Though the area has seen a trend toward school closings, Mineola Superintendent Cody Mize told the school board Monday night that MISD is not close to shutting down.

He said the district will be providing weekly updates on its mobile app on numbers of COVID-19 cases among staff and students. Those in close contact will be informed individually.

He said there are three active cases among staff and 17 among students.

After canvassing the results of the recent election, the board welcomed new member Rodney Watkins, who was sworn in along with reelected board member John Abbott, who was then elected to continue serving as president, with Jay McGough as vice president and Jill Quiambao as secretary.

Mize offered his thanks to longtime board member Kyle Gully, who did not seek reelection.

Mize praised the Mineola football team for winning its bidistrict playoff and the high school band for capturing grand champion at the Princeton marching contest, which included the reigning 4A state champion Canton.

He added best wishes to the FFA leadership teams which will be competing Thursday at area.

Sunni Ruffin gave a brief presentation on Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. The MHS junior is serving as a state FCCLA officer.

The board approved the annual financial audit, which showed the district added $365,000 to its fund balance and grew to $8.6 million.

The district also scored a perfect score on its state financial assessment.

Curriculum Director Jennifer Knipp went over the English Language Program Evaluation which measures academic progress among English learners.

She noted that 185 students fall into that category.

William Bjork, the district business manager who also serves as treasurer for the Mineola Community Chest, presented $500 checks to each of the four campuses to be used for their respective benevolence funds.

Those funds assist students clothing, shoes and school supplies.

Architect Perry Thompson and Wes McClure with Sherrill Construction briefed the board on progress on the new high school band hall.

McClure said plans are to maximize the holiday break to complete some work when the campuses are closed.

The board recognized outstanding students Jessica Silva and Cannon Madsen in kindergarten, fifth graders Ayla Morman and Elijah Zavala, 8th graders Gracie Lindley and Cole Dane at middle school and high school sophomores Alex Barriga and Zoe Goodson.

Support staff of the month is officer Mike Hurst, who recently completed training with the district’s new detection dog, Thor.

And teacher of the month went to Sara Rose from the middle school.