Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – Leaders from The South Texas Independent School District (STISD) were joined by STISD board members, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members at a press conference and presentation held today, February 28, 2023, to dispel misinformation behind efforts to defund the District.
With the recent circulation of misinformation around the district, STISD finds itself fending off the potential introduction of legislation that would call for the removal of its taxing authority, essentially defunding a primary source of revenue for the district, and thereby eliminating the district altogether.
The press conference and presentation was an opportunity for STISD representatives to present factual information that clarified some of the issues that several public school districts have claimed in resolutions that have been passed by their respective school boards, calling for potential changes to legislation that would affect STISD’s taxing authority, which has been in place for nearly sixty years. Led by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., the informative presentation discussed STISD’s purpose, history, evolution and funding. Lara presented an overview of STISD’s history, services, and accomplishments over the course of its existence.
Historically, STISD has been serving families in the tri-county area (Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties) of the Rio Grande Valley, providing students with a high-quality, free public education option with endless opportunities. Since its inception in 1964, the district has continued its original legislative purpose to serve students with special needs, and with changes to legislation, it evolved to serving as the state’s first magnet school system, graduating thousands of students who have gone on to successful professional careers and professions.
Lara also addressed misinformation that has led to the call for changes to its taxing authority.
He addressed some claims that critics have made, dispelling inaccuracies with factual information, including the following:
• STISD has evolved with the times and continues to serve its legislative purpose.
• STISD’s minimal tax of less than $0.05 (a nickel) allows for the operation of STISD to serve students from all three counties, should they choose to enroll.
• STISD is not the district with the highest revenue per student, once all sources of revenue are included.
• STISD is an open-enrollment district.
See documents Below for more information:
Ultimately, Lara asserted that there exists a substantial public purpose to keep South Texas ISD functioning as a valuable public school choice available for all students in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties who choose to obtain a high-quality, FREE, public education from one of the highest-performing school districts in the nation.
“South Texas ISD will continue to advocate for our students and the valuable opportunity that STISD’s schools and programs provide as a public school option,” remarked Lara. “We will continue to educate and inform the public of our unique mission and opportunities, and we are confident that STISD will continue as an alternative educational choice and experience for students in South Texas,” he ended.
