San Isidro ISD board approves 4‑H as an extracurricular activity after public appeal

The San Isidro ISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 12 adopted a resolution designating the 4‑H organization as an extracurricular activity, a change trustees said clarifies program status and student eligibility for excused absences. The motion to adopt was made by Trustee Ricardo Vela and seconded by Albino Alaniz Jr.; the measure passed 6‑1, with Trustee Aisha Cruz‑Reyes voting nay.

Public comment immediately before the vote had urged the board to reverse an earlier October decision. Claudia Alvarez, speaking during public comments, told trustees the change would benefit students through "no cost to the district" and allow excused absences; Tres Alvarez described his own experience participating in 4‑H and asked the board to reconsider. Superintendent Elsa V. Morris and a 4‑H representative answered trustees' questions during the discussion about liability, program distinctions and district coverage. The superintendent recommended approval of the resolution.

Trustees discussed program distinctions and liability coverage before voting; trustees asked for clarifications about how the extracurricular designation would align with existing district programs. The board president, David Garza, and other trustees framed the vote as a resolution to formalize the activity's status rather than as a budgetary change. The board did not attach a fiscal amendment to the resolution during the meeting.