New Tuloso Midway ISD Superintendent Steve VanMatre said the district's just-over 500 teachers and staff are prepared for the 3800 students returning to school Tuesday.
“We have over 600 transfer students," he said. "These are families that live outside of Tuloso-Midway ISD that recognize that T-MISD really has some talented teachers."
Start times for the school district are as follows: Primary and intermediate school begins today at 7:45 a.m., and middle-school and high-school classes start at 8:40 a.m.
The district also has made significant improvements, with the school board approving the use of $5.5 million from the district's general fund balance for improvements to T-M's athletic facilities.
The biggest focus of the project will be to improve Warrior Stadium. The district will convert the field to turf, resurface the track, and improve the bleachers and press box.
Along with a new facility, superintendent Steve VanMatre said safety and security are also priorities for the district.
VanMatre said the district is making sure its security audits are up-to-date, and it's focusing on training and drills. The district also has hired a school resource officer.
“These are police officers that carry a gun," he said. "That can provide the first level of defense for us."
He said the district is working to have an SRO officer at each campus to help keep everyone safe.
It also is looking to help busy parents with a program called TMPM, which provides after-school care for primary and intermediate schools until 6:30 p.m.
The program is free for employees' children and costs $95 for parents who are not employees.
