STISD board approves new superintendent’s contract

The South Texas ISD Board approved on April 29 a $235,000 three-year contract with Sandra Ochoa.

 

 

Ochoa, who the board named lone finalist for the position in early April, is slated to start on June 1.

 

School Board President Henry LeVrier said the board was pleased to approve the contract.

 

“We’re just happy to finish with the process,” he said. “We went through a very detailed process. And we’re happy to reach an agreement and select our superintendent.”

 

Until the night the board offered her a contract, Ochoa served as a director on that board.

 

State law prohibits anyone from working for a school district for a year after they step off a school board.

 

 

STISD, however, successfully applied for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency earlier this year allowing an exception for Ochoa.

 

Directors voted to accept Ochoa’s resignation as a board member at the same time they approved her contract.

 

The STISD Board agreed to pay Ochoa $235,000 a year, the same amount she’s currently making as superintendent at Edcouch-Elsa ISD.

 

The board of that district, meanwhile, is slated to discuss hiring a firm to conduct a superintendent search for someone to replace Ochoa on May 11.

 

Ochoa will replace Superintendent Marco Antonio Lara Jr. at STISD.

 

Lara announced his plan to retire last year.