LISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

HECTOR J. GARCIA

PRESIDENT, DISTRICT 6

HECTOR J. NOYOLA

VICE PRESIDENT, DISTRICT 3

RICARDO GARZA

SECRETARY, DISTRICT 4

JOSE A . VALDEZ

TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 1

CINDY LIENDO

TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 2

DR. CECILIA MAY MORENO

TRUSTEE , DISTRICT 5

JOSE R. PEREZ, JR.

TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 7

ROBERTA G. RAMIREZ

INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

OF SCHOOLS

It is the policy of the Laredo Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color,

national origin, gender, limited English proficiency, or hadicapping condition in its programs.

Dr. Rios named sole finalist for LISD Superintendent

Laredo ISO Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sylvia Guerra Rios was named the lone finalist for the superintendent position during a special call meeting held Wednesday night. The USO Board of Trustees voted unanimously in her favor.

Under state law, the school board is required to wait 21 days before signing a contract with a new superintendent. If she is named superintendent, Dr. Rios would replace Dr. Marcus Nelson who now serves as superintendent at Waco ISO.

Dr. Rios has been a fervent advocate for children and educators throughout her 30-year career as a secondary math and English classroom teacher, high schoolprincipal, central office administrator, and Region One Education Service CenterAdministrator for Curriculum & Instruction. Her multi-faceted experience in the fieldof education has led her to leadership positions in both small and large schooldistricts, including Laredo ISO, where she is currently employed as the ChiefAcademic Officer for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment.

Dr. Rios began her career as an educator after graduating from Hebbronville High School in 1973 as the class valedictorian, alongside her twin sister Cynthia, the class salutatorian. Continuing her studies at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977, majoring in secondary English and mathematics. Taking a teaching position at her beloved alma mater, Dr. Rios became a successful educator at Hebbronville High School, where her students earned district, regional and state honors as the sponsor for One-Act play, prose. poetry, and ready writing. Very much involved with school activities, she was also the HHS National Honor Society sponsor, the Student Council Sponsor, UIL Director, and served as a member of various other school committees.

In 1986, she returned to then Texas A&I University where she completed a Master's degree in secondary education as well as certification in School Administration, followed by Superintendent certification in 1995. These credentials led to her appointments as the Jim Hogg County ISO Curriculum & Assessment Director and Hebbronville High School principal. As a former HHS principal, Dr. Rios led a dedicated and exceptional group of teachers, staff and students to three consecutive Texas Education Agency Exemplary ratings and a variety of student accolades in academics, athletics, and community initiatives.

When offered an administrative position at Laredo ISO in 2001, Dr. Rios became J. W. Nixon High School's principal, leading a staff of 178 teachers and 2400 students towards the district's first high school Recognized rating. Pursuing her doctoral studies at Texas A&M University-College Station, Dr. Rios earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 2012. Her fields of study included multicultural education and school administration, both of which have framed her own instructional leadership in the organizations of which she has been a part.

In her current administrative role as Laredo ISO Executive Director for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Dr. Rios supervises 34 principals, more than 50 curriculum and instruction professionals, and various departments, Including Assessment, Accountability & Evaluation, Special Education, Bilingual Education, Gifted & Talented Education, Advanced Academics, Career & Technical Education, and Media & Learning Resources. Serving approximately 24,000 students, Laredo ISO is comprised of 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 magnet schools, 3 comprehensive high schools, two early college high schools, a non-traditional high school, as well as an alternative education campus.

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Graduates earn high school diplomas Close to 1,400 grauates walked jubilantly across the stage to accept their high school diploma during Laredo Independent School

District's graduation ceremonies. Commencement exercises for Cigarroa, Martin, and Nixon High Schools took place on Thursday, June 2,

at the Laredo Energy Arena (LEA). Graduation Day began wfth Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School followed by Raymond and Tirza Martin High School's commencement ceremony. The evening finished with Joseph Wesley Nixon High School's convocation.

Commencement ceremonies for the Hector J. Garcia

Early College High School's graduating class was held on

Friday, June 2, at the Texas A&M International University

Kinesiology and Convocation Building (Gymnasium).

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian for each high school led

their graduating class during Commencement Ceremonies.

Representing Cigarroa High School were Regina Abigail

Rodriguez, Valedictorian, and Denise Uzzette Serna,

Salutatorian. Representing Martin High School were lridian

Lucas, Valedictorian, and Mario Alejandro Valle,

Salutatorian. Leading Nixon High School were Melissa

Bustamante, Valedictorian, and Ben Mora Salutatorian. The

top two students at the Hector J. Garcia Early College High

School were Timothy Domingo, Valedictorian, and Patricia C. Macalindong, Salutatorian.

The parents of the top students from each high school were guests of honor on stage along with the LISD Board of Trustees,

Superintendent Dr. Marcus Nelson, and school administrators.

The winner of the Drive Sames for Education car giveaway was randomly selected and announced prior to the Nixon High School

graduation. The car was won by Nixon student Jose Martines, who had perfect attendance this year. The Laredo Federal Credit Union

sponsored the tax, title, and license for the winner.