History of CIS

In 1998 Midland Independent School District, Ector County Independent School District, and Region 18 Educational District jointly applied for a Communities In Schools of Texas grant from the Texas Workforce Commission in an effort to serve at-risk students and help them overcome barriers to success. In January 1999, confirmation was received for a grant of $255,365. By February 1999, a Board of Directors with representation from both communities had been assembled and met. By-laws were written for the organization, a Corporation Charter was filed and approved by the Sate of Texas and the IRS granted the organization tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).

An executive director was hired to establish an office, hire staff, and develop the program. Program implementation began in June 1999 at four area high schools, two in each district. In September 1999, Communities In Schools of the Permian Basin, Inc. (CIS/PB) was implemented at Crockett Junior High and the Alternative Programs in Ector County Independent School District. This expansion was made possible through a grant from the Texas Department of Human Services, Teen Smart Project. Teen Smart was a 2-year project and state funds were not available for 2001-2002. During 2000, services were expanded to Midland and Lee Freshman, in MISD, and to the Career Center in ECISD. At the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year, CIS relocated from the Career Center to Crockett Junior High School and added The Academy at Ector, bringing the total to four secondary schools in Midland and four secondary schools in Odessa.