News
CONGRATULATIONS!
Rookie of the Year ~ Mrs. Williams
Para of the Year ~ Mrs. Jackie
Teacher of the Year ~ Mrs. Rogas
The Magnolia ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2023 - 2024 school calendar.
- A notable change is a fall break in October.
- The Monday and Tuesday of Election Day in November are staff development days.
- The last day of school is before Memorial Day weekend.
- This calendar adds five minutes to the school day and gives three days for bad weather. High school and junior high dismissal will be at 2:30, intermediate at 3:15, and elementary 3:45.
The afterschool Adventures Program will offer camps for the holidays (October, November, December, and March) for enrolled students ages Pre-K through 6 grade.
January is School Board Recognition Month and we are celebrating our trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district and our students.
The theme of this year's School Board Recognition Month is Forward, Together, which highlights the collaboration among school leadership, teachers, and parents on behalf of students.
"Recognizing the efforts of our volunteer school board is so important because of all the hard work our trustees put into making our district a success," said Dr. Todd Stephens, Superintendent.
Some of the recent items our Board has accomplished are:
- Passage of $228 million bond to address growth and safety and security upgrades
- Approve the lowest tax rate in over 20 years ($1.1472). The second lowest in Montgomery County.
- Savings of over $56 million through our bond defeasance plan.
- Commitment to $1.5 million to safety and security for Precinct 5 Constables at each campus
Board members serving are:
Chuck Adcox, President
Dr. Travis Moffatt, Vice President
Joe Duncan, Secretary
Sonja Ebel, Assistant Secretary
Jay Michals, Trustee
Gary Blizzard, Trustee
Dacia Owens, Trustee
You can learn more about our Board here.
During the August 8th Board meeting, the Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call for a $232 million bond referendum to be included in the November 8, 2022, general election. The ballot will consist of two propositions totaling $232 million. There is no tax rate increase if voters approve both propositions. The district has positioned itself financially by lowering the tax rate over each of the last four consecutive years and saving over $45 million in interest through the bond defeasance plan. MISD currently has the lowest voter-approved debt per student in the area, positioning the district for the November bond and future bonds.
PROPOSITION A
Proposition A includes a new elementary school ($41 million), a new intermediate school ($66 million), and a new junior high school ($85 million). Currently, three of the district’s elementary schools and all intermediate and junior highs have reached 90% capacity. The district’s current student enrollment exceeds 14,220 students. This represents an increase of more than 500 students since October 2021 and a growth rate that surpasses demographers’ projections.
The bond also includes expansion of the Career and Technical Education programs at both high schools, renovations to the agricultural barn, and renovations to the NJROTC for $7 million. $2 million is allocated for the purchase of new buses to accommodate the district’s rapid growth. Currently, there are no spare buses for field trips, extracurricular and five new routes have been added this year. MISD’s current fleet of 146 buses transports an average 7,000 students daily.
Other priority maintenance projects include roofing at Magnolia High School and a section at Magnolia Junior High; replacing chillers and renovating cooling towers at Bear Branch Junior High; restoration of the water and sewer plants; asphalt paving repairs at Magnolia Junior High, Magnolia Intermediate and Transportation West; replace and repair exterior doors at both high schools; and flooring replacements at Smith, Nichols Sawmill and Bear Branch Elementary schools ($10 million).
Prop A also funds land purchases for future new elementary campuses ($10 million), fourth intermediate and junior high schools, as well as a third high school as the district continues to grow. Technology upgrades ($5 million) and safety and security upgrades ($2 million) are also included. Proposition A totals $228 million.
PROPOSITION B
Proposition B includes adding artificial turf for baseball and softball fields at both high schools to remain consistent with other 5A schools in the area ($4 million total, $2 million per school).
VOTING INFORMATION
Early voting begins Monday, October 24 and ends Friday, November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. The final day to register to vote in the election is Tuesday, October 11.