Sharyland ISD board approves Purple Star campus designation to support military‑connected students

The SHARYLAND ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to identify a Purple Star campus designation and to take steps to expand support for military‑connected students districtwide.

Assistant principal Andres Benitez told trustees the initiative will add peer support programs, academic support and a campus point of contact for military families. “Military families are highly mobile and so, therefore, they experience transitions of schools, transitions of curricula, social environments,” Benitez said, arguing the district should provide targeted supports to help those students thrive.

Board discussion highlighted practical next steps. Trustee Doctor Noe Alaveda described a follow‑up phase to certify counselors to help eligible students access Chapter 35 military benefits and said the district will seek counselor certification so beneficiaries can access education benefits, possibly as early as during junior year for some programs. The board applauded that much of the work is already underway on Pioneer High School and said the resolution formalizes a district effort to expand supports to other campuses.

After discussion the board approved the resolution 7‑0. Trustees said the Purple Star designation will require modest procedural steps — staff training, a campus point of contact and student‑led peer efforts — and that the district will pursue certification steps to allow students to access Chapter 35 benefits when appropriate.

Action taken: motion to approve resolution to identify Purple Star campus designation; motion carried 7‑0.