PSJA credits liaisons and volunteers as annual dropout‑recovery walk reduces missing students to single digits

Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD trustees on Oct. 27 recognized district liaisons and volunteers for their work during the 18th annual dropout recovery walk, crediting the effort with reducing the number of missing or unenrolled students to a preliminary count of 12.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Noyola said the walk — held on multiple Saturdays in September — drew hundreds of volunteers. She described teams of liaisons, teachers and central‑office staff conducting door‑to‑door outreach, documenting leads and helping students re‑enroll. “On our first Saturday we had over 425 participants,” she said. The district later reported additional Saturday participation and follow‑up by liaisons throughout the school year.

Noyola said of the 12 preliminary missing students, three were migrant cases the state allows to enroll later; removing those would reduce the count to nine, which she called a historic single‑digit total for PSJA. Trustees, several of whom participated in the walks, praised the liaisons’ effort; one trustee reported hearing a former dropout speak at a recognition event to thank the team for locating her and helping her return to school.

Trustees and staff emphasized that liaison work continues beyond the event week, with daily follow‑up to resolve address changes and enrollment issues. Dr. Noyola and other staff said the effort includes coordination with parents and campus staff.

The recognition was presented as part of the student services agenda; no formal board action was required.