Latest news with #MidlandISD
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New EPPB leader introduced
May 22—MIDLAND — Having spent her career in education, Shannon Torres is taking on the broad role of executive director of the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. Educators and community members welcomed Shannon Torres as the new executive director of the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin Thursday at Region 18 Education Service Center. The Education Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting student success at every level. It works to ensure every student in the Permian Basin area has access to high-quality educational opportunities that lead to success. Collaborating with schools, businesses, and other nonprofits, EPPB is striving to build a stronger foundation in education for students all across the Permian Basin. Torres takes over from interim executive director Adrian Carrasco and previous executive director Adrian Vega, who is now vice president of institutional advancement at Midland College. Torres is no stranger to West Texas or to education having worked in the field for 21 years, 12 of them at Midland ISD. She was principal of Midland Freshman High School and Lee/Legacy High School and also served as an executive director of school leadership. An Amarillo native, Torres has been on the job for a little more than a month. "But it's been a great month of learning and getting to know all of our staff members and board members, and learning the mission and vision and really working through the initiatives we already have going, that are going well," Torres said. Torres earned a bachelor's degree in history from Texas Tech University and a master's degree in educational leadership from West Texas A&M University in Canyon. Having spent her whole life in education, she strongly believes that education is the gateway to success and the only way to break cycles. "The Education Partnership of the Permian Basin fits that model, fits my passion. We are still working to improve student success. We are still working to give opportunities to students, and this is just another way to be part of education, but in a wider area," Torres said. One of the reasons she took the Education Partnership position is the board, their passion and vision for the partnership and what they want to see. Torres said it aligns with how she feels about education, this area and "how much we just want our region to succeed." She added that she spent her career in larger districts so it's been nice to get to know and learn about how rural school districts operate, the needs they have and finding ways to help give their students the same opportunities they would get in a big district. Torres said the partnership has a strategic plan in place that spans from cradle to career. "Just in the most recent work, we're working to strengthen our rural collaboratives. We have one that includes Crane, McCamey and Grandfalls. We have one that we're starting in the Big Bend area that has Alpine, Marfa and Marathon. ... We're also starting one in New Mexico with Hagerman and Lake Arthur. Those have been the focus right now, but we also have a strong focus with our early childhood initiative, where we have Shelby Smith leading that work and just working to help solve the workforce problem that we have with daycare centers, and help support them any way we can," Torres said. She added that she will miss public education. "What I've learned in the last month is when you're working in a school district, sometimes you feel like you're the only one working for those outcomes. What I've learned in the last month is we have a lot of people in our region that love education and love our school districts and are looking to help, so it's been great to be able to support them that way," Torres said. Lorraine Perryman, chair of the Education Partnership and also the founder, along with Collin Sewell, said they are glad to welcome Torres. "We were blessed to have Dr. Adrian Vega for the first seven years of our operation, who did a fabulous job and grew us from just an idea that Collin and I had based on studying the collective impact model to bring regions together to solve problems of all kinds. We have a problem right here in the Permian Basin in solving our educational needs and deficits. By working together, we can solve those more quickly, more efficiently, leverage our dollars (and) bring people together, Perryman said. "We are delighted to do this work. It has morphed and changed and will continue to in the future. We are delighted to have Shannon to lead us into the next phase of the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. We are blessed to have her and all of our partners in this work. I've been visiting with some folks this morning that (came) in from outside of our state and within our state to partner with us as well. It takes a village to solve a problem as large as we have, not just in Texas, but across the country, the educational deficits that we face and to bring people together and grow our future leaders, our future workforce, our future parents and that they grow their families with a foundation of literacy and value of education," she added. Perryman said education was the key for her as a child growing up in a "trailer house with a driller for a daddy right here in the Permian Basin." She and her family moved as many as seven times a year throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. "We were nomads in a house with wheels. My mother instilled in us the value of education and I want every child, no matter their circumstances, to be able to have the same joy in reading and education and opening up their horizons. That's what our work is. As long as we all stay focused on the faces of those children whose lives we are changing, this work will be a success," Perryman said. Perryman said 80 people applied for the post from all over the country and they interviewed five for the job. She added that Torres was the "shining star." Carrasco said Torres fits right in with the organization and the area. "She's from West Texas. ... Although we had a really good national search, I think this is a great opportunity for the Education Partnership to move forward and continue the great work that it does. Shannon is the right person for this. She understands this piece, she understands our mission, and she understands where we want to go as an organization. I commend the board of directors for their pick and who they wanted to go with. This was always the choice of the board of directors, and I was so proud to be able to help them and throughout this process and the search. We're looking forward to great things," Carrasco said. The partnership is funded through grants, partnerships with other entities "to address problems that are not being addressed elsewhere, that can only be solved through working together," Perryman said. "We also have funding by initiating projects that have been approved by the legislature, like bringing small districts together. Bringing small districts together was approved in the last legislative session. "We have been innovators in our area, ahead of the rest of the state in initiating those rural innovation zones. We actually have worked with the legislature to institute those programs, and that's being copied around the state and the nation. We have state money that we are the pass through to local districts for, and they have grant dollars to fund the work that we do," Perryman said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Midland ISD announces name, mascot for new middle schools
