[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6261511,"mediaKeyId","3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43","parentId",3120791,"title","Board approves consent items, construction and personnel actions; several nonrenewals and one termination authorized","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",6538000,"endMs",6710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43&start=6538&end=6710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43/thumbnail_6538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261511/Texas/Board-approves-consent-items-construction-and-personnel-actions-several-nonrenewals-and-one-termination-authorized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261511-5a61a0482b00231dfe80d79caa4c7195/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137196&Signature=PtmM5PLv5Fn2ghkZDLsqW6b48jSxP73K665WvYc7qUltHo6--pWV8Q991zlbvUTXS-3xVaSfHZdu4RkVhbIB98gqpc36Q7MSUnMyWO-hnOAKKHkj1UYKLcYhwtzDSnCO1UdTBbmielu08BuG0e~hy7yZJ5qPNyg~1TdR-tfUuZU8zC-LutXSWG~c4iPHp3qyNqQvAenRGxy0LftNWG8KGaeJQGHBCwQGYAlfIFtemT8h1xnKpgANIku5nV1Vdfd6pFVNblcivgoCwo7G2uzsQ7HyibykVgxZRIJV21z0daRwQ~OgvWM9rSuGpmraf0KlElcNrOQC1cuQ7aLKfoRdlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","La Joya ISD","date","2025-04-24T19:39:56Z","article","La Joya ISD’s board of managers voted on a series of formal actions at the April 23 meeting, approving construction work, personnel actions and administrative measures. The board recorded unanimous “aye” votes for the measures listed below.

At a glance — formal actions and outcomes

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda by motion and second; the motion carried by recorded voice vote (all in favor).

- 13.1 — Instructional-day waiver: The board approved a request for additional days/waiver for missed instructional time due to inclement weather. Motion carried; vote recorded as aye by board members present.

- 13.2 — Buatus Lincoln High School culinary lab renovations (CSP No. 2025-33): The board approved the construction/renovation item for Buatus Lincoln High School culinary lab (CSP 2025-33). Motion carried; vote recorded as aye by board members present.

- 13.3 — Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System: The board approved adoption of the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System for the district’s evaluation framework. Motion carried; vote recorded as aye by board members present.

- 13.4 — Nonrenewal (early-college program change/reduction in force): The board approved nonrenewal of Chapter 21 term contracts of administrators and teachers at Therma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School, Jimmy Carter Early College High School, the Academy of Health and Science Professions and STEM, and La Joya Early College High School in accordance with program change/reduction‑in‑force; the motion also authorized the superintendent or designee to provide notice to affected employees and to retain licensed counsel to represent the district in any hearings. Motion carried; board authorized administrative steps.

- 13.5 — Level 3 grievance (Rosa Morales): The board denied the level‑2 administrative decision and denied the grievance at level 3. Motion carried; vote recorded as aye by board members present.

- 13.6 — Proposed nonrenewals (named administrators): The board approved the proposed nonrenewal of Chapter 21 term contracts for two elementary-school administrators (listed in the motion as Carrie Veriau and Adriana Cepuentes) and Deputy Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development Angela Gonzales; the motion authorized the superintendent or designee to provide notice and to retain counsel as needed. Motion carried.

- 13.7 — Hearing examiner recommendation and termination (Karen Villalianos): The board voted to adopt the independent hearing examiner’s findings of fact and conclusions of law (with the administration’s recommended modifications) in the matter captioned La Joya ISD v. Karen Villalianos, docket No. 077-LH-12-2024, and determined the employee’s term contract is terminated effective immediately. Motion carried.

Who voted and procedural notes

At roll call the board recorded the following members present earlier in the meeting: Jessica Ochoa; Carlos Margo; Anita Chavez; Alyssa Pena; Rosal Hernandez; and Setsu Gomez Jr. Those members subsequently voted on the motions recorded in the minutes and responded in the affirmative when the board president called for “ayes.” Where the transcript records only “I move” or “I second” without a spoken name, the board’s public minutes should be consulted to identify specific mover/second names; the motions recorded in the meeting were approved by voice vote and the chair announced each motion carried.

