The Canadian ISD Board of Trustees met for their regular May meeting to recognize student achievement, review district operations and safety updates, and take action on compensation, staffing, and facilities items for the 2026–2027 school year.

Recognitions

The meeting began with the presentation of Excellence Medals recognizing outstanding student achievement for Band State Solo and Ensemble, State Theatrical Design and Film, State Academic UIL and the Principal’s Award Volunteer Group.

The Board also officially swore in Bradley Flynn following the May 2, 2026 trustee election and reorganized the Board of Trustees. Heath Mitchell-President; Brian Bartlett-Vice President; Tatum Pennington-Secretary

District Reports and Updates

Trustees reviewed the monthly enrollment and attendance report, which showed enrollment and attendance remaining relatively steady from the 5th six weeks.

The Board received presentations on the district’s required three-year safety audit and the recent intruder detection audit report as part of the district’s continued focus on school safety and security.

District leadership also discussed the local designation of Chemistry to Honors Chemistry beginning with the freshman class entering in the 2026–2027 school year.

Facilities and capital project updates were presented, including ongoing discussions related to district infrastructure and maintenance needs. Trustees also reviewed information related to the Teacher Incentive Allotment and received a preliminary budget review for the upcoming school year. 

While not discussed at this board meeting, CISD has historically adopted conservative budgets that may initially project a deficit, while actual year-end financials have often performed more favorably than projected. While the district realized small actual deficits in 2021 and 2022, CISD added to the fund balance in each year from 2023 through 2025 despite initially adopting deficit budgets. District leadership notes this has occurred for a variety of financial reasons, such as operational costs, prices of items, student enrollment and tax values are among the many variables for these fluctuations. 

Board Action Items

The Board canvassed and approved the results of the May 2, 2026 trustee election.

Trustees approved increases to substitute pay rates for the 2026–2027 school year as part of the district’s continued effort to remain competitive in attracting and retaining quality substitutes. Updated daily substitute rates include:

• Non-degreed substitutes: $85 per day, increased from $70

• Degreed substitutes: $95 per day, increased from $75

• Certified substitutes: $115 per day, increased from $100

• Long-term substitute assignments: additional $15 per day for assignments up to 30 days and additional $35 per day for assignments exceeding 31 days, up to a maximum of $150 per day

The Board also approved updates to the district’s extra-duty and co-curricular stipend schedules. District leadership noted that many stipends had not been adjusted for many years, and the changes were made to help CISD remain competitive with surrounding districts and current market conditions.

Trustees approved pay increases for district employees for the 2026–2027 school year, including:

• 1% increase for classroom teachers

• 2% increase for counselors, nurses, and librarians who are not eligible for the HB 2 Teacher Retention Allotment

• 1.5% increase for auxiliary staff, bus drivers, and maintenance employees

• 1% increase for all other staff

The Board also approved a resolution waiving competitive purchasing requirements in order to address sanitary sewer system repairs and remediation work necessary to prevent disruption to classes and school activities.

Additional action items approved included the annual staff development minutes waiver, struck-off tax property bids, and budget amendments.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Julia McMains provided a legislative update and reviewed the date and time of the next scheduled board meeting on June 16, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Executive Session

The Board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters, the intruder detection audit findings report, and the required three-year safety audit report.

Action After Executive Session

Following executive session, the Board approved employment contracts for district teachers, teacher/coaches, and certified administrators.

The meeting adjourned at 11:01 p.m.

PHOTO OF CANADIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AT DAYBREAK 2016 BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN