The Mesquite ISD held its regular January School Board Meeting on Monday, Jan 14.  While many important agenda items related to the district’s operations were discussed and debated, several items garnered special attention from the Board, staff and the many patron who filled the board room.  
 
January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas and several groups showed their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the MISD Board.  They included MHS student Charles Monroe shared his MISD story, and thanked the Board on behalf of the district’s 35,000 students.  MEA President Marnie Cushing expressed her group’s gratitude and representatives from the Mesquite Association of Retired School Employees presented the Board with tokens of their support. And, as in past years, the board room was decorated with student artwork from across the district.
 
Several groups of employees were also recognized during the meeting.  The American Heart Association presented the MISD with a Distinguished Service Award in honor of the more than $70,000 raised by MISD through its participation in programs like “Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart and “Go Red for Women.”   A new research grant will be named in MISD’s honor. Members of the AHA’s Mesquite Heart Board and MISD PE teachers were recognized for their vital role in making these efforts a success.
 
Mesquite Fire Chief Mark Kerby honored several members of the MHS staff for their actions in saving the life of an MHS student whose heart stopped beating during a medical emergency. The chief cited their training and knowledge of AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) which lead to quick, calm response.