluation procedures tied to student performance.
Some of the items that will be purchased with 2025 grant funds include:
Power tools to enhance the hands-on learning experience for students enrolled in our Career and Technical Education programs, specifically in the fields of construction, automotive technology, agricultural mechanics, and welding.
Drone technology to provide secondary students with the skills and knowledge to operate drones for professional-quality video production, preparing them for careers in media, film, and digital content creation.
LEGO Spike Robotic Kits focus on combining LEGO building elements, programmable hardware, and a user-friendly coding platform to teach STEM concepts.
Augmented Reality Sandbox to encourage students to leverage technology to make history and science classes more interactive, engaging, and impactful. The AR sandbox not only deepens understanding but also inspires a love of learning, ensuring students are active participants in their education rather than passive observers.
Other grants will fund experiences for students, including:
Texas Wildlife on Wheels introduces the diversity of local wildlife to students, and a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna in their own backyard.
Books Alive Theater Company provides elementary students with a musical performance of the book Three Nasty Gnarlies by Keith Graves, along with copies of the book provided for each classroom teacher.
The MISD College Experience Grant will fund college campus visits for MISD students and provide college application assistance.
Mobile Ed Production STEAM Museum visit allows students to participate in hands-on activities to learn about energy, technology, manufacturing methods and techniques, simple machines, gear ratios, 3D printing, robotics, geometry, structures, friction, gravity, and much more.
“The MISD Education Foundation is thrilled to commemorate MISD’s 100th year, by committing $100,000 to enhance student learning,” Ortiz said. “Grant Express Day is the culmination of our fundraising efforts and one of the best days in Montgomery ISD. We always look forward to surprising our educators and providing them with the tools and experiences they know will make a big difference in their classrooms and on their campuses. We could not do this without the incredible support of our community partners and are delighted that so many of them were able to ride along with us today to be part of the celebration.”
“There is nothing better than seeing the excitement on the faces of our teachers and staff as they were presented with funding for innovative programs and initiatives for their students.” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “The 45 grants awarded represent the MISD Education Foundation’s commitment to MISD, deep investment in our kids and staff, and an amazing way to celebrate the district’s centennial year in 2025.”
Funds for the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation come from fundraising events including a golf tournament held in the fall, and the Roaring 20s Spring Soiree, scheduled for March 22, 2025 at Margaritaville on Lake Conroe.
District also authorizes one-time bonuses for employees, receives updated report from demographer, and announces leadership updates
During the December Montgomery ISD school board meeting, trustees approved the district’s state legislative priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature, set to begin on January 14, 2025.
As part of their ongoing commitment to advocating for students, teachers, and staff, the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees adopts a list of legislative priorities ahead of each session to guide its collaboration with state lawmakers.
Key priorities for the upcoming session include:
Increasing the basic allotment: Trustees are urging legislators to raise the state’s per-student funding amount to account for inflation and other rising costs. The current per-student funding level, which is $6,160, has not been adjusted since 2019.
Enhancing school safety funding: The district seeks an increase in the school safety allotment, which supports campus security measures such as school police and safety equipment.
Local control: Montgomery ISD advocates for maintaining or expanding local control over areas like school district elections, state-mandated accelerated instruction, and school discipline policies.
“Our board is committed to ensuring that Montgomery ISD’s voice is heard at the State Capitol,” Board Secretary Eddie Winn said. “We know that excellent schools and a strong educator workforce are the foundation of a thriving economy and great communities. We are fortunate to have a delegation of lawmakers in Montgomery who are willing to collaborate with us on funding and policy issues. We remain optimistic that the legislature will prioritize public education when it meets in 2025.”
Additionally, trustees authorized a one-time $500 retention bonus for all MISD full-time employees. Eligible Montgomery ISD team members will see the additional pay in their December 20 paycheck. The bonus pay is funded by new revenue from Proposition A, approved by voters on the November ballot. The bonus is to recognize service and encourage the retention of highly qualified Montgomery ISD team members.
“Our employees’ hard work and commitment to our students are critical to our success as a school district and as a community and this commitment has not gone unnoticed,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “We are thrilled and grateful that voters approved Prop A, allowing the board to authorize this retention bonus for full-time staff. This fulfills one of our commitments during the election, and while our goal is to do more when we adopt a new compensation plan in 2025, we hope it demonstrates our appreciation for our staff. As we develop the 2025-26 budget, our top priority will be competitive compensation for our employees. The new revenue from Prop A, along with any additional funding approved in the upcoming legislative session, will play a key role in shaping our compensation plan next spring and the competitiveness of MISD for years to come.”
