[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6191755,"mediaKeyId","4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311","parentId",4430861,"title","La Joya ISD reports mixed MAP math growth, highlights attendance and instruction as priorities","audioSeconds",1034,"startMs",8961000,"endMs",9995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311&start=8961&end=9995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311/thumbnail_8961000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191755/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-reports-mixed-MAP-math-growth-highlights-attendance-and-instruction-as-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191755-30858284d012e9c869f2cfffb08e0650/orig.mp4?Expires=1772779677&Signature=Fk8U~u4lxeAVRFUHhv0lVBdbncGzYEuRo4aaIKy6tzFKRWB2cs4no2BA2UCyNeqIVxrlU2VhDHtuiydqEmkSxRQYaLTlPxMWyCeqN8M4tlBv-Hf0UkdxqXhd6L9PR~TUnaGP3pJT6eF33Mw8by7pVQDdrn0SfOKCx~dmb1qL9Ax3vy-h3vAnuDLg8x05B0eKN1fdr5qwSL5sZbviNh-uEcmZKp1-eNO5rDDb4~Lg6h2S-m1HZakCF061yKKmW1nDWvPZJwaWejxLgqNNUULZ~mecLZ1F~pmrp82GX-X7CphcaiFj8wvDQm4RmOacVvIe-wBxUiEZV7sU6eT9wi6fOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","La Joya ISD","date","2025-06-20T12:54:49.28Z","article","La Joya Independent School District officials reported mixed results for end-of-year MAP math assessments and outlined next steps to improve student outcomes, stressing adult behavior change, attendance and tighter instructional systems.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Derek Little presented MAP math data across elementary, middle and high school grades. He said the district saw stronger growth in math than it did in literacy this year, buoyed in part by new K'8 math curriculum, but that overall results remain insufficient to meet long-term achievement goals. \"We are not providing educational excellence for every student in La Joya ISD,\" Little said.

Presenters highlighted several contributing factors: the district has high chronic absenteeism in some schools and student groups, which reduces instructional time; middle school outcomes were particularly uneven; and curriculum implementation and the day-to-day application of new materials had not yet produced desired achievement gains. Little said the district restructured middle-school schedules to add 45 minutes per day for targeted support without reducing other classes.

Superintendent Marcy Sorensen repeatedly framed the work around the district's guiding principle: \"student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change.\" She said the district will shift central-office attention to relentless focus on student outcomes in 2025'26 and will move from annual district priorities to a five-year strategic plan that launches in August.

Board members asked about causes for lower Algebra I results; Little and Sorensen said chronic absenteeism was a key factor and that additional curriculum and stronger supports are planned for high school math next year. Sorensen said the district would be more prescriptive about how supplemental \"win time\" and other intervention minutes are used so that instruction addresses the documented skill gaps.

Ending: District leaders said they will continue targeted professional learning, implement a new MTSS framework and bring a redesigned campus support model to the board in July; a five-year strategic plan will be unveiled in August with public reporting on metrics three times a year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","La Joya ISD Board Meeting 06-18-2025 Live!","oneSentenceSummary","District academic leaders presented MAP math growth and goal-progress measures, showing pockets of growth at lower grades but uneven results overall; administrators said attendance, curriculum implementation and instructional practice must improve and announced a transition from district priorities to a five-year strategic plan.","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},6191760,"La Joya ISD announces multiple campus and central-office leadership appointments",2131,3382000,5513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311&start=3382&end=5513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311/thumbnail_3382000.jpg","/articles/6191760/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-announces-multiple-campus-and-central-office-leadership-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191760-512143f39927385cc8207a8dbeb8fc4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772779677&Signature=X9Zt5uRV2Jr9s1Tj6VKWwLkIaHCHe4GL6N6ag8M~dvjUab5T6N13K3EB0hL7wSpvSXvP2CDL7Ce20HyZAW1y9ZjhgvllGbx89xIe4~ck2Eq4mbqPOzHjnzrJkk~~2Opr-ujN~ljTWup5kEvtTuiFaYvLnZrwIJvtAuEjLBWg65~3PcUlKU0KZHRHEy~7igBdK7rHkUju8ns~iAZvJrJgbMNLv2TKU71gS6wKXECNMc9FmPPXf1UNz05MG6SmxRxIvJ~tP~Auv0FixT6VbDvf5ncR7wpGBXphejA2IyvoL5GGjcYJa3xcDDqBsgil5JULXBaxXkbc6-dGIKn2-NvCoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","La Joya Independent School District announced a slate of campus leadership appointments for the coming school year during Wednesday's board meeting.