May 21—MIDLAND — Midland ISD is excited to announce the names and mascots for two new middle schools opening as part of the 2023 Bond Program: John "Randy" Storie Middle School and Midland Middle School. These names reflect deep community input and honor the rich history and legacy of education in Midland. The name Midland Middle School was selected for the campus currently housing Midland Freshman High School, located on Gist Avenue. The mascot will be the "Dawgs," a nod to the "Bulldog" tradition at Midland High School. This name maintains continuity as students transition to Midland High School. The school's colors will remain aligned with those of Midland High School, supporting unity and tradition across campuses. "The committee selected Midland Middle School to ensure a seamless transition for students moving on to Midland High School, while honoring the history of the current Midland Freshman building," said Cyndi Pyles, Executive Director of School Leadership. The campus located on Neely Avenue — currently home to Legacy High School — will be renamed John "Randy" Storie Middle School, with the mascot "Buffalo," a news release said. The name honors the late Randy Storie, a beloved and influential band director who served at Lee High School for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the Lee Band achieved national acclaim, including performances at the Tournament of Roses Parade, Carnegie Hall, and three Presidential Inaugural Parades. The Buffalo mascot symbolizes strength, resilience, and unity — attributes Storie exemplified and instilled in his students. It also serves as a meaningful tribute to his alma mater, West Texas A&M University, whose mascot is the Buffalo. "The buffalo mascot symbolizes resilience and reflects the determination we strive to instill in our students," Pyles said in the release. "It also pays tribute to the legacy of Randy Storie; a proud graduate of West Texas A&M University and former Lee High School Band Director." The naming process for both schools followed district policy and emphasized transparency and community engagement. Survey results, committee discussions, and input throughout the district played a critical role in the final recommendations. The names were approved by the Board of Trustees at the May regular board meeting. Brand development for each campus — funded through the 2023 Bond Program — will continue in preparation for their official openings. For more information about Midland ISD's bond projects, visit
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Midland ISD teacher looks to inspire students by competing at Boston Marathon
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Midland ISD PE teacher Sarah Teruel is less than two weeks away from competing in the Boston Marathon. Teruel tells us that she's been running her entire life; from her days on the cross-country team at Midland Classical to now competing at various races, running is one of her passions. However, aside from competing for herself in Boston, she wants her students to understand that having a dream and being able to pursue it is the key message here. 'And that's what I really try to encourage my kids in,' says Teruel. 'I try to help them, like, dream big because a lot of, you know, a lot of adults, we stop dreaming. And I really think it's so important for everyone.' Teruel along with 10 other Midlanders will take off for Boston within the next week to race on April 20th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MISD issues budget statement
Apr. 4—Midland ISD would like to offer the following statement related to the budget efficiencies it has been anticipating since 2019. As a result of no increase to the basic allotment since 2019, record inflation, and the expiration of the Formula Transition Grant and ESSER funding, Midland ISD continues to refine its budget and look for cost-saving strategies and efficiencies to reduce its deficit. The district has been preparing for these changes since 2019. Now in its second round of efficiencies this week, the district will collapse twenty-eight positions for the upcoming fiscal year, all of which are central office-based. The district's goal is to keep these efficiencies as far removed from students and direct instruction as possible. MISD believes in transparent communication and wants to ensure employees have sufficient notice of these changes. These employees will continue to be employed by MISD and receive benefits through their current year contract obligations and are encouraged to apply for open positions available in the district for which they are qualified. In addition, vacant positions that have remained unfilled will also be collapsed. All essential work will be redistributed among the remaining department positions to ensure continuity of operations. Finally, a long-term implementation strategy is to adjust work calendars to better align position assignments and needs of the district. This adjustment will not impact current employees at this time. Thoughtful and systematic decisions were made in determining which positions to absorb for the upcoming fiscal year and included an evaluation of roles and responsibilities that could be combined and positions affiliated with programming that is changing. Additionally, on an annual basis, in preparation for the upcoming fiscal year, districts review course selections, projected enrollment, boundary changes, and programming to determine staffing needs throughout the district. In its first round of efficiencies, which took place in January, combined with this week's round two decisions, when factoring in personnel and non-payroll related savings, the district stands at approximately a $17 million deficit. The district will continue to refine its budget to ensure it is as efficient and effective as possible while maintaining strong academics and continuing to offer co/extra curricular programming at high levels for its students.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MISD celebrates Principal Fellow graduates
Apr. 3—MIDLAND — Three Midland ISD educators are preparing to take the next step in their career as they complete master's degrees through Texas Tech's Principal Fellows program. This year's class of fellows include Liliana Iza, Erica Lujan, and Lauren Vargas. The Principal Fellowship is a partnership between MISD and Texas Tech designed to increase the pipeline of qualified candidates into campus administration. The initiative gives teachers the opportunity to become certified campus principals by covering the costs of tuition, certification fees, and books. Throughout the year, fellows gain direct mentorship from experienced principals while maintaining limited classroom responsibilities, ensuring a seamless transition into leadership roles. "It's been eye opening, you don't realize how many things are going on throughout an entire campus," said Iza, who completed her fellowship at Legacy Freshman High School. "Now as a principal fellow, I am able to effectively recognize and address the needs of both students and staff." Lujan emphasized the collaboration involved in school leadership. "It's rewarding in the sense that you gain a lot of experience and you grow in ways that you didn't think you'd be able to grow," she said. "You grow as a leader, you grow as a person, and you grow as a coach." For Vargas, the transition from focusing on her classroom to the entire school was a rewarding challenge. She encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity. "Texas Tech has set this program up to support you, and be there for you," she said. "It gives you a great opportunity to further your career in education."
