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