Chief Academic Officer Derek Little and Superintendent Marcy Sorensen invited new principals and central-office leaders to the dais and introduced more than a dozen appointments covering elementary, middle and high schools.

Among the named principals and roles: Dr. Dolores Araujo as principal at Flores Elementary; Julissa Garza as principal at Benson Elementary; Irene Fernandez at Leo Elementary; Irma Ramirez at Sam Fordyce Elementary; Maria Flores Guerra at Mendiola Elementary; Wilma Bradley at Tabasco Elementary; Mary Zapolita at Anne Richards Middle School; Sylvia Trevino Sandoval at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School; Eduardo Flores and Lianne Alaniz Herrera named to high school leadership roles, including Palm View High School leadership.

Administrators also announced central-office placements: an executive director of student, family and community engagement and support (Analazano, last name as given in the presentation) and confirmation of Martha Castillo as the permanent special education leader after serving as interim.

Superintendent Sorensen emphasized that many appointees are promoted internally and that the selections came after a rigorous process involving multiple interview panels and one-on-one interviews. \"Each one of them had to go through a very rigorous process to get to this place and space,\" she said. The superintendent praised the district's leadership pipeline and said several new principals were internal hires.

Ending: District leaders said the announcements reflect efforts to grow leadership from within the district and that the new principals will begin duties in the 2025'26 school year.","Superintendent Marcy Sorensen and Chief Academic Officer Derek Little announced a series of principals and central-office leadership placements for the 2025'26 school year, naming new principals at several elementary, middle and high schools and confirming two central-office appointments.",{"_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},6191765,"La Joya ISD unveils Principal Excellence Initiative to tie principal pay to student outcomes",133,7483000,7616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311&start=7483&end=7616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311/thumbnail_7483000.jpg","/articles/6191765/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-unveils-Principal-Excellence-Initiative-to-tie-principal-pay-to-student-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191765-23f01b981b923dd0448013990f3440cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1772779677&Signature=czTYSUNA9KtSFv7hUQ4thac7MnLUJzeP1p8VyqeS4W~Pk9ndS0iAOoreA869rH-7N3IfosdAWXW4f0MOrY9OBRnX~95rhPD5qZBj0RKQcwjGsRbPMu4~DzLCTPet0rOUB8W3eP2bZVjav1Z2rLvEvVu6N6Rw~NriEpaxF9zkTAI7vA9Pj1ZcLXcoJ3uTf4YcffevLAO3tdIJ9veD2mg-SI49ZNXT5FDMf9bGpw5qWxejpT5g0qyx9tXLLT1mdDKGDb1RCYZwwxH6GTXxnRjwBa~aKacJmjqS1NCRlwtSpxHXnigqOND5vFxc0lZA1t1y~m8Qru0P0hf5D~lON263lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","La Joya Independent School District leaders on Wednesday previewed a Principal Excellence Initiative that would link principal compensation to student outcomes, evaluations and campus operational measures.

Jamie Miller and Dr. Derek Little described the draft model during a presentation the district characterized as an early-stage roadmap. \"There are not many districts in Texas that are doing this,\" Miller said, adding the program is intended to reward campus leaders who produce stronger student results.

Dr. Little presented prototype charts showing current principal pay and campus outcomes and argued the plan would reduce pay disparities that pay the same salary to principals with very different outcomes. He said a draft compensation schedule could allow high-performing elementary principals to earn total compensation comparable to or higher than lower-performing secondary principals.

The presentation proposed a composite evaluation that would weight student outcomes (proposed at 40 percent in the draft), principal evaluation rubric measures (about 25 percent), an instructional framework score and operational effectiveness measures. \"We are not adding to their plates. We are helping them to organize and prioritize what's already on their plates,\" Miller said.

