Marlin ISD Board is now comprised of a majority of elected trustees  

AUSTIN, Texas – January 30, 2025 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the initiation of the second phase of the governance transition process for the Marlin Independent School District (MISD) to return governance authority from the appointed Board of Managers to the elected Board of Trustees. This marks an important step and highlights the progress the district has made in improving both student academic performance and governance practices.  

In accordance with 19 Texas Administrative Code, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath selected elected trustees Byrleen Terry and Winnette Outland to MISD’s governing board. Effective immediately, Terry and Outland will assume the power and duties of elected trustees, joining a seven-member governing board comprised of four elected trustees and three appointed managers. Terry and Outland will serve on the board for the remainder of their elected terms.  

To fill the vacancy on the Board of Managers created by Terry’s transition to the Board of Trustees, Commissioner Morath selected Kathleen Barrett to serve as a member of the Board of Managers.  

The multi-year transition process, which began in January 2024, will conclude by January 31, 2026. By this date, the three remaining elected trustees will transition to Marlin ISD’s governing board, and the Board of Managers appointment will expire. 

Background on Marlin ISD Board of Managers 

In January 2017, TEA removed governing authority from the Marlin ISD Board of Trustees and Commissioner Morath appointed a five-member Board of Managers to temporarily lead MISD in response to the district receiving five consecutive years of unacceptable academic accountability ratings. In January 2019, Commissioner Morath extended the placement of the Board due to a lack of improvement in the district’s 2017 and 2018 accountability ratings, which increased the count to seven consecutive years of unacceptable performance.  

In January 2021, Commissioner Morath announced the transition timeline for the Board of Managers. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent academic accountability pause, initiation of the transition was delayed until January 31, 2024. 

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