Overstaffing has been an issue for some time. We heard it in August and back in May when budget work sessions took place. So this has been no secret. We have known for some time that La Joya ISD needed to restore its financial status and regain its stability.  

On July 27th, Dr. Saenz said the school district would focus on five critical priorities. 1. Teaching and Learning 2. Safety 3. Openness and Care 4. Revenues and Expenditures 5. Monitoring of Qualifications Staff to Meet Educational Needs

If you already knew this in July, why not put aside special projects, school board travel, hiring consultants, holiday stipends, Etc? Dr. Benavides stated that it was critical to stick to the budget.  

In December, an additional stipend was approved, knowing we were already suffering.  

Why do students have to fundraise to be able to participate in school-related programs such as FFA?

What happened to focus on the five critical priorities? 

At last night's board meeting, there was a discussion on matters related to the 2023 La Joya ISD Staffing Adjustment Plan. The plan included closing of unfilled positions, eliminating unnecessary positions, and through natural attrition, the District would save $24.3 million. But what has yet to be mentioned is the closure of 2 schools!  

What happened to taking care of families in our community? What about the 120 families affected by the reduction in force that you approved?

Where is the openness and care for the students that will be assigned to other schools? Did you think about how you would affect their parents? 

Where is the transparency that La Joya ISD promised to the community? 

To my fellow community members, stand with me in demanding answers. Enough is enough, Ya Basta! 

As a community member and parent, I demand that La Joya ISD be transparent with the parents, employees, and community. In a time when we are seeing our very own community suffer because of the recession our nation is facing, you are creating yet again a considerable burden to the families of our district! YOU committed to transparency in the approved Board Governance Action Plan (May 2022). 

WE WANT ANSWERS! We demand TRANSPARENCY!