Additionally, as result of the passage of Prop A, the district has posted four new teaching positions to reduce elementary class sizes and three special education paraprofessional positions to provide additional support for students.
During the meeting, the board also received an update on a third-party demographic study conducted by Zonda, a firm specializing in housing market research and school district enrollment projections. Representatives from Zonda reported that 34 housing subdivisions are under development within Montgomery ISD, with 16 more future subdivisions in various stages of planning. According to their projections, Montgomery ISD’s enrollment is expected to grow to approximately 11,500 students by the 2029-30 school year and 13,300 students by 2034-35. Currently, the district serves about 9,900 students.
“As Montgomery continues to grow, it’s an exciting time for our district and our community,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “Planning for this growth is essential to ensure that we meet the needs of our students and families while maintaining the values that make Montgomery such a special place to live and learn. We are committed to preserving the qualities that draw families to our schools—excellence in education, strong community ties, and a focus on student success—while embracing opportunities for the future.”
This spring, the district will establish a committee to review demographic projections, campus enrollment capacities, financial data, and a facilities assessment. The committee will provide input and make recommendations for addressing the district’s future planning and facility needs.
Dr. Ruffin also announced two leadership updates.
Brad LaPlante brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the junior college and high school levels to his new role as the district’s Athletic Director.
MISD Athletic Director Brad LaPlante
Since 2018, LaPlante has served as the Athletic Director for Hutto ISD. During his time in Hutto, he also held several coaching positions, including Head Football Coach at Hutto High School (2018–2022), Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach (2014–2017), and Assistant Coach for Wrestling and Powerlifting.
Before joining Hutto ISD, LaPlante coached at Manvel ISD as Special Teams Coordinator, Alvin ISD as Offensive Coordinator, and New Caney ISD as Run Game Coordinator. He also served as Head Football Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College and Rochester Community Technical College (RCTC) in Minnesota.
As a head football coach, LaPlante had an impressive 94 wins, with his teams reaching the postseason in 19 of his 23 seasons. Notably, he led RCTC to an NJCAA Division III National Championship in 2007.
Throughout his career, LaPlante has helped over 200 athletes advance to the collegiate level. Additionally, 21 of his assistant coaches and 12 of his former players have gone on to become head coaches at the high school or collegiate level.
“Coach LaPlante comes with an impressive resume of coaching success and oversight of a multi-sport athletics program at both the 5A and 6A levels,” Ruffin said. “He is incredibly well-respected in the coaching community. His character and ethics are foundational to his leadership, which was evident throughout the hiring process. He is a forward thinking and inspirational leader, focused on growing both athletes and coaches. Coach believes in the importance athletics plays in developing our students into successful adults and pours his time, energy, and effort into that vision. In his time at Hutto he has seen enrollment growth similar to MISD’s and has first-hand experience navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with a stadium redesign and renovation. We believe his considerable experience as a coach and athletic director will be a great fit for MISD as he takes on his new role.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Athletic Department and excited to join an exceptional team at Montgomery ISD,” LaPlante said. “My wife Christie and I cannot wait to get here to build relationships and serve the staff and students. Montgomery ISD is known for competitive programs, a winning tradition, and fantastic community support. We are ecstatic to be a part of it. My family has loved being part of the Hutto community and while we are sad to leave, we know Montgomery ISD is a great place for us to make our next impact.”
LaPlante succeeds Clint Heard in the role, who announced he will retire from the district in January 2025. Heard has served in Montgomery ISD for over 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He served the last 16 years as the district’s athletic director. During his tenure in Montgomery ISD, Heard led the Montgomery Bears baseball team to the playoffs in 14 of the 16 seasons he was head coach, which included an appearance in the state tournament in 2005. He was named district Coach of the Year six times. As athletic director, Heard was instrumental in navigating significant growth in MISD athletics, helping lead the district’s transition from one 6A high school to two 5A high schools.
“Coach Heard leaves an incredible legacy in MISD,” Fuller said. “He has been a cornerstone of our athletic programs, creating a culture centered around student athletes who know that academics come first. He is a person of character who has spent countless hours championing our coaches and kids. We are truly grateful for his service and dedication to our district.”
Justin Marino has been named Montgomery ISD’s Chief of Staff.
MISD Chief of Staff Justin Marino
As part of the district’s senior leadership team, Marino will oversee district communications, support the superintendent and Board of Trustees, and lead long-range strategic planning, master facilities planning, and other special initiatives. He will also play a key role in strengthening the district’s collaboration with state legislators.
