Dec 2023 BoardBits

Luis C. Orozco, certified public accountant, presented the STISD Annual Financial Report for the year ended Aug. 31, 2023, to the STISD Board of Directors during the Dec. 12 special called board meeting held at STISD's Central Office Teaching and Learning Center in Mercedes.

As required by state and federal laws, each fall an independent auditor reviews the district's financial statements from the previous fiscal year. STISD follows through with any audit recommendations made.

According to the report from the fall of 2023, STISD received an "unmodified opinion," and there were no findings for the 2022-2023 school year. STISD has continued to maintain a healthy fund balance and a strong system of internal control. The district has also remained in compliance with all federal and Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines.

• The STISD Board of Directors approved Noble Texas Builders as the contractor for the Health Professions Parking Lot project.
• The Board approved the Preparatory Academy Pavilion project as substantially complete.
• Administration's proposal to use $161,476 in additional funds from the MacKenzie Scott donation to purchase equipment for the expansion of CTE Programs at Preparatory Academy and Rising Scholars was approved by the Board.
• The Board cast its votes for the Cameron County Appraisal District, Hidalgo County Appraisal District, and Willacy County Appraisal District.
• The Board approved Policy Update 122.
• The Board approved the request for and announcement of vacancy for two new grant-funded positions for the remainder of the 2023-2024 School Year: Post-Secondary Success Specialist and a Secretary/Receptionist for the Post-Secondary Success Specialist. Information about these positions is available through the Employment page on the district website.

On December 7 and 8, RGV students competing in this year’s NASA HUNCH program made history as they participated in the region's inaugural NASA HUNCH Preliminary Design Review event, hosted by STISD. 

High school students from across the Valley, including those from STISD, came together over two days at the district's Central Office Teaching & Learning Center to present their initial concepts for the Design & Prototype Project to a team of NASA engineers, among them NASA HUNCH founder Stacy Hale. Students will now take the feedback received and continue working on their prototypes to prepare for the upcoming Critical Design Review event and the April deadline, in hopes of making it to the Johnson Space Center and contributing ideas towards the next mission.

The HUNCH mission is to empower and inspire students through a Project-Based Learning program, in which high school students learn 21st century skills and have the opportunity to launch their careers through participation in the design and fabrication of real-world valued products for NASA. Teams from all STISD middle and high schools are participating in various NASA HUNCH challenges during the current school year, including Design & Prototype, Video & Media, and Culinary.

Work with the best school district in the RGV! Positions available across the Valley, including: 

Chief of Security and Police Services | Assistant Principal | Licensed Specialist in School Psychology | Post-Secondary Success Specialist + Secretary/Receptionist (Grant-funded positions) | Bus Drivers/Custodians | Science Teacher | Art Teacher | Math Teacher | English Teacher | Child Nutrition Worker | Plumber | Mechanic and more!

Visit the Employment page to see available vacancies and apply