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
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 the exterior of the Health Professions Gymnasium
Construction progress on the interior of the Health Professions Gymnasium
Construction progress on the Mercedes Athletic Fields
Construction progress on the Mercedes Athletic Fields
Construction progress on the Edinburg Athletic Fields
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
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.
Instructional Day on Weather Make-up Day, Feb. 10
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
- 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
March 2025
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, February 23
Monday, February 24
Tuesday, February 25
Medical Professions Spring Open House
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STISD Medical Professions (10650 N. Expressway 77/83, Olmito)
Wednesday, February 26
Thursday, February 27
Friday, February 28
Saturday, March 1
Sunday, March 2
Monday, March 3
Tuesday, March 4
Wednesday, March 5
Thursday, March 6
STISD Parent Connection: Supporting Your Child's Emotional Health: Spring Session 2
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STISD Preparatory Academy (724 S. Sugar Rd., Edinburg) OR Virtual via Zoom
Friday, March 7
Saturday, March 8
Sunday, March 9
Monday, March 10
Tuesday, March 11
Wednesday, March 12
Thursday, March 13
Friday, March 14
Saturday, March 15
Sunday, March 16
Monday, March 17
Tuesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 19
Thursday, March 20
Friday, March 21
Saturday, March 22
Sunday, March 23
Monday, March 24
Tuesday, March 25
Subscribe to Alerts
Meeting of the STISD Board of Directors
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STISD Central Office Teaching and Learning Center (7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes)
Wednesday, March 26
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
Monday, March 31
Tuesday, April 1
Wednesday, April 2
Thursday, April 3
Friday, April 4
Saturday, April 5
Calendar & Category Legend:
- South Texas ISD