LJISD Board Meeting 10-14-2026 LIVE!

Meeting Summary

Opening and Recognitions

The meeting began at 6:03 p.m. There was no public comment. Board members welcomed a quorum and noted that Dr. Hernandez was absent following the birth of her daughter.

The board recognized newly placed campus principals: Diana Ramirez Regalado at Cesar Chavez Middle School, Adalia Cornejo at Clinton Elementary, Altera Gracia Ramirez at Mindola Elementary, and Arlon Garza, founding principal of a new middle school career academy planned to open next year.

Other recognitions honored principals districtwide, dyslexia staff, custodians, coaches, human-resources staff, child nutrition and transportation teams, and occupational therapists.

State of the District: Academic Progress

District leaders described progress toward the strategic plan and its goal of having at least 90% of students in A- or B-rated campuses. The district’s accountability rating improved to a B-, and the share of campuses rated A or B rose to 63%, up from 47% two years earlier. Sixteen of 20 tested STAR areas improved year over year. District reading results rose two points, and math results rose three.

Leaders also reported gains in special-education outcomes and high-school measures, including college and career readiness. Reading remains a concern, particularly in elementary grades. Middle-school math—especially seventh grade—and results for emergent bilingual students also need focused attention.

The district’s goal for this school year is to raise its overall accountability score from 80 to 85 and have no D- or F-rated campuses.

Instructional Measures and Response

Beginning-of-year MAP and reading-fluency results showed first grade starting above its end-of-year targets, while several other measures were off track or slightly off track. Leaders highlighted foundational reading fluency, second-grade reading and math, and sixth-grade reading as priorities.

Planned support includes stronger Tier 1 instruction, targeted teacher coaching, intervention planning, and closer analysis of student progress. In response to questions, leaders said they would further examine summer-program effectiveness and family engagement around participation. They emphasized that tutoring cannot substitute for effective classroom instruction.

Strategic Plan and Student Supports

The district is in year two of a five-year strategic plan. About 31% of its actions were reported complete, with more underway. Leaders said the district was making progress on special-education improvements and its state-intervention exit criteria.

A districtwide culture-and-climate survey received nearly 14,000 responses. Families generally reported positive experiences, while secondary-school communication and support were identified as areas for improvement. The survey is to be repeated in spring.

Enrollment, Facilities, and Finances

Enrollment fell 5.8% in 2025–26 and has declined about 27% over the past decade. A demographic study projects a further decline of roughly 21% by 2035, to about 16,430 students. Leaders said the trend reflects both a shrinking regional student population and competition for enrollment.

District facilities were operating at about 58% of functional capacity. An assessment covering 48 sites found an average condition score of 85.6, though leaders stressed that the average masks campuses in poor condition. They estimated approximately $160 million in immediate repair needs. Projected needs over the coming decade could bring the total to about $580 million, excluding modernization.

Finance staff reported that the district had balanced two consecutive budgets and that school actions produced about $10.3 million in savings. The district provided a 3% raise this year and continued investing in strategic priorities. Ongoing pressures include enrollment-related revenue declines, rising operating costs, and health-care claims—including $21.1 million in unfunded claims over three years.

Leaders said long-term sustainability will require enrollment-based forecasting, health-plan analysis, improved financial systems and accountability, and planning for facility use.

Governance and State Oversight

The board reviewed its September time-use reports and reported spending more than 50% of meeting time on student outcomes. The conservator said the board’s governance-integrity score had risen from a baseline of 20 to 64, against a target of 80 by May 2029.

The district was described as on track toward its state-intervention exit criteria, with continued work needed to ensure financial procedures are consistently implemented. The board also confirmed that all members had completed required training.

Actions and Adjournment

The board approved the consent agenda. Carlos Marggo recused himself from the item concerning donated welding equipment from South Texas College.

Following closed session, the board:

• Approved a school-property disposal policy update.
• Authorized action related to contract terminations and abandonment.
• Approved the voidance of a probationary contract for non-certification.

Agenda item 10.3 was not taken up. The meeting adjourned at 11:17 p.m.

Presenters and Contributors

• Board President Alvarez — Chaired the meeting
• Dr. Sorenson — Superintendent and district commentary
• Dr. Little — State-of-the-district and academic updates
• Meredette Crespo — Human-resources recognition and enrollment, facilities, and finance presentation
• Dr. Ibarra — Conservator’s report
• Mr. Adair — National Principals Month recognition
• Mr. Matamoros — Custodial, child-nutrition, and transportation recognitions
• Mr. Peña — Coaches recognition
• Anamarie Gandelario — Dyslexia and occupational-therapy recognitions
• Mr. Gomez — Board time-use tracker report
• Board members — Discussion and questions, including Alyssa Peña, Carlos Marggo, and Jessica Lura