SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 298
WHEREAS, Many proud representatives from the La Joya
Independent School District are gathering in Austin on February
27, 2017, in celebration of La Joya Independent School District
Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, A rapidly growing district, La Joya Independent
School District includes 23 elementary schools, eight middle
schools, and six high schools, as well as the College and Career
Center, the Academy of Health Science Professions-STEM, and two
other academies; the administration has worked tirelessly to
encourage more young people to pursue higher education, and to
date, students in dual-enrollment courses have received more
than 44,000 hours of college credit; in addition, students in
career and technology programs have earned over 2,000
certificates; and
WHEREAS, More than 94 percent of students graduate with a
recommended or distinguished achievement diploma, and the
four-year dropout rate is less than three percent; in the most
recent year, the district received the "Met Standard" rating from
the Texas Education Agency; it offers a well-rounded curriculum,
and students have excelled in such areas as band competitions and
the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair; and
WHEREAS, The district benefits greatly from the vision and
expertise of superintendent Dr. Alda Benavides, who was named
2015 Superintendent of the Year for Region 1 by the Texas
Association of School Boards and was ranked among the top five
superintendents in the state; under her leadership, the district
has invested significantly in technology, science laboratory
materials, employee and student wellness, and safety; moreover,
the district added 10 new school buses; teachers, hourly
employees, and administrators all received raises in consecutive
years, yet property taxes were not increased; the district has
received approval for a natatorium, a student resource center,
and a new employee health clinic building; the school board was
named Region 1 School Board of the Year and was selected as a Top
Five Honor Board; and
WHEREAS, The education of young Texans is a vital
enterprise, and the La Joya Independent School District has
demonstrated a strong commitment to providing a challenging and
supportive learning environment to prepare its graduates for
future success; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 27, 2017, as La Joya
Independent School District Day at the State Capitol and extend
to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative
and enjoyable stay in Austin.
Hinojosa
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 27, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate