Board Briefs: December 15, 2025

 

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Manor ISD’s Board Briefs 

Welcome to the latest edition of Manor ISD’s Board Brief! Each month, we will offer a snapshot of key decisions, discussions, and highlights from our most recent board meeting. As always, Manor ISD is committed to transparency and keeping our community informed about the work being done to support our students, staff, and schools. In this update, you'll find information about important approvals, recognitions, and updates on initiatives aimed at enhancing the educational experience across our district. 

 

Watch The Board Meeting  Meeting Agenda

Student Recognition

Manor ISD is celebrating a big win! Michelle Garcia, a Manor High School senior, earned First Place in Huston-Tillotson University’s Spring 2025 High School Writing Competition for her piece, “Seclusion.” She’ll receive a $1,000 prize for her work.

Michelle was recognized at the December Board meeting, where trustees applauded their creativity and hard work. Huston-Tillotson University will also present students with their awards in person.

Staff Recognitions 

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible staff members who go above and beyond to make a difference at Manor ISD. Here’s a look at who was recognized during this month’s board meeting!

Congratulations to our December 2025 Honorees

Blake Manor Elementary

• Edith Nava – 1st Grade Teacher
• Annabelle Zuniga – Food & Nutrition

Bluebonnet Trail Elementary

• Florian Flores – Special Education Teacher

• Bridget Bolden – Registrar

Child Development Center

• Jocelyn Burgos Casar – Pre-K Teacher

Decker Elementary School

• Mayra Dimas – 3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher

• Claudia Escalante – ECSE Aide

Oak Meadows Elementary School

• Billy Mercer – Teacher Coach

• Johana Arellano – Teacher Aide

Lagos Elementary School

• Christie Hardi – 5th Grade ELA Teacher

• Ernesta Steele – Parent Liaison

Pioneer Crossing Elementary School 

• Casey Alvarado (Teacher Of The Month) Life Skill Teacher (K-5)

• Belinda Singleton (Staff Of The Month) Interventionist  (3-5)

Presidential Meadows Elementary School

• Carilyn Lappay – 3rd Grade Teacher

• Marla Mejia – Pre-K Aide

ShadowGlen Elementary School

• Marcos Romero – 5th Grade Dual Language Teacher

• Edna Padilla – Registrar & Attendance Clerk

Manor Rise Academy

• Lee Jackson – Teacher Coach

• Julissa Clark – Instructional Coach

Decker Middle School

• Ryan Case – Librarian

• Iyon Singleton – Administrative Assistant

Manor New Tech Middle School

• Alexus Keen – 6th Grade RLA

• Diana Gonzalez – ATT Associate

Manor New Tech High School

• Rodolfo Diaz – Paraprofessional

• Britney Mickelsen – Social Studies Teacher

 

Information Items 

Superintendent’s Update

• Student Safety Update

Dr. Sormani reported that the next generation of weapon’s detection systems should be available in January replacing the ones currently at the high school.  Once the high schools are upgraded, the district will explore placing them at middle schools.

 

Monthly Financial Report (November) 

The financial report for the month of November (5/12 or 41.6% of the budget year), reflects the following:

• The General Fund has collected $24,770,926 (23.6% of the budgeted revenue), which is an increase of $20,106,039 or 431.0%, year over year.
• The General Fund has spent $40,610,821 (38.8% of the budgeted expenditures), which is a decrease of -$4,224,090 or -9.4%, year over year.
• The Debt Service Fund has collected $1,509,602 (3.2% of the budgeted revenue) and has spent $23,115,618 (38.6% of budgeted expenditures). Debt
• service payments are made during the months of February and August.
• The Nutrition Program Fund has collected $2,842,357 (27.4% of the budgeted revenue) and has spent $3,161,176 (30.6% of budgeted expenditures).

 

FY2024-25 Annual Financial Audit

The auditor’s opinion is “unmodified,” which is the highest and best opinion districts can receive. It also  indicates that there are no findings or significant deficiencies identified that were not considered material weaknesses. The District’s Net Position is $37.9MM, which is a decrease of -$6.0MM or -13.9%, over prior year. The General Fund’s unassigned fund balance is $12,342,498, which is also a decrease of -$17.5MM over the previous year. This is equivalent to 1.3 months of operating reserves (38 days), as of June 31, 2025. The district is also qualified as a “low-risk auditee”, meaning that there are no findings or questioned costs, as it relates to the management of federal grant funds, particularly Title I and IDEA-B Special Education.

