Zapata Elementary to possibly close down next year
In another potential change in a long line of changes at La Joya ISD, the chief staff proposed closing Emiliano Zapata Elementary in the 2025-26 academic year. Chief of Academics and School Leadership Dr. Derek Little presented the proposal to the board of managers at the Dec. 11 meeting, stating Zapata is one of the…
Read MoreMCISD moves forward with track resurfacing projects
The Mission CISD Board of Trustees approved Hellas Construction for the track resurfacing projects at Mission High School and Veterans Memorial High School. Hellas was the only firm to bid on the project, negotiating a best and final offer of $876,530. Administration estimates the total construction cost will be just over $1.02 million, including…
Read MoreSISD teachers undergo evaluation for incentive program
Sharyland ISD is trying to become a Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) district, granting teachers access to a potential six-figure salary. However, SISD still has a way to go before the state can declare them TIA-eligible. The Teacher Incentive Allotment is a program that the state government established in 2019 to help with teacher retention. In…
Read MoreLocal librarian up for state leadership position
It’s almost time for the Texas Library Association (TLA) to vote on the new president-elect, and Sharyland ISD Lead Librarian Nicole Cruz is one of two candidates in the running. TLA is the largest state library association in the country, with more than 5,000 members. The nonprofit serves members from all libraries, including…
Read MoreFour new trustees join LJISD board, remain powerless
Constituents of La Joya ISD elected four new trustees for the school board — roles that are largely ceremonial at the moment. The state took over the district in February after the Texas Education Agency appointed a temporary board of managers to oversee district operations and finances, effectively replacing the La Joya ISD Board of…
Read More2024 local election highlights
Tuesday was a whirlwind as the polls closed and the ballot count surged. Although the results remain unofficial until the Hidalgo County Elections Department certifies the votes, many races and ballot measures had clear outcomes. Donald Trump secured the win in the presidential election, outperforming Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in all Rio Grande…
Read MoreSharyland identifies district needs
Sharyland implemented district and campus improvement plans to help SISD reach its academic, operational and fiscal goals by 2028. The improvement plans have four strategic priorities: Student excellence and academic achievement Employee experience Community connections Fiscal responsibility According to Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Beto Hinojosa, the first step in creating an improvement plan is identifying…
Read MoreThousands see drainage improvements in Mission
The City of Mission reported five major drainage projects complete, estimating that 3,689 homes have benefited from the improvements. Four years ago, the city identified 72 areas with insufficient drainage. However, the staff deemed seven areas high priority because those locations took the longest to drain following heavy rainfall. After Mission issued an $18 million…
Read MorePioneer student goes to NASA
Jadon Andrew Salinas said he has always been fascinated by the stars. This past summer, he had the opportunity to study the celestial objects and present his research at the Johnson Space Center for the NASA High School Aerospace Scholar (HAS) program. The Pioneer High School student was one of hundreds throughout Texas to apply…
Read MoreBond preparation at Mission CISD
Mission CISD is in early talks to put a potential bond on the ballot for the November 2025 election. But before the district can take the item to the voters, administration needs to have a facilities assessment ready by next March. According to Deputy Superintendent Joel Garcia, MCISD administration has been discussing a possible bond…
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