Ending: Several personnel actions authorized by the board will require district staff to deliver nonrenewal notices, and the superintendent was authorized to retain counsel as needed; the board also scheduled upcoming meetings and community events, including centennial activities in early May.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LJISD Board Meeting 4-23-25","oneSentenceSummary","During the April 23 meeting the La Joya ISD board approved a consent agenda, several capital and personnel measures, authorized nonrenewals affecting early-college campuses, approved a contract award for culinary lab renovations, and adopted a hearing examiner’s recommendation that resulted in the termination of an employee.","taxTitle","LA JOYA ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14173,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261516,"Centennial historians trace La Joya ISD growth from 1986 to early 2000s; bonds, arts and athletics highlighted",1195,273000,1468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43&start=273&end=1468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43/thumbnail_273000.jpg","/articles/6261516/Texas/Centennial-historians-trace-La-Joya-ISD-growth-from-1986-to-early-2000s-bonds-arts-and-athletics-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261516-38e91c79762eb43acf1b6022cc96ce88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137196&Signature=gMXZeNCGlDHc6LLN0VzXVUQIvcrxZaqh-CaGIHSJHB-HdFh6Pj9OBAF6gRORRAJzUIUHX2H5SGlnvFl6I9XZ-HyknLoXcZMAGdg2b9SsZXyJj7inV3DuYF1lli1y00GbkNMBtAkBi~Wi0dhuwPNVN3kBFI1NXmjhGL20lTwl0dav1UFrQpIxwrRRIFLDYewiyXdBDUKrUSgL7P7mShyqevaekzZYNEUqjxIZGoMsIktSZxEEaSJ4F8cYvuXMCOk2fGuHrUCAvpGeGjPrAZx0y1djU4ksn5hTMO8E7Mwgt-1RFdWbHRPqw~hFOHcgIU34~GrLQFe2kjhI6xJMM9wnCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 23 board meeting, La Joya ISD Centennial Committee historians Ivan Silva and Mr. Chapa presented a historical overview of the district from 1986 through about 2005, describing a period of rapid population growth, multiple bond measures and expansion of facilities, programs and extracurricular opportunities.

Silva and Chapa recounted leadership changes — naming superintendents who served in the period, including Miguel de los Santos and Dr. Zamora — and credited successive administrations with expanding facilities and academic programming. The presentation said the district’s enrollment rose from roughly 9,000 students to more than 23,000 over the two‑decade span described and noted a district emphasis on bilingual programming, Head Start, universal pre‑K and career and technical education pathways.

The historians reviewed capital investments the district made in that era: multiple bond packages that funded new elementary and secondary campuses, a new high school, a transportation center, libraries and a science lab; a performing-arts center that sources in the presentation said was largely funded through a combination of a $43 million bond and external grant funding; and a stadium with seating presented as approximately 12,500 that the speakers described as regionally notable. The presentation also highlighted the expansion and competitive successes of athletics programs (football, track, soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball), recognition of district fine-arts groups and the district’s early adoption of programs such as dual language and universal pre‑K.

The historians said bonds and external grant awards — described in the presentation as adding up to more than $219 million when combined with state and federal sources referenced in their slides — financed much of the capital expansion in the period discussed. They also noted that the district’s fine-arts and mariachi programs received statewide recognition and several visits from public officials over the years.

Board members thanked the presenters and noted that the presentation provides context for current strategic priorities and for the district’s centennial events.