 

CPM 2 Board Monitoring Report

C2 states that the Superintendent will not allow the District to be fiscally unsound. That the unassigned general fund balance will not decrease below 16.4% (60 days) of operating expenses from June 2023 to June 2026.

The projected 25-26 end of year CMP is 15.8% (58 days), which calculates a projected unassigned fund balance of $16.5MM. Our 2-year target is to achieve an unassigned fund balance of $30MM by the end of June 2028, which is a percentage of 27.9 (102 days). This goal assumes that the expense budget will remain the same during 2026-27.

The District’s long-term financial plan includes conservative property value growth, tax collections, and ADA projection assumptions. The personnel budget will not be greater than 82% of the total expense budget. No multi-year contracts unless funding is secured. One-time payments due to the district are not included in these assumptions, except for the sale of land assets. The district is also taking a proactive approach by auditing its PEIMS student data where a significant amount of state funding is possibly being lost. Other areas for possible savings include returning to TRS health insurance as soon as eligible to benefit from regional rates and the possibility of self-insuring a part of our old facilities with available bond proceeds to reduce property insurance premiums currently funded with general operating funds.

Dr. Sormani also reviewed ways the district can reallocate funds towards classrooms in the 26-27 budget year.  He first discussed ways of enhancing our dual language programs which currently teach children in English and Spanish to attract more students.  These programs generate more state funding and research has shown students achieve higher academically after completing the programs.  Dr. Sormani then discussed possible changes to the transportation system.  This includes changing New Tech HS and MS busing to a “hub system” such as used at Manor Rise Academy.  This means buses will not go to every neighborhood, but pick up at certain locations around the district.  This could reduce the number of routes by 22.  He also said the district is exploring increasing the distance between bus stops at the high school level from ½ mile to up to 3/4ths of a mile to one mile.  Together these changes would save over $250,000 a year and improve the on time arrival of buses.  Finally, Dr. Sormani talked about ways we could use any left over 2019 Bond proceeds and any future Bond proceeds to offset maintenance costs and free up more dollars for classroom expenditures.

 

Bond 2019 - Funding for HVAC and Technology Devices 

Administration provided an update on the progress of the 2019 Bond Fund Optimization Plan, which now supports HVAC systems and technology devices across the district.  An initial list of priority projects were shared with trustees in February that could potentially be funded through earned interest on the 2019 bond.  Since that time, the district has continued advancing planned bond projects while also encountering pressing facility and technology needs that require immediate attention.  As part of this update, the administration outlined a refined approach for allocating the 2019 bond interest earnings to address these mission-critical priorities.

Through careful financial management, the district has identified approximately $4.1 million in earned interest from the 2019 bond as available funding.  Revised funding priorities include approximately $3.8 million for critical HVAC replacements and repairs, with systems replaced as functionality ceases in order to maintain reliable climate control and indoor air quality across campuses.  In addition, approximately $3.2 million has been identified for technology infrastructure needs.  All EOF student and staff technology devices will be purchased in a single replacement cycle, with the total cost paid in four equal annual installments with no interest, ensuring full deployment while spreading the financial impact over four years.  Last, the administration proposed establishing a facility contingency fund to serve as a safety net for unanticipated emergency repairs and urgent facility needs that may arise.

 

TASB Salary Study Equity Adjustments  

During the 2023-2024 school year, the district contracted with the Texas Association of School Boards to conduct a salary study to review its compensation plan. The Manor ISD Board of Trustees and Administration are committed to offering competitive salaries as our budget allows; as a result, the board approved salary equity adjustments to ensure clerical and paraprofessional pay grades were within the average market comparison. 

 

2027-2032 Strategic Planning Process 

Manor ISD’s current strategic plan was developed in 2020 by a group of stakeholders, and the plan outlined the six goals that currently guide our work and detailed action steps for each department; the current strategic plan is set to expire in December 2026. To prepare for the next five years, the Board of Trustees, district administration, staff, community, and students will engage in the strategic planning process beginning in January 2026 to refresh the district’s vision, mission, and goals. The district’s strategic plan communicates what the district values, its goals, and what students and families can expect from the district.

 

 

Consent Agenda

Consideration and Approval for New FTE for 25-26 SY 

The board voted to approve three teacher and paraprofessional FTEs to support classroom needs at Decker Middle School and Presidential Meadows Elementary School.