MISD Employee Stipends, 100th Annivesary, and CTE-AG Center Named

With the Montgomery ISD (MISD) school year quickly winding down at the end of this week, the school district surpassed an important milestone in 2025, plus in August it will be welcoming an important campus to that will contribute to the future success of students, plus all MISD employees will add a little extra to their pocketbooks before the start of their summer vacations.

MISD began the school year with a budget deficit of $4.3 million shortfall, countered by drawing from district reserves, and some budget cuts with several position cuts from elementary schools, a reduced substitute teacher spending, some cuts to the transportation department, and an odd measure of having certified teacher central office administrators serving as substitute teachers. State funding for public education has not increased in six years, but with the elimination of the Department of Education, and with States now expecting to receive block grant funding, it is yet to be determined how state funding to Texas school districts will work itself out for the new school year.

The MISD May school board meeting yielded a stipend of $500.00 for all employees of the district, to be made payable with the June 5th paychecks. The funding for those employed by MISD was made possible in a proposition approved by voters in last year’s general election, and shows the voters and administration’s commitment to maintain an excellent teaching corps and support staff.

“I want to commend our MISD school board for this intentional act to financially support our staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin, commenting on Prop A. “Just like the stipend issued in December 2024, the board has continued to challenge our team to evaluate our fiscal year budget to find a way to support our staff across the district.”

The Superintendent went on to say that the stipend is a reflection of the deep appreciation for the hardwork and dedication of our employees over the past year, and that it is hopeful that the staff understands that Montgomery ISD remains firmly committed to investing in the people who make the district great.”

MISD is still awaiting the outcome of the current legislative session in Austin, and for clarity in regards to school funding for the 2025-2026 school year. The recent Prop A vote allowed for the addition of four new elementary teachers, in an effort to reduce class sizes, and bring on extra special education personnel.

The May meeting also had the Trustees approve a financial stewardship move to the reduction of long-term district debt, by paying down the outstanding bond principal by $2.5 million. Superintendent Ruffin likened the move to paying extra toward a car loan or mortgage, to reducing the principal balance, and shows financial responsibility at the top, can lead to greater things down the road, with quality forethought.

“This $2.5 million defeasance is made without raising the I&S tax rate, which has remained steady at $0.3743 per $100 valuation since 2019,” said Dr. Ruffin. “Being good stewards of our finances is a top priority. By paying down debt early, we’re saving taxpayers money on interest and maintaining our focus on delivering high-quality education while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Several new board members were sworn in from the May election, with Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Judge Wayne Mack, administering oaths to newly elected Trustees Mark Keelen (Position 6) and incumbent Trustee Nate Robb (Position 7). Former Position 6 Trustee Dr. Matt Fuller, retired after six years of service. The configuration of the MISD Board of Trustees leadership core will be the following for the coming year: Eddie Winn, Board President; Laurie Turner, Board Vice President; Lizzy Ivey, Board Secretary.

The new for 2025-2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Agricultural Science Facilities, on Lone Star Parkway has been named by a district committee. The Board approved the names of two new district facilities: ‘The Montgomery ISD Career & Technical Center,’ and ‘The Montgomery ISD Agricultural Science Center.’ In honor of the ‘Bears’ and ‘Lions’ of MISD, the facilities together will be known as ‘The DEN.’ With the Motto — ‘Where our Bears and Lions will come together to Discover, Explore, and Navigate future career opportunities.’

The committee was made up of teachers, parents, students (CTE and AG), and staff, and met several times before deciding on the names. The CTE and AG facilities will be the jewel in MISD’s crown, with the district now offering 13 of the 14 TEA-recognized CTE career clusters. Well over 95% of MISD high school students are taking at least one CTE course, a 20% increase over past years, while all 8th graders are taking a CTE class.

“These two innovative facilities will unite Bears and Lions from both high schools, and we love the strong identity of ‘The DEN,’” said Trustee Eddie Winn. “Through hands-on experiences, students will discover opportunities, explore careers in high-demand fields, and connect with industry professionals to navigate their futures.”

Both facilities were approved as part of MISD’s $326 million bond package in 2022, and will be available to students from Montgomery and Lake Creek High Schools. The Career & Technical Education Center will house 10 specialized programs: culinary arts, cosmetology, engineering, robotics, audio/video production, auto mechanics, construction, welding, health science, and criminal justice. While The Agricultural Science Center will house an animal science classroom and lab, a show arena, and animal pens.

The Montgomery Independent School District has come a long way in the past 100 years. Now with over 9,000 students and 11 schools, plus the new CTE/AG facilities, the district in the last century when the district was founded in 1925, with its single building. The district has had its ups and downs, as well as challenges. It has come a long way since the Montgomery Academy from the 1840’s. The district hit historical milestones with school integration, as well as winning state championships, as well as with its growth.

MISD also endured tribulations, including a fire that burnt down the main building at Montgomery High School in 1984, but many are unaware of an elementary school building, then located where the bus barn is now today, that burnt in 1948, causing then first-grade student Billy Ray Duncan, to do his first grade year in a red brick building located behind old high school. The incident caused a scramble of teachers and principals to rearrange the classrooms for the new school 1948-1949 year.

“I remember the building was horse-shoe shaped,” said Duncan. “My older brothers were educated there, in the building caddy-corner to the old high school.”

MISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin, plays the willing patient for a blood draw, from a CTE student studying phlebotomy, which is the process of drawing blood from a vein, usually a very sharp needle