The Naming of High School #2 Update

The naming of facilities is a matter of great importance in Midlothian ISD. At a meeting on January 8, the High School #2 Naming Committee came to a consensus to not recommend personal names. With careful consideration and respect to the names submitted, the committee followed its initial decision to not place personal names on its final list.

As result of the February 26 meeting, the following five names are on the final list. In alphabetical order, they are Midlothian Eastridge High School, Midlothian Heritage High School, Midlothian Highlands High School, Midlothian Memorial High School and Midlothian Northview High School.

Regarding the final decision, Board Policy CW (LOCAL) [PDF] states, “The responsibility for the final decision in naming facilities shall rest with the Board. At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Board shall officially select a name from the list of recommendations submitted by the committee for each campus or facility to be named, or the Board shall select a proposal from the RFP procedure.”

New 2013-14 School Calendar Approved

The 2013-14 school year calendar was approved by the school board on Monday’s Feb. 18 meeting. (Download PDF: misd.sc/ZhFR74)

Celebration Rally for Texas Public Schools

You are cordially invited to attend the Celebration Rally for Texas Public Schools to promote the value, impact, and truth about public school districts and our community schools. Join parents, community members, educators, elected officials, and business leaders for this unified story spotlighting student success through guest speakers and student performers from Arlington, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Mansfield, and Midlothian school districts. Students from the Midlothian High School A Cappella Choir, Walnut Grove Middle School Varsity Men’s Choir and MHS student pianist, Nehemiah Bates, will be featured at the event.

The Celebration Rally will be Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. held at the Mansfield ISD Center.

Featured Speakers include:

• Robert Scott, Former Texas Commissioner of Education
• Dr. David Anthony, CEO Raise Your Hand Texas
• Jonathan Grant-Brown, AVID Program alumnus speaker

Let’s keep Texas strong and rally together in support of public education. Contact the MISD Communications Department at 972-775-8296, ext. 1037.

Thank a School Board Member

Front row left to right: Wayne Shuffield, Duke Burge, Phil Seay
Back row left to right: Jim Mentzel, Keith Hitt, Cindy Williams, Todd Hemphill

Students in every Texas community are learning and growing every day with the help of parents, teachers, and caring community members. In difficult times, school board members are finding ways to meet the challenges facing public education and Rising to New Heights to create brighter futures for all of our kids.

January is School Board Recognition Month and Midlothian ISD will take this opportunity to thank the dedicated community leaders who serve countless hours in the best interest of MISD.  The 2012-13 board members are Duke Burge (president), Dr. Wayne Shuffield (vice-president), Phil Seay (secretary), and trustees Keith Hitt, Todd Hemphill and Cindy Williams.

Board members will receive a certificate of appreciation honoring their leadership at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. located at the L.A. Mills Administration Building.  In appreciation for caring about MISD children, campuses have adopted a board member for the month of January and are celebrating their contributions. Learn more about each board member here.

Superintendent Letter to Parents about Safety

Dear MISD Families,
Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims, their families and the community of Newtown, Connecticut.  In light of this tragic event, we would like you to know that the safety of the children and adults of Midlothian ISD is always a priority.  With that in mind, here are a few of the many district’s safety procedures and measures.

• Long time working relationship with and support of the Midlothian Police and Fire Department;
• Continuous staff emergency exercises conducted with the fire and police department at the campuses and district level;
• The MISD Safety and Security Coordinator works as a liaison between the district and fire and police departments on safety training and awareness;
• Single point of entry for visitors;
• Multiple security cameras installed at each campus;
• MISD has a detailed crisis management plan and each campus has its own specific plan; and
• Students and staff of each campus are aware of their campus plan and practice drills to prepare them in event of emergencies.

This tragedy is a reminder to be aware of all surroundings and report any unusual situation and/or suspicious people to the proper authorities. Again, the safety of all students and staff remains a top priority for Midlothian ISD.

Sincerely,
Jerome Stewart, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Download Letter [PDF]

Student Video Contest: Texas Public Schools Rock!

Midlothian students are encouraged to share why their school rocks by entering in the Texas Association of School Board’s first-ever Student Video Contest. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: elementary, middle, and high school. First place in each category wins $5,000 and second place receives $2,500. This video contest is open to all Texas elementary and secondary public school students, with a limit of one video entry per campus. The video can be created by an individual student or as a class project. TASB is accepting entries until January 31, 2013. Read video guidelines and details.

Gold Leadership Circle Award

Midlothian ISD has earned a third consecutive Texas Comptroller Gold Leadership Circle Award for online financial transparency. The district earned points by clearly reporting budget, financial reports, check registers, charts and additional information on its designated financial webpage.

“We are proud of this recognition as we strive to be open with our public about the district’s financial status,” said Katie Bowman, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations.

The Comptroller of Public Accounts launched the Circle program in December 2009. To find out more information, visit texastransparency.org.

New Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations

The Midlothian ISD School Board approved Katie Bowman as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations at its July 16 meeting.

Since 1983, Bowman has worked in public accounting performing governmental and school district audits, tax preparations and has managed the overall public school financials in Goose Creek ISD, Birdville ISD, and most recently served as Financial Director in Mansfield ISD overseeing their $198.5 million bond program.

“We are pleased that Ms. Bowman has accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. Her extensive background in school finance and leadership positions will serve our district well,” said Superintendent Dr. Stewart.

She will be responsible for the overall district financials involving purchases, budgets, and leadership support for the business office, construction and maintenance, custodial, energy management, food service, technology, textbooks/records, and transportation.

She is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Texas School Business Specialist, and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Bowman will replace Dr. Edd Bigbee, who accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer for McKinney ISD.

Early Voting Begins April 30 – May 8

The MISD School Board candidate election is underway and early voting begins April 30 – May 8 (M-F) held at the Midlothian Conference Center. More

School Board Candidate Forum Set for April 19

A School Board candidate forum has been scheduled for April 19 at 7pm in the Midlothian High School auditorium. This opportunity to meet the candidates is sponsored by MHS Panther Radio and will be broadcast live for those who cannot attend on Panther Radio. Click here to learn more about the School Board Election.