Texas Border Business
LA JOYA, Texas – The La Joya ISD Board has approved a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen through 2031, reaffirming its confidence in her leadership and providing continued stability as the District builds upon the significant progress made since 2024.
Since joining La Joya ISD in February 2024, Dr. Sorensen has led the District through a period of transformation focused on improving student outcomes, strengthening financial stability, investing in employees, improving District operations, rebuilding community trust, and establishing a clear long-term direction for La Joya ISD.
In just over two years, that work has resulted in measurable progress across the District.
Most recently, La Joya ISD improved from a C to a B in the 2026 Texas Education Agency Accountability Ratings. Twenty campuses increased their accountability scores, 15 campuses improved by at least one letter grade, and students improved in 16 of 20 STAAR and End-of-Course subject areas.
The percentage of La Joya ISD students attending an A- or B-rated campus also increased from 47 percent to 63 percent, a 16-percentage-point improvement and significant progress toward the District’s North Star Goal of having 90 percent of students attending A- or B-rated campuses by 2029.
Among the District’s most notable campus turnarounds, Juan N. Seguin Elementary improved from an F to a B, while Evangelina Garza Elementary improved from an F to a C. The gains reflect the District’s continued focus on providing campuses with targeted support, strong leadership, high-quality instruction, and the resources necessary to accelerate student achievement.
Academic progress has been accompanied by a renewed focus on recognizing and retaining high-quality educators. In 2026, 371 La Joya ISD teachers earned designations through the Teacher Incentive Allotment, generating approximately $4.69 million in funding for the current year and an estimated $23.45 million over five years to reward effective teaching and strengthen the District’s ability to retain talented educators.
La Joya ISD has also made substantial progress toward long-term financial stability. The District earned an A, Superior Achievement, under the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) and recently received an upgrade in its financial outlook from negative to stable, reflecting reduced costs, greater fiscal responsibility, and strengthened financial management.
For the 2026-2027 school year, La Joya ISD adopted a balanced budget for the second consecutive year, providing a 3 percent general pay increase for all employees, increasing the starting salary for teachers, nurses, and librarians to $58,300, and making investing in student achievement efforts the priority. These investments built upon a 4 percent employee pay increase provided the previous year while the District continued working to protect its financial future and build stronger foundations for the financial landscape that many Texas school districts are facing around declining enrollment and reduced revenue.
The District has simultaneously made significant investments in the systems and resources that directly support students. Strategic investments have included high-quality instructional materials, academic acceleration, student supports, leadership development, technology, transportation modernization, campus facilities, and safety and security improvements.
Under Dr. Sorensen’s leadership, La Joya ISD also developed and launched Achieving Excellence Together 2030, a comprehensive strategic plan created with extensive community participation. More than 5,500 participants engaged in the planning process through more than 49 engagement opportunities, including town halls, advisory groups, surveys, and community conversations.
That community input established five District priorities: Excellence in Leadership, Empowered Graduates, Thriving Students, Community Trust, Unity & Partnership, and Operational Excellence & Financial Stability. Together, they provide a roadmap for the District’s work through 2030 and ensure progress is measured against clearly defined goals.
Operationally, La Joya ISD has undertaken major efforts to strengthen transportation, facilities, technology, and District systems. Transportation reforms have included route optimization, updated mapping and technology, enhanced driver training, preventive maintenance improvements, and new parent tools designed to provide families with better access to transportation information.
The District has also continued investing in its facilities and student experiences, including new technology, athletic and fine arts improvements, upgraded scoreboards and facilities, and other projects designed to ensure La Joya ISD students have access to high-quality learning environments and opportunities.
Safety has remained another major area of investment. Through grant-funded initiatives, the District has invested millions of dollars in safety and security enhancements, equipment, training, emergency preparedness, and resources for campuses and the La Joya ISD Police Department, strengthening the District’s ability to protect students and employees without relying solely on local funding.
Together, these accomplishments represent a District working toward sustainable improvement, not through a single initiative, but through a comprehensive approach that connects academics, people, finances, operations, safety, facilities, and community partnership.
“Dr. Sorensen has brought a clear sense of purpose, accountability, and direction to La Joya ISD,” said Board President Julian Alvarez III. “The progress we are seeing across academics, finances, operations, and our campuses reflects the work of our students, employees, leadership team, and community. Extending Dr. Sorensen’s contract through 2031 provides the leadership continuity necessary to build upon that progress and continue moving La Joya ISD forward.”
Dr. Sorensen expressed her appreciation to the Board and reaffirmed her commitment to the students, employees, families, and communities of La Joya ISD.
“I am beyond humbled by the trust and belief the Board has placed in me and our leadership team,” said Dr. Marcey Sorensen, Superintendent of Schools. “It is an honor to serve a District that allows me to lead unapologetically on behalf of the students and families who deserve nothing but the best from each of us. We have accomplished so much together since 2024, and there is still much work to do. I cannot wait for what’s ahead in La Joya Independent School District and this beautiful community I have the privilege to serve.”
The contract extension through 2031 represents both confidence in the progress achieved and a commitment to maintaining the leadership continuity necessary to carry the work forward. As La Joya ISD continues implementing Achieving Excellence Together 2030, the focus remains on accelerating student achievement, strengthening campuses, supporting employees, maintaining financial stability, improving District systems, and delivering on the commitments made to the community.
For La Joya ISD, the work continues with one shared purpose: ensuring Educational Excellence is the Right of Every Student.
