After culling through 45 applications and interviewing six candidates over the past two weeks, the Mineola ISD board of trustees has unanimously chosen Cody Mize as the lone finalist for the superintendent position. 

“We are excited to name Cody Mize as our lone finalist and look forward to his coming on the board after the 21-day waiting period. We had a number of high quality applicants from which to choose, but Mr. Mize’s experience and track record put him at the top,” said Board President John Abbott. 

Mize is the superintendent of Winona ISD, a position he has held since 2016. He is a graduate of Mineola High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.

He has a wide range of experience in the field of education after having served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and a principal prior to becoming superintendent.

Mize is highly respected among his peers, and has a strong track record for developing relationships across the district and within the community, according to a news release from interim Superintendent Randy Hancock.

“There is a sincere resolve inside of me as a former student to return to the community that has helped raise me, and work alongside like-minded individuals who want nothing but greatness for all stakeholders that Mineola ISD represents,” said Mize in a prepared statement.

After a mandatory 21-day waiting period, a vote to hire and approve the contract of Mize is expected to be on Jan. 3. He should start on or before Feb. 3.

At the Dec. 16 regular school board meeting, Warren Brown of the Mineola Foundation brought some questions to the board for consideration. 

What is the salary for the proposed superintendent?

Are there other compensation arrangements as a part of the contract?

Will there be a buyout of his current contract with Winona ISD? If so, will Mineola ISD pay the penalty or reimburse the applicant in any way for the contract buyout?

Will there be a residency requirement as part of the contract?

Will there be a probationary period due to the history of low performance in his tenure as superintendent of Winona ISD?

Brown cited information from the Texas Education Agency: Winona ISD received a C rating on overall district performance for the 2018-19 school year, showing a small growth from the 2017-18 school year. STAAR performance scores showed that 11% mastered grade level, 33% met grade level and 78% approached grade level.

Mineola ISD received a B rating on overall district performance for the 2018-19 school year, also showing a small growth from the 2017-18 school year. According to STAAR performance scores, MISD showed that 17% mastered grade level, 44% met grade level and 78% approached grade level.