Marino brings 15 years of experience in the private and public sectors as a communications leader. He has led numerous successful initiatives focused on public school funding and other district priorities. In 2020, Marino was appointed as Montgomery ISD’s Director of Communications, where he helped establish the district’s first-ever dedicated communications department. Notably, he directed the communication and community engagement strategy for the district’s 2022 bond election, which secured funding for Creekside Elementary School, the MISD CTE and Ag-Science centers, phase 2 of Lake Creek High School and district-wide school facility improvements. He also developed and co-led the process for creating the district’s first-ever strategic plan in 2021. Marino has presented Montgomery ISD’s strategic planning process alongside members of the Board of Trustees at statewide conferences. Marino spent the last year working in a private sector company serving K-12 public schools, gaining insight into school business operations across the state.
“Justin is known in our MISD community and deeply committed to the district’s success,” Ruffin said. “He is an experienced leader who excels at building relationships and collaborating with teams to achieve district goals. His familiarity with MISD, combined with his expertise, will bring immediate value to our leadership team, as well as our communication and planning efforts. We are thrilled to welcome him back to MISD.”
Finally, an update on the district’s 2022 bond program was provided by Chief Facilities and Operations Officer, Brad Mansfield. Construction at the MISD CTE & Ag-Science Center and renovations at Montgomery High School are both more than 60 percent complete. Renovations at Stewart Creek, Lone Star and Madeley Ranch elementary campuses are 35 percent complete. Updates at the MISD Stadium Complex and the Liberty Transportation Fuel Center are underway. All Bond 2022 projects are tracking within budget and are expected to be complete in the summer of 2025.
“We are excited about our progress on the projects made possible by the 2022 bond. This next phase brings important and exciting upgrades to school facilities,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “We are proud that this bond program ensures that every student benefits—whether through academics, career and technical education, fine arts, or extracurricular activities. The 2022 bond is truly impacting every aspect of the student learning and growth experience in MISD, and we are proud to see the positive outcomes take shape. Our Board remains fully committed to keeping our community informed and celebrating the progress of this voter-approved bond program.”
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.“
Preliminary election results show that Montgomery ISD voters approved Prop A, a Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), securing $5.5 million for this fiscal year’s Maintenance & Operations budget, with similar amounts expected annually. This is the first Tax Ratification Election ever passed in Montgomery ISD.
Unofficial results show 50.5 percent of votes supported the measure. The results will be official after the Board of Trustees canvass the votes during a meeting on November 19.
Montgomery ISD trustees adopted a $4.3 million deficit budget for the 2024-25 school year. Prop A increases the M&O rate by $.0425, generating over $5.5 million dollars of new revenues to MISD this fiscal year, with 15 percent of that total funded by the state.
“I applaud our community for putting our kids and educators first with their support of Prop A,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “I have said throughout the last few months that our business here in Montgomery ISD is our people. Prop A provides the critically needed revenue to ensure we can continue to prioritize and take care of our people. This funding will allow us to recruit and retain the talented staff that Montgomery ISD is known for, and that serves as the foundation for high educational standards districtwide. We will also be able to maintain our student programs and continue to provide the level of safety and security in place across Montgomery ISD.”
“Successful local schools are foundational to thriving communities and I believe that is true here in Montgomery,” Ruffin said. “I am so appreciative to our community members for their trust in our district to allow us to continue to add value to our community through the education we provide our students. I want to thank our amazing staff who modeled civic engagement by participating in this election. We had an incredible turnout of our staff which fosters a culture of voting here in MISD.”
“I am so grateful for the many community members who helped educate our stakeholders about Prop A and for their continued support of our students and staff,” Ruffin continued. “Theircommitment and the community’s support by passing Prop A highlights the values that Montgomery upholds – keeping our kids the focus of all we do.”
“On behalf of the Board, we thank everyone for investing in the education of our students and in the future of Montgomery Independent School District,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “This is a huge win for our students and staff and consistent with our community’s continued support of our schools. We have a long history of investing in students and schools to ensure that Montgomery ISD remains a premier district.”
“This is the outcome we hoped for. It makes me so proud to be a part of the Montgomery community and the Board of Trustees,” Board Secretary Eddie Winn said. “As a board, our priorities include creating a safe and secure learning environment where our students can thrive and finding ways to appropriately fund our schools and programs. Prop A will allow us to continue delivering on our priorities.”