Ending: The centennial historians said this was one chapter of a multi-part historical series; the board said it looks forward to later installments that bring the narrative closer to the present day.","The district’s centennial committee gave a historical presentation covering 1986–2005 growth: superintendents, bond-funded construction including a performing-arts center and stadium, expansion of bilingual/early-childhood programs and athletics milestones were described.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261521,"La Joya ISD names two assistant principals for ACE campuses at Evalina Garza and Juan Seguin Elementary",261,1537000,1798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43&start=1537&end=1798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43/thumbnail_1537000.jpg","/articles/6261521/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-names-two-assistant-principals-for-ACE-campuses-at-Evalina-Garza-and-Juan-Seguin-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261521-ec07e88a809eb54c51eb49516d13627a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137196&Signature=J1mQomNLHASr9Cjz9Hv~p0tJ4aR7TSlBw-KOLmq7R7bM4E99Yl15Idcgu95zwJitN7S9Hcq1yxv-zuGdBpjg5WT5oF56Oy5pvQcwrV7~Rz1HY5c~1h4rDxbsyKBBNpuD4qrrHQfrRgnqvkT0LjQ3TyZtERU6qUy4wDVYUpByDct6BC64H59LXPqdrtVcNmwE~w5faUA6k6TyTNs2s-V0PxUhDCWx4ROFWUP4lbEXBLLmasTDnnXukRX8HcIYoiYQQTbSWSp-MQYi9fcaW0sj46YUwWPJQmy4IYN4xPBiEkUzyg9X7AAKcCdTg6x6naEIYIH4yyp9DQLQA827hGVBkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","La Joya ISD announced two assistant principals for the district’s ACE campuses during the April 23 board meeting, naming Elizabeth Garza to Evalina Garza Elementary and Vanessa Rodriguez Brown to Juan Seguin Elementary.

Superintendent Dr. Sorensen and Dr. Little introduced the appointments, explaining that each ACE campus will have two assistant principals as part of the district’s ACE investment. Dr. Little said Elizabeth Garza has 19 years of experience in education, including 16 years with La Joya ISD and experience across pre-K through eighth grade. Garza said she was “deeply honored and humbled” and described returning to her home campus as a meaningful opportunity.

Vanessa Rodriguez Brown, who the district said has 21 years of experience and a background that includes elementary and high school assistant principal roles, science teaching and district UIL coordination, was introduced as the new assistant principal at Juan Seguin Elementary. Brown told the board she began teaching second grade in La Joya ISD in 2004 and described her return to Seguin as “coming home” with enthusiasm about working with students and families.

Dr. Sorensen said the district will continue to evaluate candidates to fill remaining assistant-principal positions and praised the selection process as rigorous and multi-stage, including performance tasks and panels. Board members congratulated both appointees.

Ending: The district said it will return to the board with the final set of assistant principals to complete the ACE administrative teams before the next school year.","The district announced Elizabeth Garza as assistant principal at Evalina Garza Elementary and Vanessa Rodriguez Brown as assistant principal at Juan Seguin Elementary as part of ACE campus staffing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6261526,"La Joya ISD warns of multimillion-dollar shortfall, outlines staffing reorganization and new coaching roles",1101,2193000,3294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43&start=2193&end=3294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120791-eb7316719b52f3a829932f07d8235c43/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6261526/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-warns-of-multimillion-dollar-shortfall-outlines-staffing-reorganization-and-new-coaching-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261526-0a57c4e4af8d4d3094d3799f510996ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137196&Signature=DWOyFlugbVP12rwN068ZJi1ru6IkysqPT1yb83HxlWY902Vdw5B1SyWKEBXhO34qt1taFbMM4XXLVXJEx4~cCB-pdTkKpKh6bHuNRcIbTokJbRgodLvqQq~3ClmTMjR1HEXX8aLycCECtw9yMyFGAEGDUkSSWw4zziGSR6KguLVJdcHATWT98O0CrTr6vcpSMx3fyPDI1dn0ekJL2XZQnD8XkGF~8BydbAku7JfWOLkuL~g1pHYSshMdfyi12ixvWKZ-TGx6TdPn2FsjaUPOSwbqTucdkUZgDsB0ZRUFZCirwEu3JnRKlr0K2Ab36TiOWj2tqR-ugcz2LsS8ZPEoqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 23 board meeting, La Joya ISD leaders presented a budget and staffing update that forecast a roughly $10.5 million gap tied to enrollment loss and recent state legislation and described a planned reallocation of staff roles toward instructional coaching, student supports and family engagement.

