Board Briefs: September 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.
Meeting recording Meeting Agenda/Boardbook
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
Third Future Schools
Third Future Schools presented on the school year so far and progress at Manor Middle School.
Special Education
The Special Education presentation highlighted the last several years of work that the department has been doing to improve student achievement. Some of the big highlights were successfully improving STAAR EOC outcomes for students with disabilities in Algebra I, US HIstory, and Biology. In addition, by decreasing the dropout rate, we have increased our students' likelihood of being prepared for a postsecondary outcome like college, career (job), or military.
The department presentation shared their persistence with successfully writing and implementing, and completing action plans for TEA. The team also shared next steps to increase academic success.
This will now be an annual presentation that will also meet state requirements.
Bond 2019 Presentation
Bond Projects and Progress Status Tracked by Year:
Manor ISD has steadily advanced its bond projects from 2021 to 2024, completing major initiatives like the Campus Furniture Refresh, Police Station Construction, and Food Service Equipment Upgrades. Many projects, including Secure Vestibules, Early College High School, athletic facilities, and infrastructure upgrades such as plumbing, mechanical systems, and technology improvements, have moved from planning and design stages to full completion. Transportation enhancements and facility repairs have also progressed, reflecting the district’s ongoing commitment to modernizing and securing its campuses.
Bond Projects Paused, Reactivated, or Initiated with Bond Savings or Interest:
Projects reactivated or initiated with bond savings or interest funding their continuation. Safety related projects such as Access Control additions and MHS Complex Fencing remain in progress, while others such as School Bus Seat Belts, ID Badge Systems, and Weapon Detection are in multi-phase completion. Recently completed initiatives include Band parking lot markings, Police Station dispatch upgrades, and several facility renovations. This approach allows the district to efficiently use available funds to meet safety and facility needs.
Teacher Retention Monitoring Report
Constraint progress measure (CPM) 1.1 is focused on decreasing Manor ISD’s teacher turnover rate each year as measured by the Texas Academic Progress Report (TAPR). In the 2022-2023 school year, Manor ISD’s teacher turnover rate was 40.9%. In the following 2023-2024 school year, the turnover rate reduced significantly to 25.3%, surpassing the CPM annual target of 30%. For the 2024-2025 school year, Human Resources is projecting that we will not meet the CPM target of a 25% turnover rate due to limited public education funding in the 89th legislative session and the district’s subsequent priority of operating on a balanced budget. With a balanced budget, the 2024-2025 projected turnover rate is 32.3%; had Manor ISD continued to operate with no budget reductions, the turnover rate would be 22.52%. For the 2025-2026 school year, there are two factors thus far that will impact the turnover rate. The first is Visiting international teachers (VITs) who are completing their 5th year and will be returning to their home country; the second is the impact of HB2, which states that districts of innovation are no longer able to hire uncertified teachers through the local certification program. All teachers who are currently participating in the local certification program must be appropriately certified by the end of this school year. If not, that will impact our teacher turnover rate. Human Resources is working closely with the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment department to support teachers in the local certification program to meet standard certification requirements by the end of this school year.
Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Annual Report
This presentation meets the annual reporting requirements from Texas. The presentation is a summative report of the previous year’s activities. The SHAC works to ensure local values are reflected in the district's health education and policies. Our SHAC meets at least four times annually and provides recommendations on various health-related topics, including health education, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and safety.
Monthly Financial Report
The operating financial report for the month ending August (2/12 or 16.6% of the budget year), reflects the following:
- The General Fund has collected $3,920,189 (3.7% of the budgeted revenue), which is an increase of $2,288,737 or 140.3%, year over year.
- The General Fund has spent $82,966,362 (15.4% of the budgeted expenditures), which is a decrease of $313,080 or -1.9%, year over year.
- The Debt Service Fund has collected $225,265 (0.5% 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 $168,507 (1.6% of the budgeted revenue) and has spent $781,475 (7.7% of budgeted expenditures).
Dr. Sormani also reported on several reductions in expenditures since the school year began that allowed an increase in staffing. Those savings included a renegotiation of property insurance rates, a reduction in estimated interest payments on a Tax Note Loan, and a reduction in cost associated with the contract with Third Future Schools to run Manor Middle School.
Bond Defeasance Resolution:
The Board approved a bond defeasance resolution to allow the district to defease up to $39,480,000 in bond par value. The purpose of a bond defeasance is to retire eligible old bond debt in an effort to pay off bond principal and save in long-term interest cost. The estimated savings for this transaction is $4,915,000 in bond interest cost. This transaction will also help maintain our current M&O Tax Rate at $0.3701 over the next 6 years, assuming a 3.0-3.5% growth in the property taxable value.
Consent Agenda
Consideration and Approval of ILA w/Travis County for After School Programming
Manor ISD's after-school and summer programs will now be fueled by the Travis County Child Care and Out-of-School Time (OST) Fund, a voter-approved initiative. This partnership with Travis County and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area aims to provide safe, high-quality care for families and students, creating reliable after-school and summer programming at all district campuses.
Here is what we expect to see over the next two years:
- Increase access to before and after school programming
- Saturday Enrichment/Academic support programs
- Enrichment activities
- Academic supports to help increase student achievement
- Workforce readiness
- STEM activities
- Access to other community programs and partners within Travis County
- Over 1500 students with access to safe, high quality out of school time care.
Consideration and Approval of the 2025-2026 Campus Improvement Plans
The MISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the Campus Improvement Plans developed and submitted by each of Manor ISD’s schools.
Consideration and Approval of the 2025 - 2026 District Improvement Plan
The MISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the District Improvement Plan that was developed and submitted by each district department. The DIP is the guiding document that drives MISD’s progress on our six goals to improve student outcomes and services, retain high quality staff, and enhance communication.
Discussion and possible action to approve a Resolution certifying compliance with Texas Education Code §§ 11.005 and 28.0022(h) regarding prohibitions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) duties, and to authorize the Superintendent to submit the required annual certification to the Texas Education Agency on or before September 30, 2025
Senate Bill 12, passed by the 89th Legislature and effective beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, imposes a new annual requirement on school districts. Specifically, Texas Education Code § 39.008 now requires the superintendent of each district to certify to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that the district is in compliance with certain statutory provisions. This certification must be approved by majority vote of the district’s board of trustees in a properly noticed public meeting.
The certification covers compliance with two key areas of law:
- Education Code § 11.005 – Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Duties.
- Districts may not assign or permit DEI duties unless required by state or federal law.
- Districts must adopt disciplinary policies (including termination procedures) for employees or contractors who intentionally or knowingly engage in DEI duties.
- Education Code § 28.0022(h) – Disciplinary Policies for Prohibited Instruction.
- Districts must adopt and enforce disciplinary policies for employees or contractors who engage in instruction or activities barred by law, including certain instruction regarding race, sex, and gender identity.
TEA and TASB have not put out new rules and policies for districts to adopt. However, Manor ISD BF (Local) requires that we follow new legislation regardless of whether new policy has been adopted. To ensure compliance, the superintendent will send guidance to staff regarding all aspects of SB 12 prior to submitting the certification to TEA. The guidance, as required by law, will be sent electronically and in hard copy.