“The entire school board thanks everyone who made time to vote, and thanks our community for supporting Prop A,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “Montgomery ISD is committed to providing a premier learning experience for our students and the election results show our community is too.”
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.”
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
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 89th 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.
MISD Elementary Principals with Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Carrie FitzpatrickMISD Secondary Principals with Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. Chris Summers
“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.
Trustees hear update on 2024 STAAR test performance
During the September meeting of the Montgomery ISD school board, trustees approved utility easement agreements with Entergy Texas, for the district’s CTE & Ag Science Center. The 189,000 square foot facility located along Lone Star Parkway between Buffalo Springs and Plez Morgan Drive is currently under construction. The center will serve both Montgomery High School and Lake Creek High School students and is expected to open for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Signing off on this easement agreement for utilities at the CTE & Ag Science Center is another essential step in getting this facility ready to go for our kids,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “We are grateful for the support of our partners at Entergy as we complete another important milestone in opening this facility that our community made possible through the 2022 bond.”
Trustees also approved an easement at Keenan Elementary for improved emergency access and a future sidewalk to connect Keenan and Oak Hills Junior High School.
MISD Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. Chris Summers provided an update on state accountability and student performance on the spring 2024 STAAR test. “Test scores released in August indicate Montgomery ISD students surpassed the state in the percentage of students rated ‘Approaches’ or ‘Meets’ on all tests in grades 3 through EOC. We surpassed the state in the percentage of students rated ‘Masters’ on all but two of the STAAR tests in grades 3 through EOC,” Summers said. “This is evidence that our students, teachers, and leaders continue to work incredibly hard and their dedication to learning and growing each year is at the heart of all we do in Montgomery ISD.”
Dr. Summers also shared that last month, several school districts filed a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency (TEA) over the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scoring and the validity of the test administered in spring semester of 2024. The suit alleges that the use of artificial intelligence to grade written responses and new rules narrowing access to alternative STAAR tests negatively impacted students. School districts that are part of the suit also take issue with TEA not utilizing a third party to peer review the STAAR redesigned test. With a 2023 lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency (TEA) currently in the appeal process, this is the second consecutive lawsuit that has been filed against the organization due to allegations over STAAR test redesigns and the new accountability system. A-F accountability ratings for districts and schools, for both 2023 and 2024 are pending the outcome of the lawsuits.
In 2017, with the goal of increasing transparency into the performance of schools and school districts, the A-F accountability system was established by the Texas legislature. The accountability system uses STAAR test results, performance, graduation rates, and college and career readiness to score the school districts. In the 2023 lawsuit against TEA, more than 100 school districts opposed new standards that weren’t in place before, including the way College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) is weighted in accountability. Under the former accountability standards, school districts could receive an A rating with a CCMR score of 60 or above. Under the new accountability standards, school districts would need a CCMR score of 88 or above to earn an A rating.
“While we understand the importance of measuring the success of our schools, we also know that our MISD students are so much more than a test score,” MISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “A student’s educational experience in MISD is characterized by a safe learning environment in supportive school communities. Our students are encouraged to pursue their passions through engaging classroom lessons, a variety of extracurricular activities to develop skills outside the classroom, and opportunities for success beyond graduation. There are many facets to consider when we talk about student growth. Our kids are far more than what is reflected on a single assessment given on a single day.”
“As a school board, we place value in self-accountability, looking at student growth across multiple measures of data to inform academic progress,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “We always encourage parents to consider classroom assessments and feedback provided by their student’s highly qualified teachers.”
Also during the meeting, Lincoln Elementary School was presented with an award from Solution Tree, recognizing their recent distinction as a Model Professional Learning Community at Work. Darren Grissom, Solution Tree State Director, presented Principal Kerri Ashlock and several Lincoln Elementary staff members with a PLC Model School flag and certificate.
“We are so proud of Principal Ashlock and the work she and her team continue to do at Lincoln Elementary School,” Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Carrie Fitzpatrick said. “They have embraced the PLC model to positively impact student outcomes and have built a culture centered around the shared responsibility for each student’s learning and growth. We are so pleased to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with them.”
Trustees also shared their appreciation for MISD teachers Melinda Wilson and McKay Cuccia, for accepting new campus assignments to balance classroom sizes at MISD elementary schools. “We are grateful to both of these educators, for the flexibility they’ve shown in moving to a new campus after the school year had begun,” Fitzpatrick said. “Mrs. Wilson and Ms. Cuccia are dedicated teachers who have demonstrated a willingness to do what is best for our MISD students, and we appreciate them both.”
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