Fall 2024 BoardBits
This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Oct. 22 regular board meeting, the Dec. 3 regular board meeting (rescheduled from Nov.), and the Dec. 12 special called board meeting, as well as other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.
STISD Board members take Oath of Office
Board elects officers for two-year term
The Board held its biennial election of officers during the Dec. 3 board meeting. The following board members were elected to their respective positions until the next board reorganization to be held in 2026.
STISD thanks former board members for years of service
Thank you to our former board members (pictured below) for their dedication and service to STISD.
Congratulations! | STISD Board of Directors + Administration recognize outstanding achievements
Campus Volleyball Teams recognized for season achievements
STISD Celebrates 60 Years, Officially Opens Central Administration Building Teaching & Learning Center
This year, STISD celebrates 60 years of providing unique and quality educational opportunities to Rio Grande Valley (RGV) families. To commemorate this milestone, the district held an anniversary celebration on Saturday, Nov. 16. The event doubled as a grand opening of the district’s Central Administration Building and Teaching & Learning Center and included a ribbon cutting supported by the Mercedes Area Chamber of Commerce.
STISD presents the winners of the first District Social Studies + History Fair
STISD 2024 Winter Fine Arts Academy presents Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
Students from all seven STISD campuses and staff members from across the district came together through the district's first-ever STISD Winter Fine Arts Academy to put together a traveling show of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The cast and crew performed three different times Dec. 11-13 at three STISD campuses. Watch the video below to learn more about this experience.
Highlight Video
Full-Length Performance
Board receives audit report for fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2024
Luis C. Orozco, certified public accountant, presented the STISD Annual Financial Report for the year ended Aug. 31, 2024, 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 2024, STISD received an "unmodified opinion," and there were no findings for the 2023-2024 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.
STISD & Campuses rank among the best in Niche Best Schools Rankings for 11th-year in a row
Niche recently released its 2025 Best Schools K-12 School & District Rankings, and for the 11th year in a row, South Texas Independent School District (STISD) and its campuses rank among the best in the state and nation in this poll.
With an A+ overall grade, STISD ranked 2nd in Texas (out of 883 school districts ranked) and 27th in the nation (out of 10,561 districts ranked) in the Best School Districts rankings. STISD earned the top spot in the Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas category, and brought home the 4th spot for Best Places to Teach in Texas. STISD also ranked 9th out of 11,116 districts ranked in the Districts with the Best Teachers in America.
All six STISD campuses eligible for the ranking were ranked among the best in the state and nation in the 2025 Niche K-12 Schools lists, which grade and rank schools and districts based upon criteria ranging from academics to culture and teachers.
STISD Health + Wellness
Spread the news: Enrollment for 2025-2026 for new-to-district students opens on Saturday, Jan. 18
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year for new-to-district students will open online at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, for all 7 STISD campuses.
The SchoolMint Enroll system is not yet available for prospective families/students to begin creating their profiles for enrollment day. Additional information about the updated process will be posted within the Enroll page soon.
Click here to visit the Enroll page on the STISD district website
Other Board Actions
Oct. 22:
- Marla Knaub, STISD Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, conducted a public hearing on STISD's 2022-2023 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Report. The district earned a score of 98 out of 100 points, and for the 17th year in a row, was awarded a Superior rating on this report.
- Niranda Flores, STISD Bilingual Director, reported to the STISD Board of Directors on the Bilingual ESL Program Evaluation for 2023-2024.
- The STISD Board of Directors approved the 2024-2025 Gifted/Talented Manual. This manual will be posted on the district website.
- The board approved administration's request to use funds from the MacKenzie Scott donation for technology equipment for Preparatory Academy.
Dec. 3:
- The STISD board received and declared the results of the Nov. 5, 2024 Election. Click here to see the results on the Board Elections page
- The board received appointments of directors at large to the STISD Board of Directors from Cameron and Hidalgo County Judges.
- The board received a report on a new Criminal Justice Career Pathway at World Scholars.
Inside STISD Video Highlights: STISD Athletics
Health Professions Boys Volleyball and RSA Girls Volleyball win TCSAAL State Championships
2024 Fall Sports Highlight: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football and Volleyball
Inside STISD Video Highlights
McAllen Holiday Parade and Christmas in the Park Recap
Students Named Semifinalists in 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program
Health Professions Athletics Partners with Emily's Meals to Give Back to Homeless Community
World Scholars Partners with South Texas College in New Paralegal Apprenticeship Program
District Helps with 30th Annual Rio Reforestation Event
2024 TACRAO College Fair held at STISD Central Office Teaching & Learning Center
Upcoming Events
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All STISD campuses and offices