March/April 2025 BoardBits

This e-newsletter highlights important news from the March 25 and April 22 regular meetings of the STISD Board of Directors and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.

District recognizes athletic teams that competed at state competitions

During the March 25 board meeting, the administration and Board recognized and congratulated cross country and basketball teams who placed at regionals and advanced to the state competitions. On April 22, the golf teams who competed and placed at state were recognized for their achievements.

Health Professions Girls Basketball Team

Group photo of the Health Professions Girls Basketball State Qualifiers

Science Academy Boys Basketball Team

Group photo of the Science Academy Boys Basketball State Qualifiers

Preparatory Academy Girls Premier Cross Country Team

Group photo of the Preparatory Academy Girls Cross Country State Qualifiers

Preparatory Academy Boys Premier Cross Country Team

Group photo of the Preparatory Academy Boys Cross Country State Qualifiers

Medical Professions Varsity Girls Cross Country Team

Group photo of Medical Professions Girls Cross Country State Competitors

Health Professions Varsity Boys Cross Country Team

Group photo of the Health Professions Boys Cross Country State Qualifiers

Science Academy Varsity Boys Cross Country Team

Group photo of the Science Academy Boys Cross Country State Qualifiers

Preparatory Academy Girls Golf Team

Rising Scholars Boys Golf Team

Rising Scholars Academy Boys Golf team with campus principal

Rising Scholars Girls Golf Team

Rising Scholars Academy Girls Golf team with campus principal

Medical Professions Varsity Girls Golf Team

Health Professions Varsity Girls Golf Team

Health Professions Varsity Boys Golf Team

Science Academy Varsity Boys + Girls Golf Teams

Science Academy golf team that competed at state competition

The Science Academy Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls teams were not able to attend the board meeting, but were still recognized for their achievements:

Science Academy Varsity Boys: This team placed 3rd at the state competition.

Science Academy Varsity Girls: This team earned the title of TCSAAL Varsity Girls Golf State Champion.

Congratulations: Jazmin Garza named one of only 25 finalists nationwide for National Honor Society Scholarship

Photo showing Jazmin Garza, Science Academy senior being recognized for being a finalist for NHS Scholarship — *Pictured, from left to right: Eric Gutierrez, Science Academy Principal; Jazmin Garza, Science Academy Senior; Dr. Tony Lara, STISD Superintendent of Schools; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President.*

Science Academy senior Jazmin Garza was named a 2025 National Honor Society Scholarship Finalist. She is one of only 25 finalists nationwide recognized this year and is also the very first student receiving this recognition at her campus.

This selection is made in recognition of outstanding achievement in the pillars of Scholarship, Service Leadership and Character. As a finalist, Garza has received a $5,625 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in its Trailblazing Leadership Week festivities.

Congratulations, Jazmin, on this great achievement and wishing you well in all future endeavors.

Click here to watch a video highlighting this achievement

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.

Progress on the interior of the Health Professions Gymnasium as of April 2025 — *Construction progress on the interior of the Health Professions Gymnasium*

Progress on the Mercedes Athletic Fields as of April 2025 — *Construction progress on the Mercedes Athletic Fields*

Progress on the Edinburg Athletic Fields as of April 2025 — *Construction progress on the Edinburg Athletic Fields*

Other Board actions

March

The Board received a report on the Fine Arts Pathway in Music for the high schools and approved course additions to offer students at the middle schools a pathway in Middle School Music.
The Board approved the addition of the AP Capstone Diploma Program at Science Academy.
A new teacher stipend for the District Curriculum Design and Enhancement was approved by the Board.

April

The Board approved the STISD 2025-2026 District Improvement Plan (DIP) and Campus Improvement Plans (CIP). Both documents are posted within the Accountability & Needs Assessment section of the district website.
The Board approved the annual Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Board approved amending summer 2025 office hours beginning on June 2, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2025, to the following: Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 12:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch: 12:00-12:45 p.m.) | Friday – Closed
The Board approved the request for New Professional Positions for the 2025-2026 School Year and the Announcement of Vacancy for the following: Dean of Instruction (2), Coordinator for Instructional Services (1), Educational Diagnostician - Co-Op (1), Speech Language Pathologist - Co-Op (1), Special Education Instructional Specialist - Co-Op (1), Teacher (1).

South Texas ISD remains an ‘A’ district in the 2023 State Accountability Ratings

STISD represents as the only ‘A’ district in the Rio Grande Valley and one of only two in Region One.

After a two-year delay, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the 2023 A-F accountability ratings for school systems and campuses throughout the state.

STISD is the only district in the Rio Grande Valley to receive an A rating overall, and one of only two districts in the Region One area, sharing the honor with United ISD in Laredo.

