South Texas ISD may hire current board member as superintendent
The South Texas Independent School District Board of Trustees may hire Sandra Ochoa — who currently sits on that board and is Edcouch-Elsa ISD’s superintendent — to lead STISD after receiving a Texas Education Agency waiver last week.
The Texas Education Code stipulates that a trustee of a school district can’t work with that district for a year after stepping off their board.
Sandra Ochoa. Photo courtesy of STISD.
Last month, however, the South Texas ISD board discussed applying for a Texas Education Agency waiver related to superintendent applicants and submitted an application for a waiver with the state.
According to that application, the education code’s prohibition on trustees refraining from serving as an employee for a year “would prevent STISD from employing Dr. Ochoa, if selected on the timeline needed, to ensure stable leadership for the upcoming school year.”
The TEA approved the waiver last week.
School district attorney Benjamin Castillo declined to comment on the waiver or STISD superintendent candidates, noting that applications for superintendent are confidential.
Ochoa didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The South Texas ISD Board interviewed superintendent candidates this month and is slated to continue doing so Wednesday, after which the board may take action on current Superintendent Marco Antonio Lara Jr.’s retirement and name a finalist for his position.
In 2024 voters elected Ochoa to the South Texas ISD board.
She replaced Richard Ochoa, her husband, on the board.
Sandra Ochoa is currently superintendent for Edcouch-Elsa ISD, where her husband serves as a board trustee.
Edcouch-Elsa hired her last summer.
Edcouch-Elsa ISD School Board President J.J. Ybarra said Ochoa remained that district’s superintendent as of Monday and complimented Sandra Ochoa on her work leading the district so far.
“It’s been tough sledding. It’s been really tough. And she stepped up to the plate. First one in, last one out. I think she’s done great,” he said.
Current school board members becoming superintendent for the district they represent is almost unheard of locally, though trustees serving as superintendent in a neighboring district does happen.
For example, in recent years former Hidalgo ISD Superintendent Xavier Salinas and former Edcouch-Elsa ISD Superintendent Alda Benavides both worked for their districts while serving on the board of a neighboring district.
Lara, who joined STISD as superintendent in 2018, announced his intention to retire last year.
He was initially slated to retire at the end of 2025, though Castillo said he and the board agreed to extend that date until the board chooses a replacement.
“His retirement is currently expected to be effective at the time a new superintendent is hired,” Castillo said.
