January 2025 BoardBits

This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Jan. 23 regular meeting of the STISD Board of Directors and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.

School Board Recognition Month: Thank you, STISD Board Members!

January is National School Board Appreciation Month. During the Jan. board meeting, campus administrators addressed the Board members, thanking them for their service and presenting them with tokens of appreciation. We are so grateful to the members of our unique school board for their support and commitment to our STISD community.

The following are our board members and their respective years of service:

Henry LeVrier, Board President - 17 years of service
Dr. Sylvia Sánchez Garza, Board Vice President - 17 years of service
E. Larry Cantu, Board Secretary - 20 years of service
David Briones, Board Member - 2 years of service
Doug E. Buchanan, Board Member - 24 years of service
Abiel J. Cantú, Board Member - 7 years of service
Sasha Crane, Board Member - 4 years of service
Adrian Garcia, Board Member - 16 years of service
Margarita Garcia, Board Member - 10 years of service
Dr. Noel Garza, Board Member - 1 year of service
Yolanda Kamel, Board Member - 5 years of service
Robert J. Lerma, Board Member - 30 years of service
Sylvia S. Lopez, Board Member - 6 years of service

Dr. Sandra Garza Ochoa, Board Member - 1 year of service
Rudy Ramirez, Board Member - 2 years of service
Eduardo R. Rodriguez, Board Member - 6 years of service
Jaime R. Solis, Board Member - 6 years of service
Dr. Rick Villarreal, Board Member - 12 years of service
Ruth Villarreal, Board Member - 4 years of service

Newly Elected & Appointed Board Members in 2024
Andrea E. Gonzales-Loya
Oscar Salinas
David Suarez
Sue Ann Villarreal
Zach I. Zamora

Board member reacts with applause to principal presentation

Virtual Academy principal presents appreciation to board on behalf of campus

Board members listen during principal presentations

Board members react to campus principal presentations

Board president and superintendent look on during principal presentations

Rising Scholars principal presents appreciation to board on behalf of campus

Making History: STISD Establishes New Police Department + Swears in First-Ever Chief of Police

In a historic first for the district, Steven Cortez was sworn in as STISD's first-ever Chief of Police last month.

The ceremony held on Jan. 9 commemorated the formation of the district's newly-approved police department, along with the swearing in of Chief Cortez as its leader.

Chief Cortez took his oath of office surrounded by family, friends, leaders in state and local law enforcement, elected officials, and members of the STISD community.

STISD is honored to have Chief Cortez lead the way in keeping our community safe and secure. Congratulations, Chief!

Construction Updates: Health Professions Gymnasium + Mercedes and Edinburg Athletic Fields

The Board of Directors received reports on the ongoing Buildings & Grounds projects, including the Health Professions Gymnasium project, and the Edinburg and Mercedes Athletic Fields projects.

The following are photos of the progress on these projects, as shared at the meeting.

Construction progress on exterior of Health Professions Gymnasium — *Construction progress on the exterior of the Health Professions Gymnasium*

Construction progress on interior of Health Professions Gymnasium — *Construction progress on the interior of the Health Professions Gymnasium*

Mercedes athletic fields construction progress — *Construction progress on the Mercedes Athletic Fields*

Edinburg athletic fields construction progress — *Construction progress on the Edinburg Athletic Fields*

Other Board actions

The STISD Board of Directors held a public hearing on the 2024 Federal Report Card and Texas Academic Performance Report. The reports are posted within the Accountability and Needs Assessment section of the district website. Click here to access the reports
The Board accepted the Mercedes Tennis Courts project as substantially complete.
The Board approved the request for two new professional positions for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year and the announcement of vacancies:
- Licensed Specialist in School Psychology Co-op
- Special Education Coordinator
The Board approved Memorandums of Understanding concerning mutual aid with the following: Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office and Cameron County Sheriff's Office
The STISD Board of Directors conducted the annual evaluation for Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., Ed.D., STISD Superintendent of Schools, and voted to extend his contract for another year and to provide him with a salary increase.

STISD Health + Wellness

Visit the STISD Health & Wellness page for additional resources

Feb. 2025 SEL + Mental Health Newsletter

Join us: Upcoming Parent Sessions on Supporting Your Child's Emotional Health

STISD invites district parents/guardians and others from the tri-county community to join us for the “South Texas ISD Parent Connection: Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Health” Spring 2025 Parent Sessions to be held this spring.

The sessions will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, and Thursday, March 6, and will be available in-person and virtually.

Click here for full details about the events.

Spring 2025 Parent Connection Emotional Health Sessions English flyer

Spring 2025 Parent Connection Emotional Health Sessions Spanish flye

Instructional Day on Weather Make-up Day, Feb. 10

Calendar update - Monday, Feb. 10, is now an instructional day

As a result of the closure of our campuses and offices on Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to the inclement weather conditions, we will need to make up the instruction missed on that day through our designated Weather Make-up Day on Monday, Feb. 10. This make-up day will include all students and staff district wide.

As the day missed was an A-day, the make-up day on Feb. 10 will also be an A-day.

We appreciate your understanding and support.

Holidays and Events

STISD Spring Open Houses will take place in February. Visit www.stisd.net for more information.

February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week. Let your counselors know they are appreciated!
Friday, February 21, is a Campus Professional Development Day. There is no school for students on this day.
Open Houses are coming up. Reference the schedule in the newsletter to see when it will be held for your school.
March 17-21 is Spring Break.

The 2024-2025 Academic Calendar is posted within the Calendars section on the district website.

Inside STISD Video Highlights

Law & Public Service: There's No Better Place to Start

STISD 2024 Year in Review

Upcoming Events

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January 2026

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Sunday, December 28

Monday, December 29

School Christmas Break (District holiday)

All Day