Mineola ISD Superintendent Cody Mize briefed the school board last week on progress at the former elementary campus.

The playground equipment has been moved to the Mineola Civic Center where it will replace some much older equipment.

A portable building is being repurposed for use by the theater arts department.

Demolition has begun on the interior for conversion into space for the career and technical education programs. And a new auto mechanics shop will be constructed.

Business Manager Keith Sparkman reported that the district once again received a perfect score on its financial rating from the state.

He said the district has good processes in place.

Curriculum Director Melisia Foster reported that the district is fully compliant meeting the needs of special populations including special education and emergent bilingual speakers.

Mize reported that the new rules concerning the purchase of new books for public schools will have its first review period for the district when books proposed for the intermediate campus will come before the board in December.

He reported that the Mineola Education Foundation’s recent winter market raised $22,500, and the foundation would be gifting turkeys to school staff for Thanksgiving.

The annual donation from the Mineola Community Chest of $500 to each campus plus the special education co-op was presented.

Students and staff members of the month were presented as follows:

Primary – 1st graders Blair Simons and Sebastian Valle, staffer Suann Pullen, second grade science and social studies

Intermediate – 5th graders Beau Ripley and Emily McGee, staffer Casey Cheshier, coach and fitness.

Middle – 6th graders Bodhi Thornton and Katlyn Whitehead, staffer Dalton Williams, coach and technology.

High School – seniors Sophia Mullins and Eduardo Guerra, staffer Maria Arrequin.

Also recognized was state cross country meet qualifier Raylie Peebles, a three-time state qualifier.