The Mineola Independent School District Board of Trustees approved new staff hires, equipment purchases and budget amendments during its May meeting while also recognizing standout students, staff and longtime educator Glenn Dossett.

Among the personnel actions approved were new classroom teachers, a school counselor, a diagnostician and staff from the Wood County Co-op. Superintendent Cody Mize also announced the resignation of Mineola Middle School Principal Brittany Thompson, who is leaving to lead Caldwell Fine Arts Magnet in Tyler.

“She was one of our first hires that I made when I came here as superintendent,” Mize said. “For a brand-new principal, COVID-19 is going on, we’re trying to figure that all out — it was really tremendous work that she did.”

Trustees also unanimously voted to name the district’s renovated career and technical education center after Dossett, a former teacher and current board member who spent 48 years teaching in Mineola schools, particularly in the FFA program. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 17.

The board approved the purchase of a new band instrument trailer from Stadium Creations and authorized the purchase of additional marching band and beginner instruments to address shortages ahead of the fall semester.

Fine arts director Donald Myers said the district’s current transportation setup relies on rented vehicles and lacks adequate storage for instruments.

“It would be literally a kid without anything to use for the fall,” Myers said of the instrument shortage.

Chief financial officer Keith Sparkman said payroll savings should help offset the purchases, though he noted revenue projections have tightened because of state property value calculations and expanded homestead exemptions.

Trustees also received a presentation from Performance Services on a proposed energy savings performance contract that would include LED lighting upgrades, transformer replacements, power conditioning systems and new campus signage. Representatives identified aging high school switchgear as the district’s most urgent concern.

“You don’t know when it’s going to happen, but it is at some point,” a project engineer said. “Being able to get ahead of that is why we have this as the top priority.”

Board President Rodney Watkins said delaying action could prove costly if the system fails unexpectedly. A vote on the proposal is expected in June.

The board also recognized student achievements from academics, athletics and FFA competition. The district honored valedictorian Jadelyn Marshall and salutatorian Makena Quiambao, both graduates of the health sciences pathway.

Mineola athletes were recognized for strong performances at the state track meet, including a pole vaulter who earned silver while competing through a stress fracture and a runner who surged from eighth to fourth in the 800 meters.

Mize also announced the Lady Jackets softball team would compete this week for a chance to advance to the state championship game. Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 22, at Meredith Memorial Stadium.