001Hello [music] Cardinal families. I'm Darren Thompson, one of your board of trustees, and I want to welcome you to our board meeting highlights from December 15th, [music] 2025. We kicked off the evening by recognizing our Cardinal difference makers, Samir [music] Elementary Assistant Principal Lauren Arens, Willowwood Elementary Principal Precious Bale, Willowwood Elementary Assistant Principal Julie [music] Armstrong, and Melissa ISD gifted and talented coordinator Amanda Daniels. We began the meeting with pledges led by Harry McKillip Elementary students [music] Solomon and Jordan Fire. Next, we heard several important reports and updates. Deputy Superintendent Kim Booker provided a look at the vision for the 2026 school year. Pace, strength, stability, and endurance. The focus is [music] to walk slowly enough to be grateful, fast enough to seize opportunities, and steady enough to endure. Walter Perez provided an update [music]
002on the beautiful transformation of the former sixth grade center into the new Cardinal Renaissance Academy. The new golf facility is nearing completion and the foundation for the courts and the new arena [music] has been laid. Board President Paul Anderson shared how he had the opportunity to speak to neighboring districts and small businesses [music] about how they can tackle the financial challenges they are facing. Board member [music] Quinton Thompson also had the opportunity to speak to surrounding boards during the summer leadership institute, helping empower school boards by teaching them how to analyze student achievement data and support student success. Superintendent Keith Murphy congratulated and recognized several groups. ECMS won play for their first place finish at the middle [music] school UIL festival. Melissa High School robotics team for being state champions in the robot competition and
003the state runner up overall in the best division at the 2025 UIL state robotics tournament. The football team for their hard work and efforts throughout the season. [music] He expressed gratitude for the band cheer and dance teams, coaches and trainers as well as all the parents of the community for their [music] support. the chamber of commerce and all the staff and students who participated and helped organize the heart for the arts and the holiday of the mech. Lastly, [music] he commended the entire Melissa ISD staff for continuing to provide a worldclass experience for students despite the legislative changes in [music] public school financing. The board approved several action items, including the first reading of the Melissa High School choir to attend the American Coral Directors [music] Association conference and for the Melissa High School volleyball
004program to attend KSA Volleyball Fall Classic in Orlando [music] in September. That wraps up our December board meeting highlights. For the full board minutes, which will be approved and posted at the next board meeting, hit our Melissa ISD [music] board of trustees webpage. We invite you to our January board meeting on Monday, January 12th at 6 p.m. in the Melissa ISD boardroom. As [music] always, it's an honor to partner with you as we work together in the best interest of our students. Go Cardinals.