Magnolia ISD is working to balance the resources of a growing district with the heart of a small-town community.
“We’re big enough to offer anything that a family might want for their student academically, programmatically and extracurricular-wise in our school district, but we haven’t lost the feel of a smaller district,” Superintendent Jason Bullock, Ph. D., said.
How is the district preparing for rapid growth?
The district’s enrollment recently surpassed 15,000 students, and with thousands of new homes planned, that number is expected to rise quickly.
“The Houston area is ranked second in the U.S. for housing right now, so there’s growth all over the Greater Houston area,” Bullock said. “Magnolia ISD is no different. Over the last several years, we’ve been averaging 4% growth per year.”
To keep up with this growth, the district has opened three new schools. Audubon Elementary opened last year. Magnolia Parkway Intermediate and Magnolia Parkway Junior High will open this fall.
“We expect to see those campuses open with [extra] space to accommodate the growth that’s coming,” Bullock said.
What steps are being taken to recruit and retain educators?
Teacher compensation has been a major focus in Magnolia ISD, especially following the passage of House Bill 2, which allocated state funds for educator raises.
“We’re going to pass [the state funds] to our teachers,” said Erich Morris, Ph.D., assistant superintendent of operations. “In addition to that, due to our fiscal responsibility over the last [few] years, … we’re also able to use local funds to give raises to all other staff members.”
Hourly employees, such as custodians and bus drivers, will receive a 5% raise. Teachers with more than a decade of experience will receive both state and local increases, with the highest raises—up to 6%—going to those with 26 or more years of service.
“We’re thankful to have professional educators and staff who care about the students. Hopefully, this will reflect our commitment to supporting and valuing every one of our employees,” Morris said.
How does the community shape district decisions?
Community involvement plays a key role in Magnolia ISD’s planning and budgeting efforts.
“We have a shared leadership group each semester, … and our board of trustees are the elected officials responsible for speaking for the public,” Morris said. “We certainly allow them to guide us in the direction they see fit.”
The district is also one of fewer than 15 in Texas to earn multiple Comptroller Transparency Stars: recognition for providing detailed, accessible financial data online.
“We’re an open book, so if anyone wants to know about our finances, they can go to our Financial Transparency website and our Money Matters website,” Morris said.
How are students prepared for life after graduation?
Magnolia ISD’s college and career preparation begins early, with programs that build from junior high through high school.
The district offers multiple advanced academic tracks, including AP, dual credit, UT OnRamps and the International Baccalaureate Program. Career and technical education programs are also growing, offering students hands-on experience and certifications.
“We’re excited about Lone Star College opening their Magnolia Center here in the district at some point during the [2025-26] school year,” Bullock said. “That will provide our kids more postsecondary opportunities for education and skill development moving forward.”
What’s ahead for Magnolia ISD?
To stay ahead of future enrollment, a committee of parents and community members recently reviewed facility capacity and long-term needs.
“Elementary capacity is probably the most pressing issue, and we’re looking at the need for more high school capacity as well,” Bullock said.
Future decisions will continue to reflect the community’s desire for smaller schools.
“A lot of what we hear from our community is that people moved here because they want their kids in smaller high schools, so those are things that our school board will focus on in the upcoming months,” Bullock said.
Looking ahead, the district’s vision remains focused.
“I want us to provide the best education we can for every child we are responsible for. Every kid is different, … and our job is to meet each one of their needs,” Bullock said.
To learn more about Magnolia ISD, visit their website at www.magnoliaisd.org.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.
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