Board Briefs: October 27, 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. 

 

To watch the board meeting visit the Board Meeting website.

To see the agenda visit our Board Docs.

 

Student Recognition

Manor New Tech High School (MNTHS) senior Jaswanth Thanikanti has been named a Semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing him among the top students in the nation recognized for exceptional academic promise.

Each year, roughly 16,000 students across the country earn Semifinalist status by achieving top scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Jaswanth’s distinction represents not only his hard work and dedication but also the academic excellence fostered at Manor New Tech High School.

 

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!

 

Information Items 

Superintendent’s Update

The district celebrated another round of achievements in the fine arts!  Dr. Sormani updated Trustees on progress on safety updates.  There are now only 9 improvements left to fully complete.  3 will require a new funding source, 5 will be completed by the end of December, and the remaining one will carry into the Fall.

 

2019 Bond Updates 

Several additional 2019 bond projects funded by bond interest are progressing across the district. At Manor New Tech (High School and Middle School), the fencing project has been completed and approved by Travis County ESD 12, with all gates and locking systems fully operational. The Manor Athletic Complex recently received new turf pellets to improve player safety and extend the field’s durability. At the Manor High Complex, fencing has been installed in three key areas—between the Black Box Theatre and F-Wing (ECHS), in the cafeteria courtyard, and around the detention pond. The remaining hardware is on order and will be installed following inspection and approval by Travis County ESD 12. Additionally, bollards were added around the Manor High Complex to enhance safety at the front entrance, electrical panel area, and propane tank locations.

 

Monthly Financial Report

The operating financial report for the month ending September (3/12 or 25.0% of the budget year), reflects the following:

• The General Fund has collected $14,505,214 (13.7% of the budgeted revenue), which is an increase of $11,798,668 or 435.9%, year over year.
• The General Fund has spent $23,316,602 (22.0% of the budgeted expenditures), which is a decrease of -$2,268,441 or -8.9%, year over year.
• The Debt Service Fund has collected $355,822 (0.8% 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 $856,160 (8.3% of the budgeted revenue) and has spent $1,475,610 (14.5% of budgeted expenditures).

 

1st QT Investment Report

Portfolio Performance:

The 1 QT total interest earnings were $845,878 (-36.0%) at an average yield of 3.65% (-0.04 bps) under the previous quarter. When allocating interest earnings by fund: 23% corresponds to the General Fund, 33% to the Debt Service, 16% to the Construction Fund, and 24% to the Maintenance Tax Note.

The Average Ending Balance was $7.4MM, which is -$3.6MM  (-33%) over the previous quarter. The Weighted Average Maturity (WAM) is zero days since the TClass Investment Pool provides for immediate liquidity and is also currently yielding the highest return of 4.42% (-0.039%).

The current treasury yield is 3.91% (3-mo), 3.81% (6-mo), 3.64% (1-yr), and Municipal Bonds at 2.32%. So, the TClass pool is yielding the highest and safest return (Bloomberg, 2025).

 

Consent Agenda 

Consideration and Approval of RFQ for Architectural and Engineering Services 

The Business Office issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to establish a pool of qualified architectural and engineering firms. The RFQ opened on September 9, 2025, and closed on September 29, 2025.

The purpose of this process was to identify and pre-qualify firms based on their experience, technical capabilities, capacity, and areas of specialization. This pool will serve as a resource for future capital improvements, including new building construction, comprehensive renovations, and other facility projects across the district. Establishing a pre-qualified pool will allow the district to streamline the selection process for design professionals, reduce project startup time, and ensure consistent quality in planning and execution. As new projects arise, firms from the approved pool will be selected and assigned based on the specific needs of each project.

During the October regular board meeting, the Board approved a list of firms that scored a 70 or higher, as recommended by Administration.

This proactive step supports the district's long-range facility planning and enhances our ability to respond efficiently to future capital project needs.

 

Consideration and Approval of MHS Complex Access Control Upgrades

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance campus safety, new access controls are being installed and existing systems are being updated throughout the Manor High School Complex. These improvements include integrating secure entry points with the newly installed fencing areas to ensure that only authorized personnel can access restricted zones. The upgraded access control system will strengthen perimeter security, improve campus monitoring, and support a safer environment for students, staff, and visitors

 

Consideration and Approval of New FTEs for the 2025-2026 SY

19 FTEs were proposed to the board for approval to meet student needs based on the assessment by the special programs department and large class sizes. The special programs department has been working with campus administration to assess staffing needs and requested additional FTEs to support campus needs. Administration will continue to work with campus administration and monitor student needs and class sizes.