Administrators emphasized the plan is a draft and will be refined with principal feedback: the district will use 2025'26 as a data-collection year, continue soliciting principal input and finalize measures and weights before full implementation. Dr. Little said the initiative aims to make compensation \"impact-based\" and keep strong leaders in campus assignments that most need them.

Board members discussed concerns about program design and equity; one member asked how campus designations (for example, fine arts or bilingual schools) would be treated under the new rubric. Dr. Sorensen said the district will review designations as part of the strategic planning process and determine whether program labels reflect real differences in school programming.

Ending: District staff said they will keep refining the Principal Excellence Initiative with principal input, finalize the metric definitions over the summer and treat 2025'26 as a data-collection and pilot year before broader implementation.","The district presented a draft Principal Excellence Initiative that would align principal compensation with measures of student outcomes, leadership effectiveness, instructional leadership and operational metrics; staff said the program is in draft form and will include a data-collection year in 2025'26.",{"_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},6191769,"La Joya ISD board approves 2025'26 compensation plan including district-wide 4% raise; special education stipend reinstated",2257,5419000,7676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311&start=5419&end=7676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311/thumbnail_5419000.jpg","/articles/6191769/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-board-approves-202526-compensation-plan-including-district-wide-4-raise-special-education-stipend-reinstated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191769-035f19cc8aaeb64ad5c6938cfbd6b8d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1772779677&Signature=F9FkuyqZOMdC0Ewjzn9hj83D051cAHSELBEJ1B70QXCd-8MeIvrnPr0ejp1LcheLV--CI0sTsPSzI0Xy8TINCkg8SwYYzf8z0ZrevNZnWqwrxhPh586LwuUaHI-5~9A3FpXMt-WoSPvWg2QyIDL3GTxmZwOl611Jg~iwP0se-Ttl8vA0YLkSiu9RCldIpCAwsaD8H9tufA1w3rbTqoF4JPcQ0fFhGLMJdj2xjxgmtplMsG3r8JycvFYR89jwmeNMQJ-NNOJ607~9gM6MyIevIUAFIFyLU52WvP-rTHyS4wVrA9yHgIkm2p5tZwDJsNNYlD6yqNQ3B2PwCFO-qYrlCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a 2025'26 compensation plan that district staff and employee representatives described as a step toward greater pay competitiveness.

Jamie Miller, chief of human capital and talent development, presented the compensation plan and said the district used market analysis, internal assessments and staffing principles to craft pay changes. \"The staffing and compensation decisions are always driven by student outcomes, role impact and clarity, and operational efficiency,\" Miller said.

Miller told the board the plan includes stipend adjustments and expansion of stipends for special education and fine arts and seeks to improve retention and recruitment. She said a district job fair on June 10 produced more than 281 applicants, with 152 applying on site and 74 recommendations. \"We're asking tonight that you vote to approve the 2025'26 La Joya ISD compensation plan,\" she said.

During public comment, representatives of athletics and employee organizations spoke in support. Coach Katie Garza thanked the board for approving increases in coaching stipends and said the change \"is a meaningful step forward\" for coaching staff. Pamela Flores and a group of coaches praised the district's decision to place female athletic coordinators at each comprehensive high school as part of broader staffing changes.

Brenda Salinas, president of the district's union, said the budget includes \"a well deserved notable 4% raise for all La Joya employees\" and expressed the union's intent to continue partnering with district leadership on working conditions and compensation.

Crespo earlier presented cost estimates tied to the proposed raises: one component tied to legislative guidance to be implemented Sept. 1 and a district-funded 4% raise estimated at about $6,600,000. Crespo noted portions of the raise depend on state implementation guidance tied to legislation and that final calculations will be completed by Sept. 1.

The board approved the compensation plan as part of the consent agenda; the motion to adopt the 2025'26 compensation plan passed by voice vote. Administrators said further guidance on HB2 and final calculations would be reported back to the board before implementation.