The district received A ratings in all areas evaluated, with an overall scaled score of 94, and the Postsecondary Readiness Distinction Designation, the only one available at the district level. STISD has received this designation every year since it became available, a total of eight times.

Six of the district’s seven middle and high school campuses also earned A ratings overall, and five of the campuses also received all distinction designations for which they were eligible.

Click here to read the full story

Medical Professions student wins first place in Region One Citizen Bee competition, qualifies for State

Congratulations to Medical Professions senior, Daniela Salazar, for placing first at the Texas Regional Citizen Bee Competition and qualifying to compete at the State competition in Austin in April. This outstanding achievement qualified Ms. Salazar to represent the Rio Grande Valley as the sole competitor from the region. The Texas Citizen Bee is a statewide civic education program and competition for students in grades 9-12.

Give it up for the team and social studies department sponsors for representing the campus and district well. Team participants include: Daniela Salazar, Ariana Nikolaeva and Kristian Guzman.

Medical Professions Citizen Bee Team with judges at Region 1 competition

Medical Professions Citizen Bee team with sponsor and chaperone at Region 1 Citizen Bee Competition

Medical Professions senior Daniela Salazar poses within trophy for winning first place at the Region 1 Citizen Bee Competition

The Tradition Continues: Science Academy hosts 11th Annual EDD Presents

Science Academy hosted its 11th Annual Engineering Design & Development (EDD) Presents Conference on Friday, April 25, bringing together the campus community to celebrate this year's seniors who rose to the challenge of researching, testing, and designing solutions to real-world problems.

Big congratulations to our 2025 EDD Champion, Yosef Herrera, on earning first place in this year's competition with his project: ‘The Power of a Star in a Jar: Using Nuclear Fusion to Produce Medical Radioisotopes.'

Special thanks to the Science Academy Parent Teacher Student Organization for awarding scholarships to the top three winning teams, plus five additional scholarships for the following categories: Social Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Perseverance, Best Engineering Notebook and the Student Choice Award.

Shout-out to keynote speaker and proud SA alum and engineer, Ben Salinas, for inspiring our next generation of engineers. To our incredible educators and teaching staff - Your hard work and dedication continue to make EDD an unforgettable and meaningful experience for our students. Thank you!

Kudos to our STISD AP Social Studies teachers going above and beyond

Let’s give a round of applause to our amazing AP Social Studies teachers and students districtwide who are exceeding state averages! Huge shoutout to Ana Cortez and Kristin Gutierrez from South Texas ISD Science Academy, and Leticia De Castillo from South Texas ISD Health Professions for their dedication and hard work.

Science Academy teacher Ana Cortez is recognized for her AP European History and AP US History percentages of scores of 3 or higher being higher than the state average

Health Professions teacher Leticia De Castillo is recognized for her AP World History percentages of scores of 3 or higher being higher than the state average

Science Academy teacher Kristin Gutierrez is recognized for her AP U.S. Gov. and Politics and AP Macroeconomics percentages of scores of 3 or higher being higher than the state average

South Texas ISD Child Nutrition News: Don't miss out on free meals for all STISD students!

Visit the Nutrition page on the district website for breakfast and lunch menus and other information from the department.

Don't miss out! Free breakfast and lunch for all students at STISD

STISD Health + Wellness

Visit the STISD Health & Wellness page for additional resources

May 2025 SEL + Mental Health Newsletter

April 2025 SEL + Mental Health Newsletter

Sponsorship Opportunity: Inaugural STISD Superintendent's Scholarship Golf Tournament on May 10

The Education Foundation of STISD is sponsoring the Inaugural STISD Superintendent's Scholarship Golf Tournament on May 10. Sponsor the event and support the students of STISD.

The Education Foundation of STISD is sponsoring the first-ever STISD Superintendent's Golf Scholarship Tournament on Saturday, May 10.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for the community to unite in support of STISD students and their educational goals. The funds raised will play a meaningful role in helping students pursue higher education and turn their dreams into realities.

Help the Foundation reach its goal of raising $50,000 to go towards scholarships for STISD students! Donations are still being accepted.

Click here to learn more

Contacts: Eric Calderon: 956.212.8744

Inside South Texas ISD: Video Highlights

2025 CTE Spring Advisory Meeting

World Scholars Hosts Courts in Schools Event

International Baccalaureate Program at World Scholars

2nd Annual Angels Fiesta Week at Medical Professions

Alumni Spotlight: Aylin Madrigal, World Scholars Class of 2019

Aylin Madrigal graduated from South Texas ISD World Scholars in 2019. After attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), she became the owner of Brand Geniuz, a local multimedia company through which she helps local businesses market all across Texas.