La Joya ISD to fully takeover pre-k program
The Hidalgo County Head Start Program did not renew its contract with La Joya ISD for next year, but the district still plans to operate its full-day pre-kindergarten program at every campus. Attorney Ricardo Gonzalez, who represents the Head Start program, couldn’t speak to why the organization terminated the contract at the March 25 Policy…
Read MoreHonoring La Joya ISD’s legendary mariachi director
This article features never-published quotes from a 2015 Progress Times interview with Emilio Cantu. The La Joya school district honored the life and legacy of Emilio Cantu, LJISD’s former mariachi director, who died Jan. 26 at 81 years old. Cantu devoted almost 40 years to La Joya ISD, where he played a key role in…
Read MorePalmview High School teacher fired for filming student in class
The La Joya ISD Board of Managers upheld the administration’s decision to terminate Pedro Zurita’s contract because he “exercised poor judgement” in an interaction with a student. The decision came at the April 8 school board meeting, following an open session hearing at Zurita’s request. Typically, the board proceeds with personnel matters in closed session…
Read MoreMission hopefuls enter MCISD trustee election
With Place 7 Trustee Danny Martinez vacating his seat on the Mission CISD school board, Beto Garza and Michael De Leon vie for the coveted spot. BETO GARZA Garza might work in Peñitas as the city manager, but Mission is his home. And with his daughter attending MCISD at the elementary level, he is invested…
Read MoreTwo compete for Mission CISD Place 6 trustee
Two Missionites with deep roots in the community go head-to-head for a seat on the Mission CISD school board — Anthony Longoria and Victor O’Caña. Longtime trustee Petra Ramirez decided against running for a fourth term, leaving space for a newcomer to take over Place 6 for the first time since 2014. ANTHONY LONGORIA The…
Read MoreMission CISD parent challenges incumbent for Place 1 trustee
Abby Reyna seeks to unseat Veronica “Betty” Mendoza on the Mission CISD Board of Trustees in the May 2 election. ABBY REYNA The Place 1 challenger is a mother of two MCISD students and a senior escrow officer by profession. Reyna ran for a spot on the school board in 2024 because she wanted…
Read MoreTwo public servants vie for SISD Place 2 trustee
Isidro Quintero challenges incumbent Julio Cerda for a seat on the Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees. THE CHALLENGER Quintero is a retired Sharyland ISD teacher and coach who currently serves on the board for the Sharyland Water Supply. He decided to run for school board trustee because he said he feels it’s time to be…
Read MoreThree-person race for Sharyland ISD Place 1 trustee
Leonor Garcia and Rene Morales seek to unseat Meagan Sullivan from Place 1 on the Sharyland ISD Board of Trustees. LEONOR GARCIA Garcia is a businesswoman and former family and community engagement coordinator for La Joya ISD. She believes her experience with finances and community building makes her an asset to the SISD school board.…
Read MoreLocal districts lack funds for new Texas school bus law
Texas state law now requires districts to equip all their school buses with three-point seatbelts. But without additional funding, some districts have had to postpone full compliance. State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 546 last year, updating safety requirements for student transportation across Texas. The bill states that all school buses must have three-point seatbelts for…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD removes nonessential campus designations
The La Joya ISD Board of Managers voted to eliminate its district-imposed campus designations because the designations appeared to have no positive return on investment or impact on student outcomes. Initially, the district developed the specializations so that each elementary and middle school would have an area of focus, such as leadership, technology, and fine…
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