Ending: Trustees approved the compensation plan and a district-funded 4% increase pending final calculations and state guidance; staff will return with implementation details and required timelines.","Trustees approved a compensation package for 2025'26 that includes an estimated 4% general raise for employees and reinstatement/expansion of stipends for special education and fine arts; presenters said some details depend on state guidance and implementation timelines.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191774,"La Joya ISD board adopts proposed 2025–26 budget; tax rate to be set after certified property values",6088,1567000,7655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311&start=1567&end=7655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4430861-6a0867ba7e4d2c7c4d53c746c4d58311/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","/articles/6191774/Texas/La-Joya-ISD-board-adopts-proposed-202526-budget-tax-rate-to-be-set-after-certified-property-values","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191774-a7088b31309150d209b390d6dff20dbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1772779677&Signature=n0cKTbg51scGI~fJ7Gf0ACCq1RJjT02iAxBm1zQEgVPo72gy9x5I2cxVs6E1E3ZtNH6y2Oy0Z9mwCM0S5fQgsGpeVecxx-xQyAJy8zzQjE57H7fEtp~qma-AF3PQOUXPdEQUaGLDKj2Da0EAeOdFVL8Cxg7MdfVLf9gSH-5w3KGevjik7hSgli6atWyk~vAK~Krlhf6~Wh08gKReVzTSarHMe9HfgQrRyigk5z3gWMXDgjndEOlwzQI0ezpd2jrM0F3zF8js-MtE0c66glvMDSKPdITaugPTx4Ukn4ddfmK4WySpbDkJcRORF-35fAaSL~572wsvgKZ8PWYr7Xatsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved the district's proposed 2025'26 budgets for the general fund, child nutrition fund and debt service fund and laid out next steps for finalizing the 2025 tax rate.Guests at the meeting included board President Alvarez and Superintendent Marcy Sorensen.

Ms. Crespo presented the budget hearing, telling the board the district must prepare and approve a budget by June 30 for the July 1 fiscal year start. \"The budget must include estimated revenue and proposed expenditures for the following year for the general fund, debt service fund, and the child nutrition services fund,\" she said.

The presentation said the district expects $256,433,395 in total revenue for 2025'26 and listed estimated expenditures and fund balances for the three funds. The Child Nutrition Services Fund was shown with estimated revenue of about $21,805,316 and estimated expenses of about $19,000,952, and the debt service fund revenue was listed at $17,544,179 with estimated appropriations of about $15,350,000 and an estimated fund balance of roughly $6,694,179.

Crespo described key budget drivers: projected enrollment of 22,000 students with 19,558 in average daily attendance and a projected decline of 689 students next year. She said the draft assumes an ADA of 93.6% and anticipates an 8.7% decrease in property tax collections tied in part to an expected increase in the homestead exemption. Crespo also warned that House Bill 2 remains under analysis and could affect revenue calculations.

Board members then approved the proposed 2025'26 budgets as part of the consent agenda. The board took the budget action by motion; the vote was recorded as a voice vote in which members responded \"aye\" and the motion carried. The board noted that one member, Dr. Carlos Margo, had stepped out and did not participate in later votes.

Crespo told the board certified local appraisal values from the county appraisal district in July will determine the final tax rate and that the board will present a recommended tax rate for adoption in September after the certified values are received. \"We will adopt that new tax rate for 2025'26 in September and we will have a resolution and another board approval,\" she said.

The board's action tonight adopted the required appropriations documents and authorized staff to continue monitoring ADA, certified values and legislative guidance before publishing and adopting the final tax rate in September.

Looking forward, Crespo and staff said they will return to the board with a final proposed tax rate after the July certification of property values and any further guidance on HB2 implementation.

Ending: The board approved the proposed 2025'26 budget package and directed administrators to return with a final tax rate recommendation in September after county-certified values and any legislative clarifications were available.","The La Joya Independent School District board approved the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budgets for the general, child nutrition and debt service funds and directed staff to return with a recommended tax rate after county appraisal values are certified in July.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

La Joya ISD reports mixed MAP math growth, highlights attendance and instruction as priorities

La Joya ISD announces multiple campus and central-office leadership appointments

La Joya ISD unveils Principal Excellence Initiative to tie principal pay to student outcomes

La Joya ISD board approves 2025'26 compensation plan including district-wide 4% raise; special education stipend reinstated

La Joya ISD board adopts proposed 2025–26 budget; tax rate to be set after certified property values