District finance director Mirzette Crespo and Superintendent Dr. Sorensen said campus enrollment is expected to fall and that state changes tied to this legislative session will not fully fund district needs. Crespo said the state’s reported $395-per-student boost would not cover operating expenses and explained the distribution the district has been given: about $237 per pupil in unrestricted funds for maintenance and operations and $118 per pupil (40 percent of the increase) specifically earmarked for employee pay, with roughly 75 percent of that pay money required to be spent on classroom teacher salaries and 25 percent on other staff.

The officials said that distribution constrains what the district can use for general operating costs and warned that estimated revenue shifts, combined with projected enrollment declines, would leave the district with a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall unless it tightens and prioritizes spending. Crespo presented a district-level scenario that estimated an approximately $10.5 million net revenue impact when accounting for anticipated enrollment declines and tax-collection changes tied to recent legislation.

School leaders outlined changes the district plans to make in staffing and central supports to refocus limited resources on measurable student outcomes. Dr. Sorensen and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Little described a set of newly designed position types the district intends to recruit or re-create for next school year:

- Early literacy instructional coaches (five coaches, each with teacher caseloads) and refocused reading specialists aimed at the district’s lowest-performing campuses;
- Dual language/ESL instructional coaches replacing Title 3 facilitator roles to support emergent bilingual students and teachers in dual-language classrooms;
- College, career and military readiness (CCMR) coaches to case-manage students across grades 9–12 and one coach dedicated to middle-school college-going culture;
- Expanded behavioral and mental-health specialists (increasing from three to five) assigned by network/grade level to emphasize prevention as well as crisis response;
- Parent, family and community liaisons (re-envisioned parent educator roles) to build outreach and two-way communication with families across neighborhoods;
- Attendance student-support specialists at each comprehensive high school plus three district attendance-improvement specialists to work by network; and
- Elevation of family/community engagement to a director-level post and creation of an executive director of athletics to coordinate athletics across campuses and connect athletics with academics.

Dr. Little said the district will dissolve some existing job classifications and post new job descriptions; current incumbents may apply but all candidates will go through a formal selection process. Dr. Little also said some postings depend on board votes scheduled later in the meeting and that certain positions would be posted “shortly after tonight or later this week, pending your vote.”

Board members asked whether the district would prioritize existing staff for new roles; Dr. Little said the district will run a competitive selection process and that some current staff are aware of the changes and have been part of consultations. Crespo emphasized the district plans to pursue pay increases regardless of how the legislature’s allotments land, but said the available state-directed dollars will be insufficient to meet all local compensation and operating-cost needs.

The presentation included enrollment context: presenters said the district grew from roughly 9,000 students to more than 23,000 during the boom years described in the centennial presentation and that La Joya ISD now faces an expected loss of roughly 10,000 students in coming years (the district said it will study causes, including national birth-rate declines and other factors). The budget team said it will continue to revise scenarios as the legislature finalizes bills and that the proposed staffing reorganization is intended to align personnel with district priorities and measures of academic return on investment.

The district said it will bring finalized budget recommendations to the board for adoption in June and that tax-rate adoption remains scheduled for the September calendar action. Multiple board members and district leaders framed the changes as intentional shifts to support higher-impact classroom coaching and to strengthen supports for attendance, behavior, English‑learner instruction and CCMR outcomes.

Ending: District leaders stressed that the reorganization is meant to be strategic and data-driven, and they said additional details — including job descriptions, posting schedules and funding sources for instructional materials and training — will be published as part of the summer budget preparation and recruitment sequence.","Superintendent and finance staff told the board they expect roughly $10.5 million in revenue impact tied to recent legislation and projected enrollment loss; district proposes new instructional coaches, behavioral and attendance specialists, and family liaisons and says pay raises will be pursued despite limited state funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent items, construction and personnel actions; several nonrenewals and one termination authorized

Centennial historians trace La Joya ISD growth from 1986 to early 2000s; bonds, arts and athletics highlighted

La Joya ISD names two assistant principals for ACE campuses at Evalina Garza and Juan Seguin Elementary

La Joya ISD warns of multimillion-dollar shortfall, outlines staffing reorganization and new coaching roles