Keith Sparkman

The board meeting included several key actions and discussions. Personnel matters were addressed in executive session, including the approval of 2026-2027 new hires and the ratification of staff resignations. Various information items were presented, including financial and tax collection reports, employee and campus handbooks for the 2026-2027 school year, and a planning calendar for the upcoming budget and tax rate adoption. The board also received updates on the Sunshine Acres and Promise of the Peace Garden projects. Additionally, the board approved a Team of 8 training date, an amendment to the District of Innovation Plan, a staff development minutes waiver, and the adoption of TASB Policy Update 127.

The board conducted an executive session regarding personnel matters and received district updates from the superintendent. Recognitions were presented to students for UIL State Solo and Ensemble Awards. Financial and operational reports were reviewed, including tax collections, enrollment data, and a policy update. The board took action on several items, including the ratification of staff resignations, the approval of a performance services contract and associated budget amendment, a memorandum of understanding for dual credit courses with Kilgore College, and an amendment to the District of Innovation Plan. Additionally, the board authorized the purchase of athletic lockers with a budget amendment, approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with Wood County, authorized a teaching agreement with the University of Texas at Tyler, and approved the innovative course list for the upcoming school year.

This District Innovation Plan serves as a roadmap for Mineola Independent School District to gain exemptions from certain provisions of the Texas Education Code, providing flexibility, local control, and autonomy similar to charter schools. The plan outlines specific areas of innovation, including teacher certification requirements, probationary contracts, student transfers, school start dates, planning and preparation time, minimum attendance for class credit, class size limits, instructional plan disclosures, and depository contracts, to enhance operational efficiency and instructional effectiveness.

The board conducted an executive session to discuss personnel matters, followed by a report from the Superintendent regarding district updates. The board ratified several staff resignations. Information items addressed included the first review of TASB Policy Update 127, a review of the Performance Service Audit and scope of district projects, and updates on Career, College, and Military Readiness accountability. Additionally, a budget workshop was held to review the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 budgets, as well as the status of May 2022 bond funds.

The meeting included an executive session regarding personnel matters and the recognition of high school valedictorians, salutatorians, and various students and employees of the month. Key actions taken included naming the district's career and technical education center, ratifying staff resignations, and approving new professional contracts for the upcoming school year. The board also reviewed district financial, tax, and enrollment reports, and received presentations on board operating guidelines, federal grants, and a performance service audit. Further actions involved approving agreements with the Region 7 ESC for a LIFT grant and purchasing cooperative, adopting new math curriculum materials, and purchasing a band instrument trailer and instruments. Additionally, the board granted the superintendent hiring authority for professional contracts through mid-August and approved budget amendments for the current fiscal year, while tabling a memorandum of understanding with UT Tyler regarding teacher tuition costs.