La Joya, TX — August 29, 2023— Following yesterday's hearing with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) regarding its recommendation to install a board of managers at La Joya Independent School District, the district wishes to publicly address several concerns.
Incomplete Investigation During the hearing, it became evident that the TEA investigation was not as comprehensive or unbiased as a matter of this gravity requires. Witnesses provided testimony that seemed aimed more at justifying predetermined conclusions than shedding light on actual facts. When pressed about the foundations for their conclusions, TEA representatives admitted they had not conducted thorough research into the issues at hand. This raises serious questions about the validity of their findings and recommendations.
Concerns About Accuracy and Integrity of Testimonies During the hearing, we were particularly disturbed to hear some accusations and assertions from TEA witnesses that were not only unfounded and wrong but also completely false. These inaccuracies cast a shadow over the integrity of the entire investigation and only serve to further erode any confidence in the TEA's process and recommendations.
Unanswered Calls for Help Further exacerbating our concerns was TEA's lack of responsiveness when La Joya ISD proactively reached out for assistance. Despite our best efforts to collaborate and resolve any potential issues, our calls for support were met with silence. Remarkably, the same agency that failed to offer guidance later used our request for help as a basis to criticize the District for alleged shortcomings. We find this contradiction not just disheartening but deeply troubling.
Commitment to Our Community The Board’s primary focus is the well-being of our students, staff, and community. An elected board is accountable to the community, ensuring your voice is heard in decisions that directly impact our children's education. We bring local insight, years of community involvement, and an understanding of the specific needs and nuances of our District. An appointed board of managers would lack this direct accountability and community connection, effectively silencing the community's voice in its own educational system. We are committed to transparency, good governance, and the rule of law, and we will vigorously oppose any efforts to undermine these democratic principles."
Next Steps La Joya ISD remains hopeful that the truth will prevail as the process continues. The district invites all interested parties to keep abreast of developments through our official communication channels.
Respectfully,
Jaime “Jerry” Muñoz
La Joya ISD Legal Counsel
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