![Headshot photo of Sandra Garza Ochoa]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775606467/stisdnet/l2zxzhgplm4pcumceqfj/DrSandraGarzaOchoa2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775606467/stisdnet/l2zxzhgplm4pcumceqfj/DrSandraGarzaOchoa2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1775606467/stisdnet/l2zxzhgplm4pcumceqfj/DrSandraGarzaOchoa2026.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775606467/stisdnet/l2zxzhgplm4pcumceqfj/DrSandraGarzaOchoa2026.jpg","width":990}])
The South Texas Independent School District (STISD) Board of Trustees, at its April 7 meeting, named Dr. Sandra Garza Ochoa, from Edcouch Elsa ISD, as finalist for superintendent. By law, the Board must now wait 21 days before voting to hire Ochoa to be the new superintendent for South Texas ISD. Ochoa is slated to be the successor to superintendent Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., who is retiring on May 31 of this year.
The Board has followed a lengthy nationwide search process in determining the finalist. In November, the Board hired Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Executive Search Services to direct the search. TASB consultants deployed a survey to collect feedback from the district community on leadership qualities of the new superintendent. The profile developed from this survey was the yardstick used by the Board and consultants in evaluating the applicants for the position.
The Board is scheduled to vote to offer a contract to Ochoa on April 29. Ochoa has served as superintendent in Edcouch Elsa ISD since 2025.