SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 237
WHEREAS, Proud representatives of the South Texas
Independent School District are gathering in Austin on March
12, 2025, in celebration of South Texas ISD Day at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Established by order of the state legislature in
1964, South Texas ISD began as a residential school in Edinburg
for students with disabilities, who at the time were excluded
from public education; during the 1970s, the district enrolled
special education students from Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy
Counties and provided them with the opportunity to develop
valuable life and vocational skills while participating in
sports and other activities; today, the district continues to
offer educational and occupational training to individuals
with disabilities through full-time enrollment and half-day
programs; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, the State Board of Education initiated
plans for the first magnet school in South Texas; two years
later, the South Texas ISD Health Professions high school opened
its doors, marking a significant milestone for the advancement of
career and technical education in the Rio Grande Valley; over the
next several decades, the district established six additional
magnet schools offering specialized learning environments,
including the South Texas ISD Science Academy, South Texas ISD
Medical Professions, South Texas ISD World Scholars, South Texas
ISD Preparatory Academy, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars
Academy, and South Texas ISD Virtual Academy; and
WHEREAS, An open-enrollment district, South Texas ISD
benefits from the able leadership of superintendent Dr. Marco
Antonio Lara Jr.; its schools are consistently ranked among
the best in the state and nation by Niche and U.S. News & World
Report and have made frequent appearances on Educational
Results Partnership Texas Honor Roll lists; four of its
campuses have been designated as Blue Ribbon Schools by the
U.S. Department of Education, and the district has further
been honored by Niche by being highly ranked on its Districts
with the Best Teachers in Texas and Best Places to Teach in
Texas lists for multiple years; and
WHEREAS, South Texas ISD serves as a model for quality and
innovation in public education for not only the State of Texas
but the nation at large, and its schools have helped countless
young Texans explore pathways to success that align with their
unique talents and career aspirations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby recognize March 12, 2025, as South Texas
ISD Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for a productive and enjoyable
stay in Austin.
Hinojosa of Nueces
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 12, 2025.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate