Midland School District board approves lock-box signatory changes and multiple personnel actions

The Midland School District Board of Directors voted on Monday, July 9, 2026 at the district administrative office to update the signatories on the district's lock box at Citizen's Bank and to approve several personnel actions for the 2026-27 school year, voting 5-0 on each recorded motion.

The board removed Dr. Bruce Bryant, Leslie Henderson and Linda Allgood from the lock-box signature card and added Superintendent Toby Crosby, Amanda Gilbert and Stacy Stephens. The motion to change the signature card was made by board member Shawn Conder and seconded by John McFarland; the board adopted the motion by a 5-0 vote.

Board members then acted on personnel items. John McFarland moved and Austin Passmore seconded a motion to accept and release teacher Tiffany Hallmark from her 2026-27 teaching contract; the board approved the release 5-0. In a separate motion, the board accepted Heather Baker's resignation from her preschool contract for 2026-27 (motion by John McFarland; second by Shawn Conder), and accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Naomie Smith (McMahan), effective July 23, 2026 (motion by Shawn Conder; second by Austin Passmore). All three resignations were approved 5-0.

The board also approved three hires for the upcoming school year. John McFarland moved and Janet Canard seconded the hire of Baylee Jones as an elementary teacher contingent on a passing background check, completion of an Alternative Licensure Plan (ALP) for a K-6 license and successful Praxis testing; Jones will be placed on the first-year bachelor's pay step at $50,000. The board approved the hire 5-0.

Shawn Conder moved and John McFarland seconded the hire of Mattie Martin as a paraprofessional in the Early Childhood Program at a salary of $16,690 for 2026-27; the board approved 5-0. Austin Passmore moved and John McFarland seconded the hire of Isabell Jaco-Cook as a paraprofessional in the Early Childhood Program at the same salary; that motion also passed 5-0.

The meeting was called to order by Board President Nathan Wood at 6:02 p.m.; Shawn Conder led the prayer and the board recited the district's mission statement. No members of the public spoke during the allotted public comment period. The board adjourned at 6:09 p.m. on a motion by Janet Canard, seconded by Austin Passmore. The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Midland School District Board Room.