Texas Border Business –
The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees has been selected the Texas Outstanding School Board of the Year for 2013 at the 53rd annual TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas. The Texas Association of School Administrators annual School Board Awards Program recognizes outstanding Texas school boards for their commitment to their students and their communities.
The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees consists of Juan “Sonny” Palacios, President; Dr. Martin Castillo, Vice-President; Jaime R. Solis, Board Secretary; Jaime R. Chavana, Member; Carmen Gonzalez, Member; Robert Pena, Jr., Member; and David Torres, Member.
Edinburg CISD’s board was named in July as Region One’s “2013 Regional School Board of the Year.” Then in August, the Board was selected as one of five Texas Honor School Board finalists being considered for the prestigious Texas Outstanding School Board of the Year for 2013. Each finalist was interviewed by a committee of Texas school superintendents, chaired by the superintendent of last year’s Outstanding School Board winner, James Ponce of McAllen ISD.
The selection committee’s decision is based on several criteria, including the board’s support for educational performance, support for educational improvement projects, commitment to a code of ethics, and maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among board members.
“The Edinburg school board exhibits an unwavering commitment to its students, setting high expectations while providing the tools, technology, support and safety they need to be empowered to succeed,” said Ponce. “This board establishes programs and policies to benefit all students–from International Baccalaureate to dropout recovery to student safety programs, making Edinburg truly an honor board for all of Texas to emulate.”
Dr. René Gutiérrez, Edinburg CISD Superintendent of Schools, said: “The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees is a dedicated and highly-effective group of individuals whose leadership has created an outstanding education system in Edinburg. They know and understand the importance that a well-rounded education makes in preparing youth to be the next generation of leaders,” said Dr. René Gutiérrez, Superintendent of Schools.
Edinburg CISD’s Board oversees the education of 34,000 students in 43 schools with a staff of over 4,500 employees, of which approximately 2,500 are teachers.
The Board led the District into the 2013-2014 school year with a new school Vision and Mission intent on preparing our students to be college and career ready. Edinburg CISD’s Vision is: “Empowering Our Students to be 21st Century Leaders.” The Mission is: “To Accomplish Educational Excellence through Creativity and Innovation.”
Edinburg CISD has been educating students for over a century. It has a rich and important history that has made the 945-square mile district a pacesetter in education for the Rio Grande Valley. When Edinburg CISD turned 100-years-old on May 9, 2009, its celebration theme was “A Legacy of Learning: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
