Monitor Photo/Denise York
Mabank ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall (from left), joins school officials and parents in attendance in recognizing the dedication and contributions of school board trustees including Kenneth Odom, Board President Todd Grimes, Robby Teague, Board Vice President Erik Tijerina, Mikey Thompson and Dustin Conner during the Jan. 22 board meeting for School Board Recognition Month. Not pictured is Bryan Miller who was on a mission trip in Africa. Board members were given gifts selected by campus principals and treated to a special dinner before the meeting.

MABANK—Mabank ISD (MISD) Interim Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall lead the charge in honoring the school board trustees during School Board Appreciation Month Jan. 22 at the regular monthly meeting. Marshall praised the board of volunteers for their dedication and caring for the welfare of the children of MISD. 
“The theme for this year is ‘locally elected, community connected,” Marshall said. Each trustee received a plaque honoring their service, along with gifts chosen by the campus principals.
Chief Financial Officer Scott Hyde presented the District’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report, the purpose of which is to hold schools accountable for their finances, create transparency and disclose the quality of the processes used to manage finances. Hyde said the four different ratings are similar to grades. The data being tested is from 2021-22.
Highlights include overall change in the fund balance which increased. It is required to have 90 days of cash on hand which MISD has double the requirement. The report looks at assets vs. liabilities, making sure the district is able to handle both long and short-term debt. Hyde said, “In every single one of these metrics that we are tested in, we had a perfect score. We received a 100, a perfect score for every one tested. Several metrics have been suspended with the COVID impact…we would have had a perfect score on those as well, even though we are not tested on those.” All of the data is available on theTEA website, Hyde added.
Mabank ISD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Charity Groom presented the Texas Academic Performance Reporting (TAPR) for the 2021-22 school year. Groom said, “
Academic Performance Reporting in MISD is crucial as it provides a comprehensive and transparent assessment of our students' achievements, guides our strategic planning, and ensures accountability, fostering continuous improvement for educational excellence.”
Total school enrollment during that school year was 3,899 (with current enrollment at 4,056.) Of that 65.3% were economically disadvantaged. English Language learners were 8.4%, students with disciplinary placement were 4.2% and at-risk students were 48.5%.
A highlight of enrollment in district programs is 87.6% of high school students are in career and technical education. 
Three areas combine to create the reporting components, student achievement, school progress or relative performance and closing the gaps. This provides a comprehensive assessment of educational performance and guiding efforts to improve the quality of education. The district ranked above the state in each area of approaches which is passing STAAR, but not grade level.
In Postsecondary student performance, of the 240 graduates, 35 were enrolled in a four year public university, 56 in a two-year public university and 4 in independent colleges or universities. 
District improvement plan goals are:
Goal 1: All students will graduate with the knowledge and skills required to be successful in college, military, or a career field. 
Goal 2: All students will have skilled teachers, effective leadership and support staff, and sufficient resources to support high levels of achievement.
Goal 3: All students will have a safe, supportive, and highly effective learning environment. 
In other business, trustees:
• Approved the 2022-23 Financial Audit.
• Approved the TASB insurance Proposal.
• Approved the 2023-24 MISD District Improvement Plan.
• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with Kaufman County Juvenile Board.
• Approved update to EIC (LOCAL) Academic Achievement Class Ranking.
• Approved addition of GKG  (LOCAL) Community Relations School Volunteer Program.
• Approved 2024-25 MISD Calendar.
• Approved filing a TEA Waiver pursuant to TEC 25.08.
• Approved a resolution of the board providing authorization for administrative response to winter weather emergency regarding employee compensation.
• Approved second reading of TASB Policy update 122.
• Approved the board resolution regarding hazardous traffic allowing bus transportation of students living within a two-mile radius of the school.