The possibility of a school-district sponsored daycare and a new career pathway for cosmetology were discussed by the Mineola School Board Monday.

Each will require further study, including interest in implementing the programs and their associated costs.

Trustee Janice Etheridge said a district daycare would serve as an employee retention tool for school staff, in addition to a savings for those staff members.

The administration was requested to survey teachers to find out the interest level and develop some estimated costs as well as possible locations.

A cosmetology career pathway has been investigated by the district previously, and one of the drawbacks was the cost to start such a program.

Again, investigating student interest and a budget would be key factors to explore.

Superintendent Cody Mize said the only district in the area offering the program is Rains ISD. Grand Saline recently investigated the program and declined due to the expense.

Assistant Superintendent David Sauer said neighboring districts would likely want to send their students to the program. 

Mize reviewed last week’s release of state accountability ratings for 2023 which had been tied up in court for almost two years.

“I promise you not a person in this room can tell you how they got that score,” he said of the grades assigned to Texas public schools.

Mineola scored an 89, or a “B”, just a point from making an “A”. He said only a handful of districts in the region scored an “A”, and only by a single point.

The 2024 ratings are held up in a different lawsuit and could be released soon, followed soon after by the 2025 ratings, which will gives districts a lot of information to review.

Trustees approved the purchase of a new phone system at $40,000 upfront costs and $7,000 per year from CynergyTech. It will replace a 2018 system that can no longer be repaired as the provider went bankrupt.

Trustees also reviewed a bid of $33,000 for the purchase of 100 new Chromebooks. Business manager Keith Sparkman said the purchase was budgeted and is being made before anticipated price increases.

The board accepted a donation of $5,500 from the Max and Mary Hudson Charitable Foundation toward that purchase.

The foundation has also awarded the district more than $22,000 in scholarships.

Foundation financial advisor Leon Anderson estimated the foundation has donated about $1 million to the community over the past 10 years, benefiting non-profits, the school district and the Mineola Church of Christ.