The Socorro Independent School District has been selected in two major categories as a finalist for the statewide 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education awards.
Team SISD was recognized as an outstanding large district and the SISD Board of Trustees was recognized as an outstanding school board.
The recognition marks the first time a school board of trustees from the El Paso-area has been named a finalist in the awards program since it was opened to school districts across Texas outside of H-E-B markets.
In addition, this is the third time SISD has been named a finalist in the H-E-B awards program.
SISD is one of only five finalists among large school districts and the board of trustees is one of only five school boards in Texas to be named finalists in the prestigious awards program, which recognizes exceptional school districts and governing boards.
“We are proud and humbled to receive this awesome acknowledgement of the amazing work achieved by our excellent teachers, administrators, and staff, which is always supported tremendously by our incredible Team SISD community,” said SISD Superintendent José Espinoza, Ed.D. “Our three-time recognition as a district coupled with the recognition for our outstanding school board reaffirms our unwavering commitment to provide the highest quality education for students to succeed now and in the future.”
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program was launched in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas. In 2018, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards awarded more than $700,000 in cash prizes, gift cards and grants to finalists and winners, according to the H-E-B website.
Since its inception in 2002, the program has awarded over $10 million to Texas educators, schools and
districts. It has become the largest monetary program for educators in the state, spotlighting best practices and celebrating the passion and creativity of Texas educators.
The large school district winner will receive $100,000 and one or more school boards may receive a special judge’s award totaling up to $25,000.
School districts are honored for their commitment to student achievement through innovative programs, parent/community involvement, and professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators.
School boards are awarded for leadership in the community based on academic/student progress within the district, identification of community needs, and specific actions taken based on those needs, and new and creative methods for community engagement.
“We are extremely honored to earn this wonderful recognition. It is a testament to the great success in our outstanding school district,” said SISD Board President Cynthia Najera. “Team SISD’s consistent student success and overall achievements demonstrate to the El Paso-region and all of Texas that we certainly are providing endless opportunities for students, staff, and the community.”
SISD will be awarded $5,000 as a finalist in the large school district and $5,000 as a finalist in the school board category. A panel of H-E-B Excellence in Education judges will visit SISD in February. The site visit will include a tour of two SISD campuses, meetings with the superintendent and board of trustees, and lunch with representatives from the school district.
After visiting the five finalist districts, H-E-B will announce the winner in May.
The SISD Board of Trustees are President Cynthia Ann Najera, District 2 representative; Vice President Angelica Rodriguez, District 3 representative; Secretary Antonio “Tony” Ayub, representative at-large; Trustee Hector F. Gonzalez, District 1 representative; Trustee Paul Guerra, District 4 representative; Trustee Gary Gandara, District 5 representative; and Michael A. Najera, representative at-large.
Socorro isn’t the only local district to be honored by the nomination, Canutillo ISD is up for an H-E-B honor as well. To